See how the port is committed to environmental and sustainable practices. read more
Green Port of Baltimore
Environment Management System
The Maryland Port Administration (MPA) has implemented an Environmental Management System (EMS) based on the ISO Standard 14001-2004 in order to meet its goal of being an advocate and steward of the environment by controlling or eliminating the adverse environmental impacts of its activities or services, as described in the MPA policy:
MPA believes that protection of the Chesapeake Bay environment and stewardship of natural resources are essential elements of its mission. MPA is committed to environmental compliance of all laws and regulations and other environmental commitments; continuous improvement in environmental performance; pollution prevention; and effective interaction with its employees, other government agencies, and the community.
The policy is communicated to employees and port users as MPA CARES with acronym meaning:
ContinualAdherence to Regulations
Reduction/Prevention of Pollution
Environmental Outreach
Supply Adequate Resources
The SCOPE of the EMS covers facility, crane, and fleet activities and services at the MPA's marine terminals. The intent was to identify the activities and services (aspects) that have significant impact on the environment and that the MPA controls and has the ability to influence.
MPA's environmental CORE TEAM consists of representatives from the Environmental, Engineering, Operation, Finance, Maintenance, and Safety Departments and works under the direction of MPA's Environmental Executive, M. Kathleen Broadwater. The CORE TEAM is responsible for determining significant aspects (activities or services that can interact with the environment) and devising environmental management plans for significant aspects; selecting areas for improvement, known as objectives and targets and developing action plans for objectives and targets; and overall management of the EMS.
2010/11 Significant Aspects and Environmental Management Plans
2010/11 Objectives and Targets and Action Plans
1. Achieve ISO 14001 Certification2. Educate the Port Community
3. Improve Air Quality at the marine terminals by Reducing Air Emissions
4. Reduce Waste by Increasing MPA's Recycling and Conservation Activities
5. Reduce Potential for Petroleum Impacts to Soil and Groundwater by removing four underground Storage Tanks and Replacing with Above Ground Storage Tanks.
EMS Environmental Achievements Annual Review
2010 Annual Review2009 Annual Review
2008 Annual Review
Contractors, Tenants, Port Users Information
MPA's EMS is a systematic approach to determine applicable laws and regulations, evaluate its aspects and impacts, develop and implement systems to ensure compliance and reduce or eliminate adverse impacts, monitor and measure the systems, and taking actions to continually improve its environmental management system. Although the EMS is for activities and processes that the MPA has control, the MPA also provides education and outreach to its contractors, tenants, and other port users.
- Contractors' Environmental Handbook.All contractors working for the MPA must adhere to the requirement identified in the Contractors' Environmental Handbook.
- Tenant Environmental Survey.Tenants and other port users may be required to complete the survey prior to leasing at one of the marine terminals.
- Advisories are provided to tenants and port users to ensure they are aware of certain environmental regulations; these advisories do not cover all environmental laws and regulations.
- Stormwater Management
- Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasures & Oil Operations Permits
- Above Ground Storage Tanks & Generators
- Response to Leaking Equipment and Vehicles
- Best Management Practices (BMPs) are provided as a guide for port users when performing working at one of the MPA's marine terminals. The BMPs are not meant only as a guide; the responsibility for the performing the working in accordance with all environmental laws and regulations remains with the party performing the work.
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