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Duwamish Valley EPA EJ Pilot Project – Community-identified Opportunities and Concerns
Goals:
1) Negotiate a Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) that incorporates all relevant points below to ensure
Duwamish Valley (DV) community/Port collaboration moving forward.
2) Use this pilot project as a model to engage other near-port EJ communities, addressing specific needs and
concerns.
We acknowledge that developing a CBA takes time. With that said, the community would like the Port to
demonstrate their commitment by dedicating some efforts on short term issues while the CBA is being
developed. Mid-term and long term issues can be addressed in the CBA.
1) Community Capacity Building and Port/Community relations capacity building – Support the
community in overcoming historic and economic disparities to fully participate in Port benefits to the
region.
Community Asks
Potential Port Response
Objective: Improve Port/community
communications
Improve relationships between Port and
Community members
Short: Increase access for DV community members to join Port tours and
educational events. Send Port outreach staff to community events, learn
about community, become a regular presence in the community.
Increase Port use of ethnic media outlets, translation and interpretation
services, video and online media to better reach DV community.
Mid: Develop additional “Port 101” tours tailored for DV audiences (ex:
non-English language events, design tour content with community.
Provide training for Port outreach staff to learn how to better
communicate with community members (in English as well as in other
languages). This includes how to present relevant information, and how
to know what information is relevant to the community. Trust building
with a community, listening to and respecting community members.
Long: Community evaluates and improves Port’s best practices to
equitably offer public education and inclusion programs.
Objective: Increased financial resources for
community programs:
Increase capacity to solve problems through
funding community projects (ex/ City of Seattle’s
Duwamish River Opportunity Fund (DROF).
Sponsor and partner with community organizations
to produce cultural events.
Short: Sponsor near-Port community programs, new ones as well as ones
that are already happening.
Mid: Increase access for DV-based small business to participate in DV
improvement projects, collaborate with DROF to increase impact. Create
a community improvement fund
Long: Community evaluates and improves Port best practices to
maintain/create business opportunities and relationships.
Objective: Change Port’s reputation in the DV
from a “polluter” to an “innovator” in building the
green economy and a partner to the community:
Improve communication and engagement methods
between Port and community; engage in Terminal
5 construction and operations.
Short: Identify opportunities for community involvement in long term
planning and prior to project startup
Mid: Incorporate unique needs of DV audiences into all Port
communications, implement best practices. Identify ways to engage with
people with no access to technology.
Long: Community evaluates and improves Port best practices to maintain
appropriate communication avenues.
Objective: Reduce project/agency fatigue in DV:
Leverage existing projects and funding sources to
enhance improvements (ie: City of Seattle, King
County, Seattle Parks Foundation funding and
Short: Coordinate with existing interdepartmental teams (IDT) at City and
County. Coordinate with community led projects that are happening
already. Find out what all those projects are, see which ones the port has
a stake in, or can influence because they own property at the site (like 8
th
Ave S), and make sure that the port is supporting the community in all
Item No: 7a, attach 3
Meeting Date: April 10, 2018
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research).
ways that make sense (ie: 12
th
and Elmgrove Park).
Mid: Synchronize with City/County IDT, begin engagement with other
public agencies and non-profits working in DV. Create an
interdepartmental Port team that assists the community in moving action
projects forward, getting their voice heard, and creates effective and
established communication channels between the port and the
community.
Long: Establish process for collaboration, ensure institutional memory.
Objective: Influence local industry partners to
recognize and respond to DV community
concerns:
Improved support for influencing industry and local
decision makers on community concerns.
Short: Inform DV residents on local industry connections and history of
Port relationships, facilitate dialogue between stakeholders.
Mid: Explore partnerships with industry leaders.
Long: Involve community in industry collaborations. Support
opportunities for community to be involved with future
interactions/projects/agreements that affect the community.
Objective: Support for community resilience to
challenge displacement pressures:
Partner with non-profits to invest in affordable
housing or solutions to displacement (concerns
with gentrification, lack of green space, more air
pollution); increase community voice in HALA and
MLA re-zoning;
Need for community center or other free
community gathering spaces.
Short: Identify opportunities for Port to an ally to prevent displacement
of DV community members.
Mid: Create economic development opportunities that employ DV
residents at a livable wage that enables them to afford to continue living
in the community.
Long: Maintain economic development programming that specifically
supports Duwamish Valley residents with livable wages.
2) Environmental Health: Reduce environmental harms that impact the health and livability of near-Port
Duwamish Valley communities.
Community Asks
Potential Port Response
Objective: Greenspace improvements – improve
quantity and quality
Create opportunities for new open space (The
Flume, Triangle park next to Ruby Chow Park,
Gateway Park North & 8th Ave S, Taco Time site -
secure property next to new Wet Weather
Treatment facility); build a dog park; maintain 8th
Ave Park trail to avoid crime and illegal activities;
install water station and informational signage at
Duwamish Waterway Park for families using the
beach; adoption of “Scary Trail” for better safety
and health features; improve river access in
general.
Short: Increase maintenance at Port public access sites and properties: 8
th
Ave S. Gear Park, T105, T107, Turning Basin 3, identify opportunities for
public art/Port artifacts to enhance public spaces in DV. Work with the
community to create spaces that the community needs and will use.
Mid: Synchronize greenspace improvements with City and County IDT,
construct Terminal 117 Park, identify Scary Trail maintenance and
opportunities for Port involvement, engage Marine Maintenance with
community, enhance Port street- end properties (ex: 8
th
Avenue South in
Georgetown, 12
th
Avenue South and Elmgrove in South Park).
Long: Maintain Terminal 117 Public Access through youth engagement &
training, coordinate with City of Seattle on comprehensive public space
planning incorporating Port development plans.
Objective: Increase tree canopy in DV
Short: Sponsor community programs to plant and maintain trees and
native species on Port properties.
Mid: Monitor and document tree planting, compile data for use in air
quality and carbon sequestration benefits, share information and successes
with community. Use influence to work with other local industries to help
them install Green Infrastructure and a better tree canopy throughout the
industrial area and use community to install them. Build opportunities for
our Marine Maintenance union to work with DV residents as interns or
apprentices to take care of Port properties in DV. When not feasible,
identify contract opportunities to support local DV residents’ employment
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in habitat restoration on Port property.
Long: Involve community in coordinated tree canopy planning with other
green infrastructure in the DV.
Objective: Improved pedestrian and bicycle
safety and connectivity between South Park and
Georgetown
Adoption of “Scary Trail” for improved health and
safety; mitigate upcoming impacts of opening T5
on community including increased air pollution
and pedestrian/bicycle safety; create safer
connectivity between Georgetown and South
Park, especially E. Marginal Way S for biking and
walking (walking connectivity between Corson
and River St through college or WSDOT property);
install safe sidewalks along 4th Ave S, especially
around bus stops and St. Vincent de Paul food
bank; install crosswalks at multiple places
including: Ellis Ave S and S Warsaw St, Corson Ave
S and S Warsaw St, Corson Ave S and S Willow St
Short: Review community generated documents that show transportation
and safety issues. Work with Duwamish Valley Safe Streets to see how the
Port can assist them in their near and short term goals.
Mid: Identify opportunities for the Port to enhance safe streets goals along
freight routes used by the Port.
Long: Coordinate with external agencies/groups (Metro, Freight Advisory)
to explore freight route improvement and train scheduling, safe freight
corridor crossings and pedestrian/bike routes; create more transit options
in DV.
Objective: Reduce air emissions and pollution
impacts in the community
Host asthma prevention programs; improve
monitoring and enforcement of pollution
violations; increase green storm water
infrastructure throughout neighborhood as
buffering and to reduce storm water issues
throughout community; mitigate impacts of
opening T5 on community including increased air
pollution and pedestrian/bicycle safety.
Short: Port participates in community projects related to American Lung
Association’s asthma prevention programs; develop pilot projects with
community to better monitor and mitigate air contaminants, e.g. green
walls; inform on 2018 Northwest Ports Clean Air Strategy (NWPCAS)
Update; share information through annual progress reports on NWPCAS;
add community-based projects as an element of the NWPCAS, involve
community in program implementation at terminals (ex: lease updates,
permits)
Mid: Involve community in the design and implementation of NWPCAS
projects, increase engagement on air quality concerns with industry
partners.
Long: Involve community in evaluation and improvement of Port and
NWSA air emissions reductions programs and goal setting.
Objective: Protect water quality and river health
from storm water runoff and reduce flooding
risks
Increase green storm water infrastructure
throughout neighborhood as buffering and to
reduce stormwater issues throughout
community; develop SP business corridor truck
route; funding for building and maintaining green
infrastructure (i.e. green walls, permeable
pavement, etc.) as a way to develop community
capacity and learning; improve river access in
general; street paving to improve flooding;
landscape buffering enforcement for new housing
developments.
Short: Identify opportunities along the Duwamish River and on Port
property where stormwater improvements can be made, and start working
on upgrades.
Mid: Coordinate with external agencies and community members on best
practices for flooding preparedness, explore enhanced green stormwater
infrastructure opportunities on Port properties.
Long: Coordinate with external agencies for green storm water
infrastructure investments, freight routing improvements, more alternative
transportation options in DV, apply and enforce stormwater best practices
along Port truck routes and industry in DV, consider transportation
investments or infrastructure that reduces harms in DV, coordinate with
external agencies and organizations with technical assistance in green
infrastructure planning, construction, maintenance. Expand programming
at other Port properties and with near port communities, not just in the DV.
Objective: Improved resources for community to
address air pollution sourcing (trucks, planes,
trains, etc.)
Short: Sponsor public programs to inform DV residents and workers of
existing air quality conditions and programs locally (ex: Puget Sound
Maritime Emission Inventory presentation)
Mid: Identify and implement opportunities for additional air quality
monitoring in DV. Make sure that research is reaching the highest levels of
the Port, and is used by the port to direct mitigating actions.
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Objective: Increased Port leadership and staff
awareness of pollution issues and health impacts
of operations.
Mitigate impacts of opening T5 including
increased air pollution and pedestrian/bicycle
safety; increase green stormwater infrastructure
throughout neighborhood as buffering and to
reduce stormwater issues throughout
community.
Short: Educate Port staff and leadership on community health impacts of
Port operations, particularly concepts of disproportionate impacts.
Mid: Make sure that research is reaching the highest levels of the Port and
is used to influence policy and best practices.
Long: Develop ongoing research and evaluation processes to collect data,
analyze solutions, and involve community in program design and
implementation; strengthen coordination with external agencies and local
industry partners to improve air quality.
Objective: Encourage sustainability best
practices among local industry partners, truck
operators, general public (idling, parking, vehicle
maintenance, air pollution controls)
Mitigate CDL recycle re-opening and possible
severe dust issues; general pollution source
control: trains, airport, trucks, highway sources;
improve monitoring and enforcement of pollution
violations; relocate trucks parking at Duwamish
Waterway Park and in neighborhoods.
Short: Identify relationships to violators and existing reporting structures,
update marine cargo vehicle data, improve communications to
truck/drayage drivers on rules, provide info on Port/NWSA website, review
plan for driver outreach.
Mid: Identify opportunities for Port to influence and develop commitments
considering equity for all.
Long: Begin partnering with community based on opportunities.
Objective: Noise prevention programs (trucks,
trains, planes, etc.), road repairs to reduce noise
Create concrete barrier between SR509 and
South Park Community Center (prevent noise and
air pollution); address noise issues from trains,
planes, trucks; Address truck parking at
Duwamish Waterway Park and north Georgetown
Trucks destroying roads, creating ruts and
potholes; develop quiet zone as mitigation for T-5
truck freight movement
Short: Identify and inform public about Port’s relationship to noise issues,
raise awareness on existing reporting structures and abatement programs,
inform community about “quiet zones,” support community engagement
with King County Intl Airport (KCIA), partner with KCIA as appropriate.
Mid: Identify opportunities for Port to influence, partner with community
and appropriate agencies for reporting and repairs of road damage and
noise resulting from truck travel and parking in neighborhoods. Create
sufficient parking lots with amenities (bathrooms, etc) for truckers to park
in while hauling freight for the Port.
Long: Establish partnership with community based on opportunities;
identify alternatives for truck parking. Start working to partner with train
companies to get a “quiet zone” going for Georgetown.
Objective: Improved healthy food access
Need access to healthy food, such as farmers
markets
Short: Identify food economies in the DV, connect with City and County IDT
to identify opportunities for Port engagement.
Mid: Involve community in design and implementation of Diversity in
Contracting program related to food economies in the DV, investigate ways
to support Marra Farm and the South Seattle College Community Garden.
Long: Consider long-term business incubation opportunities through the
Diversity in Contracting program, identify ways for Port to promote local
food production/consumption to spur “green jobs” development.
Objective: Reduce traffic congestion problems
Mitigate upcoming impacts of opening T5 on
community including increased air pollution and
pedestrian/bicycle safety; Create safer
connectivity between Georgetown and South
Park, especially E. Marginal Way S, biking and
walking
Connectivity between Corson and River St
through college or WSDOT property; build safe
sidewalks along 4th Ave S, especially around the
bus stops and the St. Vincent Food Bank;
increase bus service
Short: Identify opportunities for Port employees to reduce their traffic
through the DV.
Mid: Identify opportunities for Port to influence.
Long: Establish partnership with community based on opportunities.
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3) Economic Development: Promote equitable development in the Duwamish Valley by providing
economically disadvantaged near-Port community members with increased access to Port-related
economic benefits.
Potential Port Response
Short: Consult DV community members on design and implementation of
Local Priority Hire program for jobs at all levels of the port. Offer training
and outreach opportunities to hire local DV workers and residents.
Mid: Implement Local Priority Hire program.
Long: Involve community to evaluate Local Priority Hire program and other
Workforce Development programs to improve access to Port jobs.
Short: Collaborate with DV youth employment programs to place youth
into existing HS paid internship program, increase college internship and
Veteran Fellowship outreach in DV, provide information sessions and
interactive workshops for youth on career readiness.
Mid: Involve DV stakeholders to consult about refreshing the Veteran’s
Program, with modifying existing career awareness/ job/recruitment skills
trainings for DV audiences, develop NWSA internships and career
awareness activities.
Long: Establish and maintain feedback mechanisms with DV-based
employment programs to review and improve internship/fellowship
program and identify middle school pathways to link with program
Short: Identify opportunities to engage Labor in DV-specific support.
Mid: Begin dialogue with Labor in opportunity areas.
Long: Support ongoing dialogue and collaboration with Labor related to
opportunity areas.
Short: Support local business associations and businesses with relevant
training; identify how the Diversity in Contracting program relates to DV
community needs.
Mid: Identify opportunities to involve community in the design and
implementation of the Diversity in Contracting program.
Long: Involve community to evaluate the Diversity in Contracting program
and other Workforce Development programs to improve access to
contracting opportunities with the Port.
Short: Involve community to develop a “green job pathway” at the Port,
continue strengthening Sustainability policies and programs, continue
investment in industry-wide sustainability improvements (ex: Sustainable
Aviation Biofuels), continue developing Sustainability and Equity
Frameworks for Port decisions.
Mid: Increase internal Port understanding of green jobs pathways,
implement Sustainability and Equity Frameworks for Port projects, and
incorporate community impact criteria into the Port’s annual
Environmental Excellence Awards for business partners.
Long: Increase industry partner understanding of “green job pathway”
opportunities, develop partnerships with external agencies to support
green jobs pipelines, identify and invest in risk taking related to new green
economic development opportunities.