Green Ports: Aquatic Impact Avoidance, Minimization and Mitigation for Port Developments

Successful port development projects (e.g., channel deepening, upgrading waterfront port facilities) require plans to avoid and minimize environmental impacts where possible, and to provide mitigation as necessary. Adverse impact avoidance and minimization are developed as projects are designed and are incorporated into the final design. Unavoidable impacts, on the other hand, require compensatory mitigation measures. Acceptable project plans must be technically sound, provide the environmental and economic benefits identified by project stakeholders, and take into account institutional/political constraints. We have found that successful approaches are predicated on effective partnering, not only among all project stakeholders, but also between project engineers and scientists at the pre-design stage. This results in projects that are specifically designed to include built-in environmental protection features and mitigation opportunities. This paper will use examples from New York/New Jersey Harbor to show how waterfront projects can provide environmental benefits, cost-effectively.