Page Two	E-mail PagePrint Version

STOCKTON - 08/09/04 - Several environmental groups have filed a lawsuit against the Port of Stockton, arguing its proposed expansion of its terminal facilities would bring more ship traffic, noise, pollution to the Sacramento River delta.

The lawsuit - filed recently in San Joaquin County Superior Court by Stockton-based DeltaKeeper, the Natural Resources Defense Council, and several neighborhood associations alleges that the Port of Stockton Board of Harbor Commissioners didn't consider the environmental impact of increased traffic.

The port's most recent expansion plan estimates that the number of ships coming to the port could go from 20 per year to about 150.

The port reportedly plans to spend $190 million on the 1,400-acre Rough and Ready Island that once served as a US Navy supply base and communications center.

The project, the port has said, would eventually create as many as 40,000 jobs.

The port director has said residents' concerns were considered when the expansion plans were drafted and that the harbor commission "has taken measures to reduce reliance on noisy generators…and is working with ship and boat companies to limit the amount of diesel exhaust expelled in the area."

According to Port Director Richard Aschieris, "We're still interested in being able to do a development there and still want to be sensitive to the communities living near this project."

Port Commissioner Steve Herum said the environmental reviews done before the project was approved on in June were among the most complete he had ever seen. He also said residents were more concerned about the value of their homes than about any damage to the environment.

The litigants disagree. Clean water advocates said they're worried about the impact of the sevenfold increase of commercial ship traffic on the health of delta's plant and animal life.

"Our environment, public health, and quality of life cannot be sacrificed just because the port wishes to expand. The law requires adverse impacts to be acknowledged and mitigated," said Bill Jennings of DeltaKeeper.

This is the second such suit brought against a California port by the NRDC.

The first, filed against the Port of Los Angeles, resulted in a recent $60 million settlement that required the port to take several measures to lessen the impact of ship traffic on the environment, said Julie Masters, NRDC's leading attorney on the case.

Now a ship docking at the port can get its power from shore, instead of running their diesel engines, while some terminal and shoreside equipment will run on alternative fuels, instead of the dirtier diesel, she said.

"These are the measures we'd like to see in Stockton," said Masters, adding that the organization will be following what other ports around the country do as they plan for expansions, and "considering suits similar to these two when mitigation measures are not part of the plan."

There is no date set for a hearing on the case.

Go back, or read the latest Page Two stories:

MEXICO LIFTS CALIFORNIA LETTUCE BAN

MEXICO CITY, Mexico – 10/20/06 – The weeks-old ban on California lettuce shipments to Mexico has been lifted after US Department of Agriculture tests for the E. coli bacteria proved negative; California is the country’s leading producer of lettuce with an estimated 70-75% of the total US production of iceberg lettuce and between 80-85% of the leaf lettuce.