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Port Welcomes New Executive Director
In June, Governor Larry Hogan announced that Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) Secretary Greg Slater appointed William P. Doyle as the new executive director of the Maryland Port Administration (MDOT MPA).
Doyle is a respected maritime professional with nearly three decades of experience in the transportation and energy sectors, including serving as U.S. Maritime Commissioner from 2013-2018. Doyle most recently served as the chief executive officer and executive director of Dredging Contractors of America.
“With a distinguished career in the maritime industry and international trade spanning nearly three decades, I am confident that Bill Doyle will lead the Port of Baltimore in driving Maryland’s economy forward,” said Governor Hogan. “Under his leadership, the Port of Baltimore will continue to create jobs and keep the supply chain moving as it has throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.”
 Photo: Recently, Executive Director Doyle took a tour of the Masonville and Cox Creek dredged material containment facilities and is seen here standing on the dike at Masonville. Doyle was selected following a search committee that solicited candidates and fielded applications from interested persons around the world. Credit: Bill McAllen
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Port Achieves International Environmental Certification
For the third time, MDOT MPA’s Environmental Management System has successfully met the stringent requirements necessary to be awarded ISO 14001 recertification by NSF International. This certification assures all customers and stakeholders that the cargo handling activities at the state-owned marine terminals conform to international standards for environmental excellence.
MDOT MPA was the first Maryland state government agency to be certified with the ISO 14001 status in 2011 and has been recertified in 2014, 2017 and now in 2020. Recertification is required every three years, with a yearly external audit in between.
“Receiving this coveted certification for the third time is especially significant because it signals that MDOT MPA once again has met the requirement for ‘continuous improvement’ of our environmental management system,” said MDOT MPA General Manager of Safety, Environment & Risk Management (SERM) Bill Richardson. “ISO 14001 Certification tells the world that the Port of Baltimore is an exceptional steward of its environment.”
 Photo: MDOT MPA’s 2020 ISO14001 for Environmental Management System certification considered environmental achievements such as this above ground sand filter at the Dundalk Marine Terminal, the Diesel Equipment Upgrade Program, the use of sediment dredged from shipping channels that lead to the Port of Baltimore to restore wetlands and eroding islands, environmental programs at Masonville Cove, and efforts to restore the Chesapeake Bay’s depleted stock of native oysters. Credit: Bryce Selby/Maryland Environmental Service (MES)
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Grant Awarded to Study Microgrids for the Port
A grant from the Maryland Energy Administration's (MEA) Resilient Maryland Program will allow MDOT MPA to complete a feasibility study to investigate microgrid options. As explained by the U.S. Department of Energy, microgrids are localized electric grids that can disconnect from a traditional grid to operate autonomously. Microgrids also enable the integration of renewable energy resources and can serve as a resilient back up in case of emergencies.
MDOT MPA’s feasibility study will look at microgrids for wind, solar, batteries, and fuel cells. This study will also help MDOT MPA inform and implement components of the Port’s sustainability strategies.
The study will include a cost benefit analysis of clean-power-generating technologies and develop a conceptual design of a microgrid to serve one of the Maintenance Buildings at the Dundalk Marine Terminal.
 Photo: A grant from MEA will allow MDOT MPA to study how a microgrid could help ensure resilient power for the Maintenance Building at the Dundalk Marine Terminal. Credit: Jeffrey Sauers for MDOT MPA
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Port and Zoo Partnership Wins MDOT’s Environmental Excellence Award
A first time partnership between MDOT MPA and The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore was honored by MDOT Secretary Greg Slater at the Sixth Annual Environmental Excellence Awards, an annual event held to recognize MDOT Transportation Business Units (TBU) that implement outstanding environmental programs and initiatives. The partners worked together on stormwater restoration projects at the zoo to stop erosion, provide habitat for local wildlife, and improve the quality of water that flows into the Jones Falls and ultimately into the Chesapeake Bay. The restoration construction projects were overseen by the Maryland Environmental Service.
Due to the global pandemic, the awards were held virtually via video featuring Secretary Slater. In congratulating the winners, Secretary Slater said ”It is especially significant that during the COVID crisis these awards allow us to celebrate the innovative and exciting environmental projects going on in our beautiful state of Maryland and recognize the people behind those efforts.”
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Photo: Together, MDOT MPA, the Maryland Zoo, and MES tackled two restoration projects at the zoo, a way to collect and filter water from the parking lots and roads near the zoo’s main entrance and restoration of a seriously eroded stream. Credit: Kristen Fidler/MDOT MPA
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Find a Moment of Zen with the Masonville Eaglets
For the second year in a row, eaglets are thriving at Masonville Cove. In June, they fledged their nest, making it possible for the public to passively observe them from the Masonville Cove environment. While the Masonville Cove Environmental Education Center remains closed under COVID-19 precautions, visitors may walk the property. Visitors are strongly encouraged to wear face coverings and adhere to social distancing guidelines.
“This is a very exciting development for all of our Masonville Cove partners,” said MDOT MPA’s Director of Harbor Development Kristen Fidler. “We take a lot of pride in making sure we cultivate a safe and protective environment for the eaglets. We know there is a lot of interest in seeing them in their habitat.”
The Masonville Cove campus, 1000 Frankfurst Ave., is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, with extended hours the first Thursday of the month until 8 p.m. Bathroom facilities are not available. Please check-in at the station in front of the building. Visitors who come to observe the eaglets should not approach them closely, should not chase them, and should not try to follow them if they fly to a different area of the site.
 Photo: Watch this video featuring Tim Carney, MES, who works with MDOT MPA Harbor Development to monitor conservation efforts at dredged material sites. Through the #COVID19 pandemic, Carney has kept an eagle eye out for animals at Cox Creek, Masonville Cove, and Poplar Island.
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Follow the Poplar Island Terrapins on Facebook! |
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"As a teacher for the past 28 years in Anne Arundel County, I must admit the past ten have been the most rewarding, mainly due to being a member of Chesapeake Connections. Having the opportunity each year to head start diamondback terrapins has opened the door to multiple teaching moments in and out of my fourth grade classroom. From the start, my students gain a deeper appreciation of just how important it is for them to protect the Chesapeake Bay and all that it has to offer. Taking care and raising terrapins to release back into the waters of the bay is one of the highlights of being a fourth grader at Piney Orchard Elementary. Recently one of our terrapins, ‘Marsh’ was recaptured and was found to be thriving in her natural habitat. I have truly enjoyed being a part of this program and am looking forward to more opportunities to educate future stewards of the Chesapeake Bay.”
--Heidi Beall
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Teacher Heidi Beall’s quote above says it all. This is what inspires the work of every member of the Terrapin Head Start team. One such partner is Dr. Willem Roosenburg, an Ohio University professor who started a Facebook page (Roosenburg Lab at Ohio University) which has engaged many new people with the Terrapin Head Start program at Poplar Island. Visitors can watch recaptures and see teachers’ reactions to seeing their “babies” return. Dr. Roosenburg, who leads the terrapin research at Poplar Island, says the page is gaining followers from as far away as Australia.
- A look at Terrapin Head Start achievements as of January 2020: 51,800+ students have participated in MDOT MPA/MES in-class outreach programs and field experiences since 2010
- 14,800+ diamondback terrapins have hatched on Poplar Island since 2002
- 700+ classes have released Head Start turtles on Poplar Island field trips since 2005
- 2,800+ terrapins have been head started by Maryland students since 2005 (about 200 turtles each year)
- 500+ head start turtles have been recaptured on Poplar Island since 2009
 Photo: Follow the Facebook page for exciting updates such as this one: “Friday was a great day on Poplar island. We found 11 nests and lots of females coming out to lay eggs on the island. I am excited to report that 6 of these females were head starts.”
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After 10 years, the Masonville Cove partnership was also ready for a logo refresh. Three options were developed by Council Fire and shared with thought leaders, visitors, and Masonville Citizens' Advisory Committee (MCAC) members. Here is the winning logo!
During the global pandemic, Masonville Cove Environmental Education Center (MCEEC) is available for self-guided tours. Visit www.masonvillecove.org for more information.
Photo: More than 100 people voted for this logo in an online survey that was available in English and Spanish.
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Our meetings are open to the public. Since these meetings are virtual, if you are not on a meeting distribution list and would like to attend, please send a request for the link to Greenport.
Masonville Citizens Advisory Committee Meeting - August 6th at 5:30PM
Virtual
For questions or to confirm attendance please contact Greenport.
Combined Citizens Advisory Committee/Harbor Team Meeting - August 12th at 6:00PM
Virtual
For questions or to confirm attendance please contact Greenport.
Innovative Reuse Committee Meeting - August 25th at 5:30PM
Virtual
For questions or to confirm attendance please contact Greenport.
DMMP Management Committee Meeting - September 23rd at 10:00AM
Virtual
For questions or to confirm attendance please contact Greenport.
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GreenPort Newsletter is the Maryland Department of Transportation's Maryland Port Administration’s bi-monthly update of projects and programs that help the agency contribute to a thriving economy, environmental stewardship, and community partnerships. As always, we thank the many private sector businesses, government leaders, communities, and individual citizens who have helped make these achievements a reality. |
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William P. Doyle, Executive Director
MDOT Maryland Port Administration
The World Trade Center
401 East Pratt Street, Baltimore MD 21202
1-800-638-7519 / www.marylandports.com
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