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Spring brings a fresh new look and name for the bimonthly newsletter, formerly known as the GreenPort Newsletter from the Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Port Administration (MDOT MPA). We’ve changed the name to ECO Port Newsletter to reflect our commitment to the Environment, Community, and Outreach, while at the same time supporting the economy and the 140,000 jobs that are dependent on Port activities. |
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Coming Soon: Walks and Wheel at the Middle Branch
Innovative changes will soon be on display along the Middle Branch waterfront in South Baltimore. Reclaimed sediment dredged from the Port of Baltimore’s shipping channels is playing a major role. Ridgley’s Cove, located behind Horseshoe Casino, will soon become a recreational area with walking trails thanks to the help of Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Port Administration’s (MDOT MPA) largest innovative reuse project.
“Baltimore is world-renowned for its beneficial use of dredge material, and the Ridgley’s Cove reconstruction is further proof of Maryland’s ingenuity,” said MDOT MPA Executive Director William P. Doyle.
There’s even more ingenuity heading for the Middle Branch, as Baltimore’s fourth trash wheel, “Gwynnda the Good Wheel of the West,” will be taking the helm at Gwynns Falls in just a few weeks. Thousands of voters selected the name submitted by Baltimore City resident Zachary Yarosz.
Photo: MDOT MPA is proud to partner on both the largest innovative reuse project and the largest trash wheel to date, restoring the Middle Branch for recreation and enjoyment.
Photo Credit: MDOT MPA
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Port’s Diesel Equipment Upgrade Program: It’s a Snap!
Wallenius Wilhelmsen Solutions’ Mid-Atlantic Terminal (MAT), located on the Port’s Dundalk Marine Terminal, handles a variety of roll-on/roll-off import and export cargo. MAT recently replaced two older yard tractor forklifts with two new tractors with help from a program administered by MDOT MPA and funds from the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Diesel Emission Reduction Act (DERA).
The funding helps businesses to retrofit, repower, or replace older diesel equipment with more emissions-efficient engines or technologies that help reduce diesel and greenhouse gas emissions. For MAT, the funding covered approximately 25% of the replacement costs.
“I found the application to be very streamlined. With help from advisors provided by MDOT MPA, it was easy to submit our paperwork, and we heard very soon after that we had been approved. The process was painless,” said MAT Operations Manager Matt Stahl. “We definitely plan to do it again, and I would recommend it to anyone. I have nothing but good things to say.”
 Photo: MAT purchased this new equipment with help from DERA funds, contributing to cleaner air for the region. The two pieces of older equipment will be scrapped.
Photo Credit: MAT
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Success! Earth Day Challenge Goal Met
MDOT MPA is celebrating after meeting their “Dollars For Drays” challenge goal of replacing 20 older dray trucks with new dray trucks by Earth Day! Dray trucks are trucks that carry containers to and from the Port of Baltimore.
The program – dubbed “Dollars For Drays” – helps truck owners purchase new trucks and remove older diesel models from service with funding from the EPA’s DERA program and from Maryland’s Volkswagen mitigation agreement in coordination with the Maryland Department of the Environment.
“Dollars For Drays continues to offer significant economic benefits to local business owners while improving air quality in and around port communities,” said Louis Campion, president and CEO of Maryland Motor Truck Association.
Dollars for Drays will continue to be available after Earth Day, and MDOT MPA encourages truck owners that service the Port of Baltimore to get more information on the program by visiting www.dieselupgrades.org/drays.
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Governor Hogan Tours Seagirt Dredging Project
At the end of March, Maryland Governor Larry Hogan visited the Seagirt Marine Terminal and met with members of the crew responsible for dredging a second 50-foot-deep berth that will allow for two ultra-large ships simultaneously.
“A second-deep berth at the Port, together with the expansion of the Howard Street Tunnel, will increase business, generate thousands of jobs in the Baltimore region and solidify the Port of Baltimore as a critical hub for commerce up and down the East Coast,” said Governor Hogan. “The fact that the Port is already rebounding in a huge way from the economic impacts of COVID-19 is a credit to its workforce and the Port’s reputation in the industry. Having a second [50’] deep berth here will lift our capacity and our potential to another level.”
Dredging is expected to be completed this spring with four additional Neo-Panamax cranes arriving this summer. Seagirt Marine Terminal is operated by Ports America Chesapeake under a 50-year public-private partnership (P3) with MDOT MPA.
 Photo: Governor Hogan was welcomed by MDOT Secretary Greg Slater, MDOT MPA Executive Director William P. Doyle, and Ports America Chesapeake Vice President Bayard Hogans. Dredging is being done by Corman Kokosing from Annapolis Junction.
Photo Credit: MDOT MPA
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Masonville Selected for Cache Across Maryland
According to Geocaching 101, “Geocaching is a real-world, outdoor treasure hunting game using GPS-enabled devices. Participants navigate to a specific set of GPS coordinates and then attempt to find the geocache (container) hidden at that location.”
This popular hobby can be a Covid-safe activity, and thanks to a new partnership with the Maryland Geocaching Society it is now bringing first-time visitors to Masonville Cove. Masonville was selected as one of only ten sites statewide to be included in the Cache Across Maryland (CAM) 2021 challenge. The two-month-long event kicked off on Saturday, March 20, 2021, with geocachers celebrating with more than 100 “finds” at Masonville in just the first few days.
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One geocacher wrote, “Found it! …Love the container, love the site. And the Captain Trash Eater rocks!!!! Very interesting history here. I’m glad this place exists for students and adults to learn about the environment. Thanks so much for the cache!!!”
Photo: A thumbs up from this geocacher for Masonville’s “CAM cache” and the “Picnicking with Captain Cache.”
Courtesy Photo
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Visitors to Masonville Cove in the month of March were also treated to a book walk featuring Call Me Tree by Maya Christina Gonzalez.
 Photo: Thank you to publisher Lee and Low Books for allowing Masonville to feature Call Me Tree by Maya Christina Gonzalez.
Photo Credit: Maryland Environmental Service
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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.
Joint Citizens Advisory Committee and Harbor Team Meeting - May 12th at 6:00PM
Virtial
or questions or to confirm attendance please contact Greenport.
Spotlight Series Webinar on Mid-Chesapeake Bay Island Ecosystem Restoration - May 19th at 5:30PM
Virtual – Free Registration Required
For questions please contact Greenport.
Innovative Reuse Committee Workshop - May 25th at 5:30PM
Virtual
For questions or to confirm attendance please contact Greenport.
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ECO Port Newsletter is the Maryland Department of Transportation 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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