By Harold Egeln
Brooklyn Daily Eagle

COLUMBIA WATERFRONT – “Keep on trucking� may not be the phrase that is right for Columbia Waterfront piers, where the prospect of increased local truck traffic from more pier activity and its environmental impact on the neighborhood is of deep concern. Fumes from heavy truck traffic have been a perennial problem in other Brooklyn neighborhoods.

At a press conference on Monday morning, neighborhood and environmental leaders along with Brad Lander, a 39th Council District candidate, called for action to curb truck emissions and pollution expected from a rise in beverage shipments at Piers 7, 10 and 11.

The deal to increase incoming shipments was made recently among the Port Authority of NY/NJ, American Stevedoring shippers and Phoenix Beverage.

“We have a deep need and a great opportunity to reduce truck pollution and work for a greener port,� said Lander, speaking at Columbia and DeGraw streets. “Using these piers to bring in goods by ship is smart economic and environmental policy. But more business in the port leads to an increase in local truck traffic and emissions.�

The Port Authority had announced federal grants in its plan to create a “Comprehensive Clean Air� strategic plan for the port. However, leaders at the press conference wanted local community input into the plan to allay negative impacts.

“It is critical that all parties, the EDC, Port Authority, ASI, Phoenix and port users, take significant short-term and long-term steps to reduce emissions, make sure that pedestrians, cyclists and residents are safe, and make the port into a model of sustainability,� said Lander.

Brad Kerr, a local resident, said that these measures could help. “With these steps we can turn the Columbia Waterfront area, Red Hook, and ultimately the entire Port of New York into the greenest port on the eastern seaboard, making it a healthier place for workers and neighborhoods alike, and a vibrant and sustainable economic hub,� he said.

“Our neighborhood is at a critical juncture,� said local community leader Frederick Fooy about the upcoming increase in waterborne shipments. “We have seen many new families and businesses move in. Community gardens have been planted, and progress is being made on the Brooklyn Waterfront green-way.�

While calling the port “a neighbor,� he called for the parties that worked out the shipment deal to treat the community as “a neighbor� as well, noting what appeared to be a flaw in the deal.

“We were disappointed that the EDC did not build more requirements into the lease with Phoenix. By working together to reduce truck traffic and pollution we can achieve a win-win for residents, for businesses and for the region,� Fooy advised.

President Marcia Bystryn of the New York League of Conservation Voters joined the group to back its concerns and, while there, formally endorsed Lander for the city council. He is one of five Democrats vying for the post, and they all face the Democratic primary on Sept. 15.

“Today’s event shows that he will be a leader in the city council in moving New York City toward sustainability,� Bystryn said. “Brad has a great record of results on environmental issues. In his work at the Pratt Center for Community Development, he helped advance bus rapid transit and building programs to save energy and combat climate change.�

Leaders Map Port Action Plan

The leaders presented a port action plan with several points. “EDC and Phoenix should agree to a faster, specific timetable for converting trucks and buses to compressed natural gas (CNG),� is one. The current timetable is seven years.

“Trucks moving goods between Piers 7, 10 and 11 should move internally within the port area,� is another point. At meetings, it was indicated that only overweight load trucks would move internally.

Also, “EDC and Phoenix should establish a ‘first source’ program for jobs hiring local residents. And, the Port Authority and EDC should establish a timetable for connecting cruise ships to ‘shore power.’�

The comprehensive long-term plan is: “Full-scale conversion of all trucks and buses to CNG or other alternative fuel/low emission vehicle. Shore power connections for all large ships in port. An updated plan and timetable for the Brooklyn Waterfront Greenway. And, a comprehensive first source/green jobs program.�

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