April 8, 2002
Dear Mr. Miller,
Regarding air quality testing at the Wando-Welch terminal, the 1979
Settlement Agreement states that the SPA will periodically monitor the air
quality from its ongoing operations.
Over the last 10 years ,the SPA measured for 3 months in 1997 and again for
3 months in 2001. We have attached these results at the bottom of this
email. We have several concerns and comments relating to these air quality
tests.
Due to the tremendous increase in volume at the Wando Terminal, we expect
these tests to be carried out at least annually . Last year the test ran
from April 1, 2001 to the end of June. To date this year ,we have not seen
the air quality monitoring machine at the Hobcaw Yacht Club . We request
that you begin testing so we can compare the same time periods year after
year.
Additionally, we would also suggest the SPA do air quality monitoring at a
point on Long Point Road. Truck traffic through the Wando terminal has
increased to the point that the intersection at Long Point Road and 526 is
the busiest truck intersection in the county with over 10,000 trucks going
by this interchange in a 16 hour period. (Results from 2000 survey by the
Charleston Emergency Planning Committee) We realize all of these trucks are
not related to the port but it would seem prudent to do testing in light of
the neighborhoods along Long Point Road.
Furthermore, the past 2 studies by your consultant appear to deviate
rather
dramatically from DHEC testing results in other locations in Charleston
County. We can not find other air quality results in Charleston County that
have the very LOW readings that your consultant has obtained. For example, on
June 24, 2001 your consultant obtained a reading of "1" . We asked
several staff
members at DHEC and were told this low of a reading does not look correct
or in the ballpark. Furthermore, on June 9, 1997 Hobcaw had a reading of
104(the highest reading in the county) while the Wando terminal(1/2 mile
away) had a reading of 1(the lowest reading in the county) . We have looked
through many samples done by DHEC and can not find anything that resembles
these results.
We would like to know whether the company and its technicians you have been
using to do these studies are indeed qualified and trained in proper air
quality testing.
We look forward to hearing from you as to when you plan to have another 3
month air quality testing period this year and also would like an
explanation as to why the past readings do not fall within the normal range
of DHEC readings in other parts of Charleston County. Please let us know if
you plan to test the air quality along Long Point Road as well.
Regards,
Save the Wando & Contain the Port
The SPA shall insure that the existing or an equivalent air quality monitoring system be maintained and modified as necessary to measure the impact of port activities on the ecosystem. The system shall provide for periodic monitoring to be done with sufficient frequency (at least quarterly through the first two years of port operations) and at a sufficient number of specific points at the Wando Port Site to insure that the impact of port activities is accurately measured. The monitoring shall be performed by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control or by another qualified independent public agency or private firm: and the results shall be available to the public.
Subject: RE: air quality
tests-Wando Terminal
Date: Mon, 22 Apr 2002 08:44:41 -0400
Dear Ms. Lee and Mr. Heindel,
In response to your recent email, the Ports Authority orders air quality
tests periodically, in compliance with the Wando Settlement Agreement. As
these tests are apparently to be done in perpetuity, every five years seems
a reasonable period. The Authority has no plans to do further tests this
year.
With regard to the company doing the testing and the results themselves,
the Ports Authority believes that Albrecht Environmental, Inc. of Mount
Pleasant is a reliable, professional environmental firm. They would
naturally
follow DHEC guidelines in air monitoring procedures. Albrecht was chosen
based on
its ability to perform the task in accordance with those accepted
procedures. As far as the individual test results and any perceived
variations or anomalies, we will share your letter with them for their
information.
You request that the tests be done every year, citing a "tremendous
increase in volume at the Wando (Welch) Terminal." You might be
interested to know
that through the first nine months of fiscal year 2002, volume through the
Wando Welch Terminal has dropped 10% from last year.
You also suggest that the Ports Authority do air quality tests at a point
on Long Point Road. You correctly note that there are thousands of
commercial
vehicles traveling this road on business days, many of which are not
related to the port. There are also thousands of light cars and sport
utility
vehicles using Long Point Road everyday to access the various businesses
and neighborhoods. It does not seem appropriate for the Authority to be
responsible for monitoring emissions on public roadways.
Sincerely,
Byron Miller
Byron D. Miller
South Carolina State Ports Authority
http://www.port-of-charleston.com
mailto:bmiller@scspa.com
phone:843.577.8197
Data in question -see below
Please note the highest reading in the county during each testing period is the neighborhood next to the Wando Terminal.
More info on South Carolina air monitoring
Ports can act as "magnets" for diesel fumes. Trucks, tugboats, vessels, and dredging operations emit diesel fumes. Vessels burn "bunker" fuel , one of the dirtiest, cheapest fuels in use today. Read the National Resources Defense Council's article "Exhausted by Diesel".