In Port News: Oakland As Ballpark; CES update; Oakland terminal project; Fumigation update

by: Evey Hwang

This summer, additional complications surfaced.   A “small matter” with Alameda county negotiating to sell their 50% stake of Coliseum to Oakland As reminds…City of Oakland of their “unfinished” business with Alameda county.  The “small matter” was four years negotiations between Alameda county for Oakland City to acquire same 50% stake.  Quite a reminder for ghost of East Oakland past!  
 
In early September CBFANC will join other Port Stakeholders invited by Oakland Port Commissioners to discuss Seaport Compatibility Measures for a ballpark at Howard Terminal.      After the new Chase Center opening in San Francisco, will the Oakland Port Commissioners consider the proposed new stadium through the rose-colored lens of multi-use retail spaces and urban gentrification?   Or will the Port Commissioners safeguard the long-term viability of the Port and its turning basin, maritime activities and logistics access?   Clearly, the City and the Port should not hand over West Oakland to a single land developer who has not fulfilled their commitments made to East Oakland fifty years ago.    CBFANC will continue to represent the Port Stakeholders who have invested in Oakland Port viability for long-term.
 
CES Update:   It’s complicated, still.   Since the end of April, CBFANC Customs and Ocean Committee has met with PCC Logistics 3-4 times to update and inform on their CES progress.  While PCC Logistics has built up additional warehouse space and teams, their service is still work in progress.  CBFANC is (still) hearing from membership about concerns regarding exam response times and exam billing practices.   Last month, their proposal for truckers completing on PCC’s Equipment Interchange Receipt (EIR) seems like a great offer to reduce one fee.  However, Port truckers gave feedback that this EIR is a “standard” equipment yard check-in and should not be confused with the Equipment Interchange Release (EIR) for a carrier’s equipment exchange.   We regret the confusion.  CBFANC will continue to inquire and update on CES progress on behalf of membership.  
 
Port of Oakland, Maritime Usage:   It’s complicated, but why?  Below and attachment was sent out this week from the Port of Oakland:
 
Please find attached the Notice of Preparation (NOP) for the Eagle Rock Aggregates – Oakland Terminal Project Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Report (SEIR).
 
Project Title: Eagle Rock Aggregates – Oakland Terminal Project
Project Sponsor: Eagle Rock Aggregates
Project Location: Submerged lands in the water area immediately adjacent to Berth 22 and approximately 20 acres of backlands behind and adjacent to Berths 20, 21, and 22 in the Port of Oakland (Port) - Oakland Army Base (OARB) Redevelopment Plan Area in Oakland, California.
Lead Agency: Port of Oakland
Comment Period: August 28, 2019 to September 30, 2019
 
The Port is sending this to all interested parties and Responsible Agencies who will rely on the SEIR for their approval. When the Draft SEIR is published it will be sent to persons who respond to this NOP or otherwise indicate interest in the project. Responses to this NOP and any related questions or comments regarding the scope or content of the Draft SEIR should be submitted in writing to:
 
Port of Oakland Environmental Programs and Planning Division
Catherine Mukai, Associate Environmental Planner/Scientist
530 Water Street Oakland, CA 94607
Email: cmukai@portoakland.com
Phone: 510-627-1174
Below comments are from a Port Stakeholder.  You can read through this and wonder how many compromises the Port keeps making.
As this will affect our industry and not just the West Oakland Community you may want to comment on this as this project will affect all of us in many ways.
·         Air pollution – dust and microscopic particles that will become airborne when commodity is transferred via conveyer, front loader, etc… Remember this is not just sand but aggregate materials. The wind blows right off the bay and will blow it directly over West Oakland.
·         Other related environmental impacts
·         Will this provide Jobs for West Oakland Residents? Said to be this will not.
·         Truck parking – this will already reduce much needed parking spaces for trucks and related equipment (chassis, trailers, etc…). With the subject about the Oakland A’s and the ball park along with restructuring of that area of West Oakland plus with this project the AMPCO space will be reduced putting more trucks and equipment onto the streets.
 
Fumigation Update:  It’s complicated, but closer!  To completion for fumigation services.    CBFANC had been hopeful several times over for restoration of pest-found fumigation site at Oakland.   Since the loss of the fumigation site two years ago, the one-commodity fumigation for bamboo continues at Impact Transportation.   We are grateful to learn of Impact Transportation’s progress to align their pest-found services with their CFS services.   This news is welcome because further development could mean full fumigation services may finally be restored at this Port.
 
Should you have concerns or questions for Ocean Committee, please let us know at info@cbfanc.org