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Port expansion to have minimal environment impact
By Dennis Quick
Senior Staff Writer
The South Carolina State Ports Authority’s proposed container terminal in North Charleston will generate 10,920 vehicle trips per day under peak conditions when the terminal is completed in 2012, according to a draft environmental impact statement the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers released recently.
That traffic, along with the building of the terminal, will have an impact on the environment.
The 780-page report looked at the effects of other issues, including noise, light, hazardous waste, air quality, water, wildlife and aesthetics.
Traffic
Under average rather than peak conditions, the proposed terminal would generate 7,700 daily trips, of which 63% would be made by trucks.
Although the new terminal would cause an increase in regional traffic, ongoing developments within the area, excluding the new terminal, would still cause traffic congestion problems during the terminal’s build-out period, the impact statement noted.
The daily traffic volume of all vehicle types on Interstate 26 between Intestate 526 and Remount Road—the most heavily traveled I-26 segment—is projected to increase by 1.75%.
Daily truck traffic volume is projected to increase by 13.8%. However, the proportion of trucks in daily traffic flow along the I-26 segment between I-526 and Remount Road is projected to grow from 8% to 9% by 2012.
To make access to the new terminal easier along Virginia Avenue and to improve overall traffic flow along the avenue, traffic signals would need to be installed at intersections that have none. Making Virginia Avenue more accessible to the terminal would reduce traffic through nearby neighborhoods, according to the statement.
Noise
Noise from the terminal’s construction and operation is not expected to have an adverse affect on nearby neighborhoods like Union Heights. However, construction and operational noise would likely impact noise levels on the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center on the former Navy base and the Cooper River Marina.
Light
Sky glow would be the proposed terminal’s primary impact. However, the contribution to sky glow would be minimal compared with existing urban lighting in the North Charleston area, the statement said.
Hazardous Waste and Materials
The entire site would be covered with clean fill, reducing potential worker exposure to contaminated soil.
The amount of hazardous materials handled would be less than 5% per month of the total volume of containerized cargo.
Hazardous materials would remain packaged in containers and be transported offsite on trucks and would not be stored at the terminal.
Air Quality
Any impact on air quality would come from emissions from trucks, marine vessels and equipment operating at the terminal.
Water
Trucks and equipment operating at the terminal will likely increase stormwater pollution by generating heavy metal and other toxic contaminants, plus oil and grease.
The stormwater runoff will be released into Shipyard Creek. However, a dry detention pond will reduce the amount of pollutants entering the creek and the lower Cooper River.
For drinking water, the terminal will use treated surface water from the Charleston Commissioners of Public Works municipal supply. Therefore, the demands on groundwater resources will not be increased.
Aesthetics
The proposed terminal would blend in aesthetically with the surrounding maritime industries. The aesthetics “would not adversely affect surrounding communities,” the impact statement said.
Wildlife
Because the terminal is to be located in an industrialized area, the impact on wildlife is expected to be minimal. No federally protected animals or plants were observed on the site.
However, despite the terminal’s projected low risk to endangered species, it is possible that federally protected species such as the West Indian manatee, shortnose sturgeon and leatherback and loggerhead sea turtles could travel into the terminal area.
The nearly 275-acre terminal would contain a wharf, container yard and support facilities and stormwater management facilities. About 65 acres of marsh and open water will be converted to industrial use.
Dennis Quick is senior staff writer at the Business Journal. E-mail him at dquick@charlestonbusiness.com.
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