| ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS |
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Consistent with the Port’s Environmental Policy , the Port of Corpus Christi expects all port users to comply with all federal, state and local regulations that are applicable to the operations and activities being conducted.
The American Association of Port Authorities has put out an Environment Hand book. This manual is meant to assist port authorities and port users with compliance with regulations that typically apply to port operations.
EMS Compliance Requirements
Additionally, federal regulations can be accessed by title through , There are also several state agencies with authority for enforcing environmental regulations in the state of Texas but the state regulations can be accessed also by title through the Texas Administrative Code. Local regulations would be the tariffs that the Port enforces specific to the Port of Corpus Christi.The US Environmental Protection Agency and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality are the main federal and state agencies having authority for regulating environmental issues in the port area. |
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| Tenant Audit Program |
PCCA also has a Tenant Audit Program. The audit consists of a scheduled annual review of Lessee’s/Port User’s operations and activities, a review of Lessee’s/Port User’s environmental management programs, and a tour of the Leased Premises. Port staff involved in the program intend to gain an understanding of Lessee’s/Port User’s operations and activities and what measures the Lessee/Port User is utilizing to comply with local, state, and federal laws, rules, and regulations, agreements with PCCA, and Authority’s Tariffs, Rules, and Regulations. Through the Tenant Audit Program, Port staff will seek to achieve cooperation between Authority and Lessee/Port User use, enhancement and enjoyment of natural resources and protection of the environment. The audit is conducted at least one time per year during the primary term and any option term of the lease and more frequently if determined by Port staff to be necessary. A letter from Port staff setting forth staff’s observations will be provided to the Lessee/Port User following the audit. If violation of applicable laws, rules, regulations, agreements with PCCA or the tariff have been observed, then Lessee/Port User will be notified of the same in the letter and required to immediately take action to come into compliance, and to verify it has done so to Port staff. Port staff use an Inspection Checklist to review Lessee’s/Port User’s operations and activities. |
SPILLS ON PORT PROPERTY |
PCCA is unique in comparison to other port authorities in that the PCCA actually owns the ship channel and is therefore a steward of the ship channel. When a spill occurs in the port area and impacts the ship channel or port property, the Responsible Party is required to make the appropriate notifications by law and also required to notify PCCA staff.
Notifications of spills in the port area should be called into the Port Police Department at (361) 882-1182. This is a 24 hour number to our Command Center and is staffed around the clock. Dispatchers receiving the call will make immediate notification to appropriate port staff regarding the incident.
The Responsible Party is also required to take immediate and appropriate actions to clean up the spill. Contractors that provide assistance in the port area for spill cleanup are Corpus Christi Area Oil Spill Association (24 number 361-882-2656) and Miller Environmental (24 hour number 361-289-9800).
Port staff will confirm final cleanup in cooperation with regulating entities on all spills impacting port property or the ship channel. |
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OZONE ACTION DAYS
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PCCA is a signatory to the O3 Flex Agreement, which is an agreement entered into by several local entities including the City of Corpus Christi and the Regional Transit Authority and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and the Environmental Protection Agency, to implement voluntary air emission reduction measures to promote attainment of national ambient air quality standards for ozone in the Coastal Bend Region.
Ozone air quality can be reviewed on a daily basis by accessing the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality website. PCCA is requesting that Lessee’s/Port User’s review their operations on Ozone Action Days to see how they can prevent or limit air emissions that contribute to the development of ozone. More information regarding measures that individuals can take can also be found at the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality web page .
PCCA also partners with the Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi Pollution Prevention Partnership to host Auto Check in the port area on a quarterly basis. Auto Check is a free vehicle emissions testing program that checks vehicle tail pipe emissions for high emissions. Additionally, vehicles that have high emissions may qualify for free repairs. PCCA uses this program to verify our fleet preventative maintenance and repair program and encourages Lessee’s /Port User’s to do the same. The event is also open to the public so we encourage employees to bring their personal vehicles and invite friends and families to do the same. To find out more about this program and when it will be hosted in the port area next please visit www.autocheck.cc . |
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