News and Announcements!
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Stop the Port's Dirty Plan to Increase Diesel Pollution!
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Stand Up to the Port!
The Port of Stockton is aggressively pushing a plan to expand the West Complex shipping facility
on Rough and Ready Island. They are trying to develop 1,400 acres of land
and use seven inactive berths to dramatically increase port calls from 20 to 150 large commercial
ships at the West facility. Diesel exhaust from these ships will dangerously pollute our air!
Already the Port has increased industrial shipping activities on the island without
completing the Environmental Impact Report as required by California State law.
If we don't act now, our air quality is going to go from bad to worse and our river is
going to become a dangerous brew of toxic sediment and contaminated cargo ship discharge.
We Need Your Help!!
Report air pollution from cargo ships to The San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control
District at (800) 281-7003.
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Stand Up for Clean Air!
The Port of Stockton is planning to dramatically increase the number of
ships that dock in Stockton from 20 to 150 large commercial ships a year. Cancer-causing diesel
exhaust from these 150 ships will dangerously pollute our air.
Already the Port has increased industrial shipping activities on Rough and Ready Island without completing
the Environmental Impact Report as required by California State law. Now they’re trying to force this
project through as fast as possible. If we don’t act today, our air quality will go from bad to worse.
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One Ship Pollutes As Much As 350,000 Cars!
A large commercial ship traveling at 20 knots can emit as much pollution as
350,000 new cars in just one hour, according to a leading environmental group,
Bluewater Network. Because cargo ships operate on extremely dirty fuel called
bunker oil, the dirtiest and least expensive form of fuel available, even ships
traveling much more slowly emit massive amounts of pollution. According to
EPA, smog and particulate matter account for 15,000 premature deaths, one
million respiratory problems, 400,000 asthma attacks, and thousands of cases of
aggravated asthma, especially in children, in the United States every year.
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Stand Up for Open Government!
Why is the City of Stockton hiding its involvement in the Port’s expansion plan?
Mayor Gary Podesto claimed that “the Port’s a separate agency” and said the
Port’s expansion plan was solely within the Port’s jurisdiction. But the City of
Stockton Housing and Redevelopment Department has paid the Port almost
$100,000 for work on its Environmental Impact Report. And the Port
Commissioners who approve the Port’s plans are appointed by the City Council.
The City never even openly talked about its role in the Port’s activities. Its
$100,000 payment for the Port’s EIR was discovered by citizens who made a
Public Records Act request.
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Stand Up for Clean Water!
The Port’s plan to dredge up the Stockton Deep Water Channel threatens local
fisheries and the health of nearby residents. This dredging will stir up toxic sediments
buried in the silt lining the channel and recharge the water with these
dangerous substances. Ballast water discharged by international commercial
ships carry invasive species that can ruin our ecosystem. The Port has not adequately
analyzed the ecological impact of the discharged ballast water.
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TELL THE PORT TO CLEAN UP ITS ACT
Join us today. Stockton Standing Up is a coalition of concerned San Joaquin Valley residents and environmentalists
who want to make sure the Port’s planned expansion doesn’t come at the expense of the health and
safety of Valley residents. Help us tell the Port to clean up its act!
209-573-6010
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