From:            Marg Gardiner
To:                Commission-Public-Records
Subject:           [EXTERNAL] TELECONFERENCE for June 9, 2020: Port of Seattle Special Meeting - Request to aprticpate
Date:              Tuesday, June 9, 2020 8:10:33 AM
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To: Port of Seattle Commissioners, Seattle
Fr: Marg Gardiner, Resident, James Bay neighbourhood of Victoria, BC, Canada
Re: Question for Port of Seattle Commission re Cruise-Ship Wastes
I would like to ask a question of the Port Commission. Could you please send me directions
as to how to do this? Time limits if any?Following is the background to my question.
Introduction: By way of introduction, I live in the neighbourhood of James Bay, Victoria, BC,
Canada. (Please see James Bay Map appended) Our restricted land base, with water on 3
sides and a park to the east, is a small peninsula with few roads leading into/from the
neighbourhood. The neighbourhood is one of the most densely populated areas in BC with
43% of the population of 12,000 over 60 yrs of age.
Ogden Point, which hosts cruise-ships as a port-of-call, is on the west side of our
neighbourhood. Multi-dwelling residential housing is directly across the street from the
docks. Indeed, in 2014 at an open meeting, Greg Wirtz, then President of CLIA stated that the
Ogden berths were uniquely adjacent to residences.
Background: The cruise-industry gains tremendous value by using Victoria a Port-of-call.
While the head offices of most of the cruise-lines using Victoria as a port-of-call are in Seattle,
the ships are subject to fines under the US Passenger Vessels Services Act if they do not stop
in a "foreign" port on the Alaska run. Victoria has been that "foreign" port for the Alaska run
out of Seattle.
Passenger counts increased by 160% in the last 15 years and 50% in the last 5 years. The
dramatic and unbridled growth of the industry has left our neighbourhood overwhelmed by
environmental and quality of life impacts.
As an energy source, almost all ships burn bunker fuel, using scrubbers to eliminate SO2. After
removal of Sulphur compounds, emissions are Green House Gases, particulate matter, and
small amounts of volatile organic compounds. In addition to "black clouds', residents have
commented on orange and brown plumes. We are seeing the nitrous oxide (N2O) and
particulate matter in water vapour. Fine particulates are of concern as the use of scrubbers is
known to reduce large particulates while increasing fine particulates. Although large
particulate matter is more visible, creating soot-like dust, the fine particulates are more of a



health concern as they more easily enter the lungs.
Any increase in the Port of Seattle's capacity which encourages cruise-industry growth will
bring an increase of impacts to be borne by my neighbourhood.
Recently, GVHA as landlord, leased what used to be public land for waste management to
serve the multi-billion-dollar cruise industry. It will cost residents, either through direct traffic
and other impacts thrust upon us or through our GHG reduction commitment needs. (Note:
Transport Canada manages Victoria harbour while GVHA owns Ogden Point. GVHA is NOT a
harbour authority although its name misleadingly suggests it is.)
We have been told that the waste being unloaded, includes over a ton/month which goes to
the region's landfill and several hundred tons of goods are being off-loaded for recycling.
Beyond the burden being placed on the James Bay community which has restricted road
access in and out of our community, the mere idea of Victoria, located on an island, accepting
tons of foreign waste to be sorted and disposed of for other countries is abhorrent. 
Question: Industry representatives have informed us that the waste unloading is occurring in
Victoria because the Port of Seattle does not have the capacity to service this Seattle-based
industry. (see e-link for discussion near end of presentation to City of Victoria) My question:
is it true that Seattle does not have the capacity to provide wastemanagementservices for
the Seattle-based cruise-industry?
e-Link: https://jbna.org/2019/12/jbna-presents-to-council-at-cruise-workshop/
I look forward to receiving the Commissioners response to my question,
Regards,
Marg Gardiner
marg.gardiner@telus.net
250-360-0300