The Port of Olympia’s marine terminal has initiated a program that will improve security lighting and emergency preparedness and will keep the Port in compliance with U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security (DHS) mandates. Federal grants will cover most of the cost.
“It is important that we continue to be responsive to the security needs and requirements of DHS and the Coast Guard. We are fortunate to have the assistance of $4.4 million Federal grant dollars and $496,000 in Port matching dollars to meet our mutual needs,” said Jim Amador, marine terminal director.
The Port anticipates completing the design phase of the program by the end of June, 2012, and total construction and installation by April, 2013.
Among the security improvements, the Port will replace aging, inefficient lighting systems with modern, energy efficient, ‘green’ lighting. This will not only keep the Port in compliance with existing regulations, but also will reduce the impact of light to the night skies and to the neighbors surrounding the Port Peninsula.
Commission President Jeff Davis said, “I’m very encouraged and pleased to see the Port come up with creative concepts that will meet the requirements of the ‘Dark Sky Initiative’. This initiative recommends improvements such as ‘light fixture shields’ which direct light downward to reduce glare and ‘light trespass’. Our goal is to be recognized as an industry leader in meeting operational and security requirements without contributing to light pollution.”
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grants will fund the acquisition of items that address both the DHS mandates and the U.S. Coast Guard requirement for maintaining a secured marine terminal. These items include: emergency back-up generators, existing lighting upgrades, new lights and security cameras, an emergency response and security vehicle, a telescopic boom lift and a portable telescopic lighting system.
