Environmental Quality at Port of Los Angeles
Recently, in your “City Hall Roundup” of the South Bay section, you ran a story about efforts to save the San Pedro animal shelter. In response to a suggestion that the Port of Los Angeles be asked to pay for it, Councilman (Zev) Yaroslavsky is quoted as saying, “They pollute the hell out of San Pedro. Why don’t they do something good once in a while.”
While it is true that the local communities do have their differences on occasion with the Port, we felt that the councilman’s statement was unfair.
When it comes to environmental quality, the Port has made enormous strides in recent years. Water quality is outstanding for an industrialized port, and officials from other ports who visit WORLDPORT L.A. often comment favorably on the clarity of the water.
As examples of the progress that has been made, one only has to point to the fish and sea life found in the harbor’s main channel. Such was not the case 20 years ago. Likewise, giant kelp is also growing now on the port’s breakwater--another indication of the relative cleanliness of the water since the kelp does not grow in polluted waters.
This progress has been possible because of a cooperative effort between the Port and its tenants. The tenants have gone to great lengths and expense to make sure their operations are environmentally sensitive, while the Port continuously monitors water quality.
JUANITA CHAVEZ
President
San Pedro Peninsula Chamber of Commerce
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