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Abbie Granger, 209-946-0246

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 9, 2002

The Port of Stockton Completes the First 1400 Feet of Dredging at the West Complex

 Stockton, CA, January 8, 2002 – The Port of Stockton completed the first 1400 feet of dredging operations at docks K, J, and I at the Port’s West Complex.  The effort was a collaboration between the Departments of Facilities Maintenance, and Environmental and Regulatory Affairs.  Ross Island Sand and Gravel was the selected contractor who worked with the Port to meet a tight deadline for completion.  “Maintenance dredging of these docks will enhance maritime activities at the West Complex, further creating additional jobs for San Joaquin County,” said Port Director Richard Aschieris.

 Critical to the integrity of the project, the Port conducted rigorous monitoring of the water quality and of the dissolved oxygen, in accordance with permit conditions issued by the Central Valley Regional Water Control Board.  The Port was also able to pump 12,000 cubic feet of pure oxygen into the water column.  This additional pure oxygen into the water was not required due to the fact that the dissolved oxygen levels were already very healthy.  “This is an example of the Port’s corporate commitment toward environmental stewardship,” said Jay Jahangiri, the Port’s Director of Environmental and Regulatory Affairs. 

 In total, 40,000 cubic yards of dredge material from docks K, J, and I were removed.  Metallic debris and other materials were removed with caution and efficiency.  Some of the material was evidence of the history of the Navy at Rough and Ready Island.  “We are pleased with the persistent efforts of Ross Island and our own, internal departments in completing the project in a timely and clean fashion,” said Gary Gentry, Director of Facilities Maintenance.

 The Port of Stockton is the premier inland port for the State of California.  Many bulk product firms and agricultural interests depend upon this port for export and import.  The Port is uniquely adjacent to major interstate freeway (Interstate 5 & Highway 99), 50 miles south of Interstate 80 and conveniently located to the nation’s agricultural frontrunner, the Central Valley.  

 "This recognition has been a culmination of hard work and dedication of the Port's Environmental and Regulatory Affairs staff working with the environmental firms of Jones and Stokes and Geomatrix.  This work was also strongly assisted by the Central Valley California Regional Water Quality Control Board", said Jay Jahangiri, Director of the Environmental and Regulatory Affairs Department.

The conference is sponsored by Battelle Laboratories and the Italian conglomerate of Azineda Multisevizi Ambientali Veneziana.  Co-sponsoring the event are the US Army Corp of Engineers Center for Contaminated Sediments and the US Environmental Protection Agency, along with other international agencies.

The conference will be attended by Mr. J. Gordon Palmer, the Port’s Deputy Director of Environment, Planning and Facilities, and Mr. Jay Jahangiri, the Director of Environmental Regulatory Affairs.  

The Port of Stockton is the premier inland port for the State of California.  Many bulk product firms and agricultural interests depend upon this port for export and import.  The Port is uniquely adjacent to the major interstate freeway (Interstate 5), 50 miles south of Sacramento and Interstate 80 and conveniently located to the nation’s agricultural frontrunner, the Central Valley.

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