Transformation of the Port of Tacoma, WA

Many times, the existence of different urbanization initiatives, cities, and development projects depends on their reciprocal interactions with the natural world. For instance, the ecosystem gives urbanites access to clean water, food, fuel, and building materials. It appears that these items, which are either sourced from nearby metropolitan regions or the farther town hinterlands, are fully dependent on cities. The goal of the study is to discuss the Tacoma’s materials, fluxes, historical processes, and improved methods for bringing about improvements in the city. Likewise, the study highlights the land use patterns that would be appropriate for the city in reference to the Pittsburgh Municipal that maintained the sustainable operations of the land utilization.

Brief Summary of Port Tacoma

Tacoma was developed in 1918 and it is an independent seaport found in Tacoma, Washington. The port provides for the major gateway to Asia and Alaska (Paulsen et al., 1593). In the North America, the seaport forms the largest container anchorage. Additionally, it is a major center for the bulk, breakbulk, and heavy cargoes as well as the automobiles and trucks.

The Materials that are in use by the Tacoma Port

The Tacoma harbor has the materials ranging from the containers, bulk, breakbulk, projects and heavy lift cargoes, as well as the automobiles and trucks (Paulsen et al., 1594). Also, the enormous fleet assists in the transportation of the commodities from Washington to the respective destinations forms part of the important materials.

The Flows of Tacoma Harbor

Tacoma port facilitates the flow of through the sea shipping as well as the land transportation. The sea transportation is accomplished with the help of over twenty shipping lines of the carrier alliances between their facilities and the load centers in Asia and the global seaports (Paulsen et al., 1596). Also, the terminals handle the containerized ocean shipment between Alaska and the lower 48.

On the other hand, the land movement is facilitated by the help of the right terminals, rails as well as warehouses that assist in meeting the supply chain demands (Paulsen et al., 1597). The railway provides the transcontinental services that connect the Pacific Northwest to the critical distribution points across North America. Similarly, the short haul rail services are common as well as the road transportation whereas the trucks are in use to Carter the cargo.

The Historical Processes of Tacoma Harbor and How they Control Air and Water Pollution

The Tacoma port has been conducting certain activities to minimize the air and water pollution over time. To reduce air pollution, the Tacoma anchorage collaborates with other ports like Seattle and Metro Vancouver to moderate the seaport pollutions in form of air emissions in the Georgia basins (Dunning and Fichthorn 1453). On the other hand, the use of Puget Sound Maritime inventory controls the diesel releases and the greenhouse gas productions.

Other activities necessary to combat air pollution are the cleaner fuels for ships. The shipping fuels have got low Sulphur to moderate vessel related releases (Dunning and Fichthorn 1455). Also, the truck uses the cleaner burning engines that diminish the diesel emissions. In comparison to the Pittsburgh city, the municipal called for the integration and awareness of the entire stakeholders surrounding the town to undertake the proactive efforts to burn or use smokeless fuels. They also advocated for the smokeless machines to improve the air quality. Following was a tough legislation that forbade and penalized the truck owners who are found hauling high volatile coal. The town periodically monitored, inspected, and reinforced air pollution regulations. The Tacoma port should, therefore coordinate air deterioration awareness among the nearby community members and ensure scrutiny for compliance with the regulations.

To control water pollution, the Tacoma has the following plans of actions; treating the storm water with the technologies such as the biofiltration, bio-retention, and the oyster shell inserts. The practices are, however, different with the Pittsburgh Phenomenon (Davey et. al., 1200). Apart from the normal filtration of water, the Pittsburgh municipal used the sewerage system. Purportedly, the sewers were to improve the drainage system of the street and eliminating the pools of water that accumulated to cause the infections. Additionally, the city treated the wastes and avoiding the release of effluents into the rivers. Therefore, Tacoma seaport should explore other means of maintaining the water quality rather than the filtration alone.

Land Use Patterns of Tacoma

The management of Tacoma has restored about 200 acres of habitat that are run as parks. The parks provide the habitat for the biodiversity such as fish and other wildlife (Davey et. al., 1205). Because the shorelines are vulnerable areas, restrictions on settlements occur in the areas. On the other hand, the Pittsburgh city designed the land zonation in which it gave regulations on the land uses, for instance, rivers and other critical ecosystems were out of binding for the local communities. To avoid community protests and complaints, the city decided to develop an open forum that incorporates the locals in the designation and land use planning to create awareness.

In conclusion, Tacoma, the independent seaport in has the following materials; containers, bulk, breakbulk, projects and heavy lift cargoes, automobile, and ships. The flow has two dimensions, inland movement with the help of trail and trucks while sea transportation involves the use of ships. To control both breaths of air, and water contamination, the city has filtered the stormwater to ensure purity. Also, the use of low Sulphur-producing fleet and cleaner truck engines minimizes the air pollution. Additionally, the municipal propose the land-use pattern that protects the vulnerable shoreline for biodiversity control while restricting the local communities. To maintain effectiveness in the environmental integrity and operation, the city should, therefore, strive to attain the standards of operation adopted by the successful Pittsburgh while optimizing the points of achievement while correcting the failures.

Work Cited

Davey, Nicholas G., et al. “Measurement of spatial and temporal variation in volatile hazardous air pollutants in Tacoma, Washington, using a mobile membrane introduction mass spectrometry (MIMS) system.” Journal of Environmental Science and Health, Part A 49.11 (2014): 1199-1208.

Dunning, Ross W., and Anita Fichthorn. ”Three Innovative Stormwater Treatment Approaches for Three Linked Port of Tacoma Industrial Sites.” Proceedings of the Water Environment Federation 2015.18 (2015): 1452-1461.

Paulsen, Lou, Richard Tremaglio, and Thomas Spencer. ”Asset Management Program Development and Implementation for the Port of Tacoma-Port of Tacoma, Tacoma, WA.” Ports 2013: Success through Diversification. 2013. 1592-1600.