Port Everglades applied for inclusion in the prototype environmental program to upgrade its current environmental protection standards and receive formal ISO 14001 certification -- the International Organization of Standardization's environmental management system.

An EMS is a set of management processes and procedures that allow an organization to analyze, control and improve the environmental consequences of its activities. Benefits experienced by similar organizations include improved overall environmental performance (including areas not currently regulated), expanded pollution prevention opportunities, improved compliance, and enhanced operational control and efficiency.

The new seaport program is modeled after the success of three U.S. EPA-supported EMS Initiatives for Local Governments that have helped 32 local governmental entities realize substantial improvement in their environmental and economic performance.

"The drive behind our interest to participate in the Port EMS program is to ensure that Port Everglades has a stronger environmental program that protects the surrounding fragile environment and that we continue to be a steward of our limited resources," said Port Director Ken Krauter. "We are particularly pleased that Port Everglades has been selected to participate in this innovative national environmental program."

The Port's initial goals are to reduce waste, use more friendly environmental products and continue to establish an environmental policy that can be utilized by our tenants and contractors. As a "landlord" seaport, Port Everglades already has adopted environmental protection regulations that are part of its contracts with tenants. The EMS program will allow the port to augment its existing programs and formalize its environmental procedures and guidelines.

The program will be overseen by the Port's Environmental Projects Manager Allan D. Sosnow and will involve both Port and tenant operations.

The 11 participants were selected through a highly competitive application process based on top management involvement, organizational support, and the ability to share experiences with peers, similar entities and affiliated organizations. Participants include:

-- Port of Houston Authority - Houston, TX
-- Port of Los Angeles - Los Angeles, CA
-- Virginia Port Authority - Norfolk, VA
-- Port of New Orleans - New Orleans, LA
-- The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey - New York, NY
-- Port Everglades -Broward County, FL
-- Port of Portland - Portland, OR
-- MARAD - Fort Eustis, VA
-- Portland District Corps of Engineers - Portland, OR o Port of Vancouver - Vancouver, WA
-- Port of Corpus Christi Authority - Corpus Christi, TX

The Port EMS Assistance Project is a partnership effort of the American Association of Port Authorities, the U.S. EPA and the Global Environmental & Technology Foundation.

Port Everglades is a self-supporting Enterprise Fund located in Broward County between the cities of Greater Fort Lauderdale and Miami. It is one of the world=s busiest cruise ports, the 12th largest container port in the United States and South Florida's primary petroleum hub. The port provides approximately 12,000 direct jobs and generates $670 million in wages annually in the region.

More information about Port Everglades is available on the Internet at www.broward.org/port or by calling 954-523-3404.