In a stunning 9-0 vote, the Long Beach City Council denied four appeals filed against a Port of Long Beach environmental impact report (EIR), effectively giving its unanimous support to the recently approved $750 million Middle Harbor Redevelopment Project.
The cities of Riverside and Commerce, and two coalitions representing environmental and community groups had challenged the adequacy of the EIR that the Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners had relied upon last month in approving the redevelopment of two outdated container cargo terminals.
In a nearly six hour meeting, and after the testimony of 70 people, the City Council – which had urged Port officials to do more to protect the environment – sided those who urged green growth and new jobs, clearing the way for the Port to move ahead with construction.
The 10 year Middle Harbor Project will upgrade terminal efficiency, more than double cargo capacity, add 14,000 new jobs and nearly 1,000 construction jobs annually, all while slashing air pollution 50% from current levels.
