Long Beach throws out environmental plan for SSA/COSCO project

Long Beach throws out environmental plan for SSA/COSCO project    The board of harbor commissioners of the port of Long Beach Wednesday canceled a previously approved environmental impact report for the expansion of a container terminal of SSA Marine and China Ocean Shipping Co.
   The five-member governing board directed port staff “to fully re-evaluate the environmental study, after identifying additional issues while preparing to respond to an appeal made by environmental groups to the Long Beach city council,” the port said in a statement.
   The harbor commission had certified the environmental impact report for an expansion of pier J on Aug. 2, clearing the way for a project that would add 115 acres over approximately the next decade.
   “Rescinding the certification will give the board and staff the opportunity to fully re-examine the environmental document,” said Richard D. Steinke, executive director of the port of Long Beach.
   “What is happening is the way the process is supposed to work,” he added. “Comments by the city council, public and other agencies are being taken into account to produce a better document.”
   The withdrawal of the approval is the latest tightening of port expansion projects on environmental grounds at Californian ports, where port pollution and congestion are unpopular with local residents.