COMMUNITY IMPACTS

Level 1

Monitoring of regulations.

Level 2

Implementation of the majority of applicable criteria:

External communications:

2.1. Make available/post a telephone number of, or redirect calls to, the authority in charge of receiving complaints related to port activities.

2.2. Once a complaint has been made to the participant, move swiftly in dispatching a responsible individual to the site and, to the extent possible, ensuring that corrective measures are taken.

Noise:

2.3. Issue a warning that ships’ sirens are to be used only to ensure safe movement.

2.4. Adopt operational procedures or take measures limiting the use, or reducing the impact of warning signals, without compromising safety (e.g. use strobe light during nighttime operations, use lynx alarm, adapt the height or direction of the device, adjust the frequency of the signal, etc.).

2.5. Take measures to reduce the noise emanating from rail operations at the port (such as rail lubrication, etc.).

2.6. If technically possible, limit idling of vehicle, equipment and locomotives.

2.7. Have a documented process (e.g. purchase policy) for selecting less noisy equipment when buying new equipment.

Dust:

2.8. Adopt measures to hold back dust on roads (e.g. Watering of roads, wet brushing, paving, maintenance of pavement, etc.).

2.9. Apply measures to improve the management of bulk cargo storage (e.g. covering cargo that is stored in piles, reducing the height of such piles, moving piles to areas that are less exposed to wind, etc.).

Housekeeping:

2.10. Implement cleaning procedures for wharfs, driveways and loading and unloading areas.

2.11. Place marked trash and recycling containers at locations convenient to employees, visitors and truck operators.

2.12. Cover trash collection areas and containers to avoid dispersion by wind and storm water.

Traffic/congestion:

2.13. Have a procedure on bus, truck or railway traffic management to avoid local congestion (e.g. signboard, traffic coordinator or checker).

Light:

2.14. Direct lights so they only illuminate the necessary zone.

2.15. Switch off bothersome lighting at a specific time if there are no operations underway.

Level 3

3.1. Adopt a plan for managing community issues, which formally incorporates all applicable best practices, set out in level 2. Such a plan is to include a procedure for handling complaints.

Note: See Annex 3-A.

3.2. Have a documented procedure for handling complaints.

3.3. Have in place a procedure to verify sound levels of operations on a regular basis (at least annually).

3.4. Have a procedure for evaluating environmental and social aspects of new projects, activities or types of operations including handling of new products, if there is uncertainty around the potential for environmental and social effects and where mitigation measures are not known to be effective and established.

Note: See Annex 3.B.

Note: Not applicable to projects that are subject to an environmental assessment under existing regulation.

3.5. Establish and implement a nuisance mitigation plan during works and/or operations.

Note: For ports, mitigation measures must be systematically part of all service contracts and communicated to tenants.

3.6. If applicable, adopt and communicate a policy that deals with noise from vessels at anchor, and/or collaborate with the competent authorities to establish and communicate procedures for dealing with noise from vessels at anchor (e.g. operation of auxiliary or back-up engines, maintenance work, etc.).

Level 4

Implementation of the majority of applicable criteria:

Noise:

4.1. Continuously sample noise and/or air emissions (dust and/or odors) in the problem areas (e.g. areas located close to residences, subject to frequent complaints or particularly exposed to wind, etc.) and have a data monitoring process in place.

4.2. Create screens against sound with the help of sound-reducing trees or walls if appropriate.

4.3. Install silencer (muffler), catalysts, timer or other device to reduce noise from noisy equipment or cover with sound insulating material.

Dust:

4.4. Implement mitigation measures (e.g. canvas, tarpaulins, curtains or other equivalent control barriers) during spray painting and blasting operations to prevent dispersal of dust and aerosol particles by the wind.

4.5. Collect and confine spent abrasives and debris (after blasting to dock-bottom/yard grounds) to avoid dispersion by wind and storm water (e.g. cover piles or use covered containers).

Light:

4.6. Install fixtures that optimize lighting and reduce light pollution when replacing fixtures or during new projects.

4.7. Evaluate existing lighting plans and take effective measures to optimize lighting and reduce impacts.

Nuisance mitigation:

4.8. Install green corridors (e.g. dune system), vegetated or recreational areas (e.g. tree alley, parks) between operating site and residential area if appropriate.

4.9. Have a procedure or system in place that optimizes truck movements to manage congestion and mitigate other associated issues.

Community relations:

4.10. Be actively involved in local community organizations (e.g. watershed committee, local NGOs, etc.).

Note: Payment of a membership to a local organization is not sufficient to fulfill this requirement. The participant must prove that it is actively involved (e.g. be a Board member, participate in committees on a regular basis, etc.).

4.11. Implement permanent communication channels (e.g. website, distribution of pamphlets, etc.) to inform the community, on a regular basis, on major projects and construction work, their impacts and mitigation measures taken.

4.12. Have a documented and communicated procedure to consult the community (e.g. public information session) before implementing new projects that can have an impact on the environment and/or the community.

Note: If new projects have been implemented, the participant must prove that the procedure has been followed.

Level 5

5.1. Implement all applicable criteria listed in Level 4.

5.2. Lead a permanent consultative committee which is open to citizens.