News

American Association of Port Authorities Honors the Maryland Port Administration with an Award for an EcoLogix Group-Led Initiative at the Port of Baltimore

Annapolis, MD (January 20, 2005) - EcoLogix Group, a professional services company focused on sustainability planning and creating economic, environmental and social value, is pleased to announce that the Maryland Port Administration (MPA) has received the prestigious Community & Public Involvement Award for 2004 from the American Association of Port Authorities in recognition of an innovative EcoLogix Group-led initiative at the Port of Baltimore.

MPA announced that it had won the national award for including citizens in the process of evaluating and selecting proposed dredged material placement sites. The creation of the “Harbor Team,” comprised of local citizens, has led to substantial progress in the Port’s dredged material placement planning and greatly improved relations with surrounding communities.

For years, there had been an adversarial relationship among the Port, some citizens groups, and the legislature. It was time to find a different way to do business. MPA’s need to find dredged material placement sites was urgent. MPA’s projects would not provide sufficient placement capacity beginning in 2010.

Based upon EcoLogix Group's strong sustainability consulting relationship with the Port, MPA management was receptive when EcoLogix proposed formation of the team of citizens and the creation of a process wherein citizens would be asked to present their ideas for dredged material placement alternatives rather than react to MPA’s proposed projects. MPA then charged its engineers with putting these ideas into rough designs for the communities to evaluate.

"If you're going to ask for trust, you have to give it," said Maryland Governor Robert Erlich.

"The only way new projects for the harbor could happen when needed was by encouraging concerned citizens to be part of the process," said James J. White, Executive Director of the MPA. "The new approach resulted in a positive collaboration between our agency and members of the public."

"This national recognition touches on Governor Ehrlich’s commitment to commerce, environment and public education of the benefits of dredging. Dredging ensures the continuous flow of commerce essential to the State's economic growth. We are proud to use the dredged materials that preserve the health of the Bay, while including the public in the process through educational and planning means," said Department of Transportation Secretary Robert L. Flanagan.

"Public engagement is a cornerstone of all of our work on behalf of our clients, and for good reason. This project is an excellent example of how innovative programs to engage stakeholders, coupled with progressive approaches to environmental management issues, can lead to benefits for our all. Everyone wins when a sustainable approach is taken to achieve economic goals, environmental stewardship and community benefits," stated Robert Hoyt, Managing Partner of EcoLogix Group.

About EcoLogix Group

Headquartered on the shores of the Chesapeake Bay in Annapolis, Maryland, and operating in numerous other locations, the EcoLogix team is comprised of professionals with deep experience in all dimensions of sustainability planning services. EcoLogix Group offers a full suite of consulting services necessary to assist clients in transitioning to sustainable operations. These services include Operations Analysis, Sustainability Planning, and Program Implementation which are delivered through the use of a variety of innovative tools. EcoLogix Group is a privately held company that provides valued services to world-leading entities operating in the public, private and non-governmental sectors. Visit EcoLogix Group at www.ecologixgroup.com for more information.