Maritime operations impact adjacent communities, and the Port of Hueneme has made a commitment to step up as a regional leader in the transition to zero emission technologies. In the fall of 2021, the Oxnard Harbor District’s Board of Commissioners unanimously voted to pass a resolution to commit the Port of Hueneme to decarbonize operations at the Port of Hueneme as part of their commitment of transitioning to a zero-emission future. This resolution effectively laid the foundation for the Port’s Community Air Quality Monitoring Program as well as parallel zero emission commitments to protecting the environment and supporting a healthy quality of life locally.
The new website demonstrates the Port’s commitment to the community to be a conscientious steward of the local environment and will further enhance the ongoing air monitoring of particulate matter in communities with environmental and health outcome disparities. The transformation of numerical data into culturally competent visual forms, such as charts, graphs, maps, and dashboards will better aid the surrounding communities to understand and communicate accomplishments as well as identify opportunities for improvements.
“By offering the local community access to a website available in both English and Spanish that monitors local air quality, the Port will be able to ensure accessibility for our diverse community,” said Celina Zacarias, President of Oxnard Harbor Commission.
Residents of South Oxnard had initially approached the Port of Hueneme about questions pertaining to air quality in their neighborhood. Through the Port’s ongoing community listening campaign efforts, the voices of local residents advocating for the installation of air quality monitors to gather much needed community specific data were heard. In 2019, the Port’s Board of Harbor Commissioners voted to fund the installation of the first Environmental Protection Agency reference grade air quality monitoring station at Haycox Elementary School located in South Oxnard. This was an ideal location in the community on which to locate the monitoring equipment. |