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Meeting Scheduled for Thursday, February 22, at City Hall February 21, 2007 The Port of Long Beach will host a "scoping" meeting on Thursday, February 22, at 6:30 p.m. at the City Council Chambers in Long Beach City Hall, to gather public input prior to the development of an environmental review document for a proposed development project at Pier S on Terminal Island. The purpose of the hearing is to gather input from residents and other interested parties prior to preparation of a draft Environmental Impact Report. The Port announced its preliminary plans for the Pier S project though a "notice of preparation," or NOP, in late January. The Pier S Marine Terminal and Back Channel Improvement project proposes to construct a 160-acre, environmentally friendly containerized cargo terminal. The project also proposes improvements to the Back Channel waterway to increase navigational safety. The project would adhere to all environmental measures contained in the Port of Long Beach Green Port Policy and San Pedro Bay Ports Clean Air Action Plan, including on-dock rail, a "green lease" to require environmental compliance from the terminal operator, an electrical substation for shore-side electricity, alternative-fuel powered cargo equipment, "green" truck programs to phase out older, dirtier trucks and more. Long Beach City Hall is located at 333 W. Ocean Blvd. Parking is free in the parking structure at Chestnut Avenue and Broadway. The Pier S NOP is available on the Port of Long Beach web site, www.polb.com, or at the Port Administration Building, 925 Harbor Plaza, Long Beach. Contact: Art Wong, Port of Long Beach Assistant Director of Communications/Public Information Officer, (562) 590-4123, (562) 619-5665 (cell), or wong@polb.com.