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  2. Ports Initiative

Ports Primer: 4.1 Port Impacts to Local Communities

Link to Home Page of Ports Primer for Communities
Link to Section 2, The Role of Ports
Link to Section 3, How Ports Work
Link to Section 4, Port-Community Relations
Link to Section 5.0, Land Use and Transportation
Link to Section 6, Local and Regional Economy
Link to Section 7, Environmental Impacts
Link to Section 8, Tools and Resources
Link to Section 9, Appendix
Link to Glossary for Ports Primer
Link to Endnotes for Ports Primer
On this page:

  • Public Communication
  • Socioeconomic Mapping
  • Tools for Influencing Port Planning and Operations

Ports support and benefit local, regional and national economies through their role in creating jobs and transporting goods. They can also partner with communities to offer workforce development programs, protect the environment and coordinate on land use planning to incorporate community amenities.

However, ports can also create potential challenges for near-port communities who are disproportionately impacted by port operations and related transportation systems. In addition, while ports are major economic engines for local, regional, and national economies, these economic benefits may not be equitably distributed. The near-port communities may not be receiving a fair share of the economic benefits that are flowing to the region.

Additional detail examining potential impacts to near-port communities related to these topics is provided in the Primer:

  • Land Use and Transportation – Section 5.0
  • Local and Regional Economy – Section 6.0
  • Environmental Impacts – Section 7.0

Public Communication

An important way to involve community members in port decisions is through communication about upcoming port authority meetings, newly proposed infrastructure projects, notices of environmental impact documents, port commission meeting minutes, etc. Some ports have websites on which they post agendas, minutes and videos of meetings. Other ports provide communications primarily via email upon request.

Another way that ports can be responsive to the needs of near-port communities is to have a clear point of contact for community issues and complaints. Additionally, having a process or structure in place for receiving community input on port operations and projects that impact environmental conditions can be important for effective engagement.

For examples of ports who provide more extensive communications online:
Port of Long Beach
Port of Los Angeles

Socioeconomic Mapping

Maps can be used as a tool to examine the distribution of income levels and residents of color around ports. For examples, click the Map 1-4 buttons.

Map showing the location of the Port of Savannah and % of people of color in 2010 Census tract population
Map 1. Port of Savannah and People of Color Population by Census Tract
Map showing the location of the Port of Savannah and 2013 median household income by Census tract
Map 2. Port of Savannah and 2013 Median Household Income by Census Tract
Map showing the location of the Port of Houston and % of people of color in 2010 Census tract population. Population within 2 miles of port: 24% Caucasian, 76% people of color
Map 3. Port of Houston and People of Color Population by Census Tract
Map showing Port of Houston and surrounding 2013 median household income. Within 2 miles, 75% below median household income, 25% above median household income
Map 4. Port of Houston and 2013 Median Household Income by Census Tract

Tools for Influencing Port Planning and Operations

Communities can employ a range of strategies for getting involved in port-related issues, including to:

  • Stay informed
  • Comment on documents
  • Join an advisory group
  • Educate the community
  • Apply for community funding
  • Pilot a new program
  • Understand jurisdiction and decision-making processes
  • Negotiate for community needs
  • Lobby elected officials
  • Litigate to address community needs
  • Engage Board of Directors/Commissioners

For example, one tool for commenting on decision documents is the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). NEPA requires federal agencies to analyze the environmental impacts of federal construction projects, permit approvals, and funding decisions and to consider reasonable alternatives to those actions. Members of the public can participate in the NEPA process during public comment periods.

For more information, see the Environmental Impacts section.  Additionally, use of existing studies and citizen science (sometimes known as community science) is discussed in the Tools and Resources section of this Primer.


« 4.0 Ports-Community Relationships
                     4.2 Case Studies: Port-Community Relations »

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Last updated on February 18, 2025
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