Posted: January 29, 2010

By Mary Worrell

Correspondent

A local shipping company and the zoo have received honors for their work on wetlands restoration on the Elizabeth River and were recognized at a luncheon last week.

Kinder Morgan Elizabeth River Terminals and the Virginia Zoo received the "Model Level" designation from the Elizabeth River Project's River Stars program for their achievements in wetlands restoration and other environmental initiatives.

The Model Level is the highest that can be attained in the River Stars program. A company or group that has earned this distinction has demonstrated exceptional accomplishments in pollution prevention and wildlife habitat and is recognized as a community leader in environmental stewardship.

Kinder Morgan, a bulk cargo shipping terminal in Chesapeake, had a piece of property on its hands that had been an industrial site at one time but was not in active use.

"We found that people were starting to dump trash there," said Phil Stedfast, operations manager for the terminals. "We made an effort in 2002 to clean the site and we fenced it off so it wouldn't happen again."

In fall 2003, hurricane Isabel came ashore and the city of Chesapeake and FEMA asked to use the site as a place to collect storm debris. Kinder Morgan made an agreement with Chesapeake that the city would improve the site before it left.

"We got them to plow up a lot of the ground area and use the mulch to plant native grasses," Stedfast said.

Eventually the company met with the Elizabeth River Project and decided to dedicate this fenced-off area in the Money Point section of the city as a conservation area. By 2008, the company had hosted the largest voluntary restoration of the Elizabeth River at close to 7 acres.

"We went from a narrow shoreline to an almost 7-acre wetland," Stedfast said.

A shipping company isn't the first thing that comes to mind when discussing environmentalism, but Stedfast said it's a conscious effort for the company. Kinder Morgan is a nationwide firm with 150 locations.

"Getting involved with this has led us to work with the Wildlife Habitat Council and we're going to try and add more projects to what we've already done," Stedfast said.

The Virginia Zoo in Norfolk was also recognized for its work in wetlands restoration.

As part of the zoo's mission, it completed a voluntary wetlands restoration project in October 2008, as well as implementing green roof, rain barrel and rain garden exhibits to filter polluted runoff and promote environmental education.

The zoo restored a 0.57-acre tidal wetland on the Elizabeth River, which also features an oyster reef, an osprey platform, educational signage and an overlook with special paving to allow rain to filter through.

"It is important to the zoo that we are a leader in conservation," said Mark Schneider, zoo horticulturist, in a statement. "Becoming a Model Level River Star demonstrates to the community our continuing commitment to the environment. It has given the zoo the opportunity to partner with many outstanding organizations."

Stedfast of Kinder Morgan said there are many benefits to working with organizations like the Elizabeth River Project aside from the recognition.

"A lot of the efforts we did with the Elizabeth River Project are parallel environmental projects, like recycling, improving equipment to be energy-efficient, collecting rainwater for washing roads and watering plants," he said. "It's amazing what a company can do to be more efficient and save money, but you don't realize how much of a benefit it is for the environment."

The mission of the Elizabeth River Project is to restore the river to its highest practical level of environmental quality through partnerships with government, businesses and community organizations. The River Stars program helps businesses and industries develop their own restoration projects along the river.

Since 1997 the River Stars program has documented 1,043 acres of wildlife habitat created, 215 million pounds of pollution reduced and more than a billion pounds of other material reduced and/or recycled. nib

The following list includes all companies and organizations honored in the program since its inception. The 29 companies and facilities in bold lettering are the 2010 honorees, those that have documented new results and therefore received new awards this year:

Model Level Business and Government Facilities

The following companies received this designation by exceptional pollution prevention and wildlife habitat results while mentoring others as community leaders in environmental stewardship:

APM Terminals Virginia

BAE Systems Norfolk Ship Repair*

Chesapeake Arboretum*

CITGO Petroleum Corp - Chesapeake

Dominion Virginia Power, Chesapeake Energy Center*

Earl Industries LLC

Giant Cement of Virginia

Hermitage Museum & Gardens*

Hoffler Creek Wildlife Foundation

HRSD*

Kinder Morgan/Elizabeth River Terminal

Mitsubishi Chemical America

Naval Medical Center, Portsmouth

Naval Station Norfolk

NOAA Marine Operations Center - Atlantic

Norfolk Environmental Commission*

Norfolk Naval Shipyard

Old Dominion University

Skanska USA Civil Southeast

Southern States Cooperative - Chesapeake Fertilizer Plant

SPSA - Waste to Energy Facilities, Refuse Derived Fuel Plant*

Tidewater Community College

US Coast Guard, ISC Portsmouth*

Virginia Port Authority*

Virginia Zoo

Achievement Level Business and Government Facilities

These companies have showed significant results in pollution prevention and wildlife habitat, relative to the size and nature of the organization:

Accurate Marine Environmental *

Beach Marine Services

Christ & Saint Luke's Episcopal Church

Christian Broadcasting Network

Hampton Roads Regional Jail

Hampton Roads Rowing Club

Hess Corp - Chesapeake Terminal *

Izaak Walton League of America - Norfolk Chapter

Kinder Morgan Southeast Terminals

Larchmont Branch Library

Lyon Shipyard

Maersk Line Ltd.

Marine Hydraulics International

Metro Machine Corp.

Norfolk Southern - Lambert's Point

Perdue Chesapeake Plant

PETA

Portsmouth - Stormwater Division

SIMS Metal Management - Chesapeake

U.S. Maritime Administration, Division of Atlantic Operations

Commitment Level Business and Government Facilities

These companies have shown significant results in either pollution prevention or wildlife habitat enhancement:

Atlantic Associates

Cape Henry Audubon Society - Weyanoke Wildlife Sanctuary

Chesapeake Environmental Improvement Council

Chesapeake Parks & Recreation

Chesapeake Public Works

Chesapeake Sheriff's Office

Colonial Pipeline

Colonna's Shipyard

Culpepper Landing

FamilyCare Organic Land Care

The Founders Inn & Spa

Hampton Roads Behavioral Health

Island Properties/Island Estates

Knitting Mill Creek Yacht Club

Lafarge North America Cement - Chesapeake Plant

Luck Stone

Marine Repair Services - Container Maintenance Corp.

McLean Contracting

Norfolk Stormwater Management Program*

Norfolk Yacht & Country Club

Portsmouth Boating Center

Renaissance Portsmouth Hotel & Waterfront Conference Center*

Saint Paul's Episcopal Church

Southern Aggregates LLC

TransMontaigne Product Services - Norfolk Complex

Virginia Beach - Eastern Branch Greenway*

Volvo Penta of the Americas Inc.

Waterside & Nauticus Marinas

Waterway Recycling*

*Companies and organizations designated with an asterisk are honored in 2010 for "Sustained Distinguished Performance," signifying completion of a new initiative by the River Stars.