Protecting the Bay’s Environment and Promoting Sustainable Freight Solutions — Sharon Cloward, President of the San Diego Working Waterfront

The Finest City

In this episode, Jen welcomes Sharon Cloward, President of San Diego Working Waterfront. Sharon first talks about the San Diego Bay's geography and jurisdictions before getting more into sustainable freight solutions and protecting the San Diego Bay's environmental and economic value. She then discusses the San Diego port master plan and environmental policies. Sharon also talks about Operation Clean Sweep and its important advocacy efforts that aim to support responsible growth, environmental stewardship, and economic vitality of the Bay.

Timestamps:

[2:07] What is the San Diego Working Waterfront?

[3:08] San Diego Bay geography and the different jurisdictions that are attached to it.

[3:47] The Port of San Diego spans five cities and its jurisdiction includes 2,400 acres of land and 11,800 acres of water.

[4:33] How do we create cities fit to live in?

[5:11] The San Diego Working Waterfront supports high-paying jobs and amenities that allow people to live and work near the Bay.

[5:26] Why did the name change from the San Diego Port Tenants Association?

[8:21] The San Diego Port Sustainable Freight Demonstration Project and the grant that funded testing green technologies.

[13:49] Operation Clean Sweep.

[15:24] Balancing environmental protection and economic growth on the Bay requires understanding. What are the prominent tension points of competing priorities?

[16:23] The Working Waterfront advocacy for supporting tenants’ needs.

[21:17] Sharon advocates for more collaboration.

About C-3

Even before the California Coastal Commission or Environmental Protection Agency existed, Citizens Coordinate for Century 3 (C-3) was the environmental conscience of San Diego. Since that time, in part due to C-3’s leadership in education, advocacy, and empowerment, a plethora of organizations have developed throughout San Diego County. These organizations specifically focus on promoting progressive values in architecture, urban design, land-use governance, natural resource management, sustainable economic development, climate change resilience, and social justice. As the field of allies has grown, C-3’s role has evolved to provide a platform that promotes creating civic community.

Opportunities for Advocacy and Engagement:

C3sandiego.org

San Diego Working Waterfront

Quotes:

• “Overall, the San Diego Bay’s geography and diverse mix of jurisdictions make a vital economic and recreational hub for the region.” — Sharon [4:22]

• “I believe it’s the diversity of the Port tenants that promotes a healthy balance of economic benefit to the region.” — Sharon [4:45]

• “You can have a well-paying job and the nice thing is, you can either walk or bike to work. It’s all here on our bay.” — Sharon [5:15]

• “We are one of the most diverse ports in the United States, if not even the world.” — Sharon [7:11]

• “It doesn't matter if you're bringing a ship into the bay, or you're selling a Mai Tai by the bay. We depend on it.” — Sharon [8:37]