FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Washington Public Ports Association recognizes the Port of Tacoma with 2026 Environmental Stewardship Award
STEVENSON, Washington – Every year, the Washington Public Ports Association recognizes exceptional achievements by Washington’s port districts through four distinct awards. These honors celebrate leadership in environmental stewardship, community engagement, job creation, and creative partnerships; highlighting impactful projects and initiatives that advance economic development and
quality of life in port communities across the state.
This year, the WPPA is honored to present its award for Environmental Stewardship to the Port of Tacoma for their leadership in the environmental cleanup and habitat renewal of the Maritime Center.
Located along the Foss and Wheeler-Osgood Waterways near downtown Tacoma, the Maritime Center project transformed a historically industrial site into a cleaner, healthier, and more resilient waterfront campus that will serve students, employees, and the broader community for generations to come.
“This project reflects the Port’s commitment to environmental responsibility, collaboration, and long-term investment in the community,” said Carly Michiels, WPPA Senior Director of Environmental Policy. “The Maritime Center demonstrates how environmental cleanup and redevelopment can work hand-in-hand to create meaningful benefits for both people and the environment.”
Developed in partnership with Tacoma Public Schools and in collaboration with the Puyallup Tribe of Indians, the Maritime Center campus will house Tacoma Public Schools’ Maritime|253 Skills Center alongside the Port’s new administrative office building. The project creates a unique working waterfront learning environment where students can gain hands-on maritime, environmental science, and trades experience alongside industry professionals.
The award recognizes the Port’s exceptional environmental cleanup and shoreline restoration efforts. As part of the project, the Port removed approximately 39,000 tons of contaminated soil, significantly reducing risks to groundwater, adjacent waterways, and marine habitat. The Port also removed more than 300 creosote treated pilings and deteriorating dock structures that had contributed to pollution and habitat degradation within the waterway.
In addition to restoring critical shoreline habitat, the Maritime Center project incorporates numerous sustainability features, including a LEED Gold certification target, Salmon-Safe certification, rooftop solar panels, green stormwater infrastructure, and nearly 2.74 acres of restored vegetated habitat with close to 100 plant species. The restored shoreline and public amenities, including walking paths, native landscaping, and seating areas, reconnect the community with a revitalized section of Tacoma’s waterfront that was once defined by contaminated industrial use.
The WPPA Environmental Stewardship Award recognizes Washington ports that demonstrate outstanding leadership and innovation in environmental protection, sustainability, and stewardship. We are glad to present the Port of Tacoma with this award.
For more information about the Maritime Center project, visit www.portoftacoma.com/maritimecenter.
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As a nonprofit trade association representing Washington’s independent port districts and their partners, the Washington Public Ports Association (WPPA) fosters public policy that supports our members and helps them execute their community-supported goals. The WPPA was charged by the Legislature in 1961 with acting as the coordinating agency for public port districts throughout Washington, serving as the focus through which ports work cooperatively to develop policy direction, share information, and address issues on economic development, trade, transportation, and environmental stewardship. Public port districts offer a wide range of locally governed services, including the operation of marine terminals and barge facilities, tourism promotion, development of industrial parks, management of public access points, marinas, airports, railroads, and more.
Contact: Eric ffitch, Executive Director
360-763-1179 cell
effitch@washingtonports.org
