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ENVIRONMENTAL
ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP TAKES CAREFUL PLANNING
In 2021 the Port of Stockton worked hard to
recognize and reduce our environmental impact
and plan for more significant initiatives in the
coming years. We are happy to share
environmental successes we experienced in
2021, including innovative planning underway for
environmental enhancements in the future.
Enhancement of the Eastern South Ditch
The Port’s South Ditch is a concrete channel that
conveys stormwater nearly 3,000 feet to a
retention basin where it is periodically pumped
and returned safely to the San Joaquin River. In
2019 and 2020, the Port completed design and
permitting with state and federal agencies for the
Eastern South Ditch Enhancement Project
(Project). With grant assistance from the California
Natural Resources Agency, the Port successfully
completed construction of the Project in 2021.
Now, the easternmost 400-foot portion of the
South Ditch has been transformed into a natural,
vegetated waterway, treating runo with soils and
plants, reducing stormwater volume, and
promoting groundwater recharge.
But the Project is more than just a filter. The
wetland and riparian planted areas o er habitat
benefits for invertebrates, amphibians, birds, and
mammals by providing the ingredients necessary
for food webs, breeding, and refuge needs of
many species. The Project also acts as a natural
reservoir, providing climate change resiliency in
the form of flood hazard controls and safeguards
“WHILE THE PORT RECOGNIZES
THERE ARE STILL MANY
OPPORTUNITIES TO IMPROVE
ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS
AT THE PORT, WE TAKE PRIDE
IN THE STEPS WE HAVE TAKEN
TO PROMOTE CHANGE.”
against droughts. Soon it will even serve as a
natural area where employees can relax and
enjoy the view. The restored area benefits the
environment, the Port, and the surrounding
community in multiple ways, and in the future, the
Port intends to implement other similar
stormwater enhancement projects.
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