Tight conditions imposed on SeaGate terminal

Chesapeake, Va. — SeaGate Handling has agreed with city officials and members of the community that no highly hazardous chemicals – apparently including sulfuric acid – will be handled or stored on property the city has rezoned for use as a waterfront terminal. Seagate not only agreed to the restrictions, but proffered the conditions in its application after a series of meetings with concerned residents. “This was something the community was basically concerned about,” according to the project manager in the city planning department, who asked not to be identified. “The proffers came directly from the applicant. Leading up to this the company held a series of (community) meetings, and these proffers were the result of those meetings and they were approved by the city council.” SeaGate Handling President Kevin Glover didn’t confirm these meetings or the restrictions specifically, but told Green Markets: “The rezoning took quite a bit longer than we expected it would, and it was quite a process! At this point we can’t confirm any of the products we hope to handle there. It will be really a market-driven terminal.” But when asked by the local press after the rezoning vote whether the agreement included not handling sulfur or any sulfuric acid, Glover responded, “It’s on the public record.” In the proffer recommended by the planning commission, SeaGate agrees that no chemical or material on the “List of Highly Hazardous Chemicals, Toxics and Reactives” shall be received, handled, or stored on the property in any amount. Furthermore, the applicant/owner agrees that no application shall be filed with the City of Chesapeake for any land use that includes any chemical, toxic, or reactive listed. SeaGate Handling, a liquid and dry bulk terminaling facility headquartered in Savannah, Ga., had purchased 24 acres with deep water frontage in Chesapeake, which provides direct access to the Southern Branch of the Elizabeth River with a depth of 45 feet. The facility is serviced by both CSX and Norfolk Southern through the Norfolk & Portsmouth Beltline Railroad, and is also located with immediate highway access to Interstate 464.