FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEDate: August 18, 2014Contact: Andy Fobes, TPA PR Director, afobes@tampaport.com

Port Tampa Bay environmental mitigation project recognized by America Association of Port Authorities

The completed McKay Bay project (Port Tampa Bay). Protected bird species and new plantings at project site (photo CH2M Hill).

TAMPA, Fla.— Port Tampa Bay is pleased to announce that one of its major environmental projects, the McKay Bay Restoration

project, has been acknowledged as winner in the Mitigation category of the American Association of Port Authority’s (AAPA) Annual

Environmental Improvement Awards program. The program recognizes projects that show leadership and exemplary environmental

stewardship in and around seaports.

Port Tampa Bay, with assistance from the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD), embarked upon and

completed a combination of wetland restoration projects within the McKay Bay Ecosystem in Tampa Bay. The net impact of this

work has resulted in the restoration of estuarine wetlands and adjacent shallow intertidal bay bottom within this historically

impaired water body.

Earlier this year, the project received honorable mention in the annual Future of the Region Awards program of the Tampa

Bay Regional Planning Council. Other project partners were as follows: Hillsborough County EPC; Tampa Contracting Services (TCS),

Orion Marine Construction; Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD); and CH2M Hill.

“Environmental integrity is at the core of what we do to develop and grow the state’s largest port. We are extremely

honored to be recognized for our continued commitment to the environment. Port Tampa Bay will continue to engage in major

environmental projects such as this that will have lasting benefits for the delicate marine habitats of Tampa Bay and the

community,” Paul Anderson, port president and CEO, said. “We are thrilled to be honored with an award from our partner AAPA,

and we appreciate the professionalism of the judges who recognize these important projects nationwide.”

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