The Elizabeth River Project launched in 1991, when a group of four concerned citizens decided something needed to be done about the health of the historic urban river. Since that time, it has grown into a collective effort among different entities to restore the river from pollution and industrial waste. The project aimed to restore the river to its natural state, improving its ecological and biodiversity status. An initiative that emerged from this effort was the Elizabeth River Star Businesses Program (ERSBP), and Buckeye became a member in 2015 through our Chesapeake Terminal. To date, we continue to be a member of the ERSBP and have achieved recognition in the highest possible ranking – Model Level Member– for our accomplishments in pollution.
Over the years, various teams from Buckeye, including Corporate and Regional HSSE teams, Chesapeake Terminal and Asset teams, and the Virginia and Baltimore Asset Teams, have participated in oyster reef construction and other associated wetland planting initiatives as part of the efforts to restore the health of the river. Our achievements can be attributed to a combination of ongoing conservation efforts during routine operations and the creation of oyster habitats and wetlands along the terminal shoreline.
In November 2022, Buckeye leaders were invited to speak about our collaboration with the Elizabeth River Project to local politicians and regulators. Going forward, we continue to expand on our work with the Elizabeth River Project, supporting work around our terminal that focuses on water quality and understanding different wildlife species response to best management practices.
