Over 95 percent of the cargo that comes into the U.S. arrives by ships that dock at the more than 360 ports across the nation. Ports are vital to the U.S. economy, and the challenges they face often involve near-port communities. One of these challenges is the environmental impact of ports. Environmental impacts on near-port communities can involve issues like air and water quality, as well as less tangible impacts such as noise pollution, and access to green spaces. The relatively high concentration of environmental impacts on near-port communities can also result in environmental justice concerns. EPA regulates some aspects of port environmental impacts, through statutes such as the Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act, and develops tools to help communities address those impacts.

Learn more about ports by visiting the links below.