People Against Open Water Disposal in Puget Sound

Preparing a Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP)

2011-07-02T13:48:00.000-07:00

SMARM 2010 related documents - Latest guidance for DMMP dioxin sampling and testing:

Polychlorinated Dioxins and Furans (PCDD/F): Revisions to the Supplemental Quality Assurance Project Plan (SQAPP)

Revised Supplemental Information on Polychlorinated Dioxins and Furans (PCDD/F) for Use in Preparing a Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP)

What is the Process for Determining if Dredged Material can be Dumped in Open Water?

2011-03-16T08:25:00.000-07:00

Stakeholder input was received in the summer and fall 2007 through a questionnaire, public meetings and technical workshops. The input received for the DMMP agencies consideration for the development of revised interpretive guidelines for dioxins was summarized in the DMMP Dioxin Analysis of Stakeholder Input report as described above. The DMMP agencies have deliberated on the input received, as well as each DMMP agency's legal and regulatory context. Due to the technical, legal, and policy level complexity of dioxins and challenges associated with balancing various objectives a proposal for a revised framework is still under development.

A number of alternatives are under consideration to determine the suitability of dredged material containing dioxin (and dioxin-like compounds such as PCBs) for unconfined, open-water disposal. However, there are few dioxin/furan or PCB congener data for Puget Sound outside of certain Superfund and MTCA cleanup sites. Therefore, it is currently difficult to evaluate the practical, economic, environmental, and regulatory consequences of these alternatives.

As a result, the agencies have determined that additional sampling is needed to provide data on concentrations of dioxins/furans and PCB congeners in Puget Sound which would be a useful set of information for inclusion in the DMMP program deliberations. In addition, data collected will have utility for other programs such as cleanup programs (CERCLA/MTCA) and the Puget Sound Partnership. To assure timely progress towards realization of the procedures, the DMMP intends to complete this sampling by September 2008, and have results available to the agencies mid-winter. The DMMP Agencies are committed to having a proposal for interpretive guidelines that is as clear as possible, and includes public input, by the 2009-2010 dredge season.

Dredging suitability determinations regarding dioxins will be made in the interim on a case-by-case basis, using a disposal-site-specific, background-based evaluation method, similar to that used in 2006 at the Anderson/Ketron disposal site. More information on the interim approach can be found here.

Link to Army Corps of Engineer page

New Interim Guidelines for Dioxin in Puget Sound (Unclassified)

2010-12-06T02:38:00.000-08:00

The DMMP agencies, in coordination with the Puget Sound Partnership, have approved new interim guidelines for dioxin in dredged material disposed in Puget Sound. An announcement of the guidelines, which includes links to the guidelines themselves and responses to comments received following the 2010 Sediment Management Annual Review Meeting (SMARM), can be found at: http://www.nws.usace.army.mil/PublicMenu/Menu.cfm?sitename=DMMO&pagename=Dioxin_Work_Group

Based on the comments received after the SMARM, the following modifications were made to the agency proposal:

1) In response to concerns expressed by the tribes and others regarding potential impacts to shellfish harvesting areas from disposal of dredged material at the dispersive sites, at least some dioxin testing will be required for most projects utilizing those sites. In addition, a fate and transport modeling study will be conducted to see what, if any, sediment might be transported to Discovery Bay, Protection Island and Port Gamble Bay following disposal at the Port Townsend or Rosario Strait sites. Depending on the outcome of this study, the expanded dioxin testing requirement may be retained or dropped.

2) In response to concerns expressed by the ports that the guidelines were too prescriptive, the automatic triggering of bioaccumulation testing for dredged material exceeding the 10 parts-per-trillion upper screening level was eliminated. Screening level exceedances will be addressed on a case-by-case basis.

The process to revise the dioxin guidelines began in 2007. The agencies have received feedback through various venues, including questionnaires, public meetings, workshops and SMARM comments. In crafting the revised guidelines, the DMMP agencies have strived to comply with existing regulations and to protect human health, while being mindful of potential economic impacts. We believe the revised guidelines meet these goals.

The DMMP agencies want to emphasize that the revised guidelines are being implemented as new interim guidelines. The SMS/MTCA integration effort continues and rule revisions may very well affect the new interim guidelines. The DMMP agencies stand ready to incorporate those changes.

Evaluating Management Options for the Disposal of Dredged Materials

2010-10-19T00:20:00.000-07:00

ABSTRACT: "This paper presents a screening framework that evaluates management options for the disposal of dredged sediments on the basis of chemical and toxicological characterization tests. The paper provides a combined brief overview of disposal options for dredged sediments and relevant testing, together with simplified decision rules for the feasibility of each option. The framework provides for two stages of assessment.

In Stage I, disposal in open waters is evaluated based on the combination of results from chemical and toxicological analyses, supplemented by physical characteristics of sediments. For sediments that do not meet requirements for open-water disposal, Stage II evaluates the suitability of disposal in landfills or in confined facilities, upland and underwater. Decisions in Stage II are facilitated by well established effluent criteria applied to ambient water and wastes admitted to landfills, as well as by calculations estimating the impact of sediment contaminants to the vicinity of the subaqueous confining structures.

The application of the decision-making methodology is demonstrated using test results from sediment samples from Piraeus Harbor, Greece, and Indiana Harbor, IL, USA. Results showed that the framework is able to discriminate well among sediments from different subareas to be dredged. Disposal to open water is not feasible for most contaminated sediments from areas with increased shipping activities. Disposal in confined facilities subaqueous or upland proved to be a viable option for most of the sediments, whereas all sediments were characterized as nonhazardous and can therefore be accepted in an ordinary landfill."
Link to full paper

Mercury Contamination - Biomagnification

2010-09-22T16:47:00.000-07:00

Video is posted below

Dynamics of Particle Clouds with Application to Open Water Sediment Disposal

2010-09-22T16:45:00.000-07:00

Dynamics of Particle Clouds with Application to Open Water Sediment Disposal:
Part III: Numerical Experiments on Plume Formation http://censam.mit.edu/news/posters/2010/adams/3.pdf

Free Publications from Berkeley (Water Issues)

2010-09-22T16:38:00.000-07:00

Free Pubs: August 2010 (Water World)

August Free Pubs list!As always, to request one of the titles offered, send an email to wrcaill@library.berkeley.edu with the subject line "Free pubs request." Please include your name, mailing address, and the full detail of each item requested. Note that due to postage costs international requests are limited to two items per posting. Those local are encouraged to visit WRCA to pick up items. The list will be continually updated through the month of August, crossing off titles as they are requested. Though not required, reimbursement for the postage to mail these items is always appreciated. Checks can be made out to "UC Regents" and mailed to 410 O'Brien Hall + Berkeley, CA + 94720-1718.

Titles are distributed on a first-requested, first-served basis, with priority given to Friends of the Archives and UC affiliates. Your continued support allows WRCA to continue this service.

The Texas Water Plan. The Texas Water Development Board. November 1968.

Unconfined, Open-Water Disposal Sites for Dredged Material, Phase I (Central Puget Sound) Puget Sound Dredged Disposal Analysis. Final Environmental Impact Statement. NEPA/SEPA. June 1988.

Maintenance Dredging: Existing Navigation Projects. Final Composite Environmental Statement. December 1975. Volume II.

Efficient Water Use in California: Executive Summary. Charles E. Phelps et.al. November 1978.

Fisherman’s Wharf Area San Francisco Harbor California. Information Pamphlet. General Design Conference. US Army Corps of Engineers. May 5, 1982.

Clean Water Action Plan: Restoring and Protecting America’s Waters. US Government Printing Office. 1998.

River of Promise: The Untapped Potential of Recreation and Tourism on the Missouri River. American Rivers.

Creating a New Riverfront Opportunity: The St. Charles Riverfront Greenway. Greenway Network, Inc.

Determining Age and Vertical Contribution of Ground Water Pumped from Wells in a Small Coastal River Basin. USGS Open-File Report 2005-1032. July 2005. (2 Copies).

Making the Transition to an Integrated Pest Management Program for Ground Squirrels on DWR Levees. Center for the Integration of the Applied Sciences. John Muir Institute. July 1978.

Operational Data. City of Sacramento Division of Water and Sewers. 1976-1977.

Operational Data. City of Sacramento Division of Water and Sewers. 1977-1978

Operational Data. City of Sacramento Division of Water and Sewers. 1979-1980

Water and Development in Bangladesh: A Retrospective on the Flood Action Plan. Peter Rogers, et. al. December 1994.

San Joaquin Tributaries Chinook Salmon Population Model Documentation. DTAC Exhibit 58. EA Engineering, Science, and Technology, Inc.

Reports for California by the Geological Survey. J.S. Bader and Fred Kunkel. USGS Water Resources Division. Menlo Park, California. 1973.

Modern Methods of Street Cleaning. George A. Soper. The Engineering News Publishing Company. 1909.

A Living Mediterranean River. Jennifer Natali et.al. Restoration and Management of the Rio Real in Portugal to Achieve Good Ecological Condition. February 2009. (Multiple Copies).

Effects of Difference in water Quality, Upper Satan Ana Valley and Coastal San Diego County. Review of Bulletin 78, Appendix B. James M. Montgomery. November 1959.

Selected Digital Computer Techniques for Groundwater Resource Evaluation. T.A. Prickett & C.G. Lonnquist. Illinois State Water Survey Bulletin 55. 1971.

Water in California: A Resilient System Under Pressure. Richard E. Howitt. UC/AIC Position Paper No. 91-1. April 1991.

Water Fact Sheet: National Water-Quality Assessment Program – The San-Joaquin-Tulare Basins. USGS, Department of the Interior. Open-File Report 91-1953. 1991.

Present and Future Water Needs of Santa Barbara County. Summary Report. Santa Barbara County Water Agency. October 31, 1977.

Guadalupe River Planning Study: Gold Street Bridge Raising. Consisting of the Engineer’s Report and Negative Declaration. Santa Clara Valley Water District. August 1985.

Present and Prospective Technology for Predicting Sediment Yields and Sources. U.S. Department of Agriculture. June 1975.

Private Participation in Infrastructure in Developing Countries: Trends, Impacts, and Policy Lessons. Clive Harris. World Bank Working Paper No.5. 2003.

Planning Artificial Groundwater Recharge in <> Near Palermo in Sicily. A Cast Study. Mario Santoro.

San Francisco Bay Plan. To Protect the Bay To Enhance the Bay. Preliminary. San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission.

Governor’s Commission to Review California Water Rights Law. Summary Final Report. December 1978.

Micro-Hydropower Sourcebook: A Practical Guide to Design and Implementation in Developing Countries. Allen R. Inversin. 1986.

Environmental Research Brief: Characterization of Organic Matter in Soil and Aquifer Solids. M.J. Barcelona, et. al. USEPA. EPA/600/S-97/001. April 1997.

Los Banos Demonstration Desalting Facility. Reverse Osmosis Demonstration Project. State of California Department of Water Resources. Monthly Progress Report. March 1984.

Los Banos Demonstration Desalting Facility. Reverse Osmosis Demonstration Project. State of California Department of Water Resources. Monthly Progress Report. April 1984.

Los Banos Demonstration Desalting Facility. Reverse Osmosis Demonstration Project. State of California Department of Water Resources. Monthly Progress Report. June 1984.

Computation of Rate and Volume of Stream Depletion by Wells. C.T. Jenkins. Techniquies of the Water-Resources Investigations of the USGS. BK 4 Chp D1. 1970.

Computer Model of Two-Dimensional Solute Transport and Dispersion in Ground Water. L.F. Konikow & J.D. Bredehoeft. Techniques of the Water-Resources Investigations of the USGS. Bk 7 Chp C2. 1978.

Third Symposium on Artificial Recharge of Groundwater in Arizona. Symposium Proceedings. Salt River Project. May 20&21, 1987.

From Scarcity to Security: Averting a Water Crisis in the Middle East and North Africa. The World Bank. December 1995.

Drip Irrigation Manual. S. Dasberg & E. Bresler. International Irrigation Information Center. 1985.

The Development of Agriculture in Greece. International Bank for Reconstruction and Development. Washington, D.C. December 1966.

Comparative Study of the Management and Organization of Irrigation Projects. World Bank Staff Working Paper No. 458. May 1981.

Meeting Flow Objectives for the San Joaquin River Agreement 1999-2010. Environmental Impact Statement and Environmental Impact Report. Draft. September 25, 1998.

The California State Water Project. State of California Department of Water Resources.

Wildcat and San Pablo Creeks Modified Flood Control Plan.

Wildcat Creek Marsh Enhancement Plan. Philip Williams & Larry Fishbain. Draft Report. March 11, 1988.

General Design and Memorandum and Basis of Design for Reach I. Design Memorandum No.1. US Army Corps of Engineers. May 1986.

Areal Distribution of Selenium and other Inorganic Constituents in Shallow Ground Water: A Preliminary Study. U.S. Department of the Interior Geological Survey. November 1984.

Statement by David G. Houston Presented to California Assembly Water, Parks, and Wildlife Committee. November 16, 1984. Revised November 20, 1984.

Information on Waterfowl Protection Program at Kesterson Reservoir. U.S. Bureau of Reclamation San Luis Unit. Information Bulletin 4. November 1984.

State Water Resources Control Board Order No. WQ 85-1 For Cleanup and Abatement of Kesterson Reservoir. U.S. Dept of the Interior. May 27, 1985.

East Bay Municipal Utility District Supplemental Water Supply Project. Draft, Recirculated Environmental Impact Report/Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement. October 2000.

Alternatives for Delta Water Transfer. State of California Department of Water Resources. November 1983.

Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan for the Bay and Delta. Draft. San Francisco Estuary Project. August 1992.

San Joaquin Valley Drainage Monitoring Program -1983. District Report. December 1984.

Distribution of Selenium in Soils of Agricultural Fields, Western San Joaquin Valley, California. USGS Open-File Report 87-467. 1987.

Tehama-Colusa Canal Central Valley Project, California. Final Environmental Statement. Department of the Interior. June 7, 1972.

Analysis of Recently Proposed Hydropower Projects in California, Including Environmental. State of California Dept. of Water Resources. Division of Planning September 1981.

Airport on the Bay. Part of a Detailed Study of San Francisco Bay. San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission. September 1966.

Economic and Population Growth. Part of a Detailed Study of San Francisco Bay. San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission. February1967.

INVESTIGATION OF DEAD ZONE ON TRIBAL FISHERIES IN BELLINGHAM BAY, WASHINGTON

2010-08-07T14:02:00.000-07:00

NON TECHNICAL SUMMARY: Long term industrial pollution in Bellingham Bay has produced industrial wastes that will be disturbed by the developments and can affect Tribal fisheries. Measure the effects of activities that effect the water quality of Bellingham Bay including past industrial activities, logging and development.

Link to Project Description

Shrimp on Treadmill

2010-08-04T12:01:00.000-07:00

How can we tell when a shrimp is under the weather? One scientist put the little crustaceans on a tiny treadmill to examine how diseases impact their performance.

Link to Live Science article

Dredged Material in Long Island Sound - EPA will Reduce or Eliminate Open Water Disposal

2010-06-16T08:43:00.000-07:00

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) jointly regulate dredged material disposal under federal authorities provided by section 404 of the Clean Water Act and section 103 of the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act (MPRSA), which is also known as the Ocean Dumping Act (ODA). In administering these programs, we work closely with other federal resource management agencies like the National Marine Fisheries Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and state environmental agencies to ensure proper coordination and consistency with other federal, state, and local statutory and regulatory requirements and environmental standards.
Since 1980, EPA and the USACE have been applying the sediment testing requirements of the Ocean Dumping Act to all federal projects and to private projects generating 25,000 cubic yards of dredged material or more. Dredged material that meets these criteria and is determined to be suitable for ocean disposal is disposed of at one of the two sites that were designated by EPA in 2005 after completion of an Environmental Impact Statement, or the two sites that were selected by the USACE pursuant to programmatic and site specific environmental impact statements completed in 1982 and 1991. For more information on these sites, please visit the "Long Island Sound Dredged Material Disposal Sites" web page.

On June 3, 2005, EPA issued a final rule to designate the Central Long Island Sound and Western Long Island Sound disposal sites for long-term use, but with restrictions that are intended to reduce or eliminate the disposal of dredged material in Long Island Sound. Use of the sites pursuant to these designations may be suspended or terminated in accordance with these restrictions. A link to the final rule is provided on the "Long Island Sound Dredged Material Disposal Sites" web page.

Full article: Dredged Material Management in Long Island Sound

DMMP Dioxin Guidelines Comment Period Extended to June 30, 2010

2010-06-08T09:00:00.000-07:00

The DMMP agencies have received a request to extend the comment period for the proposed dioxin guidelines to June 30, 2010. In order to provide an equal opportunity to comment, the deadline has been extended until June 30 for all stakeholders. Please submit comments to dioxinproject@usace.army.mil.

The deadline for other SMARM comments has also been extended until June 30.

Open-water Disposal Site Optimization

2010-05-30T03:27:00.000-07:00

Dredging disposal in areas with environmental constraints requires that decisions about the placement of dredged material be made with little margin for error. A nonlinear programming model has been developed to assist in the management of open water dredged material disposal sites. The model has been developed based on conditions at the near-shore open water disposal site near the mouth of the Columbia River. The optimization model considers available capacity of cells within the disposal area to produce a plan that minimizes mounding within the site. Initial testing of the optimization model indicates that it produces reasonable dumping plans. Ultimately, the optimal dumping plans will be simulated for various stages of the dredging disposal cycle.

Link to Rutgers Working Paper

DMMP Agencies seek Public Comment (April 19 - June, 2010) on proposed guidelines for Dioxin in Dredged Sediment

2010-04-22T10:36:00.000-07:00

DMMP Agencies seek Public Comment (April 19 - June 18, 2010) on proposed interim guidelines for dioxin in dredged sediment

The Dredged Material Management Program (DMMP) agencies are seeking public comment on proposed interim guidelines for dioxin in dredged sediment. These guidelines will be used to determine if dredged sediments containing dioxins can be disposed at designated open-water sites in Puget Sound. Comments must be submitted by June 18, 2010 by e-mail to: dioxinproject@usace.army.mil.

Complete text of the proposed dioxin guidelines can be viewed at the dioxin project website:
http://www.nws.usace.army.mil/PublicMenu/Menu.cfm?sitename=DMMO&pagename=Dioxin_Work_Group

Or, download zip file: http://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0B4Xj2qDuw3sVMzc0ZjQ0OTgtY2Q0Zi00OGQwLWI4NmYtZjUyNGIyMDM4YTdl&hl=en

DNR Application process to utilize Open Water Disposal Sites

2010-01-22T11:30:00.000-08:00

DNR Dredged Material Management Program
Program Overview

The Dredged Material Management Program (DMMP) represents a coordinated multi-agency approach to management of dredged materials in the state of Washington. The cooperating agencies include the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - Seattle Office, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency - Region 10, Washington State Department of Ecology and Department of Natural Resources.
We are committed to protecting the aquatic environment through stringent oversight of all disposal activities occurring on the public’s state-owned aquatic lands. Three location-specific programs exist under the DMMP framework.

•The Dredged Material Management Program (DMMP) manages disposal within Puget Sound, Strait of Juan de Fuca, and coastal embayments of the Grays Harbor and Willapa Bay sites.

•The Columbia River Disposal Program manages the disposal of dredged materials on the Washington side of the river.

Using this framework, DNR manages eight unconfined open-water dredged material disposal sites around Puget Sound and two sites each in Grays Harbor and Willapa Bay. Use of the sites must be requested and approved prior to entering state lands for the purpose of disposal.

Dredging is a critical activity that affects the lives of nearly every Washington State citizen and visitor. For more information view the Dredged Material Fact Sheet. — (pdf) 39kb

Application Requirements

Before dredgers may take dredged material to one of DNR’s unconfined open-water dredged material disposal sites, they must obtain a valid Site Use Authorization (SUA) from the DNR’s DMMP office. View DNR's Application Requirements , Site Use Application and Clarification for obtaining a SUA.

Reporting Requirements

DNR is committed to protecting the aquatic environment through stringent oversight of all disposal activities occurring under a SUA. DNR accomplishes this by imposing specific reporting requirements for every load of dredged material taken to one of DNR’s unconfined open-water dredged material disposal sites. Disposal Site Use Report and Monthly Disposal Forms forms once completed may be submitted via email, fax, courier, or USPS.

Fees

Users of any of DNR’s unconfined open-water dredged material disposal sites must pay disposal fees, which are assessed at a per cubic yard rate and subject to a minimum application fee. These fees are authorized under RCW 79.105.520, and defined under WAC 332-30-166. View the current Current Fee Structure. — (pdf) 319kb

DNR is currently reviewing the fee structure. See Clarification of Fee Structure.

Mail Completed Application and Associated Documents to:
Department of Natural Resources
Aquatic Resources Division
ATTN: Courtney Wasson, DMMP Manager
1111 Washington Street SE
P.O. Box 47027
Olympia, WA 98504-7027

A copy of the DNR Application for Authorization:

Site Application

DNR Business Permits

Sediment Management in Washington State

2009-12-19T02:14:00.000-08:00

The Aquatic Lands Cleanup Unit (formerly the Sediment Management Unit) of the Toxics Cleanup Program serves as the central planning group for Department of Ecology sediment management activities:
•Adoption and amendment of the Sediment Management Standards, Chapter 173-204 WAC

•Sediment source control activities

•Sediment cleanup activities

•Dredged material management

Further information is available about the following activities or areas of interest connected with the Department of Ecology's sediment management program: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/tcp/smu/sediment.html

I&J Waterway PSDDA Sediment

2009-12-13T11:19:00.000-08:00

Project Description:

This Sampling and Analysis Plan (SAP) provides the scope and methods to evaluate the suitability for open-water disposal of sediments at the I&J Waterway Site (Site) in Bellingham Bay in Bellingham, Washington under the Puget Sound Dredged Disposal Analysis Program (PSDDA) (See site map,

Figure 1-1). This testing is being performed in support of the Sediments

Remedial Investigation and Feasibility Study (RI/FS) occurring at the Site under the oversight of the Department of Ecology (Ecology). The need for disposal is driven by the cleanup at the site, but the design of the remedial activities will be influenced by navigation needs within the waterway and adjacent areas.

Entire report: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/TCP/sites/blhm_bay/sites/I_and_J_Waterway/I&J%20Seds%20RIFS%20App%20B%20Text.pdf

Methods for Collection, Storage, and Manipulation of Sediments for Chemical and Toxicological Analyses

2009-12-13T11:14:00.000-08:00

Click here to go to Report: http://www.epa.gov/waterscience/cs/library/toc.pdf

*U.S. EPA. 2001. Methods for Collection, Storage and Manipulation of Sediments for Chemical and Toxicological Analyses: Technical Manual. EPA 823-B-01-002. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Water, Washington, DC

Reports from around the Sound: Containment of dredged material at Bremerton Naval Complex

2009-12-13T11:01:00.000-08:00

"This presentation describes sediment remediation at the Bremerton Naval Complex (BNC) in Bremerton, Washington. Descriptions are given for state-of-the-art features including environmental clamshell buckets, dGPS guidance systems, precise dump barge positioning, extensive water quality monitoring, and removal of compressed gas cylinders with 72-inch diameter underwater magnet. Contaminated sediment was placed into a confined aquatic disposal pit (Pit CAD) 620 feet by 600 feet by 36 feet below the mudline. Project is permitted under a Corps of Engineers permit with a Biological Opinion from NMFS for protection of threatened Puget Sound Chinook salmon, and a Record of Decision for CERCLA remediation."
"The work was done with equipment that evolved from traditional clamshell dredging and bottom-dump barge placement. This results in cost-effective remediation for large volumes of non-hazardous sediment. The cost for dredging and disposal of 390,000 cy in the Pit CAD and 310,000 cy in open water is about 13 million U.S. dollars. Part 1 describes the remediation work performed from June 2000 through March 2001 with the planned final capping scheduled for 2001. Part 2 discuss how the successes of this project can be used to design future confined disposal facilities for contaminated sediment remediation."

excerpt from:

Confined Aquatic Disposal of Dredged Material at Bremerton Naval Complex 2001 International Containment & Remediation Technology Conference and Exhibition. June 10-13, 2001. Orlando, Florida.

Mark T. Otten, P.E.
Foster Wheeler Environmental Corporation
12100 NE 195th Street, Suite 20
Bothell, WA. 98011

Washington State Dredging and filling guidelines WAC 173-26-231

2009-12-13T10:45:00.000-08:00

EXISTING REGULATIONS

Dredging and filling is regulated through 1) Shoreline Environment section which establish where dredging and filling is allowed and for what reasons and 2) Development Standards section which establish development standards for dredging and filling where it is allowed. The requirements of the Shoreline Environment section are summarized in Document 3A. The three subsections of the Development Standards section relating to dredging and filling are below.

http://www.seattle.gov/dpd/static/Dredging%20&%20Filling%2008_11_12%20CAC_LatestReleased_DPDP015710.pdf

Updated Sediment Evaluation Framework Released, Will help Puget Sound Dredged Disposal Analysis Program

2009-09-24T10:12:00.000-07:00

The Sediment Evaluation Framework (SEF), which helps dredging projects in the Pacific Northwest proceed in a manner that is protective of the environment and consistent with state and federal laws, was recently made available by the Regional Sediment Evaluation Team.

Seattle, WA (Vocus/PRWEB ) June 5, 2009 -- The Sediment Evaluation Framework (SEF), which helps dredging projects in the Pacific Northwest proceed in a manner that is protective of the environment and consistent with state and federal laws, was recently made available by the Regional Sediment Evaluation Team.

The SEF is a guidance document developed through a cooperative interagency effort to create a regional approach to sediment evaluation for proposed dredging projects in Idaho, Oregon and Washington. It provides guidance for sampling, sediment testing and test interpretation to evaluate the suitability of dredged material for unconfined open water disposal, and builds on the very successful Puget Sound Dredged Disposal Analysis Program.

The SEF is intended to improve consistency in evaluation of projects between different states and Corps districts, and between Corps civil works and regulatory programs while still allowing flexibility for local differences in site conditions or considerations. The document does not apply to cleanup sites.

Seattle District has been implementing the concepts in the SEF for many years through its Dredged Material Management Office and the interagency Dredged Material Management Program. The availability of the SEF will not change current DMMP process or guidance.

The SEF will continually be updated based on new science and issues in coordination with the region and through annual public meetings. Some important aspects such as development of freshwater standards and bioaccumulation evaluation methods are continuing to be developed and refined.

A joint Regional Sediment Evaluation Team comprised of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, National Marine Fisheries Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, US Environmental Protection Agency Region 10, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, Washington Department of Ecology, the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality, the Washington Department of Natural Resources and independent contractors developed the SEF.

A draft of the SEF was made available for public review and presented at public meetings throughout the region in February 2009 and, where appropriate, comments received were incorporated into the updated document. All comments, RSET agency responses and the SEF are available at http://www.nwp.usace.army.mil/pm/e/rset.asp. The SEF is also available in hard copy or on CD by contacting Marci Cook at (503) 808-4765 or via e-mail at marci.e.cook@usace.army.mil.

Project applicants are encouraged to contact the Dredged Material Management Office (206-764-3768) with any questions, and to keep in touch with the DMMO web-site (http://www.nws.usace.army.mil/) for updates regarding bioaccumulation and freshwater guidelines.

What is Open Water Disposal?

2009-07-22T10:18:00.000-07:00

Open-water disposal of dredged marine sediment is a state and federal approved Dredged Material Management Program (DMMP) where unconfined dredged material is placed at designated sites in oceans, estuaries, (a bay may be a large estuary) rivers and lakes in a manner that dredged material is not isolated from the adjacent waters during placement.

Placement is generally via release from pipelines, barges or hoppers. (Dredged Sediment is released into the environment from a pipe or by opening the bottom of a barge and allowing the material to drift down to the bottom). Please see photo above.Open water sites can be either dispersive or non-dispersive (retentive or non-retentive) depending on whether the sediment is transported out of the site or remains within the designated boundaries. Generally, clean or mildly contaminated sediments are disposed of in open water, although the disposal of highly contaminated material can also be considered with appropriate control measures.

Regardless of the type of in-water disposal, placing dredged materials in the aquatic area raises several key concerns, including sediment and water quality, sediment transport, water circulation, impacts to fisheries, and impacts to biological communities, especially endangered/threatened species.Sediments placed in water must meet sediment quality regulations outlined in the Dredged Material Evaluation Framework. The majority of sediment disposed in the estuary's aquatic area consists of coarse, clean sand dredged from maintained navigation channels. This material must meet the water and sediment quality standards (SQS).

After sediment is placed in an open water disposal site, some or all of it is eventually transported to other areas, potentially resulting in adverse impacts to shallow productive areas and fishing areas, resulting in an increase in dredging requirements on other projects. (Creating a cycle of dredging and additional clean up).The sediment transport patterns at in-water sites need to be assessed prior to disposal.Disposing of material in-water usually creates a mound or otherwise obstructs water flow.

Consequently, water circulation patterns in the vicinity of the disposal site are altered. These changes can have detrimental effects. For instance, unexpected erosion or accretion can occur downstream from the disposal site. Conversely, the changes can sometimes be beneficial. For example, the scouring of the channel can be increased. In all cases, the potential effects that may result from circulation changes need to be assessed prior to undertaking disposal.

In-water disposal often results in the direct smothering of benthic organisms at the disposal site and indirect impacts to organisms living down current from the site. Disposal often impacts commercial fisheries by decreasing the size and depth of net drifts, potentially creating snags in fishing areas, and obstructing fishing access with dredging equipment.As of 2003, the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) biennial report states that 78,883 cubic yards of dredged material has been disposed at the Bellingham Bay open water disposal site.In addition, the USACE estimates that the site can absorb up to 181, 500 additional cubic yards over the next 50 years.Who can use the site? We don’t have all of the answers, but in the I & J Waterway PSDDA Sediment Characterization Sampling and Analysis Plan, RETEC (Port of Bellinham Consultant) estimates that mercury-laced dredged materials that pass chemical and biological guidelines may be disposed of at the Rosario Straits dispersive site, or the Bellingham Bay non-dispersive open water disposal site as part of the proposed clean up project for Bellingham Bay.

Additional information regarding the dredging of the I & J Waterway can be found on the Dept of Ecology website under the I & J Waterway PSDDA Characterization and Sampling Analysis Plan.Hence, the Port of Bellingham plans to use the Bellingham Bay site, or the Rosario site to dispose of “low level” contaminated dredged materials from the I&J Waterway, the Whatcom Waterway and Squalicum Harbor clean up. All of the materials potentially contain low to high levels of contaminants.

The Bellingham Bay disposal site has been used off an on since the 1960’s to dispose of contaminated sediments. Early dredged materials were not tested for contaminate levels prior to dumping.To date, the site has not undergone thorough testing to determine toxicity levels or the suitability of the site for future dredged material disposal.Local tribes have long referred to the Bellingham Bay site as a dead zone for fishing.

How can I learn more?
The USACE publishes biannual DMMP reports on the Region 10 website. The reports are easily accessed through Ecology’s Aquatic Lands Cleanup webpage. Scroll down to the bottom of the page. Click the DMMP Biennial Reports link under the “other links” heading and you will be taken to the Region 10 website with four DMMP reports for Puget Sound.Once again, there is very little information published on the Bellingham Bay open water disposal site.

To date, reports state that only partial monitoring studies have been completed for the Bellingham Bay Disposal site.The WA State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has recently placed Bellingham on a list of proposed open water disposal sites to be evaluated, tested and monitored over the next two years by a private consulting firm. By statutory requirement, DNR provides, manages, and monitors aquatic land disposal sites on state owned aquatic lands for materials dredged from rivers, harbors, and shipping lanes.

Currently, permits to dispose dredged materials at the Bellingham Bay site are issued by the Army Corps of Engineers DMMP program. Federal law does not require publication of permits for open water disposal. Bellingham is one of twelve open water dredged material disposal sites in Washington. (Six are currently in use).

An EPA diver report on Bellingham Open Water Disposal site:
Disposal of Dredged-material at Open-water Sites.The Region 10 Dive Team participated in an interagency effort to assess benthic conditions at dredged-material open-water disposal sites in Bellingham and Padilla Bays, located near Bellingham and Anacortes, WA, respectively.At Bellingham Bay there was concern that the 146 acre marine disposal site lacked the capacity to contain additional dredged material from Corps of Engineers and Georgia Pacific dredging projects. At Padilla Bay, state resource agencies wanted to evaluate the effect of disposing of 150,000 cubic yards of sandy Swinomish Channel dredged material on an existing silt bottom. It was believed that a sandier substrate might improve Dungeness crab habitat at the disposal site.

Where is the disposal site located?
Center coordinates for the disposal sites are: 48o 49' 40" N Lat. and 122o 31' 30" W Long. in Bellingham Bay; 48o 31' 04" N Lat. and 122o 33' 05" W Long. in Padilla Bay. When: The Bellingham Bay site was inspected in February 1979 and April 1982. The Padilla Bay site was inspected in April 1982.How were the sites examined? Benthic observations were made along transects radiating out from the approximate center of the disposal areas. A buoy was located near the center of each site. Still photographs were taken. No sediment samples were taken.

Historical results:
In 1979 at Bellingham Bay, the divers noted that:
1) the bottom was composed mainly of compacted clay and silty sand;
2) the profile in the disposal area was very uneven (hummocky); and,
3) some of the dredged material was located outside of the established disposal site (it was unclear whether the cause was "drift" from the site or short-dumping). *By 1982, the profile at the Bellingham Bay site appeared to be much more even and the dredged material appeared to have settled. No evidence of erosion was observed and benthic animals were recolonizing the area. In Padilla Bay, the divers noted that despite the disposal of sandy dredged material, the dominant substrate still appeared to be silt. Based on the observations, the interagency dive teams recommended that continued dumping could occur at both disposal sites. http://yosemite.epa.gov/r10/OEA.NSF/Investigations/Dive+Sediment

There are dozens of reports and studies on this topic. For the most recent reports and information about the DMMP Dioxin Project, scroll down to the article, What's the Port up to?
Background reference materials:Seattle PI Article regarding disposal of PCB contaminated sediment: http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/331350_port12.html

Links to other sediment management agency sitesUS Army Corps of Engineers Seattle District Homepage Dredged Material Management Office - US Army Corps of Engineers Seattle District Dredged Material Management Program (DMMP)/Puget Sound Dredge Disposal Analysis (PSDDA) Clarification Papers DMMP Biennial Reports Environmental Protection Agency Region 10 Homepage EPA Region 10 Sediment Links Washington Department of Natural Resources Homepage Puget Sound Water Quality Action Team Homepage Puget Sound Protocols

Open Water Disposal Techniques (great pictures)http://el.erdc.usace.army.mil/workshops/08apr-doer/9_OpenWaterDisposal_Bailey.pdfI&J Waterway document: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/tcp/sites/blhm_bay/sites/I_and_J_Waterway/I&J%20Seds%20RIFS%20App%20B%20Text.pdfMichigan Governor bans open water disposal of certain chemicals in Lake Michigan http://www.michigan.gov/gov/0,1607,7-168--84861--,00.htmlErosion of Cohesive Dredged Material in Open-Water DisposalSites http://el.erdc.usace.army.mil/elpubs/pdf/drp1-07.pdfToxic Contaminants of Sediments in Puget Sound http://gbic.tamug.edu/gbeppubs/T3/gbnepT3_51-56.pdfApplicable Washington Administrative Code authorizing open water disposal of dredged materials WAC 332-30-166http://apps.leg.wa.gov/WAC/default.aspx?cite=332-30-166

Under Construction

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