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https://hdl.handle.net/11681/26144| Title: | Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for Designation of the Palm Beach Harbor Ocean Dredged Material Disposal Site and the Port Everglades Harbor Ocean Dredged Material Disposal Site |
| Authors: | United States. Army. Corps of Engineers. Jacksonville District. |
| Keywords: | Dredging Dredging spoil Environmental impact analysis Port Everglades (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) Palm Beach County (Fla.) |
| Publisher: | United States. Army. Corps of Engineers. Jacksonville District. |
| Abstract: | The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with the cooperation of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Jacksonville District, investigated alternative ocean dredged material disposal sites off the east coast of Florida, one to accommodate Palm Beach Harbor and one to accommodate Port Everglades Harbor. The purpose of this investigation was the final designation of an Ocean Dredged Material Disposal Site (ODMDS) for each location. The environmental amenities in the vicinity of each alternative site were investigated to determine the suitability of each location as an ODMDS. The physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of each site were examined. The fate of dredged materials dispersants from each site was considered. Non-ocean alternatives for dredged material disposal were also evaluated. Investigations showed that the preferred ODMDSs for Palm Beach Harbor and Port Everglades Harbor were the alternative sites located 4.5 and 4 nautical miles (nmi) offshore, respectively. The preferred sites (each approximately 1 square nmi (3.4 square kilometers [km²]) consist of primarily soft-bottom habitat. Each site is located on the upper continental slope on the western edge of the Florida Current. The depth of each site exceeds 150 meters (m) (492 feet [ft]). Based on EPA and USACE surveys, it was concluded that no natural reefs, no natural or cultural features of historical importance, and no areas of special scientific importance are located within or near the preferred sites. Each site meets all evaluation criteria for use as an ODMDS. The conclusion is that the preferred sites are suitable for designation for disposal of dredged material. |
| URI: | http://hdl.handle.net/11681/26144 |
| Appears in Collections: | Environmental Documents |
Files in This Item:
| File | Description | Size | Format | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PEandPB_ODMDS_FEIS_July2004.pdf | 18.63 MB | Adobe PDF |  View/Open |