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Title:	Executive overview and detailed summary
Authors:	Saucier, Roger T. Calhoun, Charles C., 1946- Engler, Robert M. Patin, Thomas R. Smith, Hanley K.
Keywords:	Dredging Dredging spoil Dredged material
Publisher:	U.S. Army Engineer Waterways Experiment Station
Series/Report no.:	Technical Report (Dredged Material Research Program (U.S.)) ; no. DS-78-22
Abstract:	Recognizing a need for a comprehensive nationwide research program on the effects of dredged material disposal, Congress authorized and the Corps of Engineers accomplished the Dredged Material Research Program (DMRP). Over 250 individual studies were conducted between 1973 and 1978 at a cost of $32.8 million. In contrast to previous largely site-specific project investigations, these studies were generic in nature with the intent of developing methods of predicting effects before a project is carried out. Results of conceptual and laboratory studies were tested in the field under actual project conditions to improve the applicability of the predictive capability. Specific goals of the DMRP were to define the water quality and biological effects of open-water, upland, and wetland disposal; improve the effectiveness and acceptance of confined land disposal where it is a desirable alternative; test and evaluate concepts of wetland and upland habitat development using dredged material; and develop and test concepts of using dredged material as a productive natural resource. The large volume of information generated in pursuit of these goals has been transmitted to Corps operating elements in various formats, incorporated into formal directives, and used extensively in the criteria and guidelines established for regulatory programs. The most significant overall conclusion to be drawn from the DMRP is that no single disposal alternative (e.g., open-water disposal, confined upland disposal) is presumptively suitable for a geographic region or group of projects. What may be desirable for one project may be completely undesirable for another; consequently, each project must be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. In addition to this, each project evaluation must be made in full consideration of long-term as well as short-term disposal needs and possible interactions among projects. Each must be compatible with long-range regional planning. Regarding the effects of open-water disposal, studies concluded that, unless the dredged material was highly contaminated, physical impacts are likely to be of greater potential consequence than chemical or biological impacts. Serious short-term water quality effects are not likely unless the disposal site is geochemically dissimilar to the dredging site. Biological effects of an adverse nature are similarly unlikely due to the resiliency of most organisms (except in larval stages) and the demonstrated ability of many organisms to rapidly recolonize disposal sites. Over a longer term, certain aquatic organisms will uptake chemical contaminants; however, the patterns of uptake still remain unpredictable. Except in coral areas and during times of fish migrations and spawning activities, turbidity is much more likely to be only an aesthetic problem rather than a biological problem. Irrespective of this, certain turbidity control measures are feasible under certain circumstances as indicated by field tests. Confining dredged material on land can offer increased environmental protection, but it is not an alternative without problems and is not always beneficial. Soil biochemical conditions in diked containment areas sometimes can enhance rather than retard contaminant release; thus effluents and leachates must be carefully evaluated as to their potential effects. Where confined sites are desirable, they can be improved greatly over present practice in terms of design, construction, operation, and management as a result of DMRP research results. Particular areas of improvement include effluent regulation, storage capacity, dike design, and internal environmental conditions and aesthetics. Several major DMRP field test and demonstration projects have proven the viability of using dredged material to develop both wetland and upland wildlife habitats in a variety of environmental situations. As a result of specific studies, guidance is now available as to what species to plant for a desired habitat, how and when to plant them, how to place and protect the dredged material, and what subsequent site management may be necessary. Additional information was generated on the relative productivity of various marsh plant species (data important in determining relative wetland-area values), the recovery of species buried by disposal, factors involved in ecological succession, and methods of predicting the possible uptake of chemical contaminants by marsh plants. Concepts for using dredged material productively as a natural resource were explored with emphasis placed on analyzing known constraints such as transportation modes, public perception, legal and institutional factors, and economics. Demonstration tests were conducted of dredged material usage for shrimp mariculture and strip mine reclamation and the use of dredged material for agricultural soil improvement and in solid waste management was investigated conceptually and in the laboratory.
Description:	Technical Report
Gov't Doc #:	Technical Report DS-78-22
Rights:	Approved for Public Release; Distribution is Unlimited
URI:	https://hdl.handle.net/11681/47451
Appears in Collections:	Technical Report