1/9James Island is seen on April 18, 1976. Scientist Kent Mountford created a decades long photographic record of the island's demise. (Photos courtesy of Kent Mountford)
The Maryland Port Authority and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers analyze the chemical and physical characteristics of sediment removed from Baltimore harbor prior to dredging, placement and/or use. More information on the testing that occurs: https://mpa.maryland.gov/greenport/Documents/FINAL2PGR.Fact.Sheet.Sediment_Quality.august2016.pdf
Information on monitoring from the Maryland Port Authority: https://mpa.maryland.gov/greenport/Documents/MonitoringOctober2018.pdf
The Maryland Department of the Environment is responsible for managing dredging and dredged material. In their most recent guidance, published in December 2019, they note that:
“For the dredging and dredged material placement of federally-maintained channels within Baltimore Harbor by USACE, MDE regulates these activities through a Clean Water Act, Section 401 WQC and a State Discharge Permit for discharges from the Cox Creek DMCF and Masonville DMCF. The WQC, required by the Corps in accordance the CWA, defers to the State Discharge Permit for compliance with the State's water quality standards. The dredging of federally-maintained channels outside of Baltimore Harbor in the tidal areas of the Chesapeake and Atlantic coastal bays is regulated through the Section 401 WQC.
Additionally, it notes that dredged material from Baltimore Harbor must be placed either in contained areas, inside or outside of the harbor only, or for beneficial use projects. Only two active dredged material containment facilities are currently approved for this purpose – Cox Creek and Masonville.
“Dredged material from inside the legally defined Baltimore Harbor will generally require more rigorous sediment characterization, both physical and chemical, and associated monitoring in order to approve beneficial use. Furthermore, Baltimore Harbor dredged material from outside of the regularly maintained navigation channels may require other special characterization and monitoring requirements as a result of proximity to legacy industrial activities. The Department will also consider whether estuarine dredged material will be beneficially used in an environment where it is likely to acidify and produce leachate.”
More information can be found at: https://mde.maryland.gov/programs/Marylander/Pages/dredging.aspx
While older, I also will point you to a Maryland Sea Grant report that studied the sediment in Baltimore harbor: https://www.mdsg.umd.edu/sites/default/files/files/_Dredge_Report_and_Appendices_Web.pdf
How safe is the dredge material out of the Baltimore Harbor ? The Corp has spread this material all over the Bay, because nobody wants it. Will all the dredge material will check daily for comtaminants that could harm the Little Choptank ecosystem ? I have heard from people who worked on the Poplar Island project that 100,000 birds died and hauled away annual from that project. You thoughts Please ?
Thank you!
Your comment has been received. Before it can be published, the comment will be reviewed by our team to ensure it adheres with our rules of engagement.
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The Maryland Port Authority and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers analyze the chemical and physical characteristics of sediment removed from Baltimore harbor prior to dredging, placement and/or use. More information on the testing that occurs: https://mpa.maryland.gov/greenport/Documents/FINAL2PGR.Fact.Sheet.Sediment_Quality.august2016.pdf
Information on monitoring from the Maryland Port Authority: https://mpa.maryland.gov/greenport/Documents/MonitoringOctober2018.pdf
The Maryland Department of the Environment is responsible for managing dredging and dredged material. In their most recent guidance, published in December 2019, they note that:
“For the dredging and dredged material placement of federally-maintained channels within Baltimore Harbor by USACE, MDE regulates these activities through a Clean Water Act, Section 401 WQC and a State Discharge Permit for discharges from the Cox Creek DMCF and Masonville DMCF. The WQC, required by the Corps in accordance the CWA, defers to the State Discharge Permit for compliance with the State's water quality standards. The dredging of federally-maintained channels outside of Baltimore Harbor in the tidal areas of the Chesapeake and Atlantic coastal bays is regulated through the Section 401 WQC.
Additionally, it notes that dredged material from Baltimore Harbor must be placed either in contained areas, inside or outside of the harbor only, or for beneficial use projects. Only two active dredged material containment facilities are currently approved for this purpose – Cox Creek and Masonville.
“Dredged material from inside the legally defined Baltimore Harbor will generally require more rigorous sediment characterization, both physical and chemical, and associated monitoring in order to approve beneficial use. Furthermore, Baltimore Harbor dredged material from outside of the regularly maintained navigation channels may require other special characterization and monitoring requirements as a result of proximity to legacy industrial activities. The Department will also consider whether estuarine dredged material will be beneficially used in an environment where it is likely to acidify and produce leachate.”
More information can be found at: https://mde.maryland.gov/programs/Marylander/Pages/dredging.aspx
While older, I also will point you to a Maryland Sea Grant report that studied the sediment in Baltimore harbor: https://www.mdsg.umd.edu/sites/default/files/files/_Dredge_Report_and_Appendices_Web.pdf
How safe is the dredge material out of the Baltimore Harbor ? The Corp has spread this material all over the Bay, because nobody wants it. Will all the dredge material will check daily for comtaminants that could harm the Little Choptank ecosystem ? I have heard from people who worked on the Poplar Island project that 100,000 birds died and hauled away annual from that project. You thoughts Please ?
Thank you!
Your comment has been received. Before it can be published, the comment will be reviewed by our team to ensure it adheres with our rules of engagement.
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