Updated Sediment Evaluation Framework Released; Will Help Puget Sound Dredged Disposal Analysis Program
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.
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