EPA91O9-89O27
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United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Region 10
1200 Sixth Avenue
Seattle WA 96101
Alaska
Idaho
Water Division
Water Resources Assessment
October 1989
Chetco, Oregon
Dredged Material Disposal
Site Designation
t
Draft Environmental Impact Statement
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EPA
910/
9-
89-027
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COVER SHEET
Draft
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT
CHETCO OCEAN DREDGED MATERIAL DISPOSAL SITE (ODMDS)
DESIGNATION
Lead Agency:
Responsible Official:
U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 10
Robie G. Russell
Regional Administrator
Environmental Protection Agency
1200 Sixth Avenue
Seattle, WA 98101
Abstract:
This draft EIS provides information to support designation of an ocean dredged material
disposal site (ODMDS) in the Pacific Ocean off the mouth of the Chetco River in the State of
Oregon. The proposed ODMDS disposal site is the present interim site located approximately
one mile south of the Chetco River entrance. Site designation studies were conducted by the
Portland District, Corps of Engineers, in consultation with Region 10 EPA. The final
designation will allow for continued deposition of sediments dredged by the Corps of Engineers
to maintain the federally-authorized navigation projects at the Chetco River, Oregon and other
dredged materials authorized in accordance with Section 103 of the Marine Protection,
Research, and Sanctuaries Act of 1972 (MPRSA). No significant or long-term adverse
environmental effects are predicted to result from the designation. Designation of an ODMDS
does not constitute or imply approval of an actual disposal of material. Before any disposal
may occur, a specific evaluation by the Corps must be made using EPA's ocean dumping
criteria. EPA makes an independent evaluation of the proposal and has the right to disapprove
the actual disposal.
Public Review and Comment Process:
This EIS is offered for review and comment to members of the public, special interest groups,
and government agencies. No public hearings/meetings are scheduled. Comments received on
this draft EIS will be addressed in the final. All comments or questions may be directed to:
John Malek
Ocean Dumping Coordinator
Environmental Protection Agency
1200 Sixth Avenue, WD-138
Seattle, WA 98101
Telephone: (206) 442-1286
CD Deadline for Comments:
MAY 2 9 1995
HEADQUARTERS LIBRARY
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20460
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YOM30A MCIT33TOS1 JATM3MMO«IVM3
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United Slates
Environmental Protection
Agency
Region 10
1200 Sixth Avenue
Seattle WA 98101
Alaska
Idaho
Oregon
Washington
oEPA
MAR 1 4 1990
Reply
ATTN Of:
to
WD-138
\TO: All Interested Government Agencies, Public Officials, Public and Private
.Groups and Citizens .
Section 10Z(c) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, 42
U.S.C. 4321 et seq. (NEPA), requires that Federal agencies prepare an
environmental impact statement (EIS) on proposals for legislation and other
major Federal actions significantly affecting the quality of the human
environment. The object of NEPA is to build into agency decision-making
processes careful consideration of all environmental aspects of proposed
actions. While NEPA has been determined to not apply to site designation
activities, EPA has voluntarily committed to prepare EISs in connection with
ocean dumping site designations (39 FR 16186, May 7,
the Marine.Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act
U.S.C. 1401 et seq. (MPRSA), gives the Administrator
designate sites where ocean dumping may be permitted
Administrator delegated the authority to designate ocean dumping sites to the
Regional Administrator of the Region in which the site is.located.
1974). Section 10Z(c) of
of 1972, as amended, 33
of EPA the authority to
On October 1, 1986, the
This draft EIS provides information to support designation of an ocean
dredged material disposal site (ODMDS) in the Pacific Ocean off the mouth of
the Chetco River in the state of Oregon. The proposed ODMDS will receive
sediments dredged by the Corps of Engineers (Corps) to maintain the federally-
authorized navigation project at Chetco River, Oregon, and other dredged
materials.authorized in accordance with Section 103 of the MPRSA. It must be
emphasized that if this ODMDS is designated, the designation does not
constitute or imply approval of an actual disposal of material. Before any
disposal may occur, a specific evaluation by the Corps must be made according
to EPA's ocean dumping criteria. EPA makes an independent evaluation of the
proposal and has the right to disapprove the actual disposal.
The draft EIS was prepared by Region 10, EPA, drawing upon information
contained in the Chetco Ocean Dredged Material Disposal Site Evaluation report
prepared by the Portland District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The Corps
report was coordinated with Federal and State resource agencies in the Region .
and this coordination is reflected in appendix F. Public review of this EIS.
will necessarily duplicate some of this past coordination.
This EIS is offered for 45-day review and .comment to members of the
public, special interest groups, and government agencies. No public
hearings/meetings are scheduled.
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Based on the evaluation of need and an assessment of environmental impacts from
historic dredged material disposal, termination of ocean disposal at Chetco was not
considered prudent or reasonable. Evaluation focussed on the existing interim ODMDS,
and consideration of an ODMDS beyond the continental shelf. The procedures used to
evaluate these options consisted of evaluating each of the five general and eleven specific
criteria as required in 40 CFR 228.5 and 228.6. Use of an ODMDS beyond the
continental shelf provided no environmental advantages and incurred significant
economic costs.
The proposed site, or areas in the same vicinity, have been used by Portland District
since 1963. To date, 749,000 cubic yards have been disposed at sea, 420,706 of which has
been disposed of in the designated offshore site since 1977. The site was designated
interim in 40 CFR 228.12 and was entitled "Chetco River Entrance" with the following
coordinates:
42 deg. 01' 56" N.
42 deg. 01' 56" N.
42 deg. 01' 38" N.
and 42 deg. 01' 38" N.
124 deg. 16' 33" W.
124 deg. 16' 09" W.
124 deg. 16' 09" W.
124 deg. 16' 33" W.
The approximate location of this site is one mile from the Chetco River entrance, with
dimensions of 1800 feet by 1800 feet and average depth of 70 feet. The site occupies
approximately 74 acres (0.08 sq. nautical miles).
The proposed site is the same as the interim site. After applying the five general and
eleven specific criteria to the available options, designation of the interim ODMDS was
selected as the preferred alternative. Continued use of the interim site would not be
expected to cause adverse environmental effects.
IV
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
COVER SHEET i
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY iii
TABLE OF CONTENTS v
I. INTRODUCTION 1
II. PURPOSE AND NEED 2
General 2
Location 2
Need 2
Project History 4
Historical ODMDS Use 4
HI. ALTERNATIVES 6
General 6
Constraints 6
Resource Considerations 6
Equipment Considerations 6
Consideration of Upland Disposal Options 8
Ocean Disposal Options 8
Application of General Criteria 8
Minimal Interference with Other Activities 8
Minimizes Changes in Water Quality 11
Interim Sites Which Do Not Meet Criteria 11
Size of Sites 11
Sites Off the Continental Shelf 11
Application of Specific Criteria 12
Geographic Location 12
Distance From Important Living Resources 14
Distance From Beaches and Other Amenities 15
Types and Quantities of Material to be Deposited 15
Feasibility of Surveillance and Monitoring 15
Dispersal, Horizontal Transport, and Vertical Mixing
Characteristics of the Area 15
Effects of Previous Disposal 16
Interference with Other Uses of the Ocean 17
Existing Water Quality and Ecology 19
Potential for Recruitment of Nuisance Species 19
Existence of Significant Natural or Cultural Features 19
IV. AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT 22
General 22
Physical Environment 22
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Page
General 22
Geology :... 22
Circulation and Currents 23
Water and Sediment Quality 23
Biological Environment 23
General 23
Benthic 23
Fishes 24
Wildlife 24
Endangered Species 24
Socioeconomic Environment 24
General 24
Natural Resource Harvesting (Commercial) 24
Recreation 24
Cultural Resources 24
V. ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES , 25
General 25
Physical Effects 25
Biological Effects 25
Socioeconomic Effects 26
Coastal Zone Management 26
Unavoidable Adverse Impacts 27
Relationship Between Short-Term Uses of the Environment and
Maintenance and Enhancement of Long-Term Productivity 27
Irreversible and Irretrievable Commitments of Resources 27
VL COORDINATION 28
Coordination by the Corps of Engineers 28
Coordination by EPA 28
VII. LIST OF PREPARERS 30
VIIL GENERAL BIBLIOGRAPHY 31
APPENDICES
Appendix A: Living Resources
Appendix B: Geological Resources, Oceanographic Processes and
Sediment Transport of the Chetco ZSF
Appendix C: Sediment and Water Quality
Appendix D: Recreational Use
Appendix E: Cultural Resources
Appendix F: Comment and Coordination
VI
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LIST OF FIGURES
Figure
1 General Location of Chetco River
2 Overall Process for ODMDS Evaluation . .
3 Overlay Evaluation of Individual Resources
4 Chetco River ODMDS and ZSF
5 Recreational Resources
Page
.. 3
.. 7
. 10
. 13
. 18
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LIST OF TABLES
Table
Page
1 Eleven Specific Factors for Ocean Disposal Site
Selection 9
2 General Criteria for the Selection of Ocean Disposal Sites 12
3 Conflict Matrix 21
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I. INTRODUCTION
This draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) was prepared by Region 10, U. S.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), with the cooperation of the Portland District,
U. S. Army Corps of Engineers. Section 102 (c) of the Marine Protection, Research, and
Sanctuaries Act of 1972, as amended, 33 U.S.C 1401 et seq. (MPRSA), gives the
Administrator of the EPA the authority to designate sites where ocean dumping may be
permitted. On October 1, 1986, the Administer delegated the authority to designate
ocean dumping sites to the Regional Administrator of the Region in which the site is
located. EPA has voluntarily committed to prepare EISs in connection with ocean
dumping site designations (39 FR 16186, May 7, 1974).
Disposal site studies were designed and conducted by the Corps, in consultation with
EPA, and a Site Evaluation Report was prepared and coordinated by the Corps. That
Site Evaluation Report described conditions in the vicinity of the proposed ocean
dredged material disposal site (ODMDS) at Chetco River, Oregon. The Chetco
ODMDS received its interim designation from EPA in 1977 (40 CFR 228.12). The
MPRSA requires that, for a site to receive a final ODMDS designation, the site must
satisfy the general and specific disposal site criteria set forth in 40 CFR 228.6 and 228.5.
The Corps Report proposed that a final ODMDS be designated for the existing interim
ODMDS. The report also documented compliance of the proposed ODMDS with
requirements of the following laws:
Endangered Species Act of 1973,
National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, and the
Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972, all as amended.
That document was submitted to EPA for review and processing for formal designation
by the Regional Administrator, Region 10. The Corps' Site Evaluation Report was used
as the basis of the draft EIS. Technical Appendices from the Corps' report are included
in this draft EIS.
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H. PURPOSE AND NEED
General. This draft EIS provides documentation to support final designation of an ocean
dredged material disposal site (ODMDS) for continuing use to be located off the mouth
of the Chetco River, Oregon. This document evaluates the proposed Chetco ODMDS
site based on criteria and factors set forth in 40 CFR 228.5 and 228.6 as required by the
Ocean Dumping Regulations (ODR) promulgated in the Federal Register on January 11,
1977, in accordance with provisions set forth in Sections 102 and 103 of the MPRSA.
This EIS makes full use of existing information to discuss various criteria, supplemented
by field data to describe environmental conditions within and adjacent to the site.
The preferred ODMDS for final designation is the existing interim site located one mile
south of the mouth of the Chetco River. The site when designated as the final ODMDS,
will be used for disposal of materials dredged by the Corps of Engineers to maintain the
federally authorized navigation project at the Chetco River, Oregon, and for disposal of
materials dredged during other actions authorized in accordance with Section 103 of
MPRSA. The ODMDS site proposed for designation is located in the area best suited
for dredged material disposal in terms of environmental and navigational safety factors.
Location. The Chetco River enters the Pacific Ocean near the town of Brookings,
Oregon approximately 300 miles south of the Columbia River (Figure 1). The estuary is
fed mainly by Chetco River and its tributaries, which originate in the Klamath
Mountains. Chetco River drains 365 square miles and is 58 miles from its mouth to
headwaters.
Need. The Corps is responsible for the Chetco River project which is authorized for the
following purposes:
To decrease waiting times for vessels crossing the bar;
To provide adequate channel dimensions for tugs, barges, and commercial
fishing vessels;
To provide mooring facilities for small boats which take advantage of project
facilities;
To permit barge and small boat traffic upstream to river mile 02; and
To provide a harbor of refuge.
Maintenance of the navigation channel to authorized depths is critical to keeping the
river and harbor open and sustaining these vital components of the local and state
economy. Portions of the authorized project considered in this EIS are:
An entrance channel 14 feet deep and 120 feet wide;
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Cape Ferrelo
Twin Rks««-
Figure 1
General Location of Chetco River
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A barge turning basin 14 feet deep, 250 feet wide, and 650 feet long; and
A small boat access channel 100 feet wide by 12 feet deep.
Disposal of the dredged sediments is a necessary component of maintaining the
authorized projects. An evaluation of disposal alternatives was conducted and is
contained in Section III Alternatives. No less environmentally damaging, economically
feasible alternative to ocean disposal for material dredged from the entrance to the
Chetco River was identified. In addition, use of ocean disposal for other channel
reaches and by other dredgers may be expected to increase as other disposal options are
exhausted. Designation of an ODMDS is necessary to accommodate this need.
Project History. The existing navigation project at Brookings was originally authorized in
the River and Harbor Act of March 2, 1945, and was modified in the River and Harbor
Act of October 27, 1965. Due to navigational needs, two rubble mound jetties were
constructed at the mouth of the Chetco River in 1957, with the north jetty being
extended by 450 feet in 1965. Construction of a channel, turning basin and protective
dike, removal of rock pinnacles, and annual maintenance dredging were authorized as
well.
The frequency of maintenance dredging depends upon the volume of sediments
transported into the estuary and the frequency and severity of storms that move
sediments into the channel, creating a bar. From 1982 to 1985, an average of 42,400
cubic yards (cy) of sediment were dredged from the entrance channel and the entrance
to the boat basin. Shoaling occurs off the end of the north jetty and at the entrance of
the boat basin. Grain size varies greatly, ranging from 0.3 mm to 7.0 mm. In addition,
silt is occasionally dredged from the boat basin.
Historical ODMDS Use. The interim site, or areas in the same vicinity, have been used
by Portland District since 1963. The site was designated an interim site in 40 CFR
228.12. The site designations in 1977 were an attempt by EPA to document and
establish coordinates for historically used Corps of Engineers disposal sites. Interim
designations were to lead to final designations or termination of their use, within three
years of the interim designation. Since the three-year period ended in 1980, extensions
have been approved for continuing interim use of the sites, pending completion of
required studies for final designation.
The site designated interim (and proposed for final designation) in 40 CFR 228.12 was
entitled, "Chetco River Entrance" and has the following coordinates:
42 deg. 01' 56" N.
42 deg. 01' 56" N.
42 deg. 01' 38" N.
and 42 deg. 01'38" N.
124 deg. 16' 33" W.
124 deg. 16' 09" W.
124 deg. 16' 09" W.
124 deg. 16' 33" W.
The approximate location of this site is one mile from the Chetco River entrance, with
dimensions of 1,800 feet by 1,800 feet and average depth of 70 feet.
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Maintenance operations in the entrance channel have been performed by hopper dredge
or hopper barge, and in the interior by hopper dredge, channel flusher, or, on a limited
basis, by clamshell dredge. During summer months, the small shoal buildup in the inner
portion of the project has been removed by hopper dredges, Pacific and Yaquina, and
placed in the EPA approved interim site. The sand flusher, Sandwick, has also been
used to remove the shoals. To date, 749,000 cy have been disposed at sea, 420,706 of
which has been disposed of in the designated offshore site since 1977.
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HI. ALTERNATIVES
General. Under the MPRSA, designation of ocean dumping sites follow specific
requirements. In conjunction with the MPRSA, the Ocean Dumping Regulations, as well
as related EPA and Corps of Engineers policies, must be followed. Guidance for the
evaluation process has been provided by the joint EPA/Corps workbook (1984). This
process generally involved three major phases. Phase I includes delineation of the
general area or Zone of Siting Feasibility (ZSF), i.e. disposal is economically and
technically feasible. The ZSF is determined by establishing the reasonable haul distance,
considering factors such as available dredging equipment, energy use constraints, costs,
and safety concerns. Existing information on resources, uses, and environmental
concerns are reviewed and critical resources and areas of incompatibility identified.
Phase II involves identification of candidate sites within the ZSF based on information
evaluated in Phase I. Additional studies can be conducted to further evaluate
environmental and other factors, such as disposal site management considerations.
Phase III consists of evaluation of candidate sites and selection of preferred sites(s) for
formal designation by EPA. Preparation of this EIS and the designation rule is part of
Phase III (Figure 2).
Constraints. Dredging of the coastal ports is limited to a season from April through
October. That limit is imposed by the weather and sea conditions that predominate in
the Northwest. The size of the ZSF is controlled by the capability of available dredging
equipment as allocated among the nine Oregon, one Washington, and four California
coastal projects, and the hauling distance. The limited operating time available for
completing the maintenance dredging along the Oregon coast, therefore, requires a
combination of government and private dredges. In a typical year, the Chetco project
requires equipment which will permit production of 6,000 cy per day for approximately 8
days of work. Longer hauling distances of dredged material increase vessel operating
costs and the time required for completion of the work. Based on these factors, the
extreme practical limit of the Chetco ZSF is 1.5 mi.
Resource Considerations. The natural and cultural resources of the area within the ZSF
were identified from information obtained through review of literature, interviews with
resource agencies and local users, and through site specific studies. Critical information
was evaluated and mapped to identify areas of resource conflict. The selection of
resources to use for this determination was dependent on whether the resource was
considered limited. A coast-wide resource, i.e., a flatfish spawning area, was not
considered a limited resource and was not included in the overlay evaluation technique.
Equipment Considerations. A hopper dredge must be used for this work because the
rough seas encountered at the entrance are not suitable for safe operation of a pipeline
dredge. Therefore, dredged material disposal must occur at an in-water site, liiere are
no suitable sites in the estuary because of its narrowness and shallowness. In-bay
disposal would have greater adverse environmental impacts than ocean disposal because
estuarine habitats are generally more productive and far less extensive than are
nearshore oceanic habitats. Disposal of the material inside the estuary would also
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"X
N
LITERATURE SURVEYS
INTERVIEWS
DEFINE ZSF
DEFINE
RESOURCES
PRESENT
DEFINE TYPES OF
DREDGED MATERIAL
DEFINE PHYSICAL
PROCESSES
DELINEATE BOTTOM
AREAS
Phase I
ELIMINATE
SENSITIVE
AND
INCOMPATIBLE
AREAS
SELECT ALTERNATIVE
SITINGS
DETERMINE ADDITIONAL
DATAJJEEDS
DETERMINE DISPOSAL
(MANAGEMENT REQUIREMENTS
GATHER
ADDITIONAL
DATA AND/OR
APPLY II
SPECIFIC FACTORS
(«0 CFR 228.6)
Phase II
EVALUATE
CANDIDATE
SITES
USING 5 GEN.
CRITERIA
(40 CFR 228.5)
FINAL SIZING
AND
POSITIONING
DETERMINE NEED FOR
MONITORING PROGRAM
DETERMINE POTENTIAL
FOR CUMULATIVE EFFECTS
SELECTION OF MOST
ENVIRONMENTALLY
SUITABLE .AREA(S)
DEVELOP SITE
MANAGEMENT
STRATEGIES
Phase 111
Figure 2
Overall Process for ODMDS Evaluation
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increase the risk of the material eroding and reshoaling in the channel, potentially
increasing dredging requirements.
Consideration of Upland Disposal Options. Upland disposal is not feasible for
economic and environmental reasons. Potential upland sites are available; however,
because of the need to use a hopper dredge, it would be necessary to rehandle materials
to use these sites. An in-water sump in the estuary would need to be dredged and
material bottom- dumped into it, then pumped ashore with a pipeline suction dredge.
This would be very costly and also would increase adverse environmental impacts of the
project by adding the impacts of dredging an in-water estuarine site. Another adverse
impact of upland disposal is that naturally occurring sediments would be removed from
the littoral system and could cause erosion of nearby shorelines over the long term.
Therefore, ocean disposal must be used if the authorized channel is to be maintained.
Ocean Disposal Options. Two alternatives for ocean disposal were considered in detail
for the Chetco ODMDS:
(1) Termination of ocean disposal at Chetco;
(2) Designation of the existing interim ODMDS.
Based on the evaluation of need and an assessment of environmental impacts from
historic dredged material disposal, termination of ocean disposal at Chetco is not
considered prudent or reasonable. Accordingly, evaluation focussed on the existing
interim ODMDS site and consideration of an ODMDS beyond the continental shelf.
The procedures used to evaluate these options consisted of evaluating each of the five
general and eleven specific criteria as required in 40 CFR 228.5 and 228.6.
Application of General Criteria. Potential ODMDS sites were evaluated in terms of the
following general criteria (Table 1).
Minimal Interference with Other Activities. The first of the five criteria require
that a determination be made as to whether the site will minimize interference of the
proposed disposal operations with other uses of the marine environment. This
determination was made by overlaying several individual maps presented in the
Technical Appendices onto a base map, giving bathymetry and location of the interim
disposal site, and ZSF. The selection of figures to use for this determination was
dependent on whether the resource was considered limited. A coast-wide resource, i.e.
flat fish spawning area, was not considered a limited resource and was not included in
the overlay evaluation technique. The following figures, depicting spatial distribution of
specific resources, were included in the evaluation of resources of limited distribution.
Navigation Hazards Area/Other Recreation Areas
Shellfish Areas
Critical Aquatic Resource
Commercial and Sport Fishing Areas
Geological Features
Cultural, Historically Significant Areas
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Table 1
General Criteria for the Selection of Ocean Disposal Sites
a. The dumping of material into the ocean will be permitted only at sites or in areas
selected to minimize the interference of disposal activities with other activities in
the marine environment, particularly avoiding areas of existing fisheries or
shellfisheries, and regions of heavy commercial or recreational navigation.
b. Locations and boundaries of disposal sites will be chosen so that temporary
perturbations in water quality or other environmental conditions during initial
mixing .caused by disposal operations anywhere within the site can be expected to
be reduced to normal ambient seawater levels or to undetectable contaminant
concentrations or effects before reaching any beach, shoreline, marine sanctuary,
or known geographically limited fishery or shellfishery.
c. If at any time during or after disposal site evaluation studies, it is determined that
existing disposal sites presently approved on an interim basis for ocean dumping .
do not meet criteria for site selection set forth in Sections 228.5 - 228.6, the use of
such sites will be terminated as soon as suitable alternative disposal sites can be
designated.
d. The sizes of ocean disposal sites will be limited in order to localize, for
identification and control, any immediate adverse impacts and to permit the
implementation of effective monitoring and surveillance programs to prevent
adverse, long-range impacts. The size, configuration, and location of any disposal
site will be determined as a part of the disposal site evaluation or designation
study.
e. EPA will, wherever feasible, designate ocean dumping sites beyond the edge of
the continental shelf and other such sites that have been historically used.
Figure 3 is a composite of all of the above figures and demonstrates, by various line
densities, areas to avoid when placing a disposal site. The denser the grid of lines, the
more critical the area, as more interactions between various limited resources, are taking
place. As the figure shows, the existing site is within a minimal conflict area in the ZSF,
with the exception of the chinook salmon fishing area. This area is fished summer and
fall of each year (actual length of the fishing season is set annually by Pacific Fisheries
Management Council). Disposal operations can take place from May through October
of each year. While this represents a temporal overlap, communications with ODFW
personnel (Appendix A) indicate no observable conflicts between the two uses of the
area. The remaining lighter area of salmonid fishery is not concentrated in one location
or time of year, and there have been no observable conflicts between fishermen and
disposal operations. Appendix A contains a discussion of all potential conflicts within
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LIKELY AREAS
FOR SHIPWRECKS
IOOO
t ,
Scale In Yards
i i i i I
IOOO
I
Figure 3
Overlay Evaluation of Individual Resources
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the ZSF with living resources, and concludes that there have been no major conflicts in
the past or predictable conflicts in the near future.
Minimizes Changes in Water Quality. The second of the five general criteria
required changes to ambient seawater quality levels occurring outside the disposal site be
within water quality standards and that no detectable contaminants reach beaches,
shoreline, sanctuaries, or geographically limited fisheries or shellfisheries. Figure 2 was
utilized to determine the potential for effects on items mentioned above. The nature of
material has already been discussed as clean sand; because of this no significant
contaminant or suspended solids releases are expected. There should be no water
quality perturbations to be concerned with moving toward a limited resource. Bottom
movement of deposited material is discussed in Appendix B and in general shows a net
offshore movement for the finer fractions. Coarser fractions stay in the same general
area.
Interim Sites Which Do Not Meet Criteria. The evaluation indicates that the
interim disposal site would meet the criteria and factors established in 40 CFR 228.5 and
228.6. No reported problems or complaints have been received by the Corps on use of
this site. The site is environmentally acceptable for the types and quantities of dredged
material it presently receives.
Size of Sites. The fourth general criterion requires that the size, configuration
and location of the site will be evaluated as part of the study. The Chetco River interim
ODMDS is a square 1,800 feet by 1,800 feet. While most other Oregon ODMDS are
rectangular, the Chetco ODMDS is similar in area! size and location to those sites. This
disposal site is considered dispersive and is of adequate size to accommodate the annual
volumes of material it presently receives. Public notices issued for ocean disposal
operations at various federally authorized projects, as required by MPRSA, have not
generated concerns about significant impacts from their use. Also, no comments have
been received about the size, shape, or location of the interim disposal sites. The
Chetco site is located close enough to shore and harbor facilities that monitoring and
surveillance programs, if required, could easily be accomplished. Disposal practices
could be altered or site boundaries adjusted if warranted.
Sites off the Continental Shelf. Any possible disposal sites off the continental
shelf near Oregon are at least 20 nautical miles offshore. The ZSF for Chetco was
defined after determining the economic haul distance (1.5 nautical miles) from shore.
While there may be some flexibility in operations that could increase the haul distance
somewhat, the minimum 20 nautical mile haul to utilize a continental slope disposal site
is economically prohibitive. The cost involved would make the federally authorized
Chetco River project infeasible. The purpose of such a site preference is to minimize
environmental impacts from ocean dumping. In this instance, evaluation of historic
ocean dumping of dredged material did not reveal actual or potential resource conflicts
or unacceptable adverse environmental effects due to ocean dumping of Chetco material
at the proposed ODMDS. Site sampling and evaluation and post-disposal monitoring
would be difficult and would be substantially more expensive due to distance from shore
and depth of water. In summary, use of an ODMDS off the continental shelf did not
offer any environmental advantages over a site located closer to the shore but did
involve substantially greater economic disadvantages. Further, very little is known of the
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ecology of benthic communities on the continental slope, and disposal in this area could
cause impacts of unknown severity. For these reasons, designation of an ODMDS off
the continental shelf is not desirable, either economically or environmentally.
Application of Specific Criteria. The proposed final ODMDS has been evaluated in
terms of the following specific criteria (Table 2).
Table 2
Eleven Specific Factors for Ocean Disposal Site Selection
1. Geographical position, depth of water, bottom topography, and distance from
coast.
2. Location in relation to breeding, spawning, nursery, feeding or passage areas of
living resources in adult or juvenile phases.
3. Location in relation to beaches or other amenity areas.
4. Types and quantities of waste proposed to be disposed and proposed methods of
release, including methods of packaging the waste, if any.
5. Feasibility of surveillance and monitoring.
6. Dispersal, horizontal transport, and vertical mixing characteristics of the area,
including prevailing current velocity, if any.
7. Existence and effects of present or previous discharges and dumping in the area
(including cumulative effects).
8. Interference with shipping, fishing, recreation, mineral extraction, desalination,
shellfish culture, areas of special scientific importance and other legitimate uses of
the ocean.
9. Existing water quality and ecology of the site, as determined by available data or
by trend assessment or baseline surveys.
10. Potential for the development or recruitment of nuisance species within the
disposal site.
11. Existence at or in close proximity to the site of any significant natural or cultural
features of historical importance.
Geographic Location. Figure 4 indicates the location of Chetco interim ODMDS
and bottom contours. The site lies in 50 to 70 feet of water, approximately 1.0 nautical
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unc, i uv-i m vtn
Ocean Dredged Material
Disposal Site and ZSF
LEGEND
DISPOSAL SITE
ROCKS
0.0 J VOLATILE
SOLID %
Figure 4
Chetco River ODMDS and ZSF
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mile offshore of the entrance to the Chetco River. Coordinates were presented in the
Purpose and Need Section of this report. The site's center line is on a 270 degree
azimuth. Bottom topography within the site is varied and is presented in detail in
Appendix B.
Distance From Important Living Resources. Aquatic resources of the ZSF site
are described in detail in Appendix A The existing disposal site is located in the
nearshore area and many nearshore pelagic organisms occur in the water column over
the site. These include zooplankton (copepods, euphausiids, pteropods, and
chaetognaths) and meroplankton (fish, crab and other invertebrate larvae). These
organisms generally display seasonal changes in abundance. Since they are present over
most of the coast, those from Chetco are not critical to the overall coastal population.
Based on evidence from previous zooplankton and larval fish studies, it appears that
there will be no impacts to organisms in the water column (Sullivan and Hancock, 1978).
The site is also adjacent to the neritic reefs and haystack rocks described in detail in
Appendix A. These reefs are unusual features along the coast and support a variety of
aquatic organisms, including bull kelp (Nerocystis lutkeana) and its associated fish and
invertebrate community. Recently, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
(ODFW) has begun studying squid resources, and a spawning area offshore of the
disposal site has been identified.
a. Benthic samples were collected at the locations shown in Figure 4 and are
discussed in detail in Appendix A. Based on the analysis of benthic samples
collected from the Chetco disposal site and the adjacent areas to the north
and south, the disposal site contains a benthic fauna characteristic of
nearshore, sandy, wave-influenced regions common along the coasts of the
Pacific Northwest. The abundance and density of the infaunal community
was found to be low at the disposal site, typical of shallow, nearshore, high
energy habitats. The fauna is dominated by polychaete annelids (marine
worms), small crustaceans (amphipods and cumaceans), molluscs (clams and
snails), and echinoderms (sand dollars). The particular species identified
from the disposal site are adapted to high energy environments and are able
to withstand large sediment fluxes.
b. The disposal site is in an area where concentrations of common murres, gulls
and other marine foraging species occur. Large concentrations have been
observed shoreward of the interim site extending to and within the confines
of the jetties. Concentrations undoubtedly occur at the site periodically.
Concentrations of shorebirds, gulls, waterfowl, and other species occur in the
Chetco estuary or on adjacent beaches.
c. Portland District requested an endangered species listing for the site from
U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS). The brown pelican and the gray whale represent the only
species which were listed. Based on previous biological assessments
conducted along the Oregon coast regarding impacts to the brown pelican
and the gray whale, no impact to either species is anticipated from the
project.
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In summary, the proposed ODMDS contains living resources that could be affected by
disposal activities. Evaluation of past disposal activities do not indicate that
unacceptable adverse effects to these resources have occurred. In the absence of any
indication that the resources in proximity to the interim site have been impacted, this site
should be considered an acceptable site for final ODMDS designation.
Distance from Beaches and Other Amenities. Summer wave conditions may
transport some sediment from the site shoreward and south, but the limiting depth for
this movement is probably -40 to -50 feet mean lower low water (MLLW). The majority
of disposal material is deeper than - 50 feet MLLW, so little shoreward transport of
dredged material is likely. Due to depth of disposal operations and the presence of the
south reef, there is little possibility of beach nourishment by natural onshore movement
of dredged material from the existing site.
Types and Quantities of Material to be Deposited at the Site. The interim
disposal site will receive dredged materials transported by either government or private
contractor hopper dredges. The current dredges available for use at Chetco have hopper
capacities from 800 to 4,000 cubic yards. This would be the range in volumes of dredged
material disposed of in any one dredging/disposal cycle. The approximately 48,000 cubic
yards estimated to be removed annually from Chetco can be placed at the site in one
dredging season by any combination of private and government plants (see discussion
under ZSF). The dredges would be under power and moving while disposing. This
allows the ship to maintain steerage.
The material to be dredged consists of medium to fine grain marine sands and coarser
materials, including gravels and cobbles (Appendix C, Figures C-5, C-6, and C-7). These
materials are predominant in the entire project length, RM 0 to 2.8. Appendix C
contains results of analyses performed on these materials. The sediments contain no
excess concentrations of contaminants of concern (Tables C-l and C-2), and are excluded
from further biological and chemical testing as discussed in 40 CFR 227.13(b). The
materials are also very similar to bottom materials at the interim disposal site and the
entire nearshore area. Appendix B provides detailed grain size information for the
disposal area and the dredged area.
Feasibility of Surveillance and Monitoring. The proximity of the interim disposal
site to shore facilities creates an ideal situation for shore-based monitoring of disposal
activities. There is, routinely, a Coast Guard vessel patrolling entrance and nearshore
areas, so surveillance can also be accomplished by surface vessel.
Following formal designation of an ODMDS for Chetco, EPA and the Corps will
develop a site management plan which will address the need for post-disposal
monitoring. Several research groups are available in the area to perform any required
work. The work could be performed from small surface research vessels at a reasonable
cost.
Disposal. Horizontal Transport, and Vertical Mixing Characteristics of the Area.
The sediments dredged from the Chetco River entrance are predominantly marine sands
and fluvial gravels. These are generally similar to sediments at the disposal site. Under
winter wave conditions common to this part of the Pacific Coast, the sand component is
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highly mobile to a depth of 90-120 feet. Summer wave conditions commonly mobilize
sands to a depth of 40-60 feet. Studies at Coos Bay show wave-generated currents can
move this size sediment over 60 percent of the time during summer and winter and over
50 percent of the time during spring and fall (Appendix B). While waves are responsible
for resuspending bottom sediments, including dredged materials, it is the long-term mean
current that determines the extent and direction of dispersal. While some winter storms
would move gravels at the disposal site, these coarse sediments do not migrate very far
away from the site and probably stay in the general area where they have been disposed.
The nearshore mean circulation is alongshore, closely paralleling the bathymetric
contours, with a lesser onshore-offshore component. Circulation patterns are variable
with season and weather conditions. In winter, the general shelf circulation is to the
north, although short periods of southerly flow occur. Coos Bay studies suggest that
offshore flow is more common in winter. This would indicate a tendency for sediment in
the disposal site to move north and west under winter circulation conditions. During the
remainder of the year, flow is southerly with lower current velocities than in winter.
Periodic changes in summer wind direction lead to episodes of upwelling in which near-
shore ocean water transport causes a compensating near-bottom onshore flow. These
upwelling events occur between April and July and continue for several days at a time.
Near-bottom flow in the vicinity of the disposal site during summer should be generally .
southerly with onshore/offshore flow varying due to local wind conditions.
Effects of Previous Disposal. Appendix B, Table B-l gives annual volumes of
materials disposed for the last 10 years. On the average, 48,000 cubic yards have been
disposed of annually. Future volumes are expected to be approximately the same. This
volume has been required for the Corps to maintain the channel to its authorized depths
(see discussion under ZSF).
The sidescan sonar map of the disposal site and adjacent areas (Appendix B, Figure B-5)
shows an area of coarse sand/gravel covering about half of the site and extending north
and west of the site up to 1200 feet, both offshore and toward the river entrance. This is
most likely an accumulation of the coarser dredged material fractions that have remained
in the same general area since disposal. There are no bathymetric anomalies associated
with this deposit (no mounding). The feature will persist as long as coarse sediments are
disposed in this area. This has not caused adverse impacts on habitat, however, since the
overall area is characterized by a wide range of bottom types.
Literature and information searches revealed no information on the site prior to
disposal. ODFW biologists (personal communication) indicated that they felt that,
beyond the yearly site-specific impacts from disposal, there had been no significant
cumulative impacts to the resources, and they recommended that the site be left at its
present location (see discussion, Appendix A).
No pre- or post-disposal water or sediment quality monitoring has been performed.
Based on information presented in Appendix C, there should be no historical or future
chemical impacts on the marine environment surrounding the disposal site. Sediments
disposed are physically the same as the sample collected in close proximity to the
disposal site (Appendix B), and no chemical contaminants are present in higher
concentrations in either one (Tables C-l and C-2). The elutriate analysis discussed in
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Appendix C also showed minimal contaminant releases during this simulated disposal
operation with receiving water from the interim disposal site.
Interference with Other Uses of the Ocean.
Commercial Fishing: Two active commercial fisheries occur in the inshore area,
salmon trolling and Dungeness crab fishing (Appendix A). The length of the salmon
fishing season varies each year depending upon the established quota; however, it
normally extends from July to September. During this period, the potential exists for
conflicts between the dredge and fishing boats. The Coast Guard and ODFW indicated
that they were unaware that this had ever been a problem. The Dungeness crab season
is from December 1 to August 15; however, most of the fishing is done prior to June and
usually ends early because of the increase in soft shell crabs in the catch which are not
marketable. As a result, most crab fishing is done outside of the normal dredging season
and it is unlikely that a conflict would result. ODFW feels a potential squid fishery may
exist offshore from the existing site (see Appendix A). No fishery exists at present, but
stocks may be sufficient to support a fishery if a market develops. There are no existing
commercial fish or shellfish aquaculture operations that would be impacted by continued
use of the existing disposal site.
Recreational Fishing: Recreational fishing opportunities are extensive and varied
in the Chetco area (Figure 5 and Appendix D). Primary activities include fishing,
camping, and sightseeing. The small boat harbor is used extensively in the summer by
recreational fishermen. Private party and charter boat recreational fishing for both
salmon and rock and reef fish occur in nearshore areas. The salmon fishing season
coincides with the commercial season and extends from early summer until the quota for
the area is reached. Recreational fishing boats have a potential for conflicting with
dredging operations; however, none has been reported to date. It is unlikely that any
significant conflict will develop in the near future.
Offshore Mining Operations: All considerations for offshore mining and oil/gas
leases are in the development stages. The disposal site is not expected to interfere with
any of the proposed operations, as most exploration programs are scheduled for the
outer continental shelf.
Navigation: No conflicts with commercial navigation traffic have been reported
and none are expected, due to the light traffic in the Chetco River area. This situation is
not expected to change substantially. Rock pinnacles that are navigation hazards occur
nearshore and in the southern part of the ZSF. These submerged and emergent
pinnacles should be avoided when considering final position of the ODMDS.
Scientific: There are no known transects or other scientific study locations that
could be impacted by the disposal site.
Coastal Zone Management: Local comprehensive land use plans for the Chetco
area have been acknowledged and approved by the State of Oregon. These plans discuss
ocean disposal and recognize the need to provide for suitable offshore sites for disposal
of dredged materials. In addition, this site evaluation document establishes that no
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Brookmgs
SHORE FISHING
MAJOR SALMON FISHING
SPORTHAVEN COUNTY PARK
tooo
Scale In Yards
t . .. . i T
1000
Figure 5
Recreational Resources
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significant effects on ocean, estuarine, or shoreland resources are anticipated, as Goal 19
of the Oregon Statewide Planning Goals and Guidelines requires.
Existing Water Quality and Ecology. Water and sediment quality analyses
conducted at several Oregon ODMDS are discussed in Appendix C. These studies have
not shown persistent adverse water quality impacts from ocean disposal of entrance shoal
sands. Such impacts are not expected from dredged material disposal at the Chetco
ODMDS.
The ecology of the area can be discussed in general terms based on information
presented in Appendix A, From available information, the offshore area within and
adjacent to the ODMDS is a typical northwest Pacific mobile sand community, shifting to
the north and southeast to a neritic reef system, also described in Appendix A. This
determination is based mainly on fisheries, shellfish, and geophysics data. These sand
communities are ubiquitous to nearshore ocean habitats off Oregon; disposal at the
Chetco ODMDS is not expected to impact these communities. The site is sufficiently
removed from rock and kelp habitats so that they also will not be impacted by ocean
disposal.
Potential for Recruitment of Nuisance Species. It is highly unlikely that any
nuisance species could be established at the disposal site as a result of dredging and
disposal activities.
Existence of Significant Natural or Cultural Features. Neritic reefs, common off
the southern Oregon coast, comprise a unique ecological feature. They support a wide
variety of invertebrates and fish species unique to rocky areas, as well as bull whip kelp
communities. These areas are sheltered from wave action and, when receiving nutrients
from both the ocean and the estuaries as they do within the ZSF, are unusually highly
productive. The ODMDS is removed from these areas.
The cultural resource literature search of the Chetco River study area, described in
Appendix E, did not document any wrecked vessels in the project area. This is
consistent with the fact that the Chetco River historically has not been a major shipping
point on the coast. Most export commodities, especially timber products, have been
transported by rail and barge rather than by lumber schooner or ship.
Wrecks could have occurred in the area that have not yet been discovered. However,
based on previous investigations in other Oregon coastal settings (Yaquina Bay, Coquille,
Columbia River Mouth), beaches, surf zones, neritic reefs, and shallow waters are the
most likely areas for shipwreck occurrence. The ODMDS is removed from these areas.
Also, there were no indications of wrecks from the side scan sonar survey completed
during geophysical investigations within the ZSF.
It has been determined, based on the considerations in Appendix E, that there will be no
cultural resources impacts from designation of the Chetco ODMDS. Appendix E, along
with supplementary side scan sonar data, has been reviewed by the Oregon State Historic
Preservation Officer to determine whether they concur with this finding.
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Selection of the Preferred Alternative. Once the specific and general site selection
criteria were addressed for the proposed disposal site, a conflict matrix analysis was
completed. Portland District developed the matrix format to simplify the general and
specific site criteria review process and has used the matrix for several ODMDS studies.
Each area of consideration on the conflict matrix addresses at least one general and
specific criteria. Table 3 contains comments pertinent to the criteria for the proposed
site. In addition to the conflict matrix, operational constraints and cost were considered
for the site. Based upon the information contained in this EIS, designation of an
ODMDS of the Chetco River, Oregon, is considered necessary. After applying the five
general and eleven specific criteria to the available options, designation of the interim
ODMDS was selected as the preferred alternative. Continued use of the interim
ODMDS would not be expected to cause unacceptable adverse environmental effects.
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Table 3
Chetco Ocean Dredged Material Disposal Area Conflict Matrix
for Evaluating Potential for Conflict with Required Considerations
of the Marine Protection Research and Sanctuaries Act
Area of Consideration
1. Usual Toooeraohv
2- Physical Sediment Compatibility
3. Chemical Sediment Comnatibilitv
4. Influence of Past Disposal
5. Living Resources of Limited Distribution
of Benthos
6. Commercial Fisheries
7. Recreational Fisheries
8. Breed ine/Soawnine Areas
9. Nutserv Areas
10. Feedinz Areas
11. Migration Routes
12. Critical Habitats of Threatened or
Endangered Species .
13. Snalial Distribution
14. Marine Mammals
IS. Mineral Deposits
16. Navigation Hazard
17. Other Uses of Ocean (cables, pipelines,
etc.1*
18. Deeraded Areas
20. Recreational Uses
21. Cultural /Historic Sites
22. Physical Oceanoeraohv: Waves/Circulation
23. Direction of Transport/Potential for
Settlement
24. Monitorine
25. Shape/Size of Site (orientation 1
26. Size of Buffer Zone
27. Potential for Cumulative Effects
Conflict
>otential Conflict
1
X
X
X
X
X
X
No ConRict
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Beneficial Use
Comments
Material to be dredged is rock,
cobbles, and sand. Variation of
material to be dredges is matched by
disposal site material.
No mounding-dumping on similar
materials. Some evidence of "short
dumping* adjacent to east boundary of
site.
Salmon trolling, bottom trawling
throughout area. No known areas of
concentrated effort in ZSP.
Salmon, bottom fishery. No evidence
of nroblem currently.
Juvenile flatfish nursery area.
Pelaeic birds: marine mammals.
Adult and juvenile calmonids; many
pelaeic birds, and marine mammals.
T&E species present: brown pelican,
5+ species of whale. No critical
habitat designated, in area.
Present.
Potential for collisions with troll
fishing vessels in fog conditions; has
not been a oroblem historically.
Potential for material loss to rock
pinnacles inshore; no documented
oroblem.
Relevant
General
Criteria
(From Table 1
& 40CRF 228-5)
a
b.c, d
a. b. c. d
a,b,d
a,b,d
a,b
a,b
a. b
a.b
a. b
a, b
«,b
a. b
a.b
a. b. e
a,b,d
»,b,d
a.b.d
a.b. d
a. b. c. d
b
a.b.d
a,b,d
c
d
b.d
c,d
Relevant
Specific
Factors
(From Table 2
& 40CRF 228.6)
1. 6. 8. 11
3,4,9
3. 4. 7. 9
5, 7, 9, 10
2,3,6,8,11
2,8
2,8
2.8
2.8
2.8
2,8
2,8
2. 8. 10
2.8
1.8
1,8
8
4.6.7
4.6,9
2.8.11
11
1. 3. 6. 7
1,3,6,7
5
1.4.7
2,3,4,7,11
4.7
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IV. AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT
General. A brief summary of existing conditions within the ZSF or specifically at the
interim ODMDS is presented below and is the basis for evaluating the suitability of the
site for ocean disposal. More detailed information on the affected environment is
presented in the appendices which were reproduced from the Corps' Site Evaluation
Report. Information regarding the nature and frequency of the sediments dredged from
the Chetco navigation channel entrance is also provided.
Physical Environment.
General. The topography of the seabed in the vicinity of the proposed disposal
site is highly irregular, from areas which are relatively smooth to clusters of rock
pinnacles. The contours generally form an embayment sloping to the southwest. Depths
at the site range from 60 to 85 feet. Previous disposal operations have not created a
noticeable mound. Bathymetric surveys made in 1984 and 1985 showed no change in
topography.
Bottom sediments range from fine sand to rock outcroppings. About half of the site
consists of scattered rock exposures while the remainder consists of sand, coarse sand
and gravel. Finer sediments are carried in suspension and are quickly removed from the
site by longshore and offshore currents. Coarser sediments remain at the site for longer
periods but are eventually removed offshore by currents. The zone of active sediment
movement in the area extends to a depth of about -150 feet. The thinness of the
sediment layer indicates that there is no long term accumulation of sediment offshore
from the Chetco River estuary.
The materials dredged from the mouth of the Chetco River are medium to coarse sands
with occasional gravels similar in range to the existing nearshore sediments. Dredging
volumes for the past 10 years range from 8,000 to 80,000 cubic yards, averaging 48,000
cubic yards per year.
Geology. The Chetco River and its tributaries flow through bedrock containing
mineralized zones, and has several reaches containing gold placer deposits. Despite this,
no large concentrations of black sands have been identified close to the mouth of the
river. The closest deposit is seven miles to the north and has a heavy mineral
concentration of 10-30 percent (Grey and Kulm, 1985). Minerals of primary interest in
black sands are gold, platinum, and chromite, but the sands also contain numerous other
heavy minerals (Ramp, 1973). The offshore deposits north of the Chetco are not
currently being mined. Offshore gravel deposits elsewhere along the Oregon Coast have
been considered as potential sources of aggregate. While individual samples of gravel
were found within the ZSF, no large deposits have been found close to the mouth of the
Chetco River. While there have been several attempts to find oil and gas along the
Oregon Coast, no test well has turned up more than traces of either. No test well off the
Oregon Coast had been drilled south of Cape Blanco as of 1985.
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Circulation and Currents. The nearshore mean circulation is alongshore, closely
paralleling the bathymetric contours, with a lesser onshore-offshore component.
Circulation patterns are variable with season and weather conditions. Coastal
circulation near the Chetco ZSF is directly influenced by large-scale regional currents
and weather patterns in the northwestern Pacific Ocean. Seasonal and short period
currents due to regional weather patterns are more important at Chetco than farther
north. Strub et al. (1987) describe a transition in oceanographic regimes near the
latitude of Chetco. During winter, strong low pressure systems with winds and waves
predominantly from the southwest contribute to strong northward currents. During the
summer, high pressure systems dominate and waves and winds are commonly from the
north. In both seasons, there are fluctuations related to local wind, tidal and bathymetric
effects. The configuration of the coastline minimizes the effects of southerly waves in
the summer at Chetco. Along the southern Oregon Coast, this southerly wind in summer
creates a mass transport of water offshore which results in upwelling of bottom water
nearshore. Figure B-6 illustrates these influences at Chetco.
Water and Sediment Quality. Water and sediment quality throughout the ZSF is
expected to be typical of seawater of the Pacific Northwest with no known source of
pollutants. Monitoring results indicated a mound of slightly coarser sediment within the
site that gradually mixed with ambient sediments and dissipated over several months.
Water quality monitoring during disposal showed no elevation of toxic heavy metals,
including Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb, with some nontoxic elevation of Fe and Mn. Nutrient
fluctuations were associated primarily with tidal variations, as were Chlorophyll a and
paniculate organic carbon. Dissolved oxygen remained high throughout disposal
operations. Sediment quality remained high, with slight but nontoxic increases in Pb
(from 2 to 4 mg/kg) and Hg (from 0.008 to 0.05 mg/kg) recorded before and after
disposal. Oil and grease values in the sediments decreased slightly after disposal, while
there were no elevations in ammonia. There were no adverse impacts in terms of
water/sediment quality or toxicity from disposal.
Biological Environment.
General. The disposal site is located in the nearshore environment and the
overlying waters contain many nearshore pelagic organisms. These include zooplankton
(copepods and euphausiids) and meroplankton (fish, crabs, and other invertebrate
larvae). These organisms generally display seasonal changes in abundance with
maximum abundance occurring from February to July.
Benthic. Benthic sampling in the vicinity of the disposal site indicates variation of
species with the sediment type. The sand cobble community is characterized by the scale
worm, barnacles, and archiannelids, in addition to the more typical polychaetes,
cumaceans, and amphipods. Juvenile Dungeness crabs are also found in high densities.
The sand environments are characterized by polychaete annelids and numerous species
of cumaceans, gammarid amphipods, molluscs, and snails. The species inhabiting the
sandy environments are generally more mobile types which tolerate or require high
sediment flux. Juvenile crabs are also abundant in this environment. Commercially and
recreationally important macroinvertebrates such as shellfish and Dungeness crabs occur
in the Chetco vicinity. Most of these species are found in shallower habitats than the
disposal site.
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Fishes. The nearshore area off the Chetco River supports a variety of pelagic
and demersal fish species. Pelagic species include chinook and coho salmon, steelhead,
surfperch, lingcod, and sablefish. Demersal species present consist of a number of
flatfish including starry flounder, as well as English, Dover, and petrale sole.
Wildlife. Numerous species of birds and mammals occur in the pelagic,
nearshore, and shoreline habitats in and surrounding the proposed disposal site.
Principal species found offshore are gulls, cormorants, auklets, pigeon, guillemots, tufted
puffins, and harbor seals.
Endangered Species. Several species of special concern, i.e. gray whale, bald
eagle, peregrine falcon, and brown pelican occasionally occur along the coast. The
brown pelican and gray whale are the only species listed by the U. S. Fish and Wildlife
Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service which are likely to occur in the area
offshore from the Chetco River.
Socioeconomic Environment.
General. The Chetco River enters the Pacific Ocean at the City of Brookings,
Oregon, and navigation on the river is critical to the local economy. The City of
Brookings has a population of 3,470, while Curry County's population is 17,000.
Natural Resource Harvesting (Commercial). The offshore area supports a
moderate commercial fishery, primarily for salmon, rockfish, and sole. Dungeness crab
are also commercially harvested in the estuary and offshore areas. The fishing and
tourist industries are the primary sources of income to the local economy.
Lumber and other wood products are barged from Brookings Harbor and are a
significant component of the local economy. No significant mineral or petroleum
deposits are known to exist in the vicinity of the disposal site.
Recreation. The Chetco Bay area is popular with recreationists because of the
spectacular coastal scenery and excellent fishing opportunities both offshore and in the
Chetco River. The area is increasing in popularity as a small boat harbor and has
excellent facilities for the thousands of anglers who fish here annually.
Cultural Resources. Cultural resource investigations indicate that no significant
archeological or historic resources exist in the vicinity of the disposal site.
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V. ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES
General. The proposed action is the designation of a site to be available for ocean
disposal of dredged material. Designation of the site itself is an administrative action
that would not have any direct environmental effects; however, it would subject the site
to use as an ocean disposal area. Although no significant impacts are predicted by this
designation action, EPA has voluntarily committed to preparing the circulating EISs as
part of the designation process. This EIS addresses the likely effects of disposal at either
the interim or the adjusted ODMDS based upon the Corps' current operation and
maintenance dredging program for the Chetco River navigation project. A separate
evaluation of the suitability of dredged material and disposal impacts will be conducted
for each proposed disposal action by the Corps as required under Section 103 of the
MPRSA. EPA independently reviews all proposed ocean disposal of dredged material.
Physical Effects. Disposal of the expected dredged material at the proposed disposal site
would not have a significant effect on the physical environment. The material ranges in
size from fine sand to gravel. This is comparable to the variation in sediment size found
in or near the disposal site. Some rocky bottom habitat might also be buried by sand
deposited on it. The dredged material would disperse from the site in the littoral drift
system with movement expected to be to the north and offshore during the winter and
lesser movement to the south in summer. No mounding is expected to occur.
The material dredged from the river entrance channel consists of clean sand. It is not
expected to contain significant levels of contaminants of concern and would meet the
exclusion criteria in 40 CFR 227.13(b). Disposal of this material would not introduce
contaminants to the sediments at the disposal site or degrade water quality. Short term
turbidity effects are anticipated. A separate evaluation of the suitability of dredged
material and disposal impacts will be conducted for each proposed disposal action by the
Corps as required under Section 103 of the MPRSA. EPA will independently review all
proposed ocean disposal of dredged material.
No mineral resources are expected to be affected by disposal.
Biological Effects. Impacts to the biological environment would be primarily to the
benthic community. Some mortality would occur as a result of smothering. Most of the
benthic species present are motile and adapted to a high energy environment with
shifting sands. Therefore, many would likely survive the effects of disposal. In addition,
some recolonization would occur from surrounding areas since the sediments would be
compatible. The rate of recolonization would be affected by disposal frequency.
Impacts could be greater in the rocky portion where more species are found and many of
them are sessile or encrusting forms which are susceptible to smothering.
Larger, more motile organisms such as fish, birds, and marine mammal species would
likely avoid the disposal activity or move out once it has begun. They would be exposed
to short term turbidity at most. Therefore, impacts are expected to be limited to
disturbance rather than injury or mortality.
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The brown pelican and the gray whale are the only endangered species indicated by the
USFWS and NMFS as likely to occur in the project area. Biological assessments
addressing impacts to these species have been prepared and it was determined that no
significant impact to either species is anticipated from the designation or use of the
ocean disposal site.
Socioeconomic Effects. The designation of an ocean disposal site for dredged material
off the mouth of the Chetco River would allow the continued maintenance of the
navigation channel. This would result in waterborne commerce remaining an important
component of the local economy. If a site is not designated, maintenance dredging
would cease for lack of adequate disposal sites. The channel would shoal in and become
unsafe or unusable. Shipping and fishing traffic would have to be directed through other
ports and the local economy would suffer.
No known mineral or economic resources would be impacted by disposal at the proposed
site.
Few impacts to recreation are expected to occur. Recreational fishery resources would
be temporarily displaced during disposal operations. Time delays for recreational
boaters caused by the passing of the dredge or an increase in navigation hazards during
congested periods could occur. Conflicts such as these can be considered an
inconvenience rather than a threat to recreational activity.
There would be a short-term reduction in aesthetics at the disposal site as a result of
turbidity following disposal. The material would settle rapidly and not affect any areas
outside of the disposal area. No impacts would occur on the beach or adjacent
recreation areas.
It is unlikely that any cultural resources are present in the proposed disposal site.
Therefore, designation or use of the site is not expected to have any impact on cultural
resources.
Coastal Zone Management. In reviewing proposed ocean disposal sites for consistency
with the Coastal Zone Management (CZM) plan, they are evaluated against Oregon's
Statewide Goal 19 (Ocean Resources). Local jurisdiction does not extend beyond the
baseline for territorial seas and, therefore, local plans do not address offshore sites.
Goal 19 requires that agencies determine the impact of proposed projects or actions.
Paragraph 2.g of Goal 19 specifically addresses dredged material disposal. It states that
agencies shall "provide for suitable sites and practices for the open sea discharge of
dredged material which do not substantially interfere with or detract from the use of the
continental shelf for fishing, navigation, or recreation, or from the long-term protection
of renewable resources." Decisions to take an action, such as designating an ocean
disposal site, are to be preceded by an inventory and based on sound information and on
an understanding of the resources and potential impacts. In addition, there should be a
contingency plan and emergency procedures to be followed in the event that the
operation results in conditions which threaten to damage the environment.
Ocean disposal sites for dredged material are designated following guidelines prepared
by the EPA (Ocean Dumping Regulations). Site selection is to be based on studies and
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I
an evaluation of the potential impacts (40 CFR Part 228.4 [e]). This meets the
requirements of State Goal 19 for decisions to be based on inventory and a sound
understanding of impacts. The five general and eleven specific criteria for the
designation of a site presented in 40 CFR 228.5 and 228.6 outline the type of studies to
be conducted and the resources to be considered. According to 40 CFR Part 2285(a),
ocean disposal will only be allowed at sites "selected to minimize the interference of
disposal activities with other activities in the marine environment, particularly avoiding
areas of existing fisheries or shellfisheries, and regions of heavy commercial or
recreational navigation." Monitoring is to be conducted at ocean disposal sites; and if
adverse effects are observed, use of the site may be modified or terminated. The
requirements of the ocean dumping regulations are broad enough to meet the need of
Goal 19. Therefore, the designation of this site for ocean disposal of dredged material
following the ocean dumping regulations would be consistent with Goal 19 and the State
of Oregon's Coastal Zone Management Plan.
Unavoidable Adverse Impacts. Designation of an ODMDS would allow continued
dredging and disposal of dredged material from the Chetco River entrance channel with
attendant effects.
Relationship Between Short-Term Uses of the Environment and Maintenance and
Enhancement of Long-Term Productivity. Disposal of dredged material at the adjusted
ODMDS would have a unquantifiable, but apparently minor short- and long-term effect
of the productivity of the ocean environment. Use of the ODMDS would have a long-
term beneficial effect on the economy of the city of Brookings and Curry County.
Irreversible and Irretrievable Commitments of Resources. Permanent designation of the
adjusted ODMDS for disposal would commit the site and its resources primarily to that
use. Other uses such as oil and gas explorations, and to varying degrees, mining, fishing,
and use by certain aquatic species, would be constrained or precluded.
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VL COORDINATION
Coordination by the Corps of Engineers. Procedures used in this evaluation and the
proposed continued use of the interim site has been discussed with the following State
and federal agencies by the Portland District Corps of Engineers, to support their site
designation studies and preparation of their Site Evaluation Report:
- Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
- Oregon Department of Environmental Quality
- Oregon Dept. of Land Conservation and Development
- Oregon Division of State Lands
- U. S. Coast Guard (Newport Station)
- U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service
- National Marine Fisheries Service
~ - U. S. Environmental Protection Agency
These agencies were briefed on the proposed technique from the task force workbook
and existing information was requested of them. Copies of the draft Site Evaluation
Report were provided to them by the Corps and their comments on the draft were
formally requested. Letters received are included in Appendix F.
This proposed federal action requires concurrence or consistency for three federal laws
from the responsible agencies as indicated below.
Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended - U. S. Fish & Wildlife
Service National Marine Fisheries Service
National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended
Preservation Officer
State Historic
Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972, as amended - Oregon Department
of Land Conservation and Development
Consistency or concurrence letters from the above listed agencies are included in
Appendix F. State water quality certification, required by Section 401 of the Clean
Water Act, will be obtained for individual dredging actions as part of the normal
permitting of federal project approval process.
Coordination by EPA. Coordination with the Portland District was maintained
throughout the site designation studies and during preparation of their Site Evaluation
Report. A copy of that report was reviewed by EPA. EPA has voluntarily committed to
prepare and circulate EISs for the site designation actions. A Notice of Intent to
Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement on the final designation of an adjusted
ODMDS site off Chetco River, Oregon, was published in the Federal Register on
Wednesday, November 16, 1988. The Site Evaluation Report submitted by Region 10,
EPA, by the Corps was used as the basis for preparation of this draft EIS. A formal 45-
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day public review period will allow comments to be received from all State and local
agencies, and private groups and individuals on this proposed designation by EPA. A list
of those who received the draft EIS for comment may be requested. Many of the same
agencies that reviewed the Corps' Site Evaluation Report will receive this draft EIS.
As a separate but concurrent action, EPA will publish a proposed rule in the Federal
Register for formal designation of the adjusted Chetco ODMDS. There is a 45-day
public review period for the draft rule also. It is planned that the public review periods
for the draft EIS and proposed rule overlap. However, comments will be accepted on
either the draft EIS for proposed rule until the end of the latest 45-day period.
Comments will be responded to in the final EIS and rule.
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VII. LIST OF PREPARERS
Disposal site studies were designed and conducted by the Corps, in consultation with
EPA, and a Site Evaluation Report was prepared by the Portland District, Corps of
engineers. That document was submitted to EPA for review and processing for formal
designation by the Regional Administrator, Region 10. The Corps' Site Evaluation
Report was used by EPA as the basis of this draft EIS. The Technical Appendices from
the Site Evaluation Report are reproduced as appendices to the EIS.
Preparation of draft EIS:
U. S. Environmental Protection Agency:
John Malek Ocean Dumping Coordinator and Project Officer
Jones & Stokes Associates, Inc.:
David DesVoigne, Ph.D. Environmental Scientist
Murray Schuh Environmental Specialist
Preparation of Site Evaluation Report and Technical Appendices:
U. S. Army Corps of Engineers, Portland District:
Michael F. Kidby, P.E.
A. Rudder Turner, Jr.
Danil R. Hancock
David R. Felstul
Stephan A. Chesser
William B. Fletcher
Kim Larson
Geoffrey L. Dorsey
Steven J, Stevens
Michael A. Martin
L. Jerome Simpson
Civil Engineer
Oceanographer
Oceanographer
Environmental Specialist
Oceanographer
Hydrologist
Fishery Biologist
Wildlife Biologist
Landscape Architect
Archeologist
CE Technician
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-44-
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.APPENDIX A
-------
-------
APPENDIX A
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Paragraph Page
1.1 Introduction A-l
1.3 Plankton and Fish Larvae A-l
1.12 Benthic Invertebrates A-5
1.17 Results A-7
1.26 Macroinvertebrates A-9
1.27 Fisheries A-9
1.36 Commercial and Recreational Fisheries A-15
1.42 Wildlife A-15
Literature Cited A-22
LIST OF TABLES
Table
A-l Seasonal Species Usage (Dominant Copepod Species) A-2
A-2 Other Taxa Collected A-3
A-3 Other Taxa Collected A-4
A-4 Dominant Fish Larval Species A-5
A-5 Bird Species in Vicinity of Disposal Site A-16
A-6 Marine Species in Vicinity of Disposal Site A-19
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure
A-l Chetco River Sample Stations A-6
A-2 Density of Benthic Infauna A-8
A-3 Density of Major Taxonomic Groups (Dungeness Crab and
Pelecypoda) A-10
A-4 Density of Major Taxonomic Groups (Polychaete
Annelids) A-ll
A-5 Density of Major Taxonomic Groups (Amphipods and
Gastropoda) A-12
A-6 Species Richness and Equitability of Benthic Infauna A-13
A-7 Shellfish Distribution A-14
-------
-------
APPENDIX A
LIVING RESOURCES
Introduction
1.1 Information on aquatic resources was obtained from a field sampling program
conducted in July 1985. In addition, a thorough utilization of a variety of published and
unpublished reports, theses, and personal communications with the Oregon Department
of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) Marine Resources Division biologists have been utilized in
the preparation of this technical appendix. Critical resources were determined primarily
by whether the resource was unique to the area or was in limited abundance along the
Oregon coast. In 1978, the Portland District issued a report entitled 'Technical Report,
Chetco River Hopper Dredge Scheduling Analysis." The study included a cursory
analysis of the physical and biological conditions of the offshore disposal site and a series
of bottom photographs which clearly illustrate the coarse material in a portion of the
site.
1.2 To determine the extent of these gravel/cobble beds and the suitability of the
general area for fish trawling, the Portland District conducted an underwater video
survey of the Chetco disposal site during August of 1984. These video tapes confirmed
the gravel/cobble deposits and rocky outcrops existing in the area and precluded
fisheries trawling in the area.
Plankton and Fish Larvae
1.3 Distribution and abundance of inshore planktonic species vary depending upon
nearshore oceanographic conditions. In the summer when the wind is from the
northwest, surface water is moving south and away from the shore. Colder, more saline,
nutrient-rich water then moves up from depth into the shore. This upwelling
phenomenon can extend up to 10 km offshore and last from days to weeks depending
upon the strength and duration of the wind. Zooplankton taxa during this time are
predominantly those from subarctic water masses.
1.4 For the general Oregon Coast, winter winds are primarily out of the west and
southwest and surface waters are transported inshore. The zooplankton community
during this time consists of species from the transitional or Central Pacific water masses.
1.5 Very little specific information has been collected from the nearshore waters off
the southern Oregon Coast. Oregon State University studied a hydrographic line off
Brookings which extended from 5 to 165 n miles offshore. These studies provide a basis
for understanding the general characteristics of the oceanic water masses of the Southern
Oregon Coast. Since water masses between the central and southern Oregon coasts are
similar, the pelagic fauna should exhibit a high degree of correspondence.
A-l
-------
1.6 Lee (1971) discussed the copepods in a 1963 collection from the southern Oregon
coast and Peterson and Miller (1976) and Peterson et al. (1979) provide a fairly (
comprehensive account of the zooplankton community off the central Oregon Coast
(Newport, OR). The central Oregon study's summer and winter species are given below
(Table A-l). In general, winter species are less abundant than summer species.
Table A-l
Seasonal Species Usage (Dominant Copepod Species)
in Decreasing Order of Abundance
Winter Species
Pseudocalanus sp.
Qithona similis
Paracalanus parvus
Acartia longiremis
Centrophages abdominalis
Summer Spedes
Pseudocalanus sp.
Acartia clausii
Acartia longirernis
Calanus marshal lae
Oithona sjmilis
1.7 Other taxa collected were of minor importance as compared to the copepod
abundance except for a few organisms during parts of the year. A list of the other taxa
collected is given in Tables A-2 and A-3.
1.8 The other plankton species of importance is the megalops larval stage of the
Dungeness crab (Cancer magister). Lough (1976) has reported that megalops occur
inshore from January to May and are apparently retained there by the strong longshore
and onshore components of the surface currents in the winter. After May, the megalops
metamorphoses into juvenile crabs and settle out of the plankton, moving into rearing
areas in the estuary.
1.9 Fish larvae are a transient but important member of the inshore coastal plankton
community. Their abundance and distribution has been described by Richardson (1973),
Richardson and Pearcy (1977), and Richardson et al. (1980).
1.10 Three species assemblages have been described off the Oregon coast; coastal,
transitional, and offshore. In general, the species in the coastal and offshore assemblages
never overlapped while the transitional species overlapped both the coastal and offshore
groups. The break between the coastal and offshore groups occurred at the continental
slope.
1.11 The coastal group is dominated by smelts (Osmeridae) making up over 50 percent
of the larvae collected. Other dominant species included the English sole (Parophrys
vgtulus), sanddab (Isopsetta isolepis). starry flounder (Platichthvs stellatus). and torn cod
(Microgadus proximus). Maximum abundance occurred from February to July when
greater than 90 percent of the larvae were collected. Two peaks of abundance were
present during this period, one in February and March (24 percent of the larvae) an one
in May to July (68 percent of the larvae) following upwelling. Dominant species during
each peak are shown in Table A-4.
A-2
-------
Table A-2
Other Taxa Collected
TAXA
Calanus naupli i
Other Copepod nauplU
Ampin pods
Euphausiid nauplii
Euphausiid calyptopis
Euphausiid furcilia
'Thyscmoessa epinifera
Evadne nordmanni.
Podan leukarti.
Pteropods
Chaetognaths
Oikapleura
Ctenophores
Scyphomedusae
decapod shrimp mysis
barnacle nauplii
barnacle cypris
polychaete post-
trochophores
bivalve veligers
gastropod veligers
hydromedusae
unidentified annelid
without parapodla
pluteus
large round eggs (fish)
Calanue eggs
euphausiid eggs, early
euphausiid eggs, late
other fish eggs
TOTAL RELATIVE DENSITY
1969
.5
.1
.5
.3
.3
119.
43.
8.
46.
13.
.30.2
35.4
73.7
2.8
10.2
89.4
69.2
6.0
22.9
142.7
59.3
'4.4
16.2
170.5
28.9
6.1
8.2
0.0
36.8a
870.1*
55.0
70.0
19.1
1970
695.5
68.1
18.5
85.9
14.5
13.6
4.
58.
115.3
24.6
50.3
85.7
2.5
70.9
1971
FREQUENCY
69 70 71
.0
.9
52.6
168.3
64.0
20.1
258.9
79.2
3.2
23.1
16.0
.25.0
168/7
686.1
57.5
35.1
.7
.3
.7
.0
.2
.7
.3
172.
52.
15.
84.
17.
17.
87.
9.8
5.2
60.6
30.8
66.5
34.9
22.8
45.3
231.4
8.3
21.4
68.3
42.2
10.3
35.8
117;6
226.1
449.6
39.6
34.3
21
id
5
5
4
14
2
17
2
11
25
11
7
13
40
20
15
26
17
20
7
26
12
22
33
15
5
28
28
20
14
18
11
10
11
2
1
35
34
21
19
22
16 24
8 32
2 19
5
20
16
2
3
0
11
10
11
2
12
23
40
33
2
3
S
13
28
29
16
18
22
28
10
15
27
23
11
16
11
12
25
24
14
18
a = biased by a single observation of 760' individuals/ra .
The following taxa were" found tn less than five samples: radiolarians,
foraminifera, siphonophores, planula larva, trochophores, Tomopteris,
heteropods, Clione, phoronid larva, ascidian larva, salps, auricularia
larva. Inn starfish, decapod protozoeas, unusual barnacle nauplii. Sty-
locheiron abbreviation, anchovy eggs, and four miscellaneous unidentified
meroplanktonic taxa.
Total relative density and frequency of occurrence of other hoiopUnktonic
taxa and meroplankton taken within 18 tan of. the coast during 1969, 1970
and 1971 upwelling seasons. Table entries are sums of average abundances
at each of four stationsr
A-3
-------
Table A-3
Other Taxa Collected
TAXA
Calanus nauptli
Other Copepod nauplil
Amphipods
Euphausiid nauplii
Euphausiid calyptopis
Euphausiid furcilia
Evadne nordmarmi
Podon leukarti
Pteropods' (Limacina)
Chaetognaths
Oikoplevra spp.
Ctenophores
Scyphomecfusae
Salps
Isopods
Mysids
decapod shrimp mysis
barnacle nauplii
barnacle cypris
polychaete post-trochophores
bivalve veligers
gastropod veilgers, assorted
gastropod A
hydromedusae
annelids lacking parapodia
echinoderm pluteus
large round, eggs (fish)
Calanue .eggs
euphauslid-eggs
TOTAL RELATIVE DENSITY FREQUENCY
1969-70 1970-71 1971-72 69-70 70-71 71-72
1188. 7a
29.1
5.9
2.8
6.4
3.1
5.6
126. 3a
66,0
62.9
551.9
' 7.0
10.0
0.9b
0.5
0.2
165.9
122.5a
4.8
108. 4a
56. la
0.4
24.1
27.3
88.0
47.4
10K2
6.2
94.3
***
0.7
3.3
35.1
20.2
5.0
3.4
14.5
7.6
4.8
116. 4a
14.2
22.4
75.6
10.3
16.6
***
***
2.1
3.1
309.1
8.7
41.5
87.8
31.3
*
9.2
40.0
41.7
9.0
36.5
***
21.4
192.7
188. la
13,5
98.2
27.6
1.0
1.8
74.9
0.8
5.6
77.9
16.8
70.8
118.4
37.2
***
3.3
21.9
22.1
5.5
36.7
274.7a
4.9
4.7
2.8
10
11
12
4
13
7
2
4
17
20
22
8
.5
9
2
2
7
11
4
12
20
19
0
4
5
5
6
10
0
15
13
4
5
4
2
2
2
15
19
16
8
6
0
3
1
10
6
4
8
18
18
6
2
4
2
11
11
6
15
12
10
4
8
5
4
4
13
13
15
9
10
0
0
2
11
12
12
11
15
15
0
3
11
4
8
4
3
a = high value the result of one station or sampling date
b = a value of. 34.3/m3 fln 29 October .1969 was onnritted from the summation
The following'taxa were found in less than five samples: The euphausiids
Thysanoesea spin-Cfera and Euphauaia pacifica, amphipod larvae and eggs,
ostracods, cumaceans, siphonoph.ores, Sagitta earippaii, S. bierii, S.
minima, Lepas nauplii, other unidentified barnacle nauplii, echinoderm
bipinnaria. ifrm..starfish, imn.sea urchins, planula larvae, trochophores,
foraminifera, radiolarians, Tomopteria, cyphonjutes larvae, other fish
eggs, and six miscellaneous unidentified meroplanktonic taxa.
Total relative density and frequency of occurrence of other holoplanktonlc
and meroplanktonic taxa .taken within 18 km of the .coast during three
winters. Table entries are suras of relative densities at each of four
stations.1
A-4
-------
Table A-4
Dominant Fish Larval Species
During the Two Peaks of Abundance
February to March May to July
Smelt (Qsmendae) 1.51* 4.12
English sole fParophrys vetulus) 4.09
Sandlance (Ammodytes hexapterus) 1.76
Sanddab (Isopsetta isolepis) 1.73 2.21
Tom cod (Microgadus proximus) 2.03
Slender sole (Lyopsetta exilis) 1.07
* Biological index - Ranking method that averages abundance and frequency
of occurrence in samples. 5 to 1 in decreasing order.
Benthic Invertebrates
1.12 Benthic invertebrates play an important role in secondary productivity of
nearshore marine systems. They are not only a direct source of food for many demersal
fishes, but play an active part in the shredding and breakdown of organic material and in
the reworking of sediment.
1.13 Knowledge of the benthic communities off the nearshore central Oregon coast is
increasing due, in large measure, to studies done with the offshore disposal site
investigations conducted by Portland District.
1.14 Previous investigations of the Oregon coast include an evaluation of offshore
disposal sites near the mouth of the Columbia River by Richardson et al. 1973, a
quantitative study of the meiobenthos at Moolach Beach north of Yaquina Bay entrance
(Hogue 1982) and an outfall study for an International Paper Company outfall near
Gardiner, Oregon. (Unpublished, n.d.). Site-specific information is now available in final
reports for Coos Bay (Hancock et al., 1981, Nelson et al., 1983, and Sollitt et al., 1984)
and for Yaquina Bay (USACOE, 1985). Similar benthic studies have been conducted at
seven other ocean disposal sites along the Oregon coast and the data is being analyzed
for final site designation. These comprise the total benthic infaunal data base available
for the Oregon Coast.
1.15 To provide site-specific benthic information to supplement the existing data and
characterize the Chetco interim disposal site, the Portland District COE collected and
analyzed thirty-five benthic infaunal samples from seven stations located as shown in
Figure A-l. Six replicate bottom samples were taken from each of the seven stations
using a modified Gray-O'Hara box corer which sampled a .096 m area of the bottom.
1.16 One sediment sample from each station was sent to the North Pacific Division's
Materials Testing Laboratory for determination of grain size and organic content The
remaining five box-core samples were sieved through a 0.5 mm mesh screen; organisms
A-5
-------
CHETCO RIVER
Ocean Dredged Material
Disposal Site and ZSF
LEGEND
DISPOSAL SITE
ROCKS
0.0 % VOLATILE SOLIDS
* - STATION NUMBER
YARDS
1000
Figure A-l
Chetco River Sample Stations
A-6
-------
retained on the screen were preserved in 10 percent buffered formalin. Infaunal
organisms were then picked from the sediment, counted and identified to the lowest
taxon practicable by Marine Taxonomic Services.
Results
1.17 The stations sampled in the region of the Chetco River Interim Disposal Site
(Figure A-l) were found to vary widely in substrate texture (Table B-3). The NW
portion of the site contained medium to large (>30 cm) smoothly rounded cobble stones,
while the easterly margin of the site was a mixture of sand with interspersed rocks. It
has not been determined if the large cobbles were previously transported to the site by
the hopper dredges or result from natural causes. They extend slightly shoreward of the
disposal site. The deeper western portion of the interim disposal site contains a fine
grained sand substrate typical of the many high energy nearshore coastal environments
found along the Oregon Coast. Based on the sediments, the Chetco Interim Disposal
site is unique from all other disposal sites studied.
1.18 The organic content of the sediments as measured by percent volatile solids is
very low-as would be expected based on the coarse sediments and high energy. Volatile
solids are shown in Table C-l.
1.19 The benthos of the Chetco offshore disposal site was found to consist of two
bottom types, sandy (which is typical of nearshore high energy environments), and sand
mixed with cobbles which is not commonly encountered. The latter type was found only
at station 1 and 2 which lie in the northeast corner of the interim disposal site. Station 1
had the highest amount of cobbles and the mixed sediment type resulted in the highest
number of species represented in the sampling of the Chetco disposal site.
1.20 The community is represented by the psammnitic (sand-dwelling) fauna and the
epizoic and encrusting fauna. The sand-cobble community is characterized by the scale
worm Hesionura coineaui difficilis (1156/sq. m), barnacles (200/sq.m), Archiannelida
(390/m), as well as the more typical psammnitic polychaetes, cumaceans, and gammarid
amphipods.
1.21 The sandy bottom stations located offshore and the stations located to the north
and south of the interim disposal site are characterized by polychaete annelids such as
Magelona sacculata. Chaetozone setosat or Spiophanes bombyx. and numerous species of
cumaceans, gammarid amphipods, molluscs and snails. The species inhabiting the sandy
stations are generally the more motile psammnitic forms which tolerate or require high
sediment flux. Juvenile Dungeness crab (Cancer magister) were found at all stations
sampled.
1.22 Figure A-2 compares mean infaunal densities (for five replicate box core samples)
at the four stations within the site and the north and south reference stations. General
levels of density ranged between 1210 and 3377 /m in the interim site, and from 947-
3010 for the reference sites. These values are slightly above those sampled at other
disposal sites along the Oregon coast.
A-7
-------
4000 -i
3000 -1
2000 -\
Density of Benthic Infauna
Chetcd Offshore Disposal Site
TRANSECT
muiiiiiun DISPOSAL SITE
BBBEBHB NORTH REFERENCE
SOUTH REFERENCE
B
B
B
a
B
a
H
H
H
1000 -
zz
zz
zz
_
zz
zz
ZZ
ZZ
=
60'
1
ZZ
ZZ
ZZ
~
zz
^^H
zz
=
70'
2
zz
zz
zz
--
zz
zz
zz
90*
3
zz
~
^z
J2J
^
^
S
1001
4
H
B
' B
B
El
B
B
B
B
n
80'
6
B
H
e
H
E3
ES
H
69
E
P
I
i
t
a ^
70' 70'
7 5
STATION NUMBER & DEPTH
Figure A-2
Density of Benthic Infauna
A-8
-------
I
1.23 Mean densities (#/sq. m) decrease with increasing water depth at both the
interim and reference sites. Juvenile Dungeness crabs had a density of 35/m (Figure
A-3). Mean density for the other major taxonomic groups are shown in Figures A-4 and
A-5.
1.24 Figure A-6 compares diversity, species richness and equitability of benthic infauna
by depth for the Chetco offshore disposal site and for the reference stations to the north
and south. The values for each of these factors were found to be very similar for each
station in the study area. Due to factors such as seasonality and sediment patchiness
which produce large between-sample variation, little significance can be placed on the
observed trend.
1.25 Based on the data on benthic invertebrate abundance, density, and diversity from
the study area and the reference areas to the north and south of the Chetco interim
disposal site, no impact from past disposal activities was observed.
Macroinvertebrates
1.26 The dominant commercially and recreationally important macroinvertebrate
species in the inshore coastal area are shellfish and Dungeness crabs. Shellfish
distribution is shown in Figure A-7. Clam beds are located north of Chetco Point and
Macklyn Cove. Dungeness crab adults occur on sandflat habitat throughout the
nearshore area. The presence of Dungeness crab near the Chetco River is typical of
conditions along the entire Oregon coast. They spawn in offshore areas and the
juveniles rear in estuaries.
Fisheries
1.27 The nearshore area off the Chetco River mouth also supports a variety of pelagic
and demersal fish species. Coho and chinook salmon, steelhead and searun cutthroat
trout, migrate through the estuary to upriver spawning areas.
1.28 Urfperch, starry flounder, lingcod, black rockfish and cabezon all inhabit the
lower estuary. Anchovies and smelt can be found at the entrance to the bay.
1.29 Various rocky reef species are found associated with the jetties.
1.30 Demersal species present in the nearshore area are mostly residents,
demonstrating little coastwise movement. However, species such as sablefish, petrale
sole and English sole do undertake extensive coastal migrations.
1.31 Distribution and abundance varies with species, season, depth, and in the case of
bottom fish, sediment type. Resident lingcod and rockfish species inhabit the many rock
outcroppings and reefs to the north and east of the disposal site.
1.32 English, Dover, and petrale sole move from deep offshore waters in winter to
shallow nearshore waters in summer. Shallow inshore waters are important nursery
areas for juvenile English sole (Krygier and Pearcy, 1986). Most of the flatfish species
occur over sandy bottom types.
A-9
-------
0
0)
2
\
55
u
o
1
2
Density of Major Taxonomic Groups
Chetco Offshore Disposal Site (July 1985)
STATION NUMBER
Figure A-3
Density of Major Taxonomic Groups (Dungeness Crab & Pelecypoda)
A-10
-------
0
n
z
y
2
Density of Major Toxonomic Groups
Chetco Offshore Disposal Site (July 1985)
[77] POLYCHAETE ANHEUOS
STAT10H KUUBER
Figure A-4
Density of Major Taxonomic Groups (Polychaete Annelids)
A-ll
-------
a
«
!
n
z
u
a
z
u
2
Density of Major Taxonomic Groups
Chetco Offshore Disposal Site (July 1985)
GASTROPODA
T771 AMPHIPODA
3 4
STATION KUUBER
Figure A-5
Density of Major Taxonomic Groups (Amphipoda & Gastropoda)
A-12
-------
Species Richness and Equitability of
Benthic Infauna
Chetco Offshore Disposal Site
6-,
4_J
D
B
B
H
a
m
m
m
=§
ANALYSIS
IlIHHinDIVERSlTYH'
BBDBDSPECIES RICHNESS
[EQUITABILITY
IS
B
B
60* 70* 90' 100' N-60' 70' S-100*
STATIONS BY DEPTH
Figure A-6
Species Richness and Equitability of Benthic Infauna
A-13
-------
iono
i < .
Scale In Yardt
I .... V
IOOO
Shellfish Distribution.
Figure A-7
Shellfish Distribution
A-14
-------
1.33 littleneck clams are common in gravel pockets northwest of the bay entrance.
Abalone are found along the reefs and rock outcroppings to the north and east of the
disposal site and octopi occur in nearshore areas.
1.34 Dungeness crab occur in and around the disposal site, off the bar, and in the bay.
1.35 Market squid schools can be found all along the Oregon coast. They spawn over
sandy bottoms in nearshore, shallow waters. The egg cases fall to the bottom where they
anchor themselves by secreting a glue-like resin onto sand particles. Although ODFW
has not conducted spawning surveys along the southern Oregon coast, crab fishermen
have reported egg clusters attached to crab pots in and around the disposal site (personal
communication from ODFW).
Commercial and Recreational Fisheries
1.36 The near shore area around Chetco supports both commercial and recreational
fisheries. The nearshore area around the disposal site is where the bulk of the
recreational salmon fishery occurs, as well as some commercial troll fishing. Salmon
seasons for both fisheries usually begin in June, and are subject to closure when quotas
are met.
1.37 Recent (1980-1985) commercial harvests of Coho salmon recorded at Brookings
have ranged from 0 pounds in 1984 to 184,288 in 1981. Chinook landings over the same
period ranged from 4962 pounds in 1985 to 694,386 in 1981 (ODFW Annual Reports).
1.38 Commercial rockfish landings from 1980 to 1985 ranged from 1,345,114 pounds
(1983) to 2,638,706 (1982). Sablefish landings have increased from 123,428 pounds
landed in 1981, to 544,523 pounds in 1984.
1.39 Over one million pounds of Dover sole were commercially harvested in 1984.
English, rex and petrale sole are taken in moderate quantities from nearshore areas.
1.40 Commercial and recreational Dungeness crab harvest sites surround the disposal
site. Dungeness are commercially taken from December through September.
Commercial landings between 1980 to 1985 ranged from 583,248 pounds (1983) to
2,913,893 (1980).
1.41 The nearshore area supports a small commercial octopus and squid fishery.
Wildlife
1.42 Numerous species of birds (Table A-5) and marine mammals (Table A-6) occur in
the pelagic, nearshore, and shoreline habitats in and surrounding the proposed disposal
site. Information on distribution and abundance of bird species is from the Seabird
Colony Catalog (Varoujean, 1979) and Pacific Coast Ecological Inventory (USFWS
1981), except as indicated. Information on most species of shorebirds is lacking.
Therefore, their abundance and distribution can only be addressed in general terms.
They occur along much of the coast primarily as migrants and/or winter residents.
A-15
-------
Table A-5
Bird Species in Vicinity of Disposal Site
HABITAT USE
CATEGORY/SPECIES
BREEDING
WINTERING
MIGRANTS
SUMMER
NON-BREEDERS
SKOREBIRDS
black oysterca'ther X
snowy plover X
greater yellowle.gs
black turnstone
northern.phalarope
western gull X
Heemtanh'a gull
glaucous-winged gull
killdeer X
spotted sandpiper X
surfbird
wandering tattler
semipalmated plover
least: sandpiper
dunlin
western sandpiper
sanderling
California gull
ring-billed gull
mew gull
Bonaparte's gull
Sabine's gull
longbilled dowitcher
black turnstone
SEABIRDS
fork-tailed storm
petrel X
Leach's storm petrel X
double-cres ted
cormorant X
Brandt's cormorant X
pelagic cormorant X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
From Gabrielson and Jewett (1970) and Bertrand and Scott (1973),
A-16
-------
Table A-5 - cont'd
HABITAT USE
CATEGORY/SPECIES
BREEDING
WINTERING
MIGRANTS
SUMMER
NON-BREEDERS
SEABIRDS (con't)
common murre
pigeon guillemot
marbled murrelet
Cassia's auklet
rhinoceros auklet
tufted puffin
fulmar1
pink-footed
shearwater
sooty shearwater
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
WATERFOWL
common loon X
arctic loon
red-throated loon
western grebe. X
red-necked grebe X
horned grebe ' X
pied-billed grebe X
'Canada goose
black brandt
mallard X
pintail
American wigeon
green-winged teal
redhead
canvaaback
ring-necked duck
greater scaup
lesser scaup
common goldeneye
Sorrow's .goldeneye
bufflehead
harlequin
black scoter X
white-winged scoter X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
A-17
-------
Table A-5 - cont'd
HABITAT USE
CATEGORY/SPECIES
BREEDING
WINTERING
MIGRANTS
SUMMER
NON-BREEDERS
WATERFOWL (con't)
surf scoter
ruddy dufck
common merganser
red-breasted
merganser
great blue heron
American coot
brown pelican
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
OTHER
bald eagle
peregrine falcon
X
X
A-18
-------
Table A-6
Marine Species in Vicinity of Disposal Site
HABITAT USE
CATEGORY/SPECIES
BREEDING
WINTERING
MIGRANTS
SEALS AND SEA LIONS
harbor seal X
northern elephant
seal
e cellar sea lion X
California sea lion
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
I
WHALES
northern right whale
gray whale
blue whale
fin whale
sel whale
minke whale
humpback whale
sperm whale
giant bottlenose whale
short-finned pilot whale
grampus
killer whale
Along Oregon coast in winter.
Along Oregon coast during Feb. to May
while migrating to and from breeding
and feeding grounds. Estimated total
population 11000-15000.. Some may be
staying in Oregon water during winter.
(R. Brown, pers. commun.)
Off .Oregon coast from late May to June
and August to October.
Occur off Oregon Coast during Kay to
September
Summer .to early fall
Late Bummer to early fall
April to October
Late summer to fall
Uncommon, June to October
Winter
Uncommon, spring to summer
Winter
A-19
-------
Table A-6 - cont'd
HABITAT USE
CATEGORY/SPECIES
BREEDING
WINTERING
MIGRANTS
WHALES
false killer whale
common dolphin
northern right whale dolphin
Dall's porpoise
harbor porpoise
Pacific white-sided dolphin
Uncommon
Uncommon, spring to summer
Rare, spring to summer
Common, throughout year
Common, throughout year
Common, throughout year
A-20
-------
A few species of shorebirds-including western snowy plover, black oystercatcher,
killdeer, and spotted sandpiper-nest along the coast. Several species of special concern,
the bald eagle, peregrine falcon, and brown pelican, occasionally occur along the coast
and may use the ZSF or the surrounding areas. Pelicans and peregrine falcons are often
associated with headlands, ocean beaches, spits and offshore rocks. Pelagic birds (e.g.
scoters, petrels) probably use the ZSF and adjacent waters for foraging.
1.43 Data on marine animals is from the Natural History of Oregon Coast Mammals,
Maser et al. (1981), Pearson and Verts (1970), and the Pacific Coast Ecological
Inventory (USFWS 1981), except as indicated. Except for seals and sea lions,
information on marine mammals is extremely limited. Whales are known to occur
throughout coastal waters, primarily during migrations, but population estimates and
information on areas of special use generally are not available.
1.44 A number of species of shorebirds and waterfowl (Table A-5) use the shoreline
habitats at the mouth of the Chetco River. Brown pelicans, a federally listed endangered
species, use this area. Outside the ZSF, several important species and wildlife habitats
occur and could be affected. Whalehead Island is an important nesting and congregating
area for seabirds, including approximately 1/10 of Oregon's breeding population of
Leach's storm petrels, 1/3 of Oregon's pigeon guillemots, and 1/5 of Oregon's tufted
puffins. Gulls, cormorants, common murres, and Cassin's auklets also nest on
Whalehead Island. House Rock and Twin Rock have nesting populations of comorants.
Approximately 1/2 of Oregon's population of Leach's storm petrels nest on Goat Island,
as do about 1/4 of the Brandt's cormorants, about 1/4 of the western gulls, 1/4 of the
pigeon guillemots, and 1/3 of the tufted puffins. Common murres and Cassin's auklets
also nest on Goat Island. Cone Rock is a nesting area for western gulls, pelagic
cormorants, and pigeon guillemots. Black oystercatchers, western gulls, Brandt's
cormorants, pelagic cormorants and pigeon guillemots nest on Hunter Rock and Prince
Island. Leach's storm petrels, double-crested cormorants, rhinoceros auklets, and tufted
puffins also nest on Prince Island.
A-21
-------
LITERATURE CITED
Bayer, R., 1983. Ore Aqua Company Biologist, Newport, OR. Personal communication.
Bertrand, G.A. and J.M. Scott, 1973. Check-list of the Birds of Oregon Museum of Nat.
Hist. Oregon State Univ. Corvallis, OR. 17 pp.
Gabrielson, J.N. and S.G. Jewett, 1970. Birds of the Pacific Northwest. Dover
Publications, Inc. New York, N.Y. 650 pp.
Hancock, D.R., P.O. Nelson, C.K. Sollitt, KJ. Williamson, 1981. Coos Bay Offshore
Disposal Site Investigation Interim Report Phase I, February 1979- March 1980.
Report to U.S. Corps of Engineers, Portland, District, Oregon, for Constract No.
DACW57-79-C-0040. Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR.
Hogue, Wayne E, 1982. Seasonal Changes in the Abundance and Spatial Distribution of
a Meiobenthic Assemblage on the Open Oregon Coast and its Relationship to the
Diet of 0-age Flatfishes. Ph.D. thesis, OSU, Corvallis, OR. 125 pp.
Lee, W. 1971. The copepods in a collection from the southern Oregon coast, 1963. M.S.
Thesis, Oregon State Univ., Corvallis, 62 pp.
Lough, R.G., 1976. Larval Dynamics of the Dungeness Crab, Cancer magister, off the
Central Oregon Coast, 1970-71. Fish. Bull. 74(2):353-376.
Maser, C, B.R. Mate, J.F. Franklin and C.T. Dyrness, 1981. Natural History of Oregon
Coast Mammals. USDA For. Serv. Gen. Tech. Rep. PNW-133, Pac. Northwest
For. and Range Exp. Stn., Portland, OR. 496 pp.
Montagne-Bierly Associates, Inc., 1977. Yaquina Bay Hopper Dredge Scheduling
Analysis. Prepared for: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Portland District,
Navigation Division, P.O. Box 2946, Portland, OR 97208-2946.
Nelson, P.O., C.K. Sollitt, KJ. Williamson, D.R. Hancock, 1983. Coos Bay Offshore
Disposal Site Investigation Interim Report Phase II, III, April 1980- June 1981.
Report submitted to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Portland District for
Contract No. DACW57-79-0040. Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR
Oceanographic Institute of Oregon, 1983. An examination of the Feasibility of
Extrapolating Infaunal Data from Coos Bay, Oregon to Yaquina Bay, OR. Final
report USACOE, Portland District contract #DACW57-84-M- 1186.
Pearcy, W.G. and S.S. Myers, 1974. Larval Fishes of Yaquina Bay, Oregon: A Nursery
Ground for Marine Fishes? Fish. Bull. 72(1 ):201-213.
Pearson, J.P. and B J. Verts, 1970. Abundance and distribution of harbor seals and
northern sea lions in Oregon. Murrelet. 51:1-5.
A-22
-------
Peterson, W.T., C.B. Miller and A. Hutchinson, 1979. Zonation and Maintenance of
Copepod Populations in the Oregon Upwelling Zone. Deep-Sea Research
26A:467-494.
Peterson, W.T. and CB. Miller, 1976. Zooplankton Along the Continental Shelf off
Newport, Oregon, 1969-1972: distribution, abundance, seasonal cycle, and year-to-
year variations. Oregon State University, Sea Grant College Program Pub. No.
ORESU-T-76-002. lllpp.
Richardson, S.L., J.L. Laroche and M.D. Richardson, 1980. Larval Fish Assemblages
and Associations in the Northeast Pacific Ocean Along the Oregon Coast, Winter-
Spring 1972-1975. Estuarine and Coastal Marine Science (1980) II, 671-698.
Richardson, S.L. and W.G. Pearcy, 1977. Coastal and Oceanic Fish Larvae in an Area of
Upwelling off Yaquina Bay, Oregon. Fish. Bull. 75(1): 125-145.
Richardson, S.L., 1973. Abundance and Distribution of Larval Fishes in Waters off
Oregon, May-October, 1969, with Special Emphasis on the Northern Anchovy,
Engraulis mordax. Fish. Bull. 71(3):697- 711.
Richardson, M.D., A.G. Carey, and W.A Colgate., 1977. An Investigation of the Effects
of Dredged Material Disposal on Neritic Benthic Assemblages off the Mouth of
the Columbia River. Phase II. DACW57-76-R-0025.
Sollitt, C.K., D.R. Hancock, P.O. Nelson, 1984. Coos Bay Offshore Disposal Site
Investigation Final Report Phases IV, V, July 1981-September 1983. U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers, Portland District, Portland, Oregon, for Contract No.
DACW57- 79-C-0040, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR.
Steiner, R.G., 1978. Food Habits and Species Composition of Neritic Reef Fishes off
Depoe Bay, OR. Masters Thesis, Oregon State University.
U.S. Dep. of Interior Fish and Wildlife Serv., 1981. Pacific coast ecological inventory.
Varoujean, D.H., 1979. Seabird colony catalog: Washington, Oregon, and California.
U.S. Dep. Interior Fish and Wildl. Serv., Region I., Portland, OR. 456 pp.
Waldron, K.D., 1954. A Survey of the Bull Kelp Resources of the .Oregon Coast in 1954.
Res. Briefs, Fish. Comm. of Oregon. 6:2:15-20.
A-23
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-------
, APPENDIX B
-------
-------
APPENDIX B
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Paragraph Page
GEOLOGICAL RESOURCES B-l
1.1 Regional Setting B-l
1.2 Regional Geology B-l
1.3 Economic Geology B-3
1.4 Sediment Sources B-5
1.5 Conditions in the ZSF B-9
OCEANOGRAPHIC PROCESSES B-14
2.1 Coastal Circulation .'. B-14
2.2 Ocean Waves and Tide B-14
2.3 Local Processes B-17
2.4 Site Monitoring B-19
SEDIMENT TRANSPORT B-22
3,1 The Littoral System ^ .. B-22
3.2 Depth-Limited Transport B-22
3.3 Chetco Littoral Cell B-23
3.4 Chetco Sediment Transport B-24
3.5 Ocean Disposal Site B-24
LITERATURE CITED B-27
LIST OF TABLES
Table
B-l Dredging Volumes at Chetco B-6
B-2 Chetco Offshore Sediment Samples B-8
B-3 Chetco River Entrance Samples B-9
B-4 Important Characteristics of the Study Area B-17
B-5 Surf/Shoal Zone Depths B-22
B-6 Sources and Losses of Littoral Sediments B-23
-------
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure Page
B-l Littoral Cell Location Map B-2
B-2 Watershed Geology B-4
B-3 Entrance Shoals and Offshore Sample Locations B-7
B-4 Sidescan Sonar Survey B-ll
B-5 Seismic Profiles B-12
B-6 Oregon Coastal Circulation B-15
B-7 Seasonal Wave Climate B-16
B-8 Local Processes B-18
B-9 Current Data at Chetco B-20
B-10 Wave Data at Chetco B-21
B-ll Chetco Littoral System B-25
B-12 Sediment Transport at.Chetco B-26
-------
APPENDIX B
GEOLOGIC RESOURCE, OCEANOGRAPHIC PROCESSES,
AND SEDIMENT TRANSPORT OF THE CHETCO ZSF
GEOLOGICAL RESOURCES
Regional Setting
1.1 The Chetco River empties into the Pacific Ocean about 300 miles south of the
mouth of the Columbia River. It lies within the Cape Ferrelo littoral cell, which extends
for approximately 40 km from Cape Ferrelo in the north to Point St. George in the south
(Figure B-l). The Chetco River has one of the smallest estuaries on the Oregon coast
(Percy et al. 1974). The watershed lies entirely within the Klamath Mountains.
Immediately north of the mouth of the Chetco are cliffs and sea stacks. To the north of
the river mouth, the coastline is elevated with nigged bluffs rising above narrow beaches,
with numerous islands and stacks. To the south, broad beaches rise rapidly to raised
marine terraces and low inland hills. No sand dunes of consequence are found in this
area. From the mouth of the river to about river mile eight (RM 8), the valley consists
of an alluvial plain varying between 1/2 and 1/4 mile wide (USAGE 1975). The
continental shelf extends about 25 km out from the mouth of the Chetco. The shelf and
slope are characterized by a series of flat terraces or benches (Byrne 1963). Sand covers
the bottom for a distance of about 2 km out from the shore. After a thin zone of mixed
sand and mud, the bed is blanketed by a thin layer of mud. This mud layer is usually
less than 10 cm thick off the Rogue river to the north (Kulm 1977).
1.1.1 The Chetco ZSF is within the Brookings subcell of the Crook Pt. littoral cell.
The coastline bordering the littoral cell consists of about 6 miles of rugged cliffs and
pocket beaches from Cape Ferrelo down to Brookings, 8 miles of broad beaches fronting
raised marine terraces to the mouth of the Smith River, and 12 miles of prograding
shoreline south to Pt. St. George (Beaulieu et al. 1974, Peterson, pers. com. 1986).
Regional Geology
1.2 The Chetco River is, after the Rogue, the major stream draining the western
Klamath Mountains in Oregon. The Klamaths are made of Mesozoic marine sediments
and igneous rocks that have been folded, faulted and subjected to varying degrees of
metamorphism, and Tertiary igneous intrusives. The tectonic history of the Klamath
mountains is complex, with several episodes of folding and faulting, which have
continued up to the present. Parts of the Klamaths have been subjected to tectonic
events since the late Jurassic. The late Cretaceous and early Cenozoic was a time of
quiescence, but since the end of the Eocene, faulting and uplift have affected the area
(Baldwin 1981, Baldwin and Beaulieu 1973, Dott 1971).
1.2.1 The Chetco River flows mainly through rocks of the Dothan Formation, which
consists of rhythmically bedded sandstone, siltstone, some conglomerates and bedded
B-l
-------
Hoh Head
Pt. Grenville
Tillamook Head
Cape Falcon
Cape Meares
Cape Lookout
Cascade Head
Government Pt
f squina Head
Cape Perpetua
Heceta Head
Cape Arago
Cape Blanco
Port Orford
Humbug Ml.
Cape Sebastian
Crook Point
Brookmgs
Pt. St George
Midway Point
Patricks Point
False Rock
126
124
122
120
Figure B-l
Littoral Cell Location Map
B-2
-------
cherts, and volcanics (Figure B-2). The Dothan formation was deposited along the
continental margin during the late Jurassic (Baldwin and Beaulieu 1973). Other
formations within the Chetco's drainage basin are the Colebrook Schist, Gneissic rocks,
peridotite and serpentinite of Jurassic age, and dacitic intrusions from the Tertiary. The
coastline, from just north of the California border up to about Whalehead Island, is
bordered by the Dothan formation. The next five miles are made of the Jurassic Otter
Point Formation, with the final distance up to Crook Point consisting of the Cretaceous
Hunter Cove Formation and some Quaternary deposits. Southward from the California
border to the southern terminus of the cell the shoreline is a prograding beach (Dott
1971).
1.2.2 The region is currently undergoing tectonic uplift, but that has been surpassed by
the post Pleistocene rise in sea level. During the Pleistocene glaciations, the massive
amount of water stored in the glaciers caused a drop in sea level. The end of the Ice
Age and the melting of the glaciers resulted in a global sea level rise of 125 m (Curry
1965). Fluctuating sea level, in conjunction with 'tectonic uplift of the Klamaths, led to
the formation of several raised marine terraces as well as the incision of valleys to below
the present sea level. Near Brookings, the raised terraces are about 80 m above sea
level. The rise in sea level "drowned" the river and stream valleys that had been incised
in the Coast Range and coastal plain. This produced the large coastal estuaries and
allowed the development of the alluvial plains bordering the lower reaches of the Chetc'o
River.
1.2.3 The sand deposits that cover the nearshore sea bed were delivered by streams
that eroded rocks in the coastal mountains, and by the sea attacking both bedrock and
marine deposits left over from previous high stands of the sea. An undetermined
amount of bedload material is currently escaping through the estuaries and eroding from
the shoreline. Fine silts and clays supplied by these sources are removed or prevented
from settling out in the nearshore zone by the high wave energy, leaving fine sand
covering the sea bed for a distance of several kilometers offshore.
Economic Geology
1.3 The Chetco River and its tributaries flow through bedrock containing mineralized
zones, and has several reaches containing gold placer deposits. Despite this, no large
concentrations of black sands have been identified close to the mouth of the river. The
closest deposit is seven miles to the north and has a heavy mineral concentration of 10-
30 percent (Grey and Kulm 1985). Minerals of primary interest in black sands are gold,
platinum, and chromite, but the sands also contain numerous other heavy minerals
(Ramp 1973). The offshore deposits north of the Chetco are not currently being mined.
Offshore gravel deposits elsewhere along the Oregon coast have been considered as
potential sources of aggregate. While individual samples of gravel were found within the
ZSF, no large deposits have been found close to the mouth of the Chetco river. While
there have been several attempts to find oil and gas along the Oregon coast, no test well
has turned up more than traces of either. No test well off the Oregon coast had been
drilled south of Cape Blanco as of 1985.
B-3
-------
GEOLOGY OF THE CHETCO RIVER WATERSHED
LEGEND
Qaoternory
Cap* Fmrato
Beach Dune ft Alluvial Sand
Tentiory
Docile Dikes 8 Sills
Cretaceous
Hunter Cove Forwotlon
Cope Sebastian Sandstone
Juno* tic
Otter Point Formation
Dothan Formation
Undifferentiated
Mocklyn Member
Colbrook Schist
Igneous ft Metamorphosed
Penidottte
* + *»
+ + * +
»**
'XXXX/I
Pt 8t O«ora«
Figure B-2
Watershed Geology
Meto^Volconics
SerpentiMte
Gobrolc Dikes
Non-Elliptoidol Vol-
comet
Pillow Lovo
B4
-------
Sediment Sources
1.4 There are three external sources for sediment in the littoral cell. These are input
from fluvial sources, dredging, and coastal erosion.
1.4.1 The Chetco estuary has a hydrographic ratio (HR) of about 1. It is therefore very
fluvially dominated and, thus, most of its bedload sediment will be transported into the
ocean (Peterson, pers com 1986). The HR is discussed more fully under Local
Processes.
1.4.2 Two other rivers enter the littoral cell, the Winchuck River, a few miles south of
the Chetco, and the Smith River, which is in California. The Winchuck has a mean
discharge of under 90 cfs, so is at best a very minor contributor of sediment. The Smith
River, on the other hand, is larger than the Chetco and also has a HR of about 1.
Mineralogical studies have shown that the Smith and Chetco Rivers are the major
sediment sources for the littoral cell.
1.43 A second source of sediment is coastal erosion. Runge (1966) estimated 780,000
cy of material were added annually by erosion along the coast of Oregon. Studies
providing information on specific rates of erosion and material contribution are not
available. The National Shoreline Study (COE 1971) identified the coastline north of
Brookings up to Cape Ferrelo as being subjected to critical erosion, and up to Crook
Point to "non-critical erosion." The Beach and Dunes of the Oregon Coast report
(USDA and OCCDC 1975) agrees in general with the shoreline survey, but shows little
erosion between Cape Ferrelo and Crook Point. In neither study was any data given on
erosion rates. The portion of the littoral cell experiencing critical erosion is prone to
landsliding. The largest landslide is the Hooskanaden slide. These slides move slowly
and intermittently, their rate increased by heavy rainfall and the removal of their toes by
wave action. The slides are continuous sources of sediment for the littoral zone. South
of Brookings, the beaches and terrace faces are stable, and may show some signs of
progradation (Stembridge 1976). At best, this stretch of the coast has little effect on the
sediment budget. The progradational beaches south of the Smith River mouth are a net
sediment sink. They take a large, though undetermined, percentage of the material
contributed by the Smith River.
1.4.4 In the Cape Ferrelo littoral cell, the only offshore disposal of dredged material
occurs off the mouth of the Chetco River. The type of dredged material depends on
both the location and hydrologic conditions. Dredging during or just after high flows is
more likely to pick up fluvial sediments than dredging done during periods of low flow,
when marine sediments have intruded into the mouth. The further upstream dredging is
done, the more likely it is that fluvial sediments will be encountered. Since the Chetco
River has a HR of less than 1, nearly all the sediment load should eventually be carried
out into the ocean. This means that the net contribution of dredging to the sediment
budget is much smaller than the amount of material disposed of offshore.
1.4.5 Dredging of the entrance of the Chetco River began in 1963. The current
offshore disposal site was designated in 1977. Between 1976 and 1985, the average
dredging volume was 47,800 cy, with maximum and minimum quantities of 76,300 and
7,800 cy, respectively (Table B-l).
B-5
-------
Table B-l
Dredging Volumes at Chetco
Year Cubic Yards (C.Y.^
1976 60,100
1977 7,800
1978 56,750
1979 44,230
1980 54,300
1981 76,300
1982 52,556
1983 59,715
1984 31,874
1985 35,045
10-Year Average 47,792
Includes both Corps and contract hopper dredging.
The authorized project provides for an entrance channel 120 feet wide and 14 feet deep,
a barge turning basin 250 feet wide, 650 feet long and 14 feed deep, and a small boat
access channel 100 feet wide and 12 feet deep. Shoaling occurs off the end of the north
jetty between RM 0 and RM-0.2, and at the entrance to the boat basin between RM 0.1
and RM 0.3 (Figure B-3). Dredging is done between April and October.
1.4.6 In determining the importance of the various potential sources, the mineral
assemblages of the sediments and the sources can be useful. In the case of the Cape
Ferrelo cell, three different mineral abundance ratios have been used to define the cell.
The littoral sands have a high ratio of orthopyroxene to clinopyroxeen (2.5:1), a subequal
ratio of pyroxene to amphibole (0.5:1), and a high ratio of metamorphic amphibole to
hornblend (2:1). In addition, there are significant amounts of olivine (15 percent). The
two major rivers (Chetco and Smith) that enter the littoral cell have heavy mineral
assemblages that correlate with that of the littoral sands. This shows that the majority of
the sediment is fluvially derived (Chesser and Peterson 1987, Peterson, pers. com. 1986).
1.4.7 The seabed in the ZSF is covered by a wide variety of material. The most recent
sampling showed that mean grain size varies from as fine as 0.05 mm in deep water to
18.0 mm close to the nearshore side of the designated disposal site. The one sample
taken within the designated disposal site had a mean grain size of 0.25 mm (Table B-2).
A scarcity of samples and unsystematic placement of sampling sites prevents the
determination of sediment distribution patterns from the samples.
1.4.8 There is also a wide variety of grain sizes in the sediments from shoals that are
dredged in the Chetco River entrance. The entrance to the boat basin had the finest
material sampled with a median grain size of 0.3 mm. The coarsest material (median
grain size 7 mm) was found at the inner shoal, between the entrance to the boat basin
and the end of the jetties, and is classified as silty, sandy gravel. The outer shoal is
composed of coarse sand similar to that found on nearby beaches. Comparison of
B-6
-------
!
Disposal Site
N
Pacific Ocean
Chetco-Siuslaw Estuaries Dredge Scheduling Study
Surface Sediments and Shoal Areas
Mean Grain. Size ' in millimeters, {C of E, 1971}
Mean Grain Size in millimeters, {Montacne-Bierly Assoc,, Coi
Historic Shoaling Areas
o
Figure B-3
Entrance Shoals and Offshore Sample Locations
B-7
-------
Table B-2
Chetco Offshore Sediment Samples
Date
8 May 1978
17 Aug 1984
16 July 1985
Sample
1-a
1-b
2-a
2-b
4-a
4-b
5-a
5-b
002
005
006
008
c-1
c-6
c-12
c-13
c-24
c-30
c-37
c-38
(mm) D5Q D90 % fines depth
8.51
11.08
1.66
2.39
0.19
0.2
0.31
0.33
7.46
0.28
0.18
0.11
18.0
18.8
0.24
0.06
0.05
0.77
0.15
0.14
10
14
1.4
1.2
0.19
0.20
0.32
0.33
8.88
0.26
0.17
0.125
18.4
21.1
0.23
0.08
0.08
0.76
0.16
0.14
26
25
12
41
0.30
0.28
0.59
0.59
22
0.35
0.32
0.17
39.4
36.8
0.57
0.19
0.14
4.76
0.26
0.25
0
0
0
0
3
2
1
0
2
0
2
12
0
0
1
42
41
1
7
9
50
50
69
69
76
76
44
44
74
20
45
105
60
60
72
90
96
102
72
54
Note: Mean grain size (Mz) calculated using Folk and Ward's (1954) parameters.
Grain size given in millimeters.
B-8
-------
samples taken in 1974 and in 1981 showed consistency in median grain size for each
shoal, but distribution of sizes within each sample varied considerably, as shown by the
differences in mean grain size (Table B-3). The difference was most extreme for the
inner shoal, which had a large percentage of fines in 1981 but not in 1974. The outer
shoal was more poorly sorted in 1974 than 1981, and had slightly more coarse material.
Without more sampling, it is not possible to evaluate how close the samples are to the
average or extremes of the dredged sediments. The sediments of the inner shoal appear
to be primarily fluvial in origin, transported during winter and spring freshets. The outer
shoal is made of littoral sand, perhaps including sand that had been transported beyond
the jetties and injected into the littoral system. The extent of intrusion of littoral
sediments into the estuary and ejection of fluvial sediments out of the river mouth is
controlled by the river discharge. High discharge pushes fluvial sediments out, while low
discharge allows littoral sands to move upstream.
Table B-3
Chetco River Entrance Samples
Sample Location D5Q Mz D90 % fines
1971
1 St.12 0.295 0.27 0.64 2
2 St. 9 0.84 0.80 10.4 2
1972
1 Out. shoal 6.0 4.23 10.9 1
1974
1 Buoy 9 6.9 5.66 23.0 0
2 End N jetty 0.74 0.84 6.4 1
1976
1 Buoy 9 0.60 0.77 10.0 4
1981
1 Buoy 9 6.0 1.74 23.0 20
2 End N jetty 0.71 0.69 1.5 0
Note: Grain size given in millimeters.
Conditions in the ZSF
1.5 The headlands, cliffs, stacks and the rocky, submarine outcrops in the Chetco
Cove area are part of the Dothan Formation of Late Jurassic time. The Dothan
Formation consists of thin to thick, hard, bedded sandstone and mudstone with minor
amounts of volcanic rock (greenstone), chert and conglomerate. These were deposited in
continental slope and deep ocean floor environments shoreward of the island arc that is
represented by the Otter Point Formation (Beaulieu and Hughes 1976). The Dothan
B-9
-------
formation is separated from the more highly deformed Otter Point Formation to the
west by the Carpenterville shear Zone (Dott 1971). The Carpenterville Shear Zone is a
zone of thrusting, along which the Otter Point Formation moved relatively eastward
beneath the Dothan Formation in Late Jurassic or Cretaceous time. This shear zone lies
at least two miles west of the Chetco study area and is considered to be inactive
(Beaulieu and other 1976). Very little is known about the bedrock structure adjacent to
the Chetco study area. No faults have been mapped or projected into the study area
(USAGE 1986).
1.5.1 The topography of the sea bed in the ZSF is highly irregular. There are rock
pinnacles both in the northwest part of the surveyed area and along the east and
southern sides of the designated disposal site, as well as scattered outcrops throughout
the area. The bed directly west of the Chetco river mouth is relatively smooth down to a
depth of at least 78 feet. The slope there is about 15.6/1000, but such regularity is the
exception within the ZSF. In general, the contours arc, forming an embayment opening
toward the southwest.
1.5.2 The quantities of material disposed at the designated disposal site have not
created a noticeable mound. Bathymetric surveys made in 1984 and 1985 showed no
change in the bed topography. However, in the northeastern part of the site, the border
between the zones designated in the seismic survey as "sand/silt" and "scattered rock
exposures" is marked by higher ground on the "sand/silt" side. This indicates a
somewhat thicker sediment layer in the "sand/silt" zone.
1.5.3 Though the bathymetric surveys are unable to give a detailed picture of the
surface of the disposal site, inspection by divers in 1978 gave some idea of the small
scale topography of the bed both within and outside the site. Shortly after a dump, the
bed was found to be covered with rolling, non-oriented mounds with a relief of about
one to two feet, and an unstable substrate. In areas unaffected by dredging, the sandy
bottom appeared to be flat with ripples one to three inches apart. Where no sediment
covered the bed, the rolling, rocky substrate featured shelves and ledges two to four feet
high, crevices and depressions (USAGE 1978). No followup survey was done to see how
the mounds of disposal material were modified through time.
1.5.4 Figure B-4 shows the results of the July 1985 sidescan sonar survey of the Chetco
ZSF. The ZSF contains a wide variety of bottom conditions and materials. Generally,
this area can be segregated into scattered rock exposures and massive rock outcrops in
the south, east and northeast, and more or less continuous sediment covering the north,
center and southwest. What was interpreted as "sand-silt" covered all of the latter
section except for a portion of the center where there is "coarse sand or gravel." Bottom
sampling confirmed the "coarse sand or gravel" as being that, while the "sand/silt" fell
clearly into the range of sand.
1.5.5 Three subsurface seismic profiles were made in an east west direction (see Figure
B-5). They show the unconsolidated sediment cover ranging from 4 to 46 feet thick, with
exposed or near surface rock in places. Profile 1 is in the south. It begins in the east
with very thin sediment cover and exposed mounds of bedrock. From mark 216
westward, the sediment layer gradually increases to a maximum thickness of 46 feet
Profile 2 transects the disposal site. It goes from exposed rock in the east through a
B-10
-------
2
O
-------
WEST
EAST
'0 417 «S5 IZSO 1667 2063 2SOO 2947 3333 S75O 4187 4CiS 8OOO 8417 58S3
DISTANCE tN FEET
WEST
MARK 72 73
ov
III
W
k.
5 s
5 M
< °
hi "
d K
74 75
76
2
77
76
79 BO «l
Sediment
Rock
EAST
«2 63
O
Ul
III
ta.
4 *
O
S £
o w
417 633 IZSO I66T £O63 29OO MIT 3333 9790 4167 4663 3OOO"
DISTANCE IN FEET
NOTEl
BEDROCK CONSISTS
OOTHAN fOKMATION-
SANOSTONE AND SI
STOKE WITH MINOR
CREENSTOME AND Cl
(LATE JURASSIC).
WEST
MARK 134 199 ISC 137 136
EAST
U
111
o
o-
" ^
Ml ~
"S» 140 14.1
I4S
Sediment
Rock
>0
2 ^
o ta.
-2 ««»
417 133 1250 IS 67 2063 2SCC 2917 S33S 3730 4I«7 4»'63n
DISTANCE IN FEET
Figure B-5
Seismic Profiles
CHETCO RIVER
PROFILE
ELEVATION DATUM IS I
FROM FATHOMETER RE
CORDIN6S.
LOCATION BY PORTLAI
DISTRICT, COE.
B-12
-------
wedge of sediment that thickens to about 15 feet, which is maintained through the
disposal area until abruptly pinching out at the west end. The third profile shows 15 to
25 feet of sediment for 2/3 of the way from east to west, with rocks poking up in several
places in the western third. The bedrock surface is irregular with pinnacles protruding
through the covering in numerous places.
B-13
-------
QCEANOGRAPHIC PROCESSES
Coastal Circulation
2.1 Coastal circulation near the Chetco ZSF is directly influenced by large-scale
regional currents and weather patterns in the northwestern Pacific Ocean. Seasonal and
short period currents due to regional weather patterns are more important at Chetco
than farther north. Strub et al. (1987) describe a transition in oceanographic regimes
near the latitude of Chetco. During winter, strong low pressure systems with winds and
waves predominantly from the southwest contribute to strong northward currents.
During the summer, high pressure systems dominate and waves and winds are commonly
from the north. In both seasons, there are fluctuations related to local wind, tidal and
bathymetric effects. The configuration of the coastline minimizes the effects of southerly
waves in the summer at Chetco. Along the southern Oregon coast, this southerly wind in
summer creates a mass transport of water offshore which results in upwelling of bottom
water nearshore. Figure B-6 illustrates these influences at Chetco.
Ocean Waves and Tide
2.2 Ocean waves arriving at Chetco are generated by distant storms and by local
winds. Distant storms produce waves that arrive at the coast as swells which are fairly
uniform in height, period and direction. Local winds produce seas which contain a
mixture of wave heights, periods and directions. Generally, local seas have higher waves
and shorter periods than incoming swell. Waves generated by local winds, i.e., seas,
generally approach the coastline from the SW to S sectors during autumn and winter, but
from the N to NW sectors in spring and summer. The longer period swells generated by
more distant storms approach generally from the NW to W or W to SW sectors. Local
storms are considered to generate higher waves than swell with the highest waves always
occurring during the winter and approaching from the SW to S sectors. The shortest sea
and swell periods occur during the summer. Longest period swell generally occurs
during autumn while longest period seas occur during winter. Figure B-7 illustrates the
variability in monthly significant wave height. Wave hindcasts, (WES), are plotted in
Figure B-7 for comparison with the Yaquina ten-year monthly average and Coquille 1985
monthly average. Chetco 1985 monitoring data are plotted as an average in Figure B-7
and in detail on Figure B-10.
2.2.1 Superimposed upon the slowly-varying regional or seasonal circulation are
periodic currents due to the tides, which are very important nearshore. Tidal currents
are rotary currents that change direction following the period of the tide. Thus, the tidal
currents generally flood and ebb twice daily. Direction and speed of nearshore tidal
currents is highly variable. Tidal current speeds have been measured at lightships along
the Pacific coast and reported by NOAA (1986). Hancock et al. (1984), Nelson et al.
(1984) and Sollitt et al. (1984) summarize current meter data offshore from Coos Bay
between May 1979 and March 1983. These reports substantiate the influence of tides on
nearshore bottom currents. Bottom current records were found to be dominated by tidal
influence with the maximum velocities associated with tides, including spring tide effects.
B-14
-------
SUMMER CIRCULATION
NORTH
WINTER CIRCULATION
Figure B-6
Oregon Coastal Circulation
B-15
-------
K>
CO
en
o
o
o
o
bl
X
u
CO
X
to
K
I
o
<
D
1H013H
Figure B-7
Seasonal Wave Climate
B-16
-------
These tidal influences were additive to currents produced by surface waves and winds.
One station closest to the estuary was noticeably affected by the ebb current.
Local Processes
2.3 The Chetco ocean disposal site is within 1 mile of the estuary entrance. Boggs
and Jones (1976) work on the Sixes estuary illustrates the varying influence of tidal and
river forces. The Chetco is similar to the Sixes in that both are strongly influenced by
river discharge, especially in winter months when net transport is seaward under high
riverflow. By contrast, during summer, low riverflow net transport is into the estuary.
This constant, but seasonally varying, river outflow combines with tidal flows to produce
a highly variable influence on the nearshore circulation. In the estuarine part of the
river, the ebbing tide adds to the normal river discharge to produce a net ebb
dominance. The Sixes shows little or no longterm accumulation of fine sediments in the
estuary and net bypassing of sand-size sediments into the ocean. This should also be
true of the Chetco. Figure B-8 illustrates these local processes.
2.3.1 The Chetco estuary is very small, having a surface area of about 140 acres (Percy
and others 1974). The mean diurnal tidal prism is 29 x 10 cu. ft. (Table B-4). The
Chetco River is 58 miles long and drains an area of 359 sq. mi. Mean annual discharge.
is 1,685 cfs, with the greatest flow in February, averaging 4000 cfs, and low flow in
September of about 130 cfs. The mean annual discharge for a 6-hour period is 3.67 x 10
cu. ft. Peterson et al. (1984) use the hydrographic ratio (HR) to compare the tidal prism
with the river discharge for the-same six-hour period. The tidal prism is estimated as the
volume of water brought into the estuary by each flood tide. The six-hour river
discharge is estimated from the annual average discharge. The higher the HR, the more
tidally dominated the estuary. During summer low overflows, the HR for the Chetco is
over 10. For the average annual riverflow, the HR is less than 1. On an annual basis,
bedload sediment is probably discharged to the ocean at Chetco (Peterson, personal
communication).
Table B-4
Important Characteristics of the Study Area
Project
Chetco
Drainage
Basin Area
Sq. Miles
(A)
359
Estuarine
Tidal Prism
Cu. Ft. 106
(P)
29
Avg. River HR
Discharge Hydro Maximum
Cu. Ft/Sec Ratio Discharge
(D) (P/6D)
1,700
66000
Note: 6D is the volume of discharge for a 6-hour period; the numbers are from Percy
et al. (1974) and Johnson (1972).
B-17
-------
STREAMBANK
EROSlO
/>:;.*M iv.
Wi^
LOCAL PROCESSES
HEADLAND
Figure B-8
Local Processes
B-18
-------
Site Monitoring
2.4 Current meters were deployed near the Chetco ocean disposal site in 1985. The
meters were attached to moorings at depths from 72 to 78 feet. Bottom current records
were obtained from April 13-27 and from July 14-28, 1985. These periods were picked
to represent typical winter and summer conditions. Figure B-9 illustrates the daily
average bottom current speed and direction for the summer record. In this current rose,
each bar represents the direction the current is moving. The length of the bar represents
the percent of occurrence of the cuuent in that direction and the width of the bar
represents the range of velocity.
2.4.1 Wave records near the ocean disposal site were obtained from April 14-27 and
from July 14-28, 1985. Significant wave heights were computed for these six-month
periods as shown in Figure B-10. The short period records were analyzed for directional
wave spectra as well as the period and significant height. The wave and current data
with grain size and depth were used to compute a predicted sediment transport rate and
direction for the period.
2.4.2 Detailed current measurements have been obtained from other similarly situated
Oregon nearshore dredge material disposal sites. The most thorough study has been
conducted at Coos Bay, Oregon. Seasonal measurements made over two-week periods
showed currents at the 25-m-deep disposal site averaged between 20 and 30 cm/s at one-
third the water depth during the summer and between 30 and 60 cm/s during the winter
and spring. Near-bottom currents were generally between 10 and 20 cm/s with
downslope flow components predominating over upslope components. Near-bottom
waters exhibited downslope movement to depths in excess of 40 m during the summer
and deeper than 70 m during the winter. Similar conditions are expected to exist at the
interim Chetco disposal site since both sites are in similar depth regimes.
B-19
-------
270°
-------
AVE DAILY SIGNIFICANT WAVE HEIGHT
UJ
I-
X
<9
LJ
20
19
16
17
16
IS
14
13
12
11
10
9
6
7
6
5
4
3
2
AT CHCTCO APRIL 1985
14
24
26
AVE DAILY SIGNIFICANT WAVE HEIGHT
ill
u
u.
O
w
20-
19-
18'
17-
16-
15'
14
13'
12
II '
10
o
8
7
6
5-
4
3
2
I
0
AT CHETCO JULY 1985
17 19 21
Figure B-10
Wave Data at Chetco
23
25
27
B-21
-------
SEDIMENT TRANSPORT
The Littoral System
3.1 Introduction. At the Chetco dredging project, offshore disposal sites must be
located to keep dredged material in the active littoral zone for downdrift beach
nourishment and to prevent the dredged material from returning to the entrance
channel. This requires knowledge of the direction and rate of longshore transport as
well as offshore transport. Previous sections contained discussions of geologic factors and
the oceanographic environment which affect sediment transport. This section will
contain a discussion of this information as it applies to the littoral system and sediment
movement at the Chetco disposal site.
3.1.1 Sediment movement in the littoral zone consists of two mechanisms depending
upon the size of the sediment. Anything finer than sand size is carried in suspension in
the water and is relatively quickly removed far offshore. The almost total lack of silts
and clays within the Chetco ZSF attests to the efficiency of this mechanism. Sediments
sand size or coarser may be occasionally suspended by wave action near the bottom, and
are moved by bottom currents or directly as bedload. Tidal, wind and wave forces
contribute to generating bottom currents which act in relation to the sediment grain size
and water depth to produce sediment transport.
3.1.2 Hallermeier (1981) defined two zones of sand transport based on wave conditions.
The inner littoral zone is the area of significant year-round alongshore and onshore-
offshore transport by breaking waves. The outer shoal zone is affected by wave
conditions regularly enough to cause significant onshore-offshore transport. Using
Hallermeier (1981) and longterm wave data from Newport (Creech 1981), the following
table was derived for sand transport off Oregon.
Table B-5
Surf/Shoal Zone Depths
Littoral (Surf Zone^ Offshore (Shoal Zone^
Summer 0-28 Feet 28-83 Feet
Winter 0-51 Feet 51-268 Feet
Annual 0-44 Feet 44-142 Feet
Depth-Limited Transport
3.2 Hancock et al. (1984) calculated the probability for wave-induced current
velocities at various depths off Coos Bay. From other studies, a critical velocity of 20
cm/sec has been shown necessary to erode sediment in the 0.2 mm sand size, common
off Chetco and Coos Bay. In general, the probability of wave-induced sand movement is
very small beyond a depth of about 150 feet. Various sedimentologic studies have
B-22
-------
suggested an offshore limit of modern sand movement at the 60-foot depth, while others
push this limit out to over 100 feet. Recent work suggests that this offshore limit can be
better defined for specific areas. Work on this is in progress (Peterson, personal
communication).
Chetco Littoral Cell
3.3 Figure B-2 shows the Cape Ferrelo Littoral Cell which extends approximately 40
km north from Point St. George to Cape Ferrelo and contains the Chetco, Winchuck and
Smith Rivers. Sandy beaches extend over 20 km south from the Smith River and about
8 km south from the Chetco River. Seacliffs and terraces, with scattered pocket beaches,
make up the remainder of the shoreline. Based on comparison of tidal and river
discharge, it appears that both the Chetco and Smith Rivers are presently contributing
sediments to the littoral cell. The quantity of sediment carried by the Smith River has
resulted in a progradational shoreline. Heavy mineral assemblages of the rivers (Kulm
et al. 1968) correlate with the littoral sand mineralogies within the littoral cell (Peterson,
personal communication). This indicates that the primary source of sand within the cell
is riverine. Less is known about shoreline source contributions, although the
progradational nature of the Smith River area would indicate little shoreline retreat in
this area. There are indications that little or no sediment is bypassed at the southern
headland, while the northern boundary is less distinct (Peterson, personal
communication).
Table B-6 identifies the possible sources and losses of littoral sediments in the littoral
cell:
Table B-6
Sources and Losses of Littoral Sediments
Sources
1. Rivers
Chetco
Smith
2. Erosion
Dunes
Terraces
Seacliffs
Losses
1. Estuaries
2. Dune Growth
3. Headland Bypass
4. Offshore Transport
5. Ocean Disposal
3. Headland Bypassing
4. Onshore Transport
B-23
-------
Chetco Sediment Transport
3.4 As shown by Figure B-12, the rocky headlands north of the Chetco disposal site
limits wave approach from the north and the seaward extension of Point St. George
limits southerly waves. LEO observations support net nearshore transport to the south
as does the extension of the shoreline between the Smith River and Point St. George.
From previous studies, there is estimated to be a potential for up to 370,000 cubic yards
of sand and gravel discharged by the Chetco annually, of which less than 100,000 cubic
yards is sand sized. LEO data indicates most or all of this material is transported
southward. The thinness of the sediment cover shown by geophysical mapping may
support this.
3.4.1 Figure B-ll is a generalized description of seasonal sediment transport in the
Chetco ZSF using available information. The bathymetry and sediments are complex
offshore, influencing any theoretical predictions. From both Hallermeier (1981) and
observed currents and sediment mineralogy, the zone of active bottom sediment
movement probably extends to almost -150 feet. The area where longshore currents
predominate is shoreward of about - 60 feet. The summer current records indicate
southerly transport with both onshore and offshore components. During the winter
storms, the Chetco River discharges sands and gravels in the nearshore. As overflow
drops, some of the gravels accumulate to form an inner channel shoal while the finer
sands accumulate in the nearshore next to the south jetty. There is no longterm
sediment accumulation offshore of Chetco as indicated by the thinness of the sediment
layer. During the summer, there is a net southward transport of the sand-size sediment.
Ocean Disposal Site
3.5 Chetco Point on the north protects the disposal site somewhat from northwesterly
storms. Offshore, there are large areas of bare rock or scattered rock exposures. There
is a relatively thin and discontinuous layer of fine sand and gravel with no distinctive
mounding or thickening related to river or disposal sediments. The highly irregular
offshore bathymetry also affects the rate and direction of bottom sediment movement.
There is no bathymetric evidence of past disposal. Disposing of 48,000 cubic yards
annually, as in the past, should cause no mounding problems in the future.
3.5.1 Bottom photographs from 1978 seem to distinguish fresh disposal material from
native sediments, but there is such a wide variety of bottom types and sediment types
that sediment compatibility should be no problem. Due to the diversity of bottom
sediment and small quantity of disposal, there is no need for a continuous monitoring
program. If disposal operations change or a potential impact is identified, further
bottom photography and sampling would be warranted.
B-24
-------
LITTORAL. SYSTEM AT CHETCO RIVER
NORTt
SOITTH BOUNDARY
Figure B-ll
Chctco Littoral System
B-25
-------
Figure B-12
Sediment Transport at Chetco
B-26
-------
LITERATURE CITED
Baldwin, E. M., 1981. Geology of Oregon. Kendall/Hunt, Debuque, Iowa. 170 pp.
Baldwin, E. M. and J.D. Beaulieu, 1973, Geology and Mineral Resources of Coos
County, Oregon: Oregon Dept. Geol. Min. Ind. Bull. 80. 82 pp.
Beaulieu J. D. and Hughes, 1976. Land Use Geology of Western Coos County, Oregon.
Oregon Dept. Geol. Min. Ind. Bull. 90. 148 pp.
Beaulieu, J, D., P.W. Hughes, and R.K. Mathiot, 1974. Geologic Hazards Inventory of
the Oregon Coastal Zone. Oregon Dept. Geol. Min. Ind. Misc. Paper 17. 94 pp.
Boggs, S. and C.A. Jones, 1976. Seasonal Reversal of Flood-tide Dominant sediment
Transport in a Small Oregon Estuary. Geol. Soc. Am. Bull. v87, pp 419-426.
Byrne, J. V. 1963. Geomorphology of the Oregon Continental Terrace south of Coos
Bay: Ore Bin v25 pp 149-157.
Chesser, S. A., and CD. Peterson, 1987. Littoral cells of the Pacific Northwest coast (in)
Kraus, N. C. (ed), Coastal Zone '87 Proceedings. ASCE New York, pp 1346-1360.
Creech, C., 1981. Nearshore wave climatology, Yaquina Bay, Oregon (1971-1981).
OSU Sea Grant Program Rep. ORESU-T-81-002; NOAA-82060305 submitted to
National Oceanic and Atmospherics Admin., Rockville, MD. Oregon State Univ.,
Corvallis, OR.
Dott, R. H. Jr., 1971. Geology of the Southwest Oregon Coast West of the 124th
Meridian: Oregon Dept. Geol. Mini Ind. Bull, 69, 63 pp.
Grey, J. J., and L.D. Kulm, 1985. Mineral Resources Map; Offshore Oregon: Oregon
Dept. Geol Min. Ind. Geol Map Series 37.
Hallermeier, R. J., 1981. Seaward Limit of Significant Sand Transport by Waves. CETA
81-2, USACE/CERC, 23 pp.
Hancock, D.R., P.O. Nelson, C.K. Sollitt, and K.J. Williamson, 1981. Coos Bay Offshore
Disposal Site Investigation Interim Report, Phase 1, February 1979-March 1980.
Report to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Portland District, Portland, OR, under
contract not DACW57-79.C0040, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR.
Johnson, J.W., 1972. Tidal Inlets on the California, Oregon and Washington Coasts.
Hyd. Eng. Lab. Pub. HEL 24-12, UC Berkely, CA.
Kulm, LD., 1977. Coastal morphology and geology of the ocean bottom- the Oregon
region, (in) Draus, (ed.) Marine Plant Biomass of the Pacific Northwest Coast, pp
9-36.
B-27
-------
Kulm, L.D. K.F. Scheidegger, J.V. Byrne, and JJ. Spigai, 1968. A preliminary
investigation of the heavy mineral suites of the coastal rivers and beaches of
Oregon and Northern California. Ore Bin v30, pp 165-184.
Nelson, P.O., C.K, Sollitt, KJ. Williamson, and D.R. Hancock, 1983. Coos Bay Offshore
Disposal Site Investigation interim Report, Phase H-III, April 1980-June 1981.
Report to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Portland District, Portland, OR, under
contract no. DACW57-79-C0040, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR.
Percy, K.L., C. Sutterlin, D.A. Bella, P.C. Klingeman, 1974. Description and Information
Sources for Oregon Estuaries. Sea Grant/ Oregon State University, Corvallis,
OR. 294 pp.
Peterson, C.D., W. Scheidegger, W. Nem, and P.D. Komar, 1984. Sediment composition
and hydrography in 6 high gradient estuaries of the Northwest United States. Jour.
Sed. Pet. v56, pp 86-97.
Ramp, L., 1973. Metallic mineral resources, (in) E.M. Baldwin, and J.D. Beaulieu, (eds.)
Geology and Mineral Resources of Coos County, OR: Oregon Dept. GeoL Min.
Ind. Bull 80, pp 41-62.
Runge, EJ., 1966. Continental Shelf Sediments, Columbia River to Cape Blanco,
Oregon. Unpub. PhD thesis, Oregon State Univ. 143 pp.
Sollitt, C.K., P.O. Nelson, KJ. Williamson, and D.R. Hancock, 1984. Coos Bay Offshore
Disposal Site Investigation Final Report, Report to U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers, Portland District, Portland, OR, under contract no. DACW57-79-
C0040, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR.
Stembridge, J.E., 1976. Recent Shoreline Changes of the Oregon Coast: National
Technical Information Service (AD AO4 8436), Springfield, VA, 46 pp.
Stmb, P.T., J.S. Allen, A. Huyer, R.L. Smith, and R.C. Beardsley, 1987. Seasonal cycles
of currents, temperatures, winds and sea level over the Northeast Pacific
continental shelf; 35N to 48N: Journal of Geophysical Research, v92, n. c2, pp
1507-1526.
United States Army Corps of Engineers, North Pacific Division, 1971. National
Shoreline Study; Inventory Report Columbia North Pacific Region, Washington
and Oregon, 80 pp.
United States Army Corps of Engineers, Portland District, 1975. Chetco, Coquille and
Rogue Estuaries, Final Environmental Impact Statement. Portland, OR.
United States Army Corps of Engineers, Portland District, 1978. Chetco River Hopper
Dredge Scheduling Analysis. Portland, OR.
United States Army Corps of Engineers, Portland District, 1986, Geologic and Seismic
Investigations of Oregon Offshore Disposal Sites. Portland, OR.
B-28
.
-------
United States Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service and Oregon Coastal
Conservation and Development Commission, 1975. Beaches and Dunes of the
Oregon Coast. 141 pp.
B-29
-------
-------
, APPENDIX C
-------
-------
APPENDIX C
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Paragraph Page
1.1 General C-l
1.6 Current Study C-3
LITERATURE CITED C-13
LIST OF TABLES
C-l Physical Analysis of Chetco River Sediments C-7
C-2 Chemical Analysis of Chetco River Boat
Basin Sediments C-12
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure
C-l Columbia River Entrance Channel and ODMDS C-2
C-2 Coos Bay Sample Station Locations C-4
C-3 Coos Bay ODMDS: Recovery of Selected Sediment Chemical
Parameters at Disposal Site-Samples Containing Dredged
Material C-5
C-4 Sediment Sampling Stations at the Chetco ODMDS
and Dredging Site C-6
C-5 Gradation Curves, Chetco River Entrance Channel, 1974 C-8
C-6 Gradation Curves, Chetco River Entrance Channel, 1981 C-9
C-7 Gradation Curves, Chetco ODMDS, 1985 C-ll
-------
-------
APPENDIX C
SEDIMENT AND WATER QUALITY
General
1.1 General criterion (b) and specific factors 4, 9, and 10 of 40 CFR 228.5 and 228.6
require sediment and water quality evaluations indicative of both the dredging areas and
disposal sites. Dredged materials placed in interim-designated ODMDS along the
Oregon coast usually consist of medium to fine sands taken from entrance bar shoals and
deposited on slightly finer continental shelf sands. This is the case at Chetco with the
exception that some coarser sediments, including gravels, make up some of the disposed
sediments. Because of their coarse nature, similarity to ODMDS sediments, isolation
from known existing or historical contaminant sources, and the presence of strong
hydraulic regimes, the dredged materials are exempt from further testing according to
provisions of 40 CFR 227.13(b). Consistent with this EPA regulation, therefore, analyses
of Chetco sediments have been limited to physical variables. However, water and
sediment quality impacts associated with disposal of sands and silts at Oregon ODMDS
have been studied in detail at the two largest navigation projects, the Mouth of the
Columbia River (MCR) and Coos Bay, as described below.
1.2 The MCR project was one of the Aquatic Disposal Field Investigations conducted
as part of the Dredged Material Research Program (DMRP) in the mid-1970s (Boone et
al. 1978, Holton et al 1978). The DMRP was a nationwide program conducted by the
Corps of Engineers to evaluate environmental impacts of dredging and dredged material
disposal. The MCR studies included work at an experimental ODMDS, site G, located
south of the MCR channel at an average depth of 85 feet (Figure C-l). Following
baseline physical, chemical, and biological characterizations of the site, a test dumping
operation disposed of 600,000 cubic yards of medium to fine sands (median grain
diameter = 0.18 mm) during July - August 1975. Sediments at the disposal site were a
fine to very fine sand (median grain diameter = 0.11 - 0.15 mm).
13 Monitoring results indicated a mound of slightly coarser sediment within the site
that gradually mixed with ambient sediments and dissipated over several months. Water
quality monitoring during disposal showed no elevation of toxic heavy metals, including
Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb, with some nontoxic elevation of Fe and Mn. Nutrient fluctuations
were associated primarily with tidal variations, as were chlorophyll A and paniculate
organic carbon. Dissolved oxygen remained high throughout disposal operations.
Sediment quality remained high, with slight but nontoxic increases in Pb (from 2 to 4
mg/kg) and Hg (from 0.008 to 0.05 mg/kg) recorded before and after disposal at area G.
C-l
-------
20'
40*10*
.123'
Columbia River entrance channel and ODMOS, including experimen
disposal site G (From Boone et al. 1978).
Figure C-l
Columbia River Entrance Channel and ODMDS
C-2
-------
Oil & grease values in the sediments decreased slightly after disposal, while there were
no elevations in ammonia. The authors concluded that there were no adverse impacts in
terms of water/sediment quality or toxicity from disposal of MCR sands at area G. They
attributed fluctuations in tested variables primarily to sediment and suspended
participate input from the Columbia River, biological activity and processes, and
laboratory difficulties associated with repeated measurements close to analytical
detection limits.
1.4 An evaluation of areas offshore from Coos Bay was conducted under Corps
contract by Oregon State University researchers. This was done to designate a new
ODMDS for fine grain sediments from upper Coos Bay and Isthmus Slough (Hancock et
al. 1984, Nelson et al. 1984, Sollitt et al. 1984, U.S.A.C.E. Portland District 1984). The
program, conducted in five phases during 1980 - 1984, included baseline physical,
biological, and chemical surveys of offshore areas followed by selection of candidate sites
and a test dump/monitoring study at proposed site H (Figure C-2). This site was
subsequently designated by EPA as the final site for fine Coos Bay sediments (51 FR
29927 - 29931, dated 21 August 1986).
1.5 The dump/monitoring program at site H consisted of disposal of 60,000 cubic
yards of fine sediments from Isthmus Slough, accompanied by water quality and benthic
monitoring during disposal operations and followed by post-disposal monitoring of the
site and adjacent areas over the next 18 months. Elevations in ammonia, Cu, and Mn
were observed during disposal and in some cases approached acute toxicity thresholds.
However, these elevations were of short duration. No substantial elevations of other
contaminants or changes in dissolved oxygen, oxy-redox potential, turbidity, or pH were
observed. Sediments at the site showed elevated levels of volatile solids, fines, and heavy
metals that gradually decreased over the 18-month monitoring period (Figure C-3).
Total volatile solids level was found to be the most sensitive and reproducible indicator
of contaminants levels and its use was recommended as a monitoring tool to utilize
during further disposal operations at site H.
Current Study
1.6 Sediment samples from the channel of the Chetco Federal navigation project were
collected by COE, Portland District in June 1974 and February 1981. The Chetco
offshore disposal site was sampled in August 1985. Locations of these sampling stations
are shown in Figure C-4. Volatile solids in the channel sediments were slightly elevated
over those at the disposal site (Table C-l).
1.7 The grain size distribution curves for Chetco channel sediments show poorly
sorted sandy gravel in the portion of the channel that is actively dredged (Figures C-5
and C-6). The sample taken from the vicinity of Buoy 9 (RM 0.15) in 1981 was an
C-3
-------
OFFSHORE
AREA G
NEARSHORE
AREA F
Coos Bay sample station locations for chemical,
biological, and physical studies at interimdesignated and
candidate ODMDS (From U.S.A.C.E. Portland District 1984).
Figure C-2
Coos Bay Sample Station Locations
C-4
-------
(From SoHitt .
-------
Figure C-4
Sediment Sampling Stations at the Chetco ODMDS and Dredging Site
C-6
-------
Table C-l
Physical Analysis of Chetco River Sediments
Sample
Site
Date
silts
X volat He sot ids
1 end of north jetty 4 Jun 1974 0,0
2 near buoy #9 4 Jun 1974 0.0
1 end of north jetty 17 Feb 1981 0.0
2 near buoy #9 17 Feb 1981 20.0
C-l E. corner disposal site Jul 1985 0.0
C-12 middle disposal site Jul 1985 0.0
C-1J U. of disposal site Jul 1985 40.0
2.24
2.13
1 .29
7. 19
2.2
2.7
4.9
C-7
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Gradation Curves, Chetco River Entrance Channel, 1974
C-8
-------
i i
Figure C-6
Gradation Curves, Chetco River Entrance Channel, 1981
C-9
-------
exception, showing about 20 percent siltpresent. This is the Tier I threshold value at
which Portland District's tiered testing guidelines recommend chemical testing.
However, there is no historical evidence of pollution and disposal site sediments (Figure
C-7) generally have characteristics similar to those in the channel.
1.8 No chemical analysis of sediments that are presently ocean-disposed, or of
sediments at the ODMDS, has been completed. The federal project at Chetco, however,
does extend into the boat basin and chemical analyses have been performed on finer
sediments there (Table C-2). Disposal of these materials at the ODMDS would require
a separate evaluation, possibly including bioassay testing, according to 40 CFR 227.13(c)
and 22732. However, the COE has not dredged this part of the project since its
construction and is unlikely to do so in the foreseeable future. It is appropriate,
therefore, to designate the Chetco ODMDS based on projected disposal of main river
entrance channel sediments only.
C-10
-------
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Table C-7
Gradation Curves, Chetco ODMDS, 1985
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-------
Table C-2
Chemical Analysis of Chetco River Boat Basin Sediments
Samole *
2
4
Sample #
2
4
Saraole #
2
4
Site
turning basin entrance 6
upper end turning basin 6
As Cd Cr Cu
9 3 10 37
8 3 30 72
Chtordane 000 ODE
B.D. 6.0. 0.1
2 0.1 8.0.
Date
Apr 1982
Apr 1V82
Fe
9000
20000
0 i eldr i n
B.D.
0.1
X silts
69
38
Pb
<10
20
L i ndane
8.0.
0.1
X volati
not
not
Hn Ho
300 0.14
220 0.15
He t hoxvch I
B.O.
1.5
ie solids
measured
measured
Zn
41
65
or PCBs
1
5
{ i n ppm)
fin Dob)
.
(B.D. = Betow Detection Limits)
C-12
-------
LITERATURE CITED
Boone, C.G., M.A Granat, and M.P. Farrell. 1978. Aquatic disposal field investigations,
Columbia River disposal site, Oregon: Evaluative summary. DMRP Technical
Report D-77-30. Environmental Laboratory, U.S. Army Engineer Waterways
Experiment Station, Vicksburg, MS. 100 pp.
Fuhrer, G.J. 1984, Chemical analyses of elutriates, native water, and bottom material
from the Chetco, Rogue, and Columbia Rivers in western Oregon. Open-file
Report 84-133. U.S. Geological Survey, Portland, OR. 57 pp.
Hancock, D.R., P.O. Nelson, C.K. Sollitt, and K.J. Williamson. 1984. Coos Bay offshore
disposal site investigation, interim report, Phase I: Oregon State University
contract report. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Portland District, Portland, OR.
Holton, R.L, N.H. Cutshall, L.I. Gordon, and LF. Small. 1978. Aquatic disposal field
investigations, Columbia River disposal site, Oregon: Appendix B: Water
column, primary productivity and sediment studies. DMRP Technical Report D-
77-30. Environmental Laboratory, U.S. Army Engineer Waterways Experiment
Station, Vicksburg, MS. 53 pp. + appendices.
Nelson, P.O., C.K. Sollitt, KJ. Williamson, and D.R. Hancock. 1984. Coos Bay offshore
disposal site investigation, interim report, Phases II, III. Oregon State University
contract report. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Portland District, Portland, OR.
Sollitt, C.K., D.R. Hancock, and P.O. Nelson. 1984. Coos Bay offshore disposal site
investigation, final report, Phases IV, V. Oregon State University contract report.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Portland District, Portland, OR. 355 pp. +
appendices.
U.S.A.C.E. Portland District. 1984. Coos Bay offshore disposal site investigation,
summary. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Portland District, Portland, OR.
pp.
31
C-13
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, APPENDIX D
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APPENDIX D
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Paragraph Page
1.1 Recreational Use Areas D-l
1.6 Impacts of Disposal Operations D-l
1.10 Conclusion D-3
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure
D-l Recreational Use Areas D-2
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APPENDIX D
RECREATIONAL USES
Recreational Use Areas
1.1 The Chetco Bay area is popular with recreationists because of the spectacular
coastal scenery and excellent fishing opportunities both offshore and in the Chetco River.
The area is increasing in popularity as a small boat harbor and has excellent facilities for
the thousands of anglers who fish here annually. Figure D-l identifies the recreational
use areas located within the ZSF. Primary activities include fishing, camping and
sightseeing.
12 Sporthaven County Park is the only public park located within the ZSF. This
trailer park is located adjacent to the boat basin and is used primarily by fishermen.
Harris Beach State Park is located approximately 2 miles north of Brooidngs. This
facility is not within the ZSF but is close enough to the proposed site that it may
experience some impacts from disposal operations.
1.3 Easy access and good fishing opportunities make this one of the most popular
jetty fisheries along the Oregon Coast. The most popular season of use is April through
October. Perch and rockfish are popular from spring through summer followed by
salmon fishing beginning in the late summer and extending into early fall.
1.4 Some of the northwest coast's best offshore fishing is available off the mouth of
the Chetco River. Charter boat services are available year-round but are most popular
during salmon season from July through September. The remainder of the year, the
charter boats fish the nearby coastal reefs for bottom fish.
1.5 The rocky coastline of southern Oregon offers some unique recreational
opportunities not found along the northern beaches. Abalone are abundant around the
rocks and can be harvested during extremely low tides. The proximity of the rocks to the
shoreline also provide anglers the opportunity to fish for rockfish and bottom fish from
the shore. In addition, the area has some gravel pockets along the beach which are
reported to be good for digging littleneck clams.
Impacts of Disposal Operations
1.6 The disposal site identified on the map is located in a popular offshore fishing
area. Few conflicts are expected to occur between fishermen and dredge operations
because of the availability of alternate fishing sites. The displacement of fishing boats
D-l
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Brookings
SHORE FISHING
MAJOR SALMON FISHING
SPORTHAVEN COUNTY PARK
1000
Scale In Yards
I f . I
1000
Figure D-l
Recreational Use Areas
D-2
-------
from the dump site during disposal operations would be an inconvenience to fishermen
but does not pose a threat to any recreational activity.
1.7 Additional conflicts between disposal operations and recreationists could occur as
the dredging vessel is enroute to the disposal site. These conflicts could include time
delays for recreational boaters caused by the passing of the dredge, an increase in
navigation hazards during congested periods particularly at the mouth of the river, and
disruption of fishing activity as the dredge passed through popular fishing areas. None of
these conflicts pose a serious threat to recreational activity. The only serious threat is
the potential for collisions between recreational boaters and dredge traffic.
Confrontations of this nature are rare due to the slow speed at which the dredge moves.
The potential for collisions can be expected to remain low unless there is a significant
change in operating procedures.
1.8 When dredge material is deposited at the disposal site, the surrounding water
conditions will deteriorate. This will result in a reduced visual quality of the area and
could possibly disrupt the feeding patterns of sport fish. Both of these situations would
be temporary and normal conditions would return as soon as the sediment had settled.
1.9 Sediment deposition along the beach is another possible consequence of disposal
operations. If the slope of the beach is altered significantly, it could impact local clam
beds. Another potential problem with beach nourishment is the accumulation of foreign
material on the beaches. If the dredged material is a different color or texture than the
existing material, the result could be a reduction in the visual quality of the area.
Conclusion
1.10 Continued use of the current disposal site should have little impact on existing
recreation. Some inconveniences will be experienced by recreational boaters and
fishermen, but disposal operations appear to pose no serious threat to recreation.
1.11 If future studies indicate that disposal operations are either detrimental to ocean
fauna or are found to be disrupting sediment deposition along the coastline, further
information should be collected to determine more specifically to what extent these
impacts will affect recreation. Until any of these impacts are observed, future disposal of
dredge material at the present site is not expected to have any substantial effects on
recreation.
D-3
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, APPENDIX E
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APPENDIX E
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Paragraph
1.1 Prehistoric Cultural Resources
1.4 Historical Overview
1.15 Historical Cultural Resources ,
1.21 Chetco Project Shipwrecks .. ,
LITERATURE CITED
E-l
E-l
E-3
E-5
E-8
LIST OF TABLES
Table
E-l Occupations (1860 - 1900) E-4
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure
E-l Shipwreck Frequencies E-6
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APPENDIX E
CULTURAL RESOURCES
Prehistoric Cultural Resources
1.1 The earliest known inhabitants of the area in which the towns of Brookings and
Harbor are now located were the Chetco Indians. The Chetco, who referred to
themselves as the Cheti, are believed to have first settled in the area around 1,000-3,000
years ago. Considered one of the largest of the twelve coastal tribes, the Chetco
inhabited nine villages in the vicinity of the Chetco River (1). Their territory included
the land between Cape Ferrelo and the Winchuck River and to the east as far as the
coast range (2).
1.2 The details of Chetco prehistory have not been defined (3). According to the
Oregon State Historic Preservation Office records, only two archeological sites have been
reported in the vicinity of the Chetco River mouth (4). These sites probably are the
remains of historically reported Chetco Indians villages.
13 Little is known of the economy of the historic Chetco Indians (5). Their location
at the mouth and lower reaches of the Chetco River suggests similarities with other
coastal Indian groups. Consistent with this view, the most likely uses of the project areas
would have been as a transportation route and a procurement area for fish or marine
mammals, although historic evidence indicates that tidal zones, beaches, rocky shorelines,
and estuaries were the primary areas within which marine resources were taken (6). If
offshore areas were used during subsistence activities, it is unlikely that these activities or
the artifacts of technology employed during subsistence would leave any significant
cultural deposits within the study area.
Historical Overview
1.4 The first recorded white man to contact the Chetco Indians was Jedediah Smith.
Smith led a party of eighteen fur trappers from the Great Salt Lake to California and
then north along the Pacific coast. The party camped along the Chetco River on 24 June
1828 (7). In the early 1830s, following Smith's expedition, for trappers began to travel
northward along the Pacific coast over what developed as the California-Oregon Coast
Route. When the travelers reached the Chetco River, they encountered a ferry operated
by the Chetco Indians. It was not until 1853 that the first permanent settlers arrived in
Chetco. The settlers, consisting of twelve white males, established their homesteads in
the midst of the Chetco territory (8).
1.5 Relations between the Chetco Indians and the settlers were friendly until 1854.
At this time, A. F. Miller, one of the original twelve settlers, burned down several
dwellings in an Indian village. Miller, believing that newly discovered gold mines would
attract more settlers to the Chetco area, selected the village site for further expansion
E-l
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(9). These actions resulted in a war with the Chetco Indians. At the end of the war, the
remaining Chetco Indians were placed on reservations.
1.6 By 1860, Chetco had established itself as a community which consisted mainly of
farms. There was no formal town (10). The 1860 U.S. Census reveals that there were
eleven family unit households in the Chetco region. The majority of the heads of
households were either farmers or laborers. The family units were small, averaging two
children apiece. The parents were relatively young, with husbands averaging 35 years of
age and wives, 24 years (11).
1.7 The relationship of Chetco to regional markets is uncertain. Initially, the local
economy focused on subsistence activities. Lack of export commodities inhibited the
growth of a town and limited development of transportation routes. Supplies for the
Chetco households were either taken upriver by boat or packed in over a rough trail
(12). What goods and ties with the outside world the pioneering Chetco community
required is not evident in the historic record. One compiler of shipwrecks records the
loss of 2500 Ibs. of freight brought to Chetco from Crescent City, California, in an open
whaleboat (West,nd.:9). Shipments of goods in this small volume in open boats suggests
that they were informally arranged, and occurred on an as-needed basis. Whaleboats,
especially doublended ones, have a tradition of use for short-hauls in the coastal trade,
especially in situations where freight is landed on exposed beaches (Blackburn,
1978:371). As export production increased through the later 1800s, steamers and coastal
schooners carried the agricultural products of the Chetco valley to California markets
(Douthit 1986:20).
1.8 Throughout the late nineteenth century, Chetco grew slowly. It was a struggle for
survival instead of town development In 1880, the census taker found thirty-seven
households in the area. The average number of children per households rose from two
to three, with the average age of the parents rising to 42 for males and 35 for females
(13). The U.S. Censuses up to 1900 revealed farming as the main occupation, followed
closely by laborers. By 1900, the Chetco community had taken on a more settled and
diversified aspect. Although the statistics of families remained consistent with those of
1880, the variety of occupations grew. The 1900 census also revealed that dairy farming
had become the prime agricultural activity in the Chetco area. (This information can be
found on table E-l.) Butter and cheese were the main export of the area by 1895 (14).
From this time on, dairy products remained an important element of the Chetco
economy.
1.9 During the early 1900s, Judge John L, Childs operated a small water powered
sawmill approximately 12 miles up the Chetco River. He floated cut lumber downstream
and then loaded them by a cable system onto steamers in Chetco Cove (15). The
sawmill closed in 1925, but logs continued to be transported on the Chetco River to load
on Japanese ships until the 1930s.
1.10 In 1912, the Brookings Timber Company from west Minnesota bought land along
the north side of Chetco River to develop a lumber mill. The development of the mill
included the construction of a town, logging railroad, and ocean harbor facilities. This
settlement named Brookings, began in 1913. Since steamers were unable to enter the
E-2
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Chetco River, all supplies and outgoing lumber were moved on a double track cable
system between the shore and the vessel (16).
1.11 The California and Oregon Lumber Company (C&O) bought the Brookings
Lumber Company soon after its construction. C&O built a 1,200 foot wharf from the
shore into Chetco Cove. Over its lifetime, the wharf was used to load 400 million board
feet of timber (17).
1.12 In the early 1920s, there was an attempt to develop port facilities in Brookings.
The Corps of Engineers carried out a preliminary survey, but they did not recommend a
project. In 1923, the mills exported $1,871,420 worth of wood and paper products from
the harbor. The largest export in this classification was lumber cut from cedar trees
(18). Before any attempts were made to improve Chetco Cove, the lumber industry
began to decline. In 1924, a slump in the redwood market caused the C&O to close,
ending ten years of business. After the mill's closure, Brookings became deserted except
for a few landholders (19).
1.13 Despite the closure of the lumber mill, low-level freight traffic continued in
Chetco. In 1923, shipments totaled $2,504,020 compared to $1,447,025 in 1925. After
1925, shipments declined rapidly. Between 1926 and 1934, only two years, 1927 and
1929, had any shipments recorded. No commerce, moreover, crossed the bar at Chetco
Cove from 1943 and 1952 (20).
1.14 Brookings began to recover from the failure of the lumber market through the
development of various new markets. Mining, flower bulb sales, and recreational
attractions led to renewed growth of the area. As part of the new expansion, the Corps
constructed two jetties at the mouth of the Chetco River in 1957. These structures
stabilized the channel, benefitting commercial fishing and facilitating the development of
an economy dependent on the natural resources of the region (21).
Historical Cultural Resources
1.15 The primary focus of the ODMDS cultural resource investigations has been a
literature search to locate historic shipwrecks. Documenting the expected type of
cultural resources responds in part to the requirements of historic preservation legislation
for surveys to locate cultural resources, development of procedures to evaluate their
significance, and determination of effects of project undertakings on those resources.
When wrecks are located, this information is added to a shipwreck data base and used in
the initial screening process to determine whether potential projects may impact
shipwreck sites.
1.16 Many of the shipwrecks on the Oregon Coast are documented in the historic
literature. However, the early historic record is frequently incomplete. There is the
possibility that unidentified wrecks are present along the Oregon coastline, since many
vessels operated without reporting their activities. In order to predict the likely locations
of undocumented shipwrecks, wreck site data developed during the literature search for
the ODMDS investigations is used as a basis for a general model of wreck distribution
along the Oregon Coast. The model is used to identify likely areas within each project
site.
E-3
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Table E-l
Occupations Of All Working Individuals In Chetco Area
(1860 -1900)
Occupations
-Blacksmith
-Butter Maker
-Carpenter
-Clerk
-Cook
-Cooper
-Dairy Farmer
-Dairy Laborer
-Farmer
-Farm Laborer
-Fisherman
-Goat Herder
-Hotel Keeper
-House Carpenter
-Laborer
-Lawyer
-Machinist
-Mail Carrier
-Miner
-Post Mistress
-Prospector
-Raising Stock
-Sailor
-Teacher
-Wood Chopper
-Total
- 1860
1
-
-
1
1
-
-
10
7
2
-
-
7
JL
-
-
4
-
10
-
-
44
- 1870
1
-
1
1
1
-
-
11
7
2
-
-
-
2
1
-
4
-
10
-
41
Year
- 1880
1
-
5
-
1
1
1
5
1
-
1
-
-
24
^* 1
-
1
2
-
11
2
57
- 1900
2
3
1
-
1
4
-
39
21
-
-
1
«» 1
11
mm 1
2
-
1
2
1
1
5
1
98
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
_
-
-
-
-
"
^Compiled from the I860, 1870, 1880, and 1900 U.S. Censuses
E-4
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1.17 The shipwreck model operates on the following premises: (1) Wrecks are most
likely to occur during particular seasons of the year; and (2) during these periods, wrecks
are deposited in particular areas as determined primarily by current and wind patterns.
Modeling the seasonality of wrecks and integrating the general area of wreck sites has
produced the following wreck site distribution shown on Figure E-l. Relying on previous
investigations of other coastal settings (Yaquina Bay, Coquille, Columbia River Mouth)
(22), the beaches and former surf zones are the areas with the highest likelihood of
historic wrecks. The next most likely areas are located in the shallow nearshore
environments- for example, the present surf zones and in the vicinity of navigation
hazards such as reefs, and areas of shoaling. The least likely areas are associated with
depths in which ships can safely operate.
1.18 The model's reliability is conditioned by several factors. For example, a positive
relationship exists between identified wreck sites and the probability of finding
unidentified wrecks. In areas where high levels of ship traffic occur, wreck sites are
more frequent. Conversely, in areas where ship traffic is low, wreck sites are infrequent.
The frequency and timing of wrecks in an area may indicate trade activity over a long
period of time. For instance, a long series of wrecks or early isolated wreck sites may
indicate places where early trade with Native Americans occurred, as well as the places
of early pioneer colonization. Finally, wreck sites resulting from seemingly random
events, such as the beaching of Spanish galleons blown off trans- Pacific trade routes, or
the stranding of Japanese junks damaged in their coastal waters and carried on major
ocean currents to the coasts of North America.
1.19 Despite the fact that wrecks are most likely to occur within the shallow- nearshore
environment, Historic Preservation Legislation requires evaluation of all project areas. In
addition, the cultural resource values of shipwrecks may be inversely related to its
association with areas of likely occurrence. That is, wrecks in deep offshore
environments may have a higher research value than those in the high probability areas.
This is because wrecks in deeper areas are more likely to survive intact, contain the
highest density of artifacts and to be the least likely to have been the focus of salvors or
removed as navigation hazards.
1.20 Identifying the likely areas of wreck sites can be a useful tool. As a planning tool,
it will help reduce potential impacts to areas where unreported wrecks may be found.
When there is flexibility in the planning process, project areas can be oriented away
from high probability areas, reducing the likelihood of encountering a submerged wreck
during underwater surveys. If project areas must include high probability locations, then
site evaluations (as with any study area) will include determining whether evidence of
shipwrecks is present.
Chetco Project Shipwrecks
1.21 Whether wreck sites in the Chetco vicinity conform to the general pattern of
wreck distribution along the Oregon coastline can only be inferred. The number of
shipwrecks in the Chetco vicinity is small. The literature search documented the
occurence of only two wrecks within the study area. In 1855, a whaleboat transporting
freight from Crescent City, California, capsized off the Chetco River. Forty years later,
in 1895, the derelict steam auxiliary schooner, Maid of Oregon grounded at Chetco. She
E-5
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Figure E-l
Shipwreck Frequencies
E-6
High
Least
.
-------
had taken on water earlier in her voyage and had anchored off Chetco to seek aid;
southeast gales drove her ashore (West,nd.:74).
1.22 The small number of wrecks is consistent with the general pattern of development
in the Chetco vicinity. Historically, Chetco was never a major shipping point on the
coast. Development of its major export commodity, timber, occurred in the early 1900s.
This lumber was cable loaded onto ships bound for the Japanese market. In the 1920s,
lumber production expanded with the construction of the mill and the town of Brookings.
The lumber from the Brookings mill was transported to Crescent City by railroad rather
than by lumber schooner, as was typical of the other lumber ports on the Oregon Coast.
1.23 The sea floor in the project area was investigated using a side scan sonar.
Though this work was primarily undertaken in support of environmental and
geomorphical purposes, side scan sonar images were also evaluated to determine if they
indicated the presence of shipwrecks (23). Evidence of shipwrecks may include the
presence of structural remains of ships, sediment mounding indicating the burial of
vessels, or ballast or cargo remnants indicating the site of a decayed vessel. No shipwreck
signatures or evidence of shipwrecks (such as piles of ballast stones) were located by the
side scan sonar study of the Chetco study area (24).
E-7
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LITERATURE CITED
Peterson, Emil, R. and Alfred Powers, 1977. A Century of Coos and Curry: History of
Southwest Oregon. Coos-Curry Pioneer and Historical Association, Coquille, OR,
p. 22.
Beckham, Steven Dow, 1974. Historical and Archaeological Resources of Oregon
Coastal Zone. Oregon Coastal Conservation and Historical Commission, Salem,
OR, p. 16. For further information on the Chetco Indians, see reference (5)
below.
Cressman, Luther, 1977. Prehistory of the Far West. University of Utah Press, Salt
Lake City, UT, pp 194-195.
Personnel Communication form the Oregon State Historic Preservation Office.
Ruby, Robert H. and John A. Brown, 1986. A Guide to the Indian Tribes of the Pacific
Northwest. University of Oaklahoma Press, p. 20. Minor, Rick and Kathryn
Anne Toepel, 1983. Patters of Aboriginal Land Use in the Southern Oregon
Coastal Region. PREHISTORIC PLACES ON THE SOUTHERN
NORTHWEST COAST, Robert Greengo (ed.), Thomas Burke Memorial
Washington State Museum, Seattle, WA.
Beckham, Steven Dow, 1977. The Indians of Western Oregon, This Land was Theirs.
Arago Books, Coos Bay, OR, p. 77.
Brainard, Max, 16 May 1963. Brookings Background Steeped in Folklore, Indians,
Jedediah Smith First White Visitor. BROOKINGS HARBOR PILOT. Olsen,
Edward G., et al, 1979. Then Til Now in Brookings-Harbor: A Social History of
the Chetco Community Area. Coastal Printing Company, Brookings, OR, p. 10.
Olsen, 1979. p. 11.
Peterson and Powers, 1977. p. 88.
Olsen, 1979. p. 15.
US Census Bureau, 1860. 8th Census of the United States, Curry County, Oregon.
National Archives, Washington, D.C
Olsen, 1979. p. 16.
US Census, 1880.
State of Oregon, 1897. Biennial Report of the Secretary of State. State Printing Office,
Salem, OR, p. 316.
E-8
-------
Barret, Marge, 27 September 1974. Remember When: Water Traffic Plays Big Role.
COOS BAY WORLD.
Olsen, 1979. pp 27-28.
Olsen, 1979. pp 40-41.
US Army Corps of Engineers, 1924. Annual Report of the Chief of Engineers, 1924.
Government Printing Office, Washington D.C., p. 1345.
Zelmer, Judy, 22 May 1975. Nutting Home Being Restored. BROOKINGS-HARBOR
PILOT.
US Army Corps of Engineers, 1927, 1937, 1953. Annual Report of the Chief of
Engineers 1927, 1937, 1953.
Government Printing Office, 21st US Congress, House Document 817, 77th Congress,
2nd Session, pp 2-4.
US Army Corps of Engineers, Portland District, April 1985. Yaquina Bay Interim Ocean
Disposal Site Evaluation Study, Appendix E, Cultural Resources. Draft.
US Army Corps of Engineers, Portland District, March 1985. Geologic and Seismic
Investigation of Columbia River Mouth Study Area. Prepared by Earth Sciences
Associates, Palo Alto, California, and Geo Recon International, Seattle,
Washington.
US Army Corps of Engineers, Portland District, January 1985. Geologic and Seismic
Investigation of Oregon Offshore Disposal Sites, "Chetco". Prepared by Earth
Sciences, Palo Alto, California, and Geo Recon International, Seattle,
Washington.
E-9
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, APPENDIX F
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APPENDIX F
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Paragraph
1.1 Comments .
1.3 Coordination
Page
. F-l
. F-l
LETTERS
Concurrence Letter from Oregon Department of Land
Conservation and Development
Concurrence Letter from Oregon State Historic
Preservation Office
Concurrence Letters from National Marine Fisheries
Service and U.S.Fish and Wildlife Service
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APPENDIX F
COMMENTS AND COORDINATION
Comments
1.1 The Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act of 1972 (MPRSA) requires
that, for a site to receive a final ODMDS designation, the site must satisfy the specific
and general disposal site criteria set forth in 40 CFR 228.6 and 228.5, respectively. The
final designation procedures also require documentation of recommended disposal site
compliance with MPRSA and with the following laws:
National Environmental Policy Act of 1969,
Endangered Species Act of 1973,
National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, and the
Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972, all as amended.
1.2 The data provided in this document was compiled to satisfy these laws and has
been coordinated with appropriate and necessary State and Federal agencies.
Coordination
13 The procedures used in this ODMDS final designation study have been discussed
with the following agencies:
Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
Oregon Department of Environmental Quality
Oregon Division of State Lands
U.S. Coast Guard
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
National Marine Fisheries Service, and
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
1.4 Following completion of a preliminary draft of this document, statements of
consistency or concurrence will be sought regarding three State or Federal laws. The
statutes and responsible agencies are:
Coastal Zone Management Act of Oregon Department of Land
1972, as amended Conservation and Development
National Historic Preservation Oregon State Historic Preservation
Act of 1966, as amended Officer
Endangered Species Act of 1973, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
as amended National Marine Fisheries Service
F-l
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1.5 Consistency or concurrence letters from these agencies will follow. State water
quality certifications, as required by Section 401 of the Clean Water Act, will be
obtained for individual dredging actions.
1.6 A formal public involvement program designed to receive comments from all
State and local agencies, private groups and individuals will be accomplished by EPA
upon submittal of this document containing the request for final site designation.
F-2
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Nt«.CCX.DSCHMDT
OMMMJII
Department of Land Conservation and Development
1175 COURT STREET NE. SALEM. OREGON 97310-0590 PHONE (503) 373-0050
July 12, 1988
A. J. Heineman
Chief, Planning Division
Corps of Engineers
P.O. Box 2946
Portland, Oregon 97208-2946
RE: Chetco River Ocean Disposal Site Evaluation
Dear Mr. Heineman:
Thank you for the opportunity to review the draft Ocean Disposal Site
Evaluation for the Chetco River Navigation Project. You have
requested that the Department concur with the Corps' determination
that the project is consistent with the Oregon Coastal Management
Program (OCMP).
The site evaluation report includes findings against Statewide
Planning Goal 19, Ocean Resources, which is the most applicable
policy of the OCMP. The report does a commendable job of assessing
the compatibility of continued dredged material disposal at the
interim site with Goal 19 requirements and the criteria of the Marine
Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act. The Department concurs
that final designation of the interim disposal site is consistent
with the OCMP.
The Department understands that EPA will carry out a format public-
involvement program during the final site designation process. The-
Department may reexamine the consistency of the project with the OCMP
during the EPA process if new information is available at that time.
Thank you for the opportunity to review the document for consistency
with the OCMP. Please contact Patricia Snow of my staff if you have-
any questions.
Sincerely,
JamejS p. Ross
ctor
JFR:PS/sp
cc: Steve Stevens, COE
Glen Hale, DLCD
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OT
*I9*
r*« (.iftrrj
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AUG 171987
UNITED STATES DL^ARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Ocaanic and Atmo»pherlc Administration
NATIONAL. MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE
Northwest Region
7600 Sand Point Way NE
BIN C15700, Bldg. 1
Seattle, Washington 98115
F/NWR3:1514-04 js
Mr. Richard N. Duncan
Chief, Fish and Wildlife Branch
Department of the Army
Portland District Corps of Engineers
P.O. Box 2946
Portland, OR 97208
Dear Mr. Duncan:
This is in response to your August 3, 1987 letter to our Portland
Office regarding an Endangered Species Act biological assessment
for the gray whale at the Chetco Harbor Dredged Material Disposal
Site Designation. We have reviewed the biological assessment
and concur with your determination that populations of endangered/-
threatened species (gray whales) under our purview are not likely
to be adversely affected by the proposed action.
This concludes consultation responsibilities under Section 7 of
the ESA. However, consultation should be reinitiated if new infor-
mation reveals impacts of the identified activity that may adversely
affect listed species or their critical habitat, a new species
is listed, the identified activity is subsequently modified or
critical habitat determined that may be affected by the proposed
activity. If you have any new information or questions concerning
this consultation, please contact Joe Scordino at FTS 392-6110.
Sincerely,
f » . ^
P^Rolland A. Schmitten
1 Regional Director
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