United States
Environments" Protection
Agency
Region 6
1445 Ross Avenue
Dallas, TX 75202
EPA/906/D5-90-004
May 1990
SERA ENVIRONMENTAL DRAFT
IMPACT STATEMENT
US Army Corps
af Engineers
Mermentau River
Ocean Dredged Material
Disposal Site Designation
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UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
REGION 6
1445 ROSS AVENUE. SUITE 1200
DALLAS, TEXAS 75202-2733
MAY 2 3 1990
TO INTERESTED AGENCIES, OFFICIALS, PUBLIC GROUPS AND INDIVIDUALS:
Enclosed 1s a copy of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) concern-
ing the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) designation of the Mermentau
River ocean dredged material disposal site. The National Environmental Policy
Act does not apply to EPA activities of this type. EPA has voluntarily
committed to prepare EISs 1n connection with Its ocean disposal site designa-
tion program. EPA and the New Orleans District Corps of Engineers jointly
prepared this EIS.
EPA encourages agency and public participation 1n the decision-making process.
Written comments on this Draft EIS will be considered 1n the preparation of
the Final EIS.
The Final EIS will be sent to those making substantive comments on the Draft
EIS and to those specifically requesting a copy (subject to EPA supply
limits). Written comments or Inquiries regarding this Draft EIS should be
sent to Norm Thomas, Chief, Federal Activities Branch, at the above address by
the date stamped on the cover sheet following this letter.
Sincerely yours,
F
Regional Administrator
Enclosure
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DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT
FOR
THE MERMENTAU RIVER-GULF OF MEXICO NAVIGATION CHANNEL
OCEAN DREDGED MATERIAL DISPOSAL SITE DESIGNATION
CAMERON PARISH, LOUISIANA
Responsible Agencies: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 6
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New Orleans District
Administrative Action: The purpose of this action is to comply with the
Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act of 1972 by providing an
environmentally acceptable ocean dredged material disposal site (ODMDS) for
the Mermentau River-Gulf of Mexico Navigation Channel (MRGNC), in
compliance with the Ocean Dumping Regulations (AO CFR Parts 220-229).
Contacts: Mr. Norm Thomas (6E-F) Mr. Robert Martinson
U.S. Environmental Protection U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Agency New Orleans District
Region 6 P.O. Box 60267
1445 Ross Avenue New Orleans, LA 70160-0267
Dallas, TX 75202-2733
ABSTRACT
The proposed action is the designation of the MRGNC, Louisiana ODMDS. In
1977, the EPA approved the site for interim use, based on historical use of
the site since 1971. Alternatives considered were no action, relocation of
the ODMDS to alternate ocean areas, land disposal, and beach nourishment.
The preferred action is designation of the existing disposal site. Adverse
environmental impacts of disposal at the site include: 1) temporary
Increases in concentrations of suspended sediments and other pollutants
such as copper and mercury; 2) short-term changes in grain size of ODMDS
surflcial sediments; 3) localized burial of benthic organisms; and
4) potential temporary mounding of substrate.
COMMENTS ON DRAFT EIS DUE: JUL 2 3 1990 /" /
JWYTnYiCK* (
roam ; l':;; j //Z^J '
RESPONSIBLE OFFICIALS: (X/. & •
Robert E. Layton Jr., P.^. RicpmT V. Gorski
Regional Administrate^ CoJ&nel, U.S. Army
District Engineer
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
SUMMARY 1
Purpose and Need 1
Alternatives 1
Rationale for the Preferred Alternative 1
Environmental Impacts 2
INTRODUCTION 3
PURPOSE AND NEED 7
ALTERNATIVES 8
No Action 8
Relocation of ODMDS to Alternate Ocean Areas 8
Beach Nourishment and Marsh Creation Alternatives 10
Preferred Alternative 11
AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES 12
Introduction 12
Specific and General Criteria 13
Specific Criteria 13
General Criteria 26
CUMULATIVE IMPACTS 28
PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT 29
LIST OF PREPARERS 32
LITERATURE CITED 33
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SUMMARY
PURPOSE AND NEED - The purpose of this draft Environmental Impact Statement
(EIS) Is to evaluate the Mermentau River-Gulf of Mexico Navigation Channel
(MRGNC) Ocean Dredged Material Disposal Site (ODMDS) as an appropriate EPA
designated site. This site, at the gulfward end of the Mermentau River,
has been used for disposal of dredged material since 1971. The Corps of
Engineers (COE) assumed responsibility for operation and maintenance of the
project In 1976. The site received Interim designation by EPA In 1977, the
same year an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) was prepared to clear
Federal assumption of channel maintenance (COE, 1977). Designation of the
MRGNC ODMDS would provide an environmentally acceptable site for future
disposal of dredged material that Is In compliance with the Ocean Dumping
Regulations (ODR) (40 CFR Parts 220-229). The Mermentau River is a link to
the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (GIWW) and the town of Grand Chenler.
ALTERNATIVES - Alternatives considered In this EIS include:
1) No Action.
2) Relocation of the ODMDS to an alternate ocean area: near-shore,
mid-shelf, or off-shelf sites.
3) Non-ocean disposal - beach nourishment, marsh creation, and land
disposal.
4) Preferred-designation of the interim MRGNC ODMDS.
RATIONALE FOR THE PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE - The preferred alternative is
designation of the Mermentau River ODMDS, which has been used for about 20
years. The no action alternative is unacceptable because It leaves the
site in an interim status. Relocation would subject other areas to effects
of disposal without resulting in environmental advantages. Relocation of
the site would also be more costly than use of the existing site because
distances to transport the dredged material would be Increased;
substantially in the case of the mid-shelf or off-shelf sites. The MRGNC
ODMDS has been evaluated using the eleven specific and five general
criteria listed in the ODR (40 CFR Parts 228.5-228.6) and found to be
environmentally acceptable.
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ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS - Past use of the MRGNC ODMDS has resulted in
minimal, short-term adverse Impacts. Temporary increases in turbidity
occur, but conditions return to ambient soon after cessation of disposal.
Temporary Increases in other pollutants within the water column at the site
may occur, particularly copper, during dredging operations.
The grain size of the substrate east of the channel is similar to that
existing in the site (COE, 1981a; COE, 1981b) and no effects of previous
disposal on sediment physical characteristics are dlscernable. Benthic
organisms are burled during disposal, but repopulation usually occurs
within 2 to 6 months. Temporary mounding of dredged material may occur
within the site, but the mounds disperse quickly.
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INTRODUCTION
The Mermentau River, Louisiana, project serves as a link to the Gulf of
Mexico for the town of Grand Chenier and the GIWW (Figures 1 and 2). The
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (COE), New Orleans District, is responsible
for planning and conducting necessary maintenance dredging of the Mermentau
River. In 1977, the COE prepared a final EIS on the Federal assumption of
this project (COE, 1977) and a final EIS on operation and maintenance of
the project was issued in 1981 (COE, 1981a).
The Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act (MPRSA) of 1972 made
designation of dredged material disposal sites in the ocean mandatory. The
only ocean disposal from the Mermentau River is in a 335-acre site running
about 1.0 mi. long and 0.5 ml. wide, parallel to the west side of the
channel (Figure 3). Approximately 500,000 cubic yards (cy) of dredged
material are disposed in this site during each disposal operation.
Disposal generally occurs once every 2-3 years. Two Mermentau River Ocean
Dredged Material Disposal Sites received a 3-year interim designation by
EPA in 1977. This interim designation was based on historical use of the
site since 1971. In January 1980, the interim status of the site was
extended indefinitely. The second Mermentau interim site located to the
west of the MRGNC at the natural mouth of the Mermentau River (which is now
totally silted) is no longer used by the COE and will not be discussed in
this document any further.
The proposed action in this EIS is the designation of the MRGNC ODMDS. The
EIS presents the information used to evaluate the suitability of the site
and is based on environmental studies conducted in the area.
The COE is likely to be the sole user of the MRGNC ODMDS. The COE does not
issue itself a permit; however, the requirements that must be met before
dredged material from a COE project can be discharged into the ODMDS are
the same as when a permit is required. For Federal projects, the COE would
notify EPA and other interested agencies of its intent to use the ODMDS for
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.• L C A r. I L U
Figure 2. The Mermentau River,
Gulf of Mexico Navigation Channel
LEGEND
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Figure 3. Location of the Mermentau
River ODMDS.
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disposal. Prior to disposal, the COE would determine compliance of the
action with 40 CFR Part 227 and provide substantiation of the rationale
used for the determination to EPA. If a non-Federal entity desires to use
the MRGNC ODMDS for dredged material disposal, the COE would apply the
criteria in 40 CFR Part 227 during its public interest review of the permit
application.
PURPOSE AND NEED
The purpose of the proposed action is to designate an environmentally
acceptable ocean location for continued disposal of materials dredged from
the MRGNC.
The Mermentau River is an important entrance to and from Grand Chenier,
Louisiana and the Gulf of Mexico. The channel provides access for
commercial traffic carrying crude petroleum, manufactured products, and
fuel oil; vessels involved in shrimp, crab, and other fisheries; and
support vessels for offshore oil and gas activities. A designated ocean
disposal site is needed for material dredged from the MRGNC (COE, 1981a;
1981b) where an east-west sandbar occurs.
The nearest land disposal area occurs about 0.25-1.25 ml. north of the
ODMDS on 168 acres paralleling the land cut (COE, 1977). However, use of
this area for disposal of material dredged from the MRGNC would result in
increased costs by reducing pump efficiency. The remainder of nearby land
areas are beach, chenier ridge, or marsh. Material could be pumped to an
approved marsh creation site in Lower Mud Lake for an additional cost of
about $200,000 per disposal. Because marsh creation may not be feasible
for every dredging cycle, an acceptable ODMDS is still needed.
The authority for designation of ocean disposal sites is the MPRSA of 1972
(86 Stat. 1052), as amended (33 U.S.C.A. § 1401 et seq.). Section 102(c)
of Title 1 of the Act authorizes EPA to designate recommended ocean
disposal sites and times for disposal of dredged material. The EPA's Ocean
Dumping Regulations (ODR) (40 CFR 220-229) must be followed for site
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evaluation and management. This GIS Is being prepared under EPA's
voluntary EIS preparation policy.
In accordance with the ODR, site designation will be promulgated by formal
rule-making. The proposal by EPA to designate the MRGNC ODMDS will be
published in the Federal Register and will be based on appropriate Federal
statutes, disposal site evaluation studies, the draft EIS and supporting
documentation. The final rule-making package will be prepared and
published in the Federal Register after expiration of the review period on
the final EIS.
ALTERNATIVES. This section describes the alternatives that were considered
and explains the rationale for their elimination.
NO ACTION. The interim designation of the MRGNC ODMDS does not have a
specific termination date. If no action is taken, the designation status
will remain unsettled. The Interim designation was made pending completion
of any necessary studies and evaluation of the site's suitability for
continued use. The environmental studies and evaluation have been
completed, and In accordance with the ODR, a decision regarding designation
is required.
RELOCATION OF ODMDS TO ALTERNATE OCEAN AREAS. The location of an
alternate shallow-water site (one with comparable depths to the Interim
site, 5.0-15.0 feet) was determined by avoiding locations of conflicting
activities (oil and gas activities, fishing areas, shipwrecks, etc.)(C0E,
1984). Alternate shallow-water ODMDS's could be located on the east side
of the navigation channel or immediately west of the Mermentau bar
channel. These alternate sites would be approximately the same depth and
size as the interim site. Environmental effects of dredged material
disposal on the physical, chemical, and biological environment of the
alternate shallow-water site would be similar to those at the interim
ODMDS. Longshore current patterns in the area appear to be generally to
the west (MMS 1989, 1987; Federal Energy Administration, 1977), but have
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been studied inadequately (Wells et al., 1981; Murray, 1976). Sediments
brought to the Chenier Plain are derived from the Atchafalaya River
resulting in active progradation in some areas (Wells et al., 1981). No
environmental benefits would be gained by moving the disposal site to
either shallow-water alternative location and channel maintenance costs
could be increased at the east site due to a possible Increased frequency
of dredging. Costs would be increased in the area further west because of
greater pumping distance. There are no other shallow water sites that
would be less damaging environmentally and/or less costly.
Selection of an alternate mid-shelf site was based on criteria similar to
those for the alternate shallow-water site. An alternate site in
approximately 30-40 feet of water, located about 12 miles south of the
interim site would be acceptable because there are no active oil and gas
leases. Because of its greater depth, the mid-shelf area is less dynamic
than the shallow-water area. Bottom organisms would be buried as they
would be at the interim site. The mid-shelf site would be further from the
dredging site than the interim site; thus transportation costs would be
much greater. Safety hazards, resulting from transporting dredged material
greater distances through areas of active oil and gas development and
shipping, would be increased. Surveillance methods would be similar to
those at the interim site, but surveillance would be more expensive because
of the additional travel time to the site. Monitoring would also be more
expensive due to greater distances and water depths Involved. In addition,
use of the mid-shelf site would remove sediments from the nearshore
environment and make them less available for movement and deposition by
longshore currents.
The deep-water region lies off the continental shelf seaward of the
400-foot depth contour. An alternate deep-water ODMDS could be located off
the continental shelf about 100 miles south of the interim site near the
proposed Flower Garden Bank Marine Sanctuary and other banks. No specific
site was selected for evaluation, but the characteristics of a
deep-water site were considered. The dredged material would be dispersed
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over a larger area because of the dissipation of the descending plume.
Sediments reaching the bottom would tend to remain in place because of the
slow erosion and transport. Effects on benthic organisms would be less
than those at the interim site or mid-shelf alternate sites because it is a
natural deposition zone (MMS 1987). Safety hazards would be increased by
longer distances required to transport the material. Surveillance and
monitoring would be more costly and difficult because of deep water.
Annual costs of disposal would be significantly increased over costs at the
interim site because special deep-water barges would be required and travel
time would be increased. With existing equipment, it is not feasible to
dredge and transport the necessary volume of material. Use of the
deep-water site would remove sediments from the nearshore environment and
make them unavailable for deposition.
BEACH NOURISHMENT AND MARSH CREATION ALTERNATIVES. Beach nourishment and
marsh creation with the material dredged from the Mermentau bar channel are
options supported by some state and Federal agencies, including the EPA and
the COE. Such alternatives are discussed in the following paragraphs. EPA
believes that marsh creation and/or beach nourishment should be evaluated
each time the COE or other entity plans to use the site. Site designation
will not preclude the use of material for marsh creation and/or beach
nourishment.
The material is mostly silt and clay (mean of 66 percent) (COE, 1978) and
may not be well suited for beach nourishment. Material taken near the
jetties could be used, but halfway into the bar channel, silt and clay
comprise 76 percent of the material. Toward the southern end of the bar
channel, the figure increases to 90 percent. Material within the jetties,
which is less than 30 percent silt and clay, is presently placed adjacent
to the coast in a 65-acre area outside the ODMDS to help prevent recession
of the coastline at the landward end of the west jetty.
Material could also be pumped north of the ODMDS to an approved marsh
creation 6ite in Lower Mud Lake, which is only about 1-2 feet deep.
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However, this would increase costs by up to about $200,000 for each
disposal. Taking into account the benefits from the marsh (C0E, 1988), the
cost increase would be nominal. Should another entity desire to absorb
these costs, the C0E would coordinate the effort with them. The COE may be
able to fund the increase in costs, depending on budgetary constraints via
Section 150 of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 1976, or it
could be cost-shared (75 percent Federal, 25 percent local) under
Section 1135 of WRDA 1986. The COE must apply for the extra funds each
dredging cycle. An acceptable ODMDS would be necessary if funding is not
approved.
preferred alternative
The alternative preferred by the EPA and COE is the designation of the
historically-used interim MRGNC ODMDS. The boundary coordinates of the
preferred site (Figure 3) are 29° 43' 21" N., 93° 00' 53" W.; 29° 43' 21"
N., 93° 01' 23" W.; 29° 42' 27" N., 93° 00' 53" W.; 29° 42' 27" N., 93° 01'
23" W.; thence to the point of beginning. A need exists for locating and
designating an acceptable 0DHDS in the vicinity of the Mermentau River east
Gulf outlet. The need for continued disposal of material from the
MRGNC has been demonstrated (COE, 1981b) and the no-action alternative is
considered unacceptable. Because creation of marsh with the material may
not be feasible for every dredging cycle, an acceptable ODMDS is still
needed. Selection of this alternative is based on the following
information: 1) the Mermentau site has been in use for some 20 years with
minimal adverse environmental effects, 2) no adverse environmental effects
were detected outside the site boundaries during environmental surveys,
3) relocation of the site to other ocean areas would subject new areas to
adverse effects of dredged material disposal, without resulting in
environmental advantages over continued use of the interim site, and 4) the
costs of using any other sites would be greater than those associated with
the interim site. Utilizing the eleven specific criteria (40 CFR 228.6)
and the five general criteria (40 CFR 228.5), EPA has determined that the
final designation of the MRGNC ODMDS is environmentally acceptable.
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AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES
INTRODUCTION
This section summarizes Information In 1977 and 1981 COE FEIS's, the 1981
COE Ocean Dumping Assessment, and studies done by others.
The Mermentau River ODMDS is located in southwest Louisiana about four
miles southwest of the town of Grand Chenler, in Cameron Parish
(Figure 3). The area from Vermilion Bay into Texas is the Chenier Plain, a
complex mixture of wetlands, uplands, and open water formed by sea level
rise and fall associated with glacial advance and retreat (Gosselink
et al., 1979). The continental shelf extends about 200 miles south of the
interim ODMDS. Much of the Chenier Plain is currently retreating to the
north. Longshore currents are generally to the west (MMS, 1989; Federal
Energy Administration, 1977). The mouths of rivers from the Chenier Plain
have been shifted progressively toward the west by the dominant currents to
the west (Gosselink et al., 1979). This phenomenon is exemplified by the
Mermentau River. Beaches in the area are mostly sand with some shell. The
area from Calcasieu Pass to the Mermentau River had been accreting, while
the area from the Mermentau River 25 miles to the east had been eroding
(COE, 1971). Comparison of 1978 and 1988 infrared photographs shows that
the area within 5 miles east and west of the ODMDS is eroding.
The climate in the area Is subtropical, rainfall averages about 144 cm
(57 in) per year, and winds are generally southeasterly, although northerly
winds occur more frequently in winter (Murray, 1976). Hurricanes and
tropical storms occur In summer and early autumn, with a frequency of about
once every three years in or near southwest Louisiana (COE, 1972). These
storms have a tremendous influence on sediment movement, erosion, and
deposition.
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SPECIFIC AND GENERAL CRITERIA
Section 228 of the ODR mandates that 11 specific criteria and five general
criteria be utilized to select and to evaluate a potential ODMDS. These
criteria are discussed in the following paragraphs; the Impacts of site
designation and past use of the site on each criteria are analyzed.
Specific Criteria (§ 228.6)
1) "Geographical position, depth of water, bottom topography and distance
from coast."
See Figures 1, 2, and 3 for the location of the proposed site. Water
depths at the site range from 1.2 to 4.3 m (4.0-14.0 ft). Bottom
topography slopes to the south (10.0 ft/mi). The site begins about 0.4 and
extends to approximately 1.4 miles offshore.
2) "Location in relation to breeding, spawning, nursery, feeding, or
passage areas of living resources in adult or juvenile phases."
Breeding, spawning, nursery, feeding, and passage of shrimp, menhaden,
bottom fish, and other organisms occur within the entire northern Gulf of
Mexico, and thus, also in the vicinity of the ODMDS. The MRGNC is a
pathway for movement of fish and shell fish between the Gulf and the
Mermentau River estuary. Migration of fish and shellfish through passes is
heaviest during spring and fall (Darnell et al. 1983). Major estuaries
including Rockefeller National Wildlife Refuge, the Mermentau River Basin,
and Calcasieu Lake are located in the area (Galdry and White, 1973). The
MRGNC ODMDS represents a small area of the total range of fisheries
resources. Impacts to endangered or threatened turtles and whales that
might utilize the area to be used for disposal are negligible. Least terns
have been known to nest on beaches near the ODMDS, but currently do not
nest In these locations (Keller et al., 1984).
3) "Location in the relation to beaches and other amenity areas."
The ODMDS is 0.4 miles from the nearest beach. The Hackberry beach is
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sparsely used because of shallow turbid water and Its distance from
population centers. The turbidity plume resulting from disposal would be
diluted to ambient levels well before reaching the beach (Stern and
Stickle, 1978).
4) "Types and quantities of wastes proposed to be disposed of and proposed
methods of release, including methods of packing the waste, if any."
The material to be disposed is from the Mermentau River-Gulf of Mexico
Navigation Channel and consists of a mixture of sand, silt, and clay
obtained by hydraulic dredge. Sediment grain size decreases in the
offshore direction, with silts and clays being predominant (66 percent) in
the channel (COG, 1981b). This compares with 80 percent silts and clays in
the ODMDS. The difference results from higher water velocities in the
channel, especially near land. Approximately 500,000 cubic yards of
material are disposed in the site during each use, based on historical use
(Table 1). The material is removed with a hydraulic dredge and released in
the ODMDS. The material is not packaged in any way. Future disposal is
expected to be similar to past actions, in terms of material types,
quantities, and method of disposal. The Corps of Engineers would likely be
the only user of the site.
TABLE 1
HISTORIC DISPOSAL VOLUMES - MERMENTAU RIVER
ODMDS, 1970-1988
Dredging Period
Volume (yd3)
1970
493,000
1982
570,000
1985
620,000
1987
384,000
5) "Feasibility of surveillance and monitoring."
Surveillance is possible by shore-based radar, aircraft, or day-use boats.
No surveillance is currently performed by the U.S. Coast Guard. Monitoring
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would be facilitated by the fact that the ODMDS is nearshore, in fairly
shallow waters, and has baseline data available (COE, 1978, 1981b). The
primary purpose of monitoring is to determine whether disposal at the site
Is significantly affecting areas outside the disposal area and to detect
any unacceptable adverse effects occurring in or around the site. Based on
historic data, an intense monitoring program is not warranted. However, in
order to provide adequate warning- of environmental harm-, the EPA will
develop a monitoring plan in cooperation with the COG. The plan would
concentrate on periodic depth soundings and sediment and water quality
testing. Details of the monitoring plan will be available at a later date.
6) "Dispersal, horizontal transport, and vertical mixing characteristics
of the area, including prevailing current direction and velocity, if any."
Mixing processes, current characteristics, and sediment transport in the
nearshore region off the Chenier Plain are influenced by tidal currents,
winds, and storms. Because of the shallow water, the water column is
generally well mixed. Using data from off shore of the Calcasieu River,
the area can experience density stratification during periods of great
freshwater inflow, mainly May and June (Barret et al., 1978). In the
summer, bottom waters on the Louisiana shelf are occasionally oxygen
depleted (Rabalais et al., 1985), which can cause mortality of benthic
organisms. This phenomenon does occur during the summer near the ODMDS
(Gaston et al., 1985). It appears that the predominant current is to the
west, but easterly currents occur with storm events (MMS, 1989; Federal
Energy Administration, 1977; Murray, 1976); however, data on the specifics
of currents in the area are sparse (Murray, 1976).
7) "Existence and effects of current and previous discharges and dumping
in the area (including cumulative effects)."
Dredged materials from construction and maintenance of the MRGNC have been
disposed at the Interim ODMDS since 1971 and no significant adverse Impacts
have resulted. Previous disposals have caused minor effects, such as
temporary Increases in suspended sediment concentrations, temporary
turbidity, sediment mounding, smothering of benthic organisms, release of
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nutrients, possible minor releases of trace metals, and a temporary change
in sediment grain size. The material is swept in a westerly direction by
prevailing currents. For a more detailed discussion of Impacts, see
specific criteria 9. Because the effects of disposal are temporary, there
are no cumulative effectB.
8) "Interference with shipping, fishing, recreation, mineral extraction,
desalination, fish and shellfish culture, areas of special scientific
Importance, and other legitimate use of the ocean."
In the vicinity of the ODMDS the majority of shipping traffic is confined
to the MRGNC channel. Dredging the Mermentau facilitates shipping;
periodic deposition of material dredged from the Mermentau in the ODMDS has
some potential for interfering with ship movement In the area during
disposal operations.
Nearshore and estuarine areas of the Chenier Plain also contain a diverse
and highly productive fishing ground for a number of commercial and
recreational species (Barrett et al., 1978). The MRGNC ODMDS represents a
very small proportion of the total nearshore fishing grounds in the Chenier
Plain and adverse impacts from its use would be temporary and
minor. Interferences with fishing may occur if any shoals are created by
dredged material disposal, as this could cause groundings of shrimp boats
within disposal site boundaries. If the material is spread evenly, it
would raise bottom elevations within the ODMDS by about 0.25 ft, which
should present no problems for shipping and other uses. The material would
eventually be moved toward the west, which would occur naturally if the
dredging and disposal in the ODMDS did not occur.
The nearest oyster leases are just west of Chenier au Tlgre near Vermilion
Bay (Dunham, 1989; personal communication), some 50 miles to the east of
the ODMDS. Designation of the ODMDS would not impact these or any other
lease areas. Desalination areas do not occur in the vicinity of the
ODMDS. The site is located about 20 miles from the Rockefeller National
Wildlife Refuge and Sabine National Wildlife Refuge to the east and west,
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respectively. There has been no impact to the refuges from the use of the
site and no impact is expected to occur in the future.
Petroleum and mineral-extracting activities occur offshore within 1.0 mile
of the ODMDS and are not impacted by use of the site. Also, there are
pipelines that occur throughout the area that have not been impacted by the
deposition of dredged material. Intermittent dumping does not interfere
with the exploration or production phases of resource development, or with
other legitimate uses of the ocean.
9. "The existing water quality and ecology of the site as determined by
available data or by trend assessment or baseline surveys."
Physical Environment Baseline Conditions - Water and sediment samples were
taken in the project area in 1977 (COE, 1981b). These data demonstrated
that concentrations of copper, lead, mercury, and nickel in the water
(Table 2) were above EPA chronic criteria for saltwater aquatic organisms
(EPA, 1986). The source of pollutants is unclear, but appears to be
somewhere east of the MRGNC. The pollutants are often at higher
concentrations near the shore. Sediment data, however, do not show these
trends (COE, 1981b). Elutriate data (COE, 1981b) from the channel sites
showed a slight exceedence of the EPA criterion for copper at sites 11 and
14 (see Table 2 for locations). The detection limit for mercury was above
the EPA chronic criterion in the elutriate tests. However, all sites had
higher concentrations than the criterion (.025 ug/1). Pesticides were not
detected at any sample site. Further testing is planned this year to
identify any changes in conditions. It 6hould be noted that criteria for
metals were developed for the acid-soluable forms and all analyses are for
total recoverable forms. Therefore, the criteria are overly protective
(EPA, 1986).
Water temperatures parallel air temperatures and range from 31°C in summer
to 12°C during winter. Surface salinities vary from 2 to 30 ppt near the
Mermentau ODMDS (Barrett et al., 1978). The water is generally well
17
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TABLE 2
POLLUTANTS IN NATIVE WATER AT THE MERMENTAU RIVER-BAR CHANNEL (1977) *
EPA Criteria
Parameter Site 10 Site 11 Site 12 Site 13 Site 14 Site 15 Site 16 Site 17 Site 18 Chronic Acute
Arsenic ug/1
4
4
5
1
1
1
2
1
1
36
69
Cadmium ug/1
<0.5
<0.5
<0.5
<0.5
<0.5
<0.5
1
<0.5
<0.5
9.3
43
Chromium ug/1
10
30
30
40
30
30
10
20
40
50
1100
Copper ug/1
4 **
6
7
3
2
3
4
6
4
2.9
2
Lead ug/1
<0.5
13
16
7
7
5
-
-
5
5.6
140
Mercury ug/1
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
0.2
.025
2
Nickel ug/1
6
12
14
8
9
8
7
7
7
8.3
75
Zinc ug/1
30
60
60
40
30
30
50
30
50
86
95
* Site
10
West Side
- 2,000 feet
Site
11
Channel -
2,000 feet
Site
12
East Side
- 2,000 feet
Site
13
West Side
- 4,000 feet
Site
14
Channel -
4,000 feet
Site
15
East Side
- 4,000 feet
Site
16
West Side
- 6,000 feet
Site
17
Channel -
6,000 feet
Site
18
East Side
- 6,000 feet
** Boldface values exceed EPA criteria
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oxygenated (see Specific Criteria Number 6) and alkaline. Water quality
appears to be fair in the area of the ODMDS.
Nutrient concentrations, turbidity, and suspended solids, are influenced to
some extent by discharge from the Atchafalaya River. All are fairly high
in the area of the ODMDS (Barrett et al., 1978).
Physical Environment Impacts - Temporary mounding can occur within the
ODMDS during discharge, which reduces water depths. The disposed sediments
are reworked by waves and littoral currents and are moved out of the
ODMDS. The direction and speed of currents are variable, but sediments
generally drift toward the west under most circumstances. The channel has
coarser grained material than surrounding areas leading to a slight, but
discernable difference between sediment grain size in the ODMDS and areas
east of the channel. Sand comprises about 5 percent more of the sediment
composition west of the channel compared to areas east of the channel (COE
1981 b).
Contaminants are generally not released into the water following disposal,
but remain associated with the sediments, especially silts and clays
(Brannon et al., 1978). Elutriate tests Indicated that concentrations of
copper and mercury could exceed EPA chronic criteria (COE 1981b) during
disposal. Thus, contaminant release due to disposal Is unlikely except for
copper, which was found in the elutriate tests at concentrations (3.0 ug/1)
slightly above EPA chronic and acute criteria, and mercury (0.1 ug/1),
which was above the EPA chronic criterion.
Disposal would temporarily Increase turbidity at the site. The duration of
the plume would depend on particle size, currents, and mixing, but should
not extend over an area greater than about 17 acres beyond the ODMDS at any
given time. The fine sediments may remain suspended for hours, but would
eventually settle and turbidity would return to ambient conditions. The
MRGNC ODMDS is actively used for disposal an average of 14 days per
19
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operation. Thus, turbidity would be increased for approximately 2 weeks
each year that disposal occurs.
Plankton Baseline Conditions - Plankton communities at the ODMDS fluctuate
seasonally and annually as are typical of nearshore waters of the gulf.
Phytoplankton consists primarily of marine diatoms and dinoflagellates with
populations most closely following seasonal trends in the concentration of
nitrate. The amounts of phytoplankton decrease in a Gulfward direction
(Barrett et al., 1978). Dominant components of the zooplankton include
copepods and ostracods. Numbers of zooplankton lag behind peak
concentrations of phytoplankton with a lag period of about two months
(Barrett et al., 1978).
Impacts to Plankton - Impacts of disposal on plankton would be temporary.
Plankton In the ODMDS during disposal may be entrained in the dredged
material, subjected to decreased light transmission, and possibly to minor
increased levels of contaminants. Solid phase, and liquid and suspended
particulate bloassays (summer and winter series) in 1979 on post larval
mysid shrimp and grass shrimp, using sediments collected near the ODMDS,
showed no statistically significant mortalities in any test treatment.
Benthos Baseline Conditions - Data on benthos at or near the ODMDS are
sparse. However, offshore areas near the Calcasieu River were comprised
mainly of polychaete worms and the clam Abra alquails (Gaston et al.,
1985). These organisms, are well adapted to the area and are common along
the Gulf Coast. They are expected to be common at the ODMDS.
Impacts to Benthos - Benthic organisms in the ODMDS would be buried during
disposal. Motile species could burrow upward through the expected 10-15 cm
of substrate (Barnes 1968). Recolonizatlon would start at the cessation of
dumping and would be essentially complete within a period of 2-3 months
(Gaston et al., 1985). Disposal of dredged material in the ODMDS occurs
once every three years; therefore, disturbance would occur approximately
10 percent of the time. Solid phase bioassays conducted in 1979 on the
20
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Atlantic quahog, two species of polychaetes, and oysters showed no
statistically significant differences in test organism survial between any
of the test treatments and controls.
The potential for bioaccumulatlon of pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls,
heavy metals, and petroleum hydrocarbons In tissues of marine organisms at
the MRGNC project area was assessed using Atlantic quahog clams, polychaete
worms, and oysters exposed to test and reference sediments during the solid
phase bioassay. In many cases, the tissue concentrations of these
constituents were below the detection limits of the analytical procedure.
For all but two constituents, the concentrations of these materials in
animals exposed to test sediments from three stations in the Mermentau bar
channel were either less than or statistically no greater than
concentrations found in animals exposed to the reference sediments.
Heptachlor in the summer series was significantly greater in oysters
exposed to sediments from one station than in animals exposed to the
reference materials. Mean mercury concentrations were significantly
greater in clams and sandworms exposed to material from all three stations
than in animals exposed to the reference sediment in the winter series.
Therefore, there is the possibility of bioaccumulatlon occurring in benthos
at the ODMDS.
Nekton Baseline Conditions - Numerous recreationally and commercially
important fishery species exist in Gulf waters off Louisiana. Abundance
and composition vary seasonally as many species spend part of their life
cycle in the inshore marsh/estuarine complex. The nearshore waters in
western Louisiana are the most productive and contain the greatest
diversity of any area along coastal Louisiana (Barrett et al., 1978).
Species most common to nearshore waters In the area Include seabob, white
shrimp, bay anchovy, gafftopsall catfish, Atlantic bumper, sand seatrout,
Atlantic croaker, star drum, and Altantlc threadfin (Barrett et al.,
1978). Table 3 summarizes Important data concerning these species.
Impacts to Nekton - Due to the ability of nekton to avoid the disposal
activities, effects would be minimal. Burial of benthic prey could have a
21
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TABLE 3
Common Name
Seabob
White Shrimp
Bay Anchovy
Gafftopsail Catfish
Atlantic Bumper
Sand Seatrout
Atlantic Croaker
Star Drum
Atlantic Threadfin
MOST COMMON FISHERIES SPECIES IN NEARSHORE WATERS OF THE MERMENTAU AREA
Sci Name
Xiphopeneus kroyeri
Penaeus setiferus
Anchoa mitchilli
Bagre marlnus
Chlorocombrus chrysurus
Cynosclon arenarius
Spawning Area
4-m depth
7—31m depth
<20m depth
inshore lm depth
uncertain
15—80m depths
Mlcropogonlas undulatus 9—73m depths
Stellifer lanceolata uncertain
Polydactylus octonemus uncertain
Major Migratory Time
Uncertain
June-Dec
April-August
Nov-Jan: May-June
Jun—Nov
Feb—Nov
Oct-Feb May-July
Source
Jul - Oct
Apr - Oct
Juneau (1977)
Rounsfell (1975)
White & Boudreaux (1977)
Robinette (1983)
Muncy & Wingo (1983)
Perret et al. (1971)
Cowan & Shaw (1988)
Sheridan et al. (1984)
Sutter & Mcllwain (1987)
Sheridan et al. 1984
Barrett et al. 1978
Overstreet & Heard 1978
Thompson (1986)
Perret et al. (1971)
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slight, temporary adverse Impact on bottom feeders. Data in Table 3 show
April through November is the major time period for migrations to and from
estuarlne areas. The Mermentau Pass area is a migration avenue for all
estuarine species, especially in the spring and fall (Gosselink et al.,
1979). However, the Mermentau was not listed amoung the most significant
passes in terms of fishery migration and tidal movements (Burk and
Associates, Inc., 1977). Migration i-n this area may be adversely impacted
while disposal is occurring.
Mammals, Turtles, Birds, and Endangered and Threatened Species Baseline -
The numbers and diversity of marine mammals and turtles are low in
nearshore waters. The Atlantic bottlenosed dolphin is common in tidal
passes (DOI, 1979). Five species of endangered or threatened sea turtles
[green (threatened), Kemp's ridley (endangered), hawksbill (endangered),
leatherback (endangered), and loggerhead (threatened)] occur in the
northern Gulf. Several species of endangered whales may occur in the area
Including finback, humpback, right, sei, and sperm whales (see letters from
FWS and NMFS) (Attachment 1). Several species of oceanic birds and
waterfowl may occur throughout the year in the nearshore waters of the
area. There is a possible seablrd nesting colony of least terns on the
beach south of Bayou Labouve about 0.5 ml from the ODMDS. (Keller et al.,
1984).
Impacts on Mammals, Turtles, Birds, and Endangered and Threatened Species -
Effects of disposal should be minimal on these highly mobile animals. The
feeding of sea turtles may be disrupted by burial of prey, but disposal is
infrequent and effects are temporary and localized, so significant negative
impacts should not occur. Disposal would have little effect on migration
or breeding of sea turtles or whales. Food sources of endangered whales
would not be affected. Bird nesting colonies on the coast would not be
adversely affected by disposal at the site. A Biological Assessement of
Impacts to threatened and endangered species of turtles and whales was
prepared by the COE and forwarded to the NMFS. The NMFS concurred with the
23
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COE determination that endangered/threatened species would not be adversely
impacted by the proposed action (Attachment 1).
Commercial/Recreation Fisheries Baseline Conditions - Waters off the
central Louisiana coast, shoreward of the 20m contour, comprise one of the
most heavily fished areas in the world (Kutkuhn, 1966). Fishing occurs
throughout the year, but activities are more intense from March through
October (Adklns, 1972; Dugas, 1981). The most valuable resources have been
penaeld shrimp, menhaden, blue crabs, redfish, tuna, and spotted seatrout
(Adklns, 1972; Barrett et al., 1978; Barrett and Gillespie, 1973; O'Bannon,
1988).
The port at Cameron, Louisiana some 20 miles to the west of the ODMDS is
the busiest fishery port in the United States, with well over 600 million
pounds of fish landed annually in recent years (O'Bannan, 1988). In 1987,
the total landings at Cameron were 672 million pounds, valued at $36.6
million.
The commercial redfish fishery in Louisiana has been closed until
September 1, 1991. In Federal waters, there is an indefinite ban on the
commercial redfish fishery and recreational fishermen can not keep any
redfish. A number of management plans for Gulf fishes have been developed
by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council and approved by the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Impacts to Commercial/Recreational Fisheries - There would be some physical
Interference with commercial and recreational fishing during disposal.
However, it would be confined to the ODMDS itself and should be minimal.
There would be minimal danger of heavy metal or CHC contamination of fish
and or shellfish during disposal as shown by elutriate analyses and
bloaccumulatlon studies in 1979 discussed earlier in this report.
Shipping and Navigation Baseline Conditions - Shipping tonnage on the
Mermentau River, Bayous Nezplque, and Des Cannes has varied from
24
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1.1 million to 1.8 million tons annually during the period 1978-1987 (COE,
1989). Commodities Included mainly crude petroleum, gasoline, liquefied
gases, and soybeans. Most of the traffic was outbound.
Impacts To Shipping and Navigation - Temporary shoaling after disposal may
reduce water depths within the site. However, the MRGNC ODMDS is located
outside the Mermentau fairway and is marked on NOAA navigation charts. The
dredges may interfere with shipping by temporarily blocking sections of the
channel. This is an unavoidable adverse impact resulting from disposal at
the site.
Esthetics Baseline Conditions - Turbidities in the vicinity of the ODMDS
are fairly high from October-May, but tend to be lower during June-Sept
when wind patterns are more stable from the south. Man-induced noise in
the area is from passing vessels and oil and gas activity.
Impacts to Esthetics - Disposal would cause a temporary turbidity plume of
about 2,000 feet from the end of the discharge pipe (May 1973; Carstea
I
et al., 1976; Stern and Stickle, 1978; Bokuniewlcz and Gordon, 1980) that
would disperse soon after disposal ceases. The dredging and disposal
activities would temporarily ljncrease noise levels in the vicinity of the
ODMDS, but should not disturb wildlife.
Industrial Development Baseline Conditions - The nearest land masses to the
ODMDS is the Hackberry Beach area and the Saline marsh behind It. The
entire area of beach near the ODMDS Is sparsely developed and has no roads
connecting it to inland highways. The town of Grand Chenier with a
population of about 250 is the nearest community to the ODMDS at a distance
of about 4.5 miles. It serves as a base for commercial fishing, oil and
gas development, and agriculture. There are numerous active oil and gas
wells in the vicinity of the ODMDS.
Industrial Development Impacts - There would be no impact on oil and gas or
other Industrial activities by use of the ODMDS.
25
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10. "Potential for the development or recruitment of nuisance species In
the disposal sites." No nuisance species have developed at the Mermentau
ODMDS, and none are expected to develop In the future.
11. "Existing at or In proximity to the site of any significant natural or
cultural features of historical Importance." Chenlers and beach ridges in
the area are ancient Gulf beaches that serve important functions as
wildlife habitat, storm barriers, and limiting salt water Intrusion into
marshes (Burk and Associates, Inc., 1977). A survey to identify
archeologlcal and historical resources is not required at this time.
However, a Nautical Resources Plan for the COG is being prepared In
consultation with the Louisiana State Historic Preservation Officer. Under
guidelines established by this plan, studies may be done in the future to
evaluate Impacts to historic shipwrecks that may result from use of the
MRGNC ODMDS.
General Criteria (§228.5)
(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 shellflsherles,
and regions of heavy commercial or recreational navigation.
The interim ODMDS is located adjacent to the Mermentau River bar
channel. A hydraulic dredge Is used generally for about two weeks every
three years and there is limited transport and Interference with other
activities in the marine environment. There may be some minor interference
with fishing and navigation during the dredging and disposal activities.
It Is expected that there will be no Interference with these or other
marine activities outside these brief periods. Dredging the channel will
facilitate commercial and recreational activity.
26
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(b) Locations and boundaries of the disposal sites will be so chosen
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 seawater levels or to undetectable contaminants or
effects before reaching any beach, shoreline, marine sanctuary, or
known geographical fishery or shellflshery.
There would be a turbidity plume of about 2,000 feet during the actual
dredged material disposal operations (May 1973; Carstea et al., 1976; Stern
and Stickle, 1978; Bokuniewlcz and Gordon, 1980). This plume should be
dispersed beyond 2,000 feet to the point where it is undetectable from the
turbidity naturally occurring in the area. It would not reach the nearby
beaches. Any temporary changes in water quality would also return to
ambient concentrations within a short distance and would not impact the
beaches. There are no marine sanctuaries in the area. Commercial
fisheries exist throughout the region; however, these are not unique to the
area of the site, and would be minimally impacted.
(c) If at anytime 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 the criteria for
site selection set forth in §§228.5 - 228.6, the use of such sites
will be terminated as soon as suitable alternative disposal sites
can be designated.
The studies to date indicate that the interim ODMDS meets the
requirements of both §228.5 and §228.6. Surveys of the site Indicated the
water quality and sediments were generally similar inside and outside the
ODMDS. No permanent adverse environmental effects Inside or outside the
site boundaries due to dredged material disposal have been noted.
(d) The sizes of ocean disposal sites will be limited in order to
localize for identification and control any immediate adverse
27
-------
impacts and 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.
The configuration of the Interim ODMDS has resulted from the ease and
economics of disposal from maintenance dredging the Mermentau River bar
channel. The proximity led to the establishment of a site parallel to the
channel In the direction of prevailing current. The site lends Itself to
surveillance of Individual dredged material disposal operations and
long-term monitoring because of its distinct location and proximity to
inland docking areas.
(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.
The interim site has been used historically for disposal of dredged
material; there is no environmental advantage to locating the site beyond
the shelf without incurring large Increases in the cost of disposal.
Material would have to be transported some 100 miles south of the bar
channel near the proposed Flower Garden Bank Marine Sanctuary and other
banks. Environmental Impacts could be greater than deposition in the
interim ODMDS.
CUMULATIVE IMPACTS
There are active oil and gas platforms located just south of the ODMDS.
Also, there are many oil and gas canals in the Lower Mud Lake area.
Production and associated Impacts of Inshore developments probably have
been declining since the late 1960's (MMS, 1984). Pipelines from offshore
oil and gas rigs traverse the area. The adverse Impacts from offshore oil
and gas development in the Gulf are generally temporary and localized. The
28
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occasional use of the ODMDS would result In additional temporary, localized
Impacts to the nearshore area. Use of the ODMDS would not impact Lower Mud
Lake, Cheniers, or beaches in the area.
PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT
Coastal Zone Consistency - The EPA is. coordinating with the, Louisiana
Department of Natural Resources (LDNR) concerning the consistency of final
designation of the Mermentau ODMDS with the Louisiana Coastal Zone
Management Plan. Designation by EPA only makes the site available for
disposal of dredged material. Site designation does not preclude
consideration of other disposal options. Each time the COE desires to use
the site, they would go through the same actions as if they were applying
for a permit.
History of Public Involvement - The COE prepared an EIS in 1977 (COE 1977)
for the assumption of maintenance for the Mermentau River-Gulf of Mexico
navigation channel. The COE published an EIS in 1981 for the Mermentau
River Project (COE, 1981a). Also, a Maintenance Dredging Ocean Dumping
Assessment was prepared (COE, 1981b). Letters regarding endangered and
threatened species were sent to the FWS, the NMFS, and the Louisiana
Department of Wildlife and Fisheries; responses are included in this
document (Attachment 1). A Biological Assessment was prepared by the COE
and sent to the NMFS in January 1990.
Scoping - A Notice of Intent to prepare the EIS for the Mermentau River
ODMDS was published In the Federal Register on 8 December 1989. A scoping
input request was sent to all interested parties in November 1989. A
scoping document was sent on January 10, 1990, to all parties responding to
the scoping input request. Comments received from said parties have been
incorporated into the EIS.
29
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Coordination of the draft EIS - This EIS will be sent to the following
agencies, groups, and individuals:
Honorable J. Bennett Johnston
Honorable Lindy Boggs
Honorable Robert Livingston
Honorable Jimmy Hayes
Honorable Jim McCrery
FEDERAL
Honorable John B. Breaux
Honorable Jerry Huckaby
Honorable Richard Baker
Honorable Billy Tauzin
Honorable Clyde Holloway
Dept. of the Interior
Washington, DC
Mineral Management Service
New Orleans, LA
Advisory Council of Historic
Preservation
Washington, DC
Golden, CO
Dept of Agriculture
Alexandria, LA
Forest Service
Atlanta, GA
Dept. of Health and Human Services
Washington, DC
STATE OFFI<
Governor of Louisiana
Honorable Cecil J. Picard
Honorable Jack Doland
Honorable "Randy" Roach
Honorable "Sam" Theriot
La. Dept. of Transportation and
Development
La. Natural Heritage Program
La. Dept. of Natural Resources
Office of Environmental Affairs
Division of State Lands
Coastal Resources Program
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Lafayette, LA
U.S. Dept. of Commerce
Washington, DC
U.S. Coast Guard
New Orleans, LA
National Marine Fisheries
Service
Baton Rouge, LA
St. Petersburg, FL
Centers for Disease Control
Atlanta, GA
AND AGENCIES
Attorney General of Louisiana
La. Dept. of Health and Human
Resources
La. Dept. of Wildlife and
Fisheries
La. Dept. of Environmental
Quality
Water Pollution Control
Division
La. Dept. of Commerce
La. State Planning Office
30
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STATE OFFICIALS AND AGENCIES (cont'd)
La. Dept. of Culture, Recreation
and Tourism
State Historic Preservation Officer
Office of State Parks
LSU
Center for Wetlands Resources
Curator of Anthropology
Technical Coordinator for Coastal
Activities
La. Geological Survey
Governor's Coastal Protection
Task Force
LOCAL AGENCIES
Cameron Parish Library
Mr. Ernest Trahan, President,
Cameron Parish Police Jury
Mr. Harris F. Vallo, President,
Vermilion Parish Police Jury
ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS
Orleans Audubon Society
Environmental Defense Fund
Chappepeela Group, Sierra Club
National Wildlife Federation
National Resources Defense Council
South LA. Environmental Council
Gulf States Marine Fisheries Comm.
Gulf Coast Conservation Assn.
Gulf Coast Conservation
Association
Delta Chapter, Sierra Club
Tulane Law School
Louisiana Wildlife Federation
League of Women Voters of LA
Fund for Animals
Sea Grant Legal Program
Gulf of Mexico Fisheries
Management Council
31
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Description of EIS and Rule-making Processes - The draft EIS Is being
distributed to the above entities for a 45-day review and comment period.
A final EIS will be prepared taking into account comments on the draft
EIS. Site designation also requires publication of proposed and final
rule-making packages in the Federal Register by EPA. The proposed rule
should be published concurrent with the draft EIS review period. The final
rule will be published after expiration of the 30-day comment period on the
final EIS.
LIST OF PREPARERS
The draft EIS was prepared by Robert J. Martinson (Environmental Resource
Specialist in the New Orleans District, COE) in cooperation with Darlene
Coulson (EIS Project Officer of EPA, Region VI).
32
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LITERATURE CITED
Adklns, G. 1972. A Study of the Blue Crab Fishery in Louisiana.
Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission. Technical Bulletin
No. 3. New Orleans, LA.
Barnes, R.D. 1968. Invertebrate Zoology, 2nd ed. W. B. Saunders Co.,
Phila., PA.
Barrett, B.B., J.L. Merrell, T. P. Morrison, M.C. Gillespie, E.J. Ralph
and J.F. Burdon. 1978. A Study of Louisiana's Major Estuaries and
Adjacent Offshore Waters. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and
Fisheries. Technical Bulletin No. 27. New Orleans, LA.
Barrett, B.B. and M. Gillespie. 1973. Primary Factors which Influence
Commercial Shrimp Production in Coastal LA. LA. Wildlife and Fisheries
Commission, New Orleans, LA
Bokuniewicz, H.J. and R.B. Gordon. 1980. Deposition of dredged sediment
at open water sites. Estuarine and Coastal Mar. Sci., 10:289-303.
Brannon, J.M., R.H. Plumb, Jr., and I. Smith. 1978. Long-term release of
contaminants from dredged material. Dredged Material Research
Program. Technical Report D-78-49. U.S. Army Corps of^Engineers,
Waterways Experiment Station, Vicksburg, MS.
Burk and Associates, Inc. 1977. Unique Ecological Features of the
Louisiana Coast. Louisiana State Planning Office, Baton Rouge, LA.
Carstea, D., L. Boberschmldt, R. Holberger, S. Saarl, and R. Strieter.
1976. Considerations for the Environmental Impact Assessment of Small
Structures and Related Activities as Applied to the New Orleans
District U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Prepared for the U.S. Corps of
Engineers by the Mitre Corporation, McLean, VA.
COE See U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Darnell, R.M., R.E. Defenbaugh, and D. Moore. 1983. Northwestern Gulf
shelf bio-atlas; a study of the distribution of demersal fishes and
penaeid shrimp of soft bottoms of the continental shelf from the Rio
Grande to the Mississippi River Delta. Open File Report No. 82-04.
Minerals Management Service, Metairie, LA.
DOI See U.S. Department of the Interior.
Cowan, J. H. Jr. and R. F. Shaw. 1988. The distribution, abundance, and
transport of larval sciaenlds collected during winter and early spring
from the continental shelf waters off west Louisiana. Fishery
Bulletin. 86:129-142.
33
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LITERATURE CITED (Continued)
Dugas, R. 1981. Louisiana Oyster Industry 1980, Proceeding of the North
American Oyster Workshop (K.K. Chew, ed.), special Publication of the
World Mariculture Society.
Dunham, F. 1989. Biologist with Louisiana Dept. of Wildlife and Fisheries,
personal communication with Robert Martinson U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers.
Gaidry, W.J. and C.J. White. 1973. Investigations of Commercially
Important Penalld Shrimp in Louisiana Estuaries. Louisiana Wildlife
and Fisheries Commission. Technical Bulletin No. 8. New Orleans, LA.
Gaston, G.R., P.A. Rutledge, and M.L. Walther. 1985. The effects of
hypoxia and brine on recolonlzatlon by macrobenthos off Cameron,
Louisiana (USA). Cont. Mar. Sci. 28: 79-93.
Gossellnk, J.G., C.L. Cordes, and J.W. Parsons. 1979. An Ecological
Characterization Study of the Chenler Plain Coastal Ecosystem of
Louisiana and Texas. FWS/0BS-78/10. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,
Slidell, LA.
Juneau, C.L., Jr. 1977. A study of the Seabob, Xiphopeneus kroyerl
(Heller) in Louisiana. Technical Bulletin No. 24 Louisiana Department
of Wildlife and Fisheries, Baton Rouge, LA.
Keller, C.E., J.A. Spendelow, and R.D. Greer. 1984. Atlas of Wading Bird
and Seablrd Nesting Colonies In Coastal Louisiana, Mississippi, and
Alabama: 1983. FWS/0BS-84/13. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,
Washington, D.C.
Kutkuhn, J.H. 1966. The role of estuaries in the development and
perpetuation of commercial shrimp resources. Amer. Fish. Soc. Spec.
Pub. No. 3:16-36.
May, E.B. 1973. Environmental Effects of Hydraulic Dredging in
Estuaries. Alabama Marine Resources Bulletin No. 9. Alabama Marine
Resources Laboratory, Dauphlne Island, AL.
MMS See U.S. Minerals Management Service
Muncy, R.J. and W.M. Wingo. 1983. Species profiles: life histories and
environmental requirements of coastal fishes and Invertebrates (Gulf of
Mexico)—sea catfish and gafftopsail catfish. U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, Division of Biological Services, FWS/0BS-82/11.5. U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers, TR EL-82-4.
Murray, S. P. 1976. Currents and circulation in the coastal waters of
Louisiana. Sea Grant Publication LSU-T-76-003. CSI Publ. No. 210.
Baton Rouge, LA.
34
-------
LITERATURE CITED (Continued)
O'Bannan, B.K. 1988. Fisheries of the United States, 1987. Current
Fishery Statistics No. 8700. National Marine Fisheries Service,
Washington, DC
Overstreet, R.M. and R.W. Heard. 1978. Food of the Atlantic croaker,
Mlcropogonias undulatus. Gulf Research Reports. 6:145-152.
Perret, W.S., B.B. Barrett, WiR. Latapie, J.F. Polland, W.R. Mock, G.B.
Adkins, W.J. Gaidry, and C.J. White. 1971. Cooperative Gulf of Mexico
estuarine inventory and study, Louisiana. Phase 1, Area Description
and Phase IV, Biology. Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission,
New Orleans, LA.
Rabalais, N., M. Dagg, and D. Boesch. 1985. Nationwide review of oxygen
depletion and eutrophication in estuarine and coastal waters: Gulf of
Mexico (Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas). Ocean Assessments
Div., Natl. Oceanographic and Atomospheric Administration.
Robinette, H.R. 1983. Species profiles: life histories arid environmental
requirements of coastal fishes and inverterbrates (Gulf of Mexico)—bay
anchovy and striped anchovy. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Division
of Biological Services, FWS/OBS - 82/11.14. U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers, TR EL-82-4.
Rounsefell, G.A. 1975. Ecology, Utilization, and Management of Marine
Fisheries. C.W. Mosby Co., St. Louis, MO.
Sheridan, P.F., D.L. Trimm, and B.M. Baker. 1984. Reproduction and food
habits of seven species of northern Gulf of Mexico fishes.
Contributions in Marine Science. 27:175-204.
Stern, E.M. and W.B. Stickle. 1978. Effects of Turbidity and Suspended
Materials in the Aquatic Environment. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Dredged Material Research Program. Technical Report D-78-21.
Vicksburg, MS.
Sutter, F.C. and T.D. Mcllwain. 1987. Species Profiles: life histories
and environmental requirements of coastal fishes and invertebrates
(Gulf of Mexico)—sand seatrout and silver seatrout. U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service Bid. Rep. 82(11.72). U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, TR
EL-82-4.
Thompson, B.A. 1986. Identification Guide to Selected Estuarine Fishes of
Louisiana. Louisiana State University. Center for Wetland Resources,
Baton Rouge, LA.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. 1971. National Shoreline Study, Louisiana.
U.S. Army Engineer District, New Orleans, LA.
35
-------
LITERATURE CITED (Continued)
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. 1972. History of Hurricane Occurrences
Along Coastal Louisiana. U.S. Army Engineer District, New Orleans, LA.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. 1977. Final Environmental
Statement-Mermentau River - Gulf of Mexico Navigation Channel,
Louisiana. U.S. Army Engineer District, New Orleans, LA.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. 1978. Navigable and Ocean Waters New
Orleans District Water Quality Data in Support of Dredging Operations.
Engineering Report I21NED-H-H-QW-11. U.S. Army Engineer District,
New Orleans, LA.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. 1981a. Final Composite Environmental
Statement for Operations and Maintenance of Four Projects in the
Mermentau Basin, Louisiana. U.S. Army Engineer District, New Orleans,
LA.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. 1981b. Ocean Dumping Assessment. U.S.
Army Engineer District, New Orleans, LA.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. 1984. General Approach to Designation
Studies for Ocean Dredged Material Disposal sites. U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers, Water Resources Support Center. Ft. Belvolr, VA.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. 1988. Louisiana Coastal Area, Louisiana;
Marsh Value Analysis. U.S. Army Engineer District, New Orleans, LA.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. 1989. Waterborne Commerce of the U.S. -
Calender Year 1987. Report No. WRSC-WCUS-87-2, New Orleans, LA.
U.S. Department of the Interior. 1979. Final Environmental Impact
Statement for Proposal 1979 Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Lease
58, Western and Central Gulf of Mexico, Vol. 1. Bureau of Land
Management, Washington, D.C.
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USEPA, Office of Water Regulation and Standards, Washington, D.C.
U.S. Federal Energy Administration. 1977. Strategic Petroluem Reserve,
Final Environmental Impact Statement, West Hackberry Salt Dome FES
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U.S. Minerals Management Service. 1984. Final Environmental Impact
Statement - Proposed Oil and Gas Lease Sales 94, 98, and 102, Gulf of
Mexico OCS Region, Metalrie, LA.
U.S. Minerals Management Service. 1987. Draft Environmental Impact
Statement - Proposed Oil and Gas Lease Sales 113, 115, and 102 Gulf of
Mexico OCS Region, Metalrie, LA.
36
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LITERATURE CITED (Continued)
U.S. Minerals Management Service. 1989. Final Environmental Impact
Statement. Gulf of Mexico Sales 123 and 125. Gulf of Mexico OCS
Region, Metairie, LA.
Wells, J.T., R.L. Crout, and G.P. Kemp. 1981. An Assessment of Coastal
Processes, Dredged-Sediment Transport, and Biological Effects of
Dredging, Coast of Louisiana. Coastal Studies Institute Technical
Report No. 314. Coastal Studies Institute, Baton Rouge, LA.
White, C.J. and C.J. Boudreaux. 1977. Development of an Areal Management
Concept for Gulf Penaneid Shrimp. Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries
Commission. Technical Bulletin No. 22. New Orleans, LA.
37
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ATTACHMENT 1
Letters from U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service,
the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,
and the Louisiana Natural Heritage Program
Concerning Threatened and Endangered Species
-------
.I^O'CCL
/ V \
*'4ru o»
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
! NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE
I Southeast Regional Office
9450 Koger Boulevard
St. Petersburg, FL 33702
November 13, 1989
F/SER23:TLD
Mr. R. H. Schroeder, Jr.
Chief, Planning Division
U.S. Dept. of the Army
New Orleans District, COE
Post Office Box 60267
New Orleans, LA 70160-0267
Dear Mr. Schroeder:
This responds to your November 3, 1989, letter requesting
information on endangered and threatened species under the
jurisdiction of the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) which
might occur in the vicinity of the proposed project. The enclosed
list contains species under NMFS purview that may occur in the
marine environment off Louisiana.
If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Terry Henwood,
Fishery Biologist, at FTS 826-3366.
Sincerely yours,
qju*juj a
Charles A. Oravetz, Chief
Protected Species Management Branch
Enclosure
-------
ENDANGERED AND THREATENED SPECIES AND CRITICAL HABITATS
UNDER
NMFS JURISDICTION
Louisiana
Listed Species
finback whale
humpback whale
right whale
sei whale
sperm whale
green sea turtle
hawksbill sea turtle
Kemp's (Atlantic)
ridley sea turtle
leatherback sea
turtle
loggerhead sea
turtle
Scientific Name
Balaenoptera physalus
Megaptera novaeangliae
Eubaleana glacialis
Balaenoptera borealis
Physeter catodon
Chelonia mydas
Eretmochelys imbricata
Lepidochelys kempi
Dermochelys coriacea
Caretta caretta
Status
Date Listed
E
12/02/70
E
12/02/70
E
12/02/70
E
12/02/70
E
12/02/70
Th
07/28/78
E
06/02/70
E
12/02/70
E
06/02/70
Th
07/28/78
SPECIES PROPOSED FOR LISTING
None
LISTED CRITICAL HABITAT
None
PROPOSED CRITICAL HABITAT
None
-------
EB I 1 1990
Alt
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE
Southeast Region
9450 Roger Boulevard
St. Petersburg, FL 33702
February 12, 1990
F/SER23:TLD
Mr. R. H. Schroeder, Jr.
Chief, Planning Division
U.S. Dept. of the Army
Post Office Box 60267
New Orleans, LA 70160-0267
Dear Mr. Schroeder:
This responds to your January 17, 1990, letter regarding the
potential impacts of ocean disposal of dredged materials at two
sites, offshore Louisiana. A Biological Assessment (BA) was
submitted pursuant to Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act of
1973 (ESA).
We have reviewed the BA and concur with your determinations that
populations of endangered/threatened species under our purview
would not be adversely affected by the proposed action.
This concludes consultation responsibilities under Section 7 of the
ESA. However, consultation should be reinitiated if new
information reveals impacts of the identified activity that may
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 questions, please contact Dr. Terry Henwood,
Fishery Biologist at 813/893-3366.
w
Sincerely yours,
Charles*A. Oravetz, Chief
Protected Species Management Branch
cc: F/SER1
F/PR2
-------
United States Department of the Interior
82S Kaliste Saloom Rd.
Brandywine Bldg. II, Suite 102
Lafayette, Louisiana 70S08
November 21, 1989
Nr. R. H. Schroeder, Jr.
Chief, Planning Division
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Post Office Box 60267
New Orleans, Louisiana 70160
Dear Mr. Schroeder:
This is in response to your November 3, 1989, letter in which you requested
information concerning listed and proposed threatened and endangered species
that may be impacted by disposal of dredged material at two ocean dredged
material disposal sites in the Gulf of Mexico. One site is near the mouth of
Freshwater Bayou Canal in Vermilion Parish and the other is near the mouth
of the Mermentau River Channel in Cameron Parish. The following comments
are provided in accordance with provisions of the Endangered Species Act (87
Stat. 884, as amended: 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).
Our records indicate that no endangered, threatened, or proposed species or
their critical habitat occur within the disposal areas. However, the National
Marine Fisheries Service is responsible for aquatic marine threatened or
endangered species. Contact Terry Henwood (813/893-3366) in St. Petersburg,
Florida, for information concerning those species.
If you anticipate any changes in the scope or location of this project, please
contact Kim Mitchell of this office for further coordination.
David M. Smitn
Acting Field Supervisor
-------
NOV 1 3 1989
DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE AND FISHERIES
VIRGINIA VAN SICKLE
SECRETARY
BATON ROUGE, LA. 70898
PHONE (504) 765-2800
POST OFFICE BOX S8000
BUDDY ROEMER
GOVERNOR
November 7, 1989
R. H. Schroeder, Jr.
Chief, Planning Division
Environmental Analysis Branch
Department of the Army
New Orleans District, Corps of Engineers
P.O. Box 60267
New Orleans, LA 70160-0267
Dear Mr. Schroeder,
A review of the Louisiana Natural Heritage Program's data base for significant
ecological features revealed no occurrences of endangered or threatened plants or
animals within the proposed project boundary.
The Louisiana Natural Heritage Program has compiled data on rare, endangered,
or otherwise significant plant and animal species, plant communities, and other natural
features throughout the state of Louisiana. While this information is available for
preparation and review of environmental assessments, it is not a substitute for on-site
surveys. The quantity and quality of data collected by this inventory are dependent on
the research and observations of many individuals and organizations. In many cases,
information on environmental elements is not the result of comprehensive field surveys.
RE: Disposal of dredged material in
two ocean dredged material sites -
Mermentau River and Freshwater
Bayou (Letter dated 3 Nov. 89)
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
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