ATCHAFALAYA RIVER BAR CHANNEL, LOUISIANA
SITE MANAGEMENT PLAN
FOR THE MAINTENANCE DREDGING
OCEAN DREDGED MATERIAL DISPOSAL SITE
AS REQUIRED BY
SECTION 102 OF THE
MARINE PROTECTION, RESEARCH AND SANCTUARIES ACT
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SITE MANAGEMENT PLAN
ATCHAFALAYA RIVER BAR CHANNEL, LOUISIANA
OCEAN DREDGED MATERIAL DISPOSAL SITES
I. General
The Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act (MPRSA) of 1972 (33 U.S.C. Section
1401, et seq.) is the legislative authority regulating the disposal of dredged material into ocean
waters, including the territorial sea. The transportation of dredged material for the purpose of
placement into ocean waters is permitted by the Corps of Engineers or, in the case of Federal
projects, authorized for disposal under MPRSA Section 103(e), applying environmental criteria
established by the Environmental Protection Agency in the Ocean Dumping Regulations (40 CFR
Parts 220-229).
Section 102(c) of the MPRSA and 40 CFR 228.4(e)(l) authorize the Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) to designate ocean dredged material disposal sites (ODMDSs) in
accordance with requirements at 40 CFR 228.5 and 228.6. Section 103(b) of MPRSA requires that
the Corps of Engineers (USAGE) use dredged material sites designated by EPA to the maximum
extent feasible. Where use of an EPA-designated site is not feasible, the USAGE may, with
concurrence of EPA, select an alternative site in accordance with MPRSA 103(b).
Section 228.3 of the Ocean Dumping Regulations established disposal site management
responsibilities; however, the Water Resources Development Act of 1992 (WRDA 92; Public Law
102-580) included a number of amendments to the MPRSA specific to ODMDS management.
Section 102(c) of MPRSA as amended by Section 506 of WRDA 92 provides that:
1. Site management plans shall be developed for each ODMDS designated pursuant to
Section 102(c) of MPRSA.
2. After January 1, 1995, no ODMDS shall receive a final designation unless a site
management plan has been developed.
3. For ODMDSs that received a final designation prior to January 1, 1995, site
management plans shall be developed as expeditiously as practicable, but no later
than January 1, 1997, giving priority to sites with the greatest potential impact on the
environment.
4. Beginning on January 1, 1997, no permit or authorization for dumping shall be
issued for a site unless it has received a final designation pursuant to Section 102(c)
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ODMDS Management Plan Atchafalaya River Bar Channel, Louisiana
MPRSA or it is an alternate site selected by the USAGE under Section 103(b) of
MPRSA.
This Site Management Plan, for the Atchafalaya River Bar Channel, LA Ocean Dredged
Material Disposal Sites, was developed jointly by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
Region 6 (EPA, Region 6) and the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers, New Orleans District (CEMVN).
In accordance with Section 102(c)(3) of the MPRSA, as amended by WRDA 92, the plan includes
the following:
1. A baseline assessment of conditions at the site;
2. A program for monitoring the site;
3. Special management conditions or practices to be implemented at the site, that are
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necessary for protection of the environment;
4. Consideration of the quantity of dredged material to be discharged at the site, and the
presence, nature, and bioavailability of the contaminants in the material;
5. Consideration of the anticipated use of the site over the long term, including the
anticipated closure date for the site, if applicable, and any need for management of
the site after the closure;
6. A schedule for review and revision of the plan.
II. Site Management Objectives
The purpose of ODMDS management is to ensure that placement activities do not
unreasonably degrade the marine environment or interfere with other beneficial uses
(e.g., navigation) of the ocean. The specific objectives of management of the Atchafalaya River Bar
Channel, LA Ocean Dredged Material Disposal Site for maintenance material are as follows:
1. beneficial use of all dredged material of suitable grain size for stacking;
2. ocean disposal of only that dredged material that satisfies the criteria set forth in
40 CFR Part 227 Subparts B, C, D, E, and G and Part 228.4(e) and is suitable for
unrestricted placement at the ODMDS; and
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ODMDS Management Plan Atchafalaya River Bar Channel, Louisiana
3. avoidance of excessive and prolonged mounding either within the site boundaries or in
areas adjacent to the site as a direct result of disposal operations.
These objectives will be achieved through the following measures:
1. Regulation and administration of ocean dumping permits;
2. Development and maintenance of a site monitoring program;
3. Evaluation of permit compliance and monitoring results.
III. Roles and Responsibilities
In accordance with Section 102 (c) of the MPRSA and with the Regional MOU between
CEMVN and EPA, Region 6 on Management of ODMDSs signed August 13, 1993, EPA is
responsible for designation of ODMDSs. Where use of an EPA-designated site is not feasible, the
CEMVN may, with concurrence with EPA, Region 6 select an alternative site in accordance with
Section 103(b) of the MPRSA as amended by Section 506 of WRDA 1992.
Development of site management plans for ODMDSs within the New Orleans District is the
joint responsibility of EPA, Region 6 and the CEMVN. Both agencies are responsible for assuring
that all components of the site management plans are implementable, practical, and applicable to site
management decision-making.
IV. Funding
Physical, chemical, and biological effects-based testing shall be undertaken on sediments to
be deposited at the ODMDS. When actively utilized for dredged material disposal this testing will
be conducted at least every five years (as of December 2008 this site is not actively utilized for
dredged material disposal but is available if needed), or as necessary to address contaminant
concerns due to unanticipated events, and will be funded by the permittee if the project is permitted,
or CEMVN for Federal proj ects. The permittee or CEMVN, as appropriate, shall also be responsible
for costs associated with placement site hydrographic monitoring. Should monitoring indicate that
additional studies and/or tests are needed at the ODMDS; the cost for such work would be shared by
the permittee or CEMVN and EPA, Region 6. Physical, chemical, and biological effects-based
testing at the ODMDS, or in the site environs after discharge, that is not required as a result of
hydrographic monitoring, shall be funded by EPA, Region 6. Federal funding of all aspects of this
Site Management Plan is contingent on availability of appropriated funds.
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ODMDS Management Plan Atchafalaya River Bar Channel, Louisiana
V. Baseline Assessment
A. Site Characterization. The Atchafalaya River Bar Channel ODMDS is located east
of and parallel to the Atchafalaya River and Bayous Chene, Boeuf, and Black, LA, bar channel and
is 29.6 kilometers (km) (18.5 miles) long (Figure 1.). The coordinates of the rectangular-shaped site
are as follows:
29° 20' 59.92" N, 91° 23' 33.23" W;
29° 20' 43.94" N, 91° 23' 09.73" W;
29° 08' 15.46" N, 91° 34' 51.02" W;
29° 07' 50.43" N, 91° 34' 27.51" W.
The center of the site is approximately 16 km (10 miles) from the mouth of the
Atchafalaya River. North Point of Point au Per Island is about 4 km (2 miles) east of the northern
end of the site. Point au Per Shell Reef, an area that has been subjected to extensive shell
dredging, lies just shoreward of the ODMDS.
Baseline conditions at the Atchafalaya River Bar Channel ODMDS were assessed
during the site designation process. Details of baseline conditions, including descriptions of the
marine environment in the site vicinity and the physical, chemical and biological characteristics
of the sediments and the water column at the site, are contained in the Final Environmental
Impact Statement (EIS) for the Atchafalaya River Bar Channel Ocean Dredged Material
Disposal Site (ODMDS) Designation, St. Mary Parish, Louisiana" (EPA, 1996).
B. Historical Use of the Site. The Rivers and Harbors Act of June 25, 1910 authorized the
CEMVN to construct and maintain the Atchafalaya River, Morgan City to the Gulf of Mexico, LA,
project which provided a navigation channel 20 feet deep, 200 feet wide and 15.75 miles long from
the 20-foot contour in the Atchafalaya Bay, approximately 4 miles beyond the mouth of the
Atchafalaya River, to the 20-foot contour in the Gulf of Mexico. Traffic sufficient to warrant
maintenance of the authorized navigation channel to full project dimensions did not immediately
develop. The channel was progressively enlarged during maintenance events from 10- by 100-feetin
1939 to 20- by 200-feet in 1974.
The Rivers and Harbors Act of 1968 authorized construction of the Atchafalaya River and
Bayous Chene, Boeuf, and Black, LA, proj ect which incorporated the existing proj ect and provided
for an increase in channel width of the navigation channel in Atchafalaya Bay and bar to 400 feet.
Construction of the channel in the bay and bar was initiated in April, 1974 and completed in
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ODMDS Management Plan Atchafalaya River Bar Channel, Louisiana
December of the same year. History of disposal of dredged material from the Atchafalaya River Bar
Channel prior to construction of the enlarged channel in 1974 is incomplete. Dredging records
dating back to 1957 indicate that maintenance of discontinuous reaches of the bay and/or bar
channel occurred on an annual basis from 1957 until 1974 except for 1961. It is likely that dredged
material was placed unconfined in open water on either side of the navigation channel.
Between 1974 and 1991, all of the dredged material removed during routine maintenance
of the bar channel was placed in the ODMDS. Prior to the 1991 maintenance event, the 193-acre
upper end of the ODMDS was incorporated into a 360-acre disposal area designated under
Section 404 of the Clean Water Act for placement of dredged material for creation of islands for
colonial nesting seabirds. Beginning with the 1991 maintenance event and during subsequent
annual maintenance events, dredged material from the bar channel suitable for stacking has been
used beneficially by deposition in the Section 404 site. To date, approximately 750,000 cubic
yards of dredged material has been placed annually at the Section 404 site. Material not suitable
for beneficial use has been placed in the ODMDS. Table 1.1 provides a summary of the disposal
history for the Atchafalaya River Bar Channel ODMDS.
Maintenance dredging of the Atchafalaya River Bar Channel is required on an annual basis
and only material from the navigation channel is placed in the ODMDS. Material is removed using a
hydraulic cutterhead pipeline dredge and is discharged as a slurry through a floating pipeline into the
ODMDS. Dredging in the bar channel normally begins in January and continues through October;
however, dredging is not continuous. Dredges may be assigned to the bar channel anytime between
January and October to restore authorized channel dimensions. When a dredge is working in the bar
channel, disposal operations will 24 hours a day, seven days a week until authorized channel
dimensions are restored.
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ODMDS Management Plan
Atchafalaya River Bar Channel, Louisiana
Figure 1. Atchafalaya River Bar Channel ODMDS.
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ODMDS Management Plan
Atchafalaya River Bar Channel, Louisiana
Table 1.1. Date of disposal operations and quantities of material disposed. The Atchafalaya River
Bar Channel reach extends from C/L Sta. 475+00 to 1340+00. Available information does not
distinguish between the Atchafalaya River Bar Channel and others areas dredged prior to 1973.
Dredging beginning Dredging ending Quantity Dredged
(MM/DD/YY) (MM/DD/YY) (cubic yards)
04/04/65
02/25/66
08/26/66
09/04/67
10/13/68
07/01/68
08/30/69
07/03/70
07/12/71
06/07/73
04/1 1/74
08/21/76
12/08/78
07/04/81
06/24/83
09/25/85
07/02/87
08/06/88
06/29/89
08/02/90
01/31/91
05/07/91
02/20/92
05/11/92
03/14/93
08/14/93
06/10/93
05/27/94
05/02/65
12/27/66
05/18/67
06/30/68
12/05/68
08/22/68
12/21/69
08/15/70
10/06/71
08/21/73
12/06/74
02/10/77
04/02/79
11/10/81
11/01/83
02/08/86
08/31/87
1 1/22/88
09/12/89
11/17/90
04/17/91
09/25/91
05/04/92
12/02/92
05/19/93
09/14/93
09/16/93
10/16/94
765,150
3,024,214
1,769,284
642,632
1,263,258
824,228
2,925,226
1,249,077
2,348,112
3,557,062
14,409,109
10,888,170
10,992,792
9,236,530
10,674,563
8,500,000
10,035,209
10,302,961
11,111,114
9,446,109
1,643,900
9,559,859
1,000,000
9,630,972
4,035,076
2,254,937
11,700,000
8,757,597
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ODMDS Management Plan
Atchafalaya River Bar Channel, Louisiana
04/14/94
06/23/95
FY-1996
05/26/94
10/25/95
FY-1997
FY-1998
FY-1999
FY-2000
FY-2001
FY-2002
1,836,445
9,311,000
11,589,416
6,968,673
10,942,132
10,847,337
10,749,971
10,824,858
9,688,753
VI. Quantity of Material and Level of Contamination
A. Summary of information used to determine size of the site. The Atchafalaya
River Bar Channel ODMDS is a long, narrow site paralleling the bar channel reach of the
Atchafalaya River and Bayous Chene, Boeuf, and Black, LA, navigation channel. When EPA
designated it an interim ODMDS in 1977, the site had been used for disposal of dredged material
from the bar channel since 1974. The configuration of the site probably resulted from ease of
disposal from the navigation channel. No recommendations for changes in the size of the site
were made as a result of the site designation studies.
Prior to completion of the supplemental draft EIS for site designation and publication of the
proposed rule on February 6, 1991, CEMVN proposed extending the ODMDS limits on both the
northern and southern ends to accommodate actual and potential increases in the length of the bar
channel reach of the navigation channel as the Atchafalaya Delta progresses gulfward. The ODMDS
described in the proposed rule was 30.4 km (19 miles) long and 0.8 km (0.5 mile) wide.
In 1991, the northernmost end of the ODMDS was incorporated into a Section 404
disposal area for the beneficial use of dredged material to construct islands for colonial nesting
seabirds. Deletion of the upper end of the ODMDS resulted in a site 29.6 km (18.5 miles) long
and 0.8 km (0.5 mile) wide.
The location and configuration of the ODMDS involves only short transport of the
dredged material from the navigation channel through floating pipeline to the site. This
minimizes interference with other activities such as fishing and navigation in the site environs
during dredging and disposal operations. The site also is easily accessible for surveillance of
dredged material disposal operations and monitoring.
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ODMDS Management Plan Atchafalaya River Bar Channel, Louisiana
Like most ODMDSs in the Gulf of Mexico, the Atchafalaya River Bar Channel ODMDS
is a dispersive site. The dredged material discharged into the site is expected to erode because of
the high percentage of very fine-grained components and because of the location of the site in a
high-energy inshore area where waves, currents, wind and tides constantly mix and redistribute
the sediments and thus, the dredged material, over a wide area.
Since 1974, the Atchafalaya River Bar Channel has been dredged every year except for
1975, 1977, 1978, 1980, and 1982 dredged material has been placed in the ODMDS, the Section
102 EPA designated ODMDS located on the east side of the navigation channel, or in more
recent years (after 2001) the Section 103 US Army Corps of Engineers designated Alternative
ODMDS. The quantity of dredged material discharged into the ODMDS each year has ranged
from 760 thousand cubic meters (1 million cubic yards) to 10.6 million cubic meters (14 million
cubic yards). The dredged material generally is comprised of silty-clay with traces of sand (11%
sand, 52% silt, 37% clay). It is anticipated that annual maintenance of the Atchafalaya River Bar
Channel and disposal of dredged material into either the east side Section 102 ODMDS or the
west side Section 103 ODMDS will continue in the future. During each maintenance event,
between 6.8 and 8.4 million cubic meters (9.0 to 11.0 million cubic yards) of dredged material
will be discharged into an ODMDS.
B. Summary of testing requirements per Regional Implementation Agreement (RIA) and
summary of past dredged material evaluations. Dredged material from the Atchafalaya River Bar
Channel was sampled and analyzed in accordance with the "1991 Green Book" in 1991, 2002, and
2008. A Tier III evaluation consisting of physical analyses, bulk sediment analyses, water chemistry
and elutriate analyses, and toxicity bioassays was conducted. The results of the analyses indicated
that the dredged material proposed for discharge into the ODMDS was in compliance with the
Ocean Dumping Criteria and was suitable for ocean disposal.
On September 24, 1992, a RIA was executed between EPA Region 6, and the New Orleans
District. This RIA was updated on November 3, 2003 (U.S. EPA and U.S. ACE, 2003), and
describes protocols for evaluating the quality of the dredged material and implementation of the
"GREENBOOK" (U.S. EPA and U.S. ACE, 1991). These protocols describe chemical parameters
to be analyzed, as well as required detection limits. It also specifies how toxicity testing and
bioaccumulation assessments are to be conducted, as well as organisms to be utilized.
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ODMDS Management Plan Atchafalaya River Bar Channel, Louisiana
VII. Anticipated Site Use
Since 2002 the eastern or Section 102 ODMDS has not been utilized for dredged
material disposal. At that time the CEMVN began using the site located on the west side of the Bar
Channel. The local sponsor believes the western site is a better disposal site and there is no
definitive information to refute that perspective. It is probable that the EPA will designate the west
side ODMDS as the Section 102 site in the near future. At that time a Site Management and
Monitoring Plan will be developed.
IX. Monitoring Program
The primary purpose of the Site Monitoring Program is to evaluate the impact of the
placement of dredged material on the marine environment. The evaluations will be used for making
decisions, preventing unacceptable adverse effects beyond the site boundary, and ensuring
regulatory compliance over the life of the ODMDS. Emphasis will be placed on determining
physical impacts, since, to date, dredged material from the Atchafalaya River Bar Channel Project
has been determined to be acceptable for ocean placement, without special conditions; however,
consideration of contaminants will also be included. Testing of dredged material is conducted based
on "Greenbook" and RIA procedures; however it is necessary to verify the decisions made regarding
the suitability of the dredged material are correct and that the material is not having an adverse
impact to the environment. In the event that the dredged material persists in the ODMDS, there may
be potential for long-term contaminant effects on the benthos.
The size and location of the Atchafalaya River Bar Channel Project ODMDS were
determined pursuant to the General Criteria as listed in 40 CFR 228.5, and the Specific Criteria at
40 CFR 228.6(a). There are no significant environmental resources delineated within or
immediately outside of the designated ODMDS. Since this site is dispersive in nature, the primary
concern of the use of the site is the potential short-term build up of dredged material, such that a
hazard to navigation is presented. Another concern is whether there is significant short-term
movement of the dredged material beyond the ODMDS boundaries; specifically, the benthic
community can be impacted if significant rapid movement of material off the site occurs, resulting in
burial of benthic populations outside the site. Studies have shown that benthic organisms can
burrow through 6-9 inches of dredged material without significant impacts on the community
(Maurer, et al., 1978).
The Site Monitoring Program is designed as a tiered program. If initial tier results fail
predetermined limits, then a more complex set of tests is invoked at the next tier to determine the
extent of impact. The tiers are used to facilitate rapid, accurate and economical collection of
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ODMDS Management Plan Atchafalaya River Bar Channel, Louisiana
information for use by the EPA, Region 6, and the CEMVN. The tiered testing for these factors is
described below.
MAINTENANCE MATERIAL
TIER Ml
Physical and chemical evaluations of the ODMDS material shall be conducted to
characterize possible effects from the placement of dredged material occurring at the site. Physical
analyses of the sediment can assist in assessing the impact of disposal practices on the benthic
environment at the disposal site and determine if dredged material is migrating offsite. Chemical
analyses of the sediment shall be conducted to establish whether contaminants of concern are
suspected to be affecting the benthic environment at the disposal site.
Bathymetric Surveys
The ODMDS is located outside of the safety fairway for large vessel traffic, therefore, the
mounding will be considered in regard to shallow-draft vessels, only. Considering the grain-size
characteristics of typical maintenance dredged material from this channel, significant mounding is
not expected subsequent to discharge operations. The threshold elevation for mounding of dredged
material within the ODMDS will be two (2) feet above the existing bottom elevation.
Since the site is dispersive, movement of material from the site is expected to occur after
disposal operations cease. In order to detect if short-term movement of the material out of the
designated ODMDS is occurring at a significant rate, hydrographic surveys of the ODMDS shall be
obtained before the start of disposal operations, and after completion of disposal operations. An
accumulation of twelve (12) inches of sedimentation alongthe ODMDS boundary will be considered
the threshold level for movement of material outside of the designated ODMDS. This determination
shall be based on a comparison of the results of these before and after surveys.
Hydrographic surveys shall be conducted along transects within the ODMDS. These
transects shall be oriented perpendicular to the channel in the direction of sediment transport (i.e.,
southwest). Transect intervals shall be every 1,000 feet extending 1,000 feet outside each boundary.
In addition, a depth profile shall be obtained along each boundary.
Surveys shall be obtained using a USAGE, or contract survey vessel equipped with electronic
surveying capabilities. The vessel must be equipped with positioning equipment with a horizontal
precision of one (1) foot. The fathometer, which shall display real-time depth on real-time location,
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ODMDS Management Plan Atchafalaya River Bar Channel, Louisiana
must have a precision of 0.5 feet. All data shall be collected using methodology described in
Engineer Manual EM 1110-2-1003, dated January 1, 2002.
Data Analysis
* If deposited dredged material is not mounding to elevations greater than the
threshold elevation above the existing bottom elevation, and there is no short-term
movement of material beyond the limits of the ODMDS, then the management
objectives are met. No further post-disposal monitoring will be required.
* If mounding to elevations greater than the threshold elevations, and/or movement of
material out of the ODMDS has occurred, as determined by the post-dredging
survey, then the monitoring program shall proceed to Tier M2.
Sediment Chemistry
Sediment chemistry analyses shall be conducted in conjunction with the dredged material
evaluations from samples collected in the navigation channel. Collecting samples from both the
navigation channel and ODMDS during the same sampling event has been determined to be the
most efficient use of resources. Because most ODMDSs lie directly adjacent to the navigation
channels, there are relatively short distances between the two areas. As described in the RIA,
sediment testing in the navigation channels generally occurs on a five-year cycle. Sediment
chemistry results from the ODMDS and Navigation Channel should be compared to the results
collected from the Reference Area. Significantly elevated sediment concentrations are defined as
concentrations above the range of contaminant levels in dredged sediments that the Regional
Administrator and the District Engineer found to be suitable for disposal at the ODMDS.
Data Analysis
* If contaminant concentrations are not significantly different than navigation channel
concentrations then no further testing is needed.
* If significant increases in levels of contaminants are observed at the ODMDS, then a
determination will be made whether a bioassay/bioaccumulation study is warranted
to determine effects on the benthic community. The studies are described below as
Biological Testing under Tier M2.
TIERM2
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ODMDS Management Plan Atchafalaya River Bar Channel, Louisiana
Bathymetric Surveys
If transport of material from the site is occurring, hydrographic surveys shall be expanded to
include the impacted area and shall be performed on a semi-annual basis to determine the changes in
dispersion of the material until the impacts are no longer observed. An accumulation of more than
one (1) foot of sedimentation along the ODMDS boundary will be considered the threshold level for
significant movement of material outside of the designated ODMDS.
Data Analysis
* If deposited dredged material is mounding to elevations above the threshold value,
but less than two (2) feet above the existing bottom elevation along the boundary and
there is no significant short-term transport of material beyond the limits of the
ODMDS, then semi-annual post-disposal monitoring shall occur as described.
* If at six months after disposal, deposited dredged material remains mounded to
elevations greater than half the post-disposal elevations, then bathymetric surveys
shall be continued.
* If deposited dredged material is mounding to elevations greater than two (2) feet,
and/or significant movement of material out of the ODMDS has occurred, the New
Orleans District together with EPA Region 6 will consider various management
options to rectify the situation. Such options could include, but are not limited to
expansion of the ODMDS; or relocation of the ODMDS within the zone of siting
feasibility described in the designation EIS.
Biological Testing
If the results of the Tier Ml sediment chemistry evaluation suggest the need for additional
testing, then solid-phase bioassay and bioaccumulation testing shall be conducted in accordance with
the procedures described in the RIA. If the sediment can be attributable to recent dredging, funding
for testing under this Tier will be provided by CEMVN or the permittee, as appropriate; otherwise
funding will be provided by EPA, Region 6. Any such testing is contingent on availability of
appropriated funds.
Data Analysis
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ODMDS Management Plan Atchafalaya River Bar Channel, Louisiana
* If toxicity is not indicated, then no further testing is needed and disposal activities
can continue at the ODMDS.
* If toxicity is indicated at the ODMDS, the New Orleans District together with EPA
Region 6 will consider various management options to rectify the situation. Because
the ODMDS is a dispersive site, potential sources of toxicity other than dredged
material must also be considered. If planned use of the ODMDS is imminent, a
decision must also be made whether to allow continued use of this site.
X. References
Maurer, D.L., R.T. Keck, J.C. Tinsman, W.A. Leathern, C.A. Wethe, M. Huntzinger, C. Lord, and
T.M. Church. 1978. Vertical Migration of Benthos in Simulated Dredged Material
Overburdens, Vol. 1: Marine Benthos. Technical Report D-78-35. U.S. Army Engineer
Waterways Experiment Station, Vicksburg, MS.
NMFS (National Marine Fisheries Service), 2007. Revision 2 to the November 19,2003 Biological
Opinion concerning Dredging of Gulf of Mexico Navigation Channels and Sand Mining
("Borrow") Areas Using Hopper Dredges by COE Galveston, New Orleans, Mobile, and
Jacksonville Districts (Consultation Number F/SER/2000/01287).
U.S. EPA and USAGE. 1991. Evaluation of Dredged Material Proposed for Ocean Disposal -
Testing Manual. EPA-503/8-91/001. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers, Washington, D.C.
U.S. EPA and USAGE. 2003. Regional Implementation Agreement for Testing and Reporting
Requirements for Ocean Disposal of Dredged Material off the Louisiana and Texas Coasts
Under Section 103 of The Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act. U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency, Region 6 and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Galveston
and New Orleans Districts.
XI. Site Management Plan Review and Revision
Pursuant to Section 102(c) of the MPRSA, as amended by WRDA 1992, the Site
Management Plan for the Atchafalaya River Bar Channel ODMDS will be reviewed and revised, if
necessary, not less frequently than 10 years after adoption and every 10 years, thereafter.
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ODMDS Management Plan Atchafalaya River Bar Channel, Louisiana
Modifications or updates to the Site Management Plan may be necessary, based on specific
needs identified for specific authorized projects. Modifications or updates to the Site Management
Plan may be proposed by either the CEMVN or EPA Region 6. Following a thirty (30) day review
period of the changes(s), the modifications may be incorporated into the plan by mutual consent of
both agencies.
This Site Management Plan complies with Section 102(c)(3) of the Marine Protection,
Research and Sanctuaries Act of 1972 (33 U.S.C. Sections 1401, etseq.) as amended by Section 506
of the Water Resources Development Act of 1992 (WRDA 92; Public Law 102-580), and has been
approved by the following officials of Region 6 of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and
New Orleans District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. This plan goes into effect upon the date
of the last signature:
Richard E. Greene Date
Regional Administrator
Region 6
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Alvin B. Lee Date
Colonel, US Army
District Commander
New Orleans District
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
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