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SABINE-NECHES WATERWAY, TEXAS
OCEAN DREDGED MATERIAL DISPOSAL
SITES 1-4 AND A-D
SITE MANAGEMENT AND
MONITORING PLAN
January 2021
US Army Corps
of Engineers®
U.S. Army
Corps of
Engineers
Southwestern
Division,
Galveston
District
Date
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The following Site Management and Monitoring Plan (SMMP) for the eight Sabine-Neches
Waterway (SNWW) Ocean Dredged Material Disposal Sites (ODMDSs) complies with
Section 102(c)(3) of the Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act (MPRSA) of
1972 (33 U.S.C. Section 1401, et seq.) as amended by Section 506 of the Water
Resources Development Act (WRDA) Amendments of 1992 (Public Law 102-580), and has
been approved by the following officials of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
(USEPA) Region 6 and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Southwestern
Division, Galveston District.
Ken McQueen Date
Regional Administrator
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 6
Timothy R. Vail Date
Colonel, Corps of Engineers
Galveston District
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
This plan is effective from the date of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) signatures for a period not to exceed
ten years.
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SNWW OCEAN DREDGED MATERIAL DISPOSAL SITES
MANAGEMENT AND MONITORING PLAN
1 INTRODUCTION 1
1.1 SNWW SITE MANAGEMENT AND MONITORING PLAN ROLES AND
RESPONSIBILITIES 3
1.2 MODIFICATION OF THE SNWW ODMDSs SMMP 3
1.3 IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SNWW ODMDSs SMMP 3
2 SITE DESCRIPTIONS 4
2.1 SITE DESIGNATION HISTORY 4
2.2 SITE LOCATIONS 5
2.3 RECORD OF PAST MONITORING ACTIVITIES 7
2.4 SITE CHARACTERIZATIONS 9
2.4.1 PHYSICAL CHARACTERIZATION 10
2.4.2 CHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION 10
2.4.3 BIOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION 11
2.4.4 DISCUSSION OF CRITICAL AMENITIES 12
2.5 REFERENCE SITE CHARACTERIZATIONS 13
2.6 SNWW HISTORICAL AND FUTURE SITE USE 13
3 SITE MANAGEMENT 14
3.1 DREDGED MATERIAL QUALITY VERIFICATION 16
3.2 DISPOSAL REQUIREMENTS 17
3.2.1 OCEAN DUMPING CRITERIA (ODC) COMPLIANCE PROCESS 18
3.2.2 DISPOSAL LOCATIONS 19
3.2.3 DISPOSAL TRACKING 19
3.2.4 INFORMATION MANAGEMENT OF DREDGED MATERIAL DISPOSAL
ACTIVITIES 20
4 SITE MONITORING 20
4.1 BASELINE MONITORING 20
4.2 DISPOSAL MONITORING 21
4.3 POST DISPOSAL MONITORING REQUIREMENTS 23
4.4 DISPOSAL EFFECTS MONITORING 23
4.5 SITE MONITORING PLAN SUMMARY 24
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4.6 REPORTING AND DATA FORMATTING 28
4.6.1 PROJECT INITIATION AND VIOLATION REPORTING REQUIREMENTS28
4.6.2 DISPOSAL MONITORING DATA 28
4.6.3 POST-DISPOSAL SUMMARY REPORTS 28
4.6.4 ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING DATA 29
5 REFERENCES 30
APPENDIX A - SITE CHARACTERIZATION 32
APPENDIX B - TEMPLATE OF GENERIC CONDITIONS FOR MPRSA SECTION 103
PERMITS FOR THE SNWW ODMDSs 46
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LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1 Sabine-Neches Waterway ODMDSs 1-4 and A-D Site Area Map
Figure A1 Sabine-Neches Waterway ODMDS 1
Figure A2 Sabine-Neches Waterway ODMDS 2
Figure A3 Sabine-Neches Waterway ODMDS 3
Figure A4 Sabine-Neches Waterway ODMDS 4
Figure A5 Sabine-Neches Waterway ODMDS A
Figure A6 Sabine-Neches Waterway ODMDS B
Figure A7 Sabine-Neches Waterway ODMDS C
Figure A8 Sabine-Neches Waterway ODMDS D
Figure A9 Sabine-Neches Waterway Reference Sites
LIST OF TABLES
Table 1 Surveys and other studies conducted in the vicinity of the eight SNWW ODMDSs
Table 2 Site Monitoring Strategies and Thresholds for Action
Table A1 SNWW ODMDSs Buffer and Disposal Zone Boundary Coordinates (NAD83)
Table A2 SNWW Reference Sites 1&2, 3&4 and A-D Coordinates (NAD83)
Table A3 Disposal history of SNWW ODMDS 1
Table A4 Disposal history of SNWW ODMDS 2
Table A5 Disposal history of SNWW ODMDS 3
Table A6 Disposal history of SNWW ODMDS 4
Table A7 Particle-Size Distribution Trend Data for SNWW ODMDS 1
Table A8 Particle-Size Distribution Trend Data for SNWW ODMDS 2
Table A9 Particle-Size Distribution Trend Data for SNWW ODMDS 3
Table A10 Particle-Size Distribution Trend Data for SNWW ODMDS 4
LIST OF ACRONYMS
CFR
Code of Federal Regulations
CY
Cubic yards
CZM
Coastal Zone Management
EIS
Environmental Impact Statement
EPA R6
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 6
ERL
Effects Range Low
ERM
Effects Range Median
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ETS
Electronic Tracking System
FR
Federal Register
MCY
Million cubic yards
MLLW
Mean Lower Low Water datum
MPRSA
Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act of 1972
NOAA
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS
National Marine Fisheries Service
ODMDS(s)
Ocean Dredged Material Disposal Site(s)
PCBs
Polychlorinated Biphenyls
PAHs
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
RIA
Regional Implementation Agreement
SMMP
Site Management and Monitoring Plan
SNWW
Sabine-Neches Waterway
SNWWCIP
Sabine-Neches Waterway Channel Improvement Project
SPCS
State Plan Coordinate System
SPI
Sediment Profile Imaging
USACE
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
USEPA
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
WRDA
Water Resources Development Ac
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1 INTRODUCTION
The Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act (MPRSA), sometimes referred
to as the Ocean Dumping Act, regulates the transportation and disposal of any
material into ocean waters. Under the MPRSA, no permit may be issued for ocean
disposal where such disposal will unreasonably degrade or endanger human health
or the marine environment. Most materials disposed of today is dredged material
(i.e., sediments) removed from the bottom of water bodies to maintain navigation
channels and berthing areas.
In the case of dredged material, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is
responsible for issuing ocean disposal permits and authorizing federal projects
involving ocean disposal of dredged material (MPRSA section 103). USACE
complies with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ocean disposal
criteria when evaluating permit requests for, and implementing federal projects
involving, the transportation of dredged material for the purpose of disposal into
ocean waters. MPRSA permits and federal projects involving the ocean disposal of
dredged material are subject to EPA review and written concurrence. EPA may
concur with or without conditions or decline to concur on the permit or federal project,
i.e. non-concur. If EPA concurs with conditions, the final permit or federal project
authorization must include those conditions. If EPA declines to concur (non-concurs)
on an ocean disposal permit or federal project, the USACE cannot issue the permit or
authorize the transportation to and disposal of dredged material in the ocean
associated with that federal project.
Under the MPRSA section 102, EPA is responsible for the designation of ocean
disposal sites and the management all such designated sites. EPA's ocean dumping
regulations at 40 CFR Part 228 establish procedures for the designation and
management of ocean disposal sites and lists the available EPA-designated ocean
disposal sites by EPA Region (40 CFR 228.15). Management of a site consists of
regulating times, rates, and methods of disposal as well as quantities and types of
materials disposed of; developing and maintaining effective ambient monitoring
programs for the site; conducting disposal site evaluation studies; and recommending
modifications in site use and/or designation (40 CFR 228.3(a)).
EPA shares the responsibilities of conducting management and monitoring activities
at EPA-designated Ocean Dredged Material Disposal Sites (ODMDSs). Under
MPRSA section 102, EPA, in conjunction with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
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(USACE), is also responsible for a site management and monitoring plan (SMMP) for
each designated ODMDS. The goal of an SMMP is to ensure that ocean dredged
material disposal activities will not unreasonably degrade the marine environment or
endanger human health, economic potentialities or other uses of the ocean. The
SMMP provisions are an integral part of managing all disposal activities at a disposal
site.
Preparation of this SMMP has been informed by the Guidance Document for
Development of Site Management Plans for Ocean Dredged Material Disposal Sites
(EPA and USACE, 1996). This SMMP provides a framework for site monitoring and
management as required by MPRSA.
This SMMP may be modified if it is determined that such changes are warranted,
including as a result of information obtained from monitoring or due to other factors.
The MPRSA, as amended by Water Resources Development Act of 1992 (WRDA),
provides that the SMMP shall include but not be limited to:
• A baseline assessment of conditions at the site;
• A program for monitoring the site;
• Special management conditions or practices to be implemented at
each site that are necessary for the protection of the environment;
• Consideration of the quantity and biological, physical, and chemical
characteristics of dredged materials to be disposed of at the site;
• Consideration of the anticipated use of the site over the long-term; and
• A schedule for review and revision of the plan
The SMMP will be reviewed and revised, as needed, or at least every ten years.
The provisions in this SMMP apply for all dredged material disposal activities at the
eight Sabine-Neches, TX Dredged Material Sites 1, 2, 3, 4, A, B, C, and D, herein
referred to as Sabine-Neches Waterway (SNWW, SNWW1-4, and SNWWA-D)
Ocean Dredged Material Disposal Sites (ODMDSs), including monitoring and
management activities by the federal agencies. This SMMP also includes template
provisions for USACE to include in subsequently issued permits (see Appendix B). in
this document to matters that "will be required" refers to implementation in a
subsequent proceeding to authorize disposal of dredged material, such as in a
permit, in contract or other Federal project specifications for the transportation and
disposal of dredged material, or by the USACE directly. This SMMP does not itself
impose binding requirements or obligations, though the SMMP does identify binding
rights and obligations established by other final agency actions. Other than section
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3.2, matters that "will be required" will be implemented through application of the
template language included in the Appendices or the language may vary from the
terms of the Appendices. The issuance of this SMMP does not determine the rights
or obligations of any third party. EPA can ensure implementation of the template
provisions as necessary through EPA's concurrence actions. All MPRSA Section 103
ocean disposal permits or contract specifications will assure implementation of the
SMMP.
1.1 SNWW SITE MANAGEMENT AND MONITORING PLAN ROLES AND
RESPONSIBILITIES
Specific responsibilities of EPA and the USACE are:
EPA: EPA is responsible for designating/de-designating ODMDSs under
MPRSA section 102, managing these sites by regulating site use, developing
and implementing disposal monitoring programs, evaluating environmental
effects of disposal of dredged material at the sites, and for reviewing for
concurrence dredged material suitability determinations for MPRSA section
103 permits or federal projects authorizing the ocean disposal of dredged
material.
USACE: USACE is responsible for evaluating dredged material suitability,
issuing MPRSA Section 103 permits and project authorizations, and
cooperating with EPA in regulating site use and developing and implementing
disposal monitoring programs through development and use of SMMPs.
1.2 MODIFICATION OF THE SNWW ODMDSs SMMP
SMMPs are required to be reviewed and revised at least every 10 years. Upon
approval of this SMMP, the next revision will be 2031. SMMP updates consider,
among other things, the results of site monitoring. EPA will provide another
opportunity for public input before the next SMMP update.
1.3 IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SNWW ODMDSs SMMP
This plan is effective and available for implementation from the date of signature for a
period not to exceed ten years. EPA, in conjunction with the USACE, will review and
revise more frequently if site use and conditions at the site indicate a need for
revision. EPA and USACE share responsibility for implementation of the SMMP. Site
users may be required to undertake monitoring activities as a condition of their permit.
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The USACE and any USACE contractor will remain responsible for implementation of
the SMMP for Federal new work and maintenance projects.
2 SITE DESCRIPTIONS
2.1 SITE DESIGNATION HISTORY
In 1977, EPA approved the four SNWW ODMDSs 1-4 for interim use under the
MPRSA (42 FR 7) based on historical use of the sites for the disposal of dredged
material.1 In August 1982, the draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to support
the evaluation of the SNWW ODMDSs 1 -4 for final designation under the MPRSA
was released for review. The draft EIS was approved as final and titled "Final
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Sabine-Neches, Texas Dredged
Material Disposal Site Designation" (USEPA, 1983). EPA Final Rule designating the
SNWW ODMDSs 1-4 pursuant to the MPRSA was published in the Federal Register
September 10, 1987 and became effective October 13, 1987 (52 FR 175). Only
dredged material from the Sabine-Neches area may be disposed at these four
ODMDSs.
In December 2009, the draft EIS to support the evaluation of four SNWW ODMDSs
A-D was released for review. The draft EIS was approved as final and included as
Appendix B titled "Environmental Impact Statement Sabine-Neches Waterway
Channel Improvement Project, Texas Ocean Dredged Material Disposal Site
Designation" (PBS&J, 2010) of the "Final Feasibility Report For Sabine-Neches
Waterway Channel Improvement Project Southeast Texas and Southwest Louisiana
(USACE, 2011)." On December 5, 2013, EPA Final Rule designating four SNWW
ODMDSs A-D pursuant to the MPRSA was published in the Federal Register; and
became effective January 6, 2014 (78 FR 234). The SNWW ODMDSs A-D were
designated to accommodate disposal of dredged material from the Sabine-Neches
extension channel.
The first SMMP for the SNWW ODMDSs 1-4 was developed in August 1996 and
revised in December 2008. A subsequent SMMP was written to include four
proposed channel extension ODMDSs (A-D) in May 2010.
1 When EPA originally promulgated the ocean dumping regulations in the 1970s, the Agency made
provisions for, among other things, interim ocean disposal sites. These interim provisions were designed
to be temporary measures that would expire under certain conditions, primarily when final sites were
designated, and criteria were established.
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This revision of the SNWW ODMDSs SMMP replaces the 2010 SMMP and includes
site monitoring and management for all eight SNWW ODMDSs: Sites 1-4 and A-D.
2.2 SITE LOCATIONS
The SNWW ODMDSs are located west of the navigation channel in Sabine Pass,
Texas. The eight SNWW ODMDSs are shown in Figure 1, and the coordinates of the
boundaries are listed in Table A1 in Appendix A. A brief description of sites 1-4 and A-D
is presented in this section.
A buffer zone of 500 feet will be implemented for each of the eight SNWW ODMDSs to
ensure that the dredged material is deposited within each site's boundaries. Buffer zone
coordinates for each site can be found in Appendix A. However, EPA in consultation
with the USACE can determine on a case-by-case basis that further modeling may be
required to change the buffer zone(s) if warranted.
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TEXA S
Sabine Pass Channel
Sabine Jetty Channel
GULF OF MEXICO
cp
park
SABINE-NECHES
WATERWAY ODMDSs
S
I I Disposal Zones
^23 500 ft Buffer Zones .
I ^ Reference Sites
Sabine Outer Bar Channel
Reference 3 & 4
Sabine Bank Channel
H
B
Reference 1 & 2
Proposed Entrance
" Channel Extension
Reference A - D
Figure 1 Sabine-Neches Waterway ODMDSs 1-4 and A-D Site Area Map
SNVWV ODMDS 1 is located approximately 16 nautical miles from shore, about 6,000
feet west of the Sabine Bank Channel. This site occupies an area of approximately 2.4
square nautical miles, with depths ranging from 36 to 43 feet. ODMDS 1 is situated
adjacent to the productive habitat on Sabine Bank,
SNVWV ODMDS 2 is located approximately 11.8 nautical miles from shore, about 6,000
feet southwest of the Sabine Bank Channel. This site occupies an area of approximately
4.2 square nautical miles, with depths ranging from 30 to 43 feet.
SNVWV ODMDS 3 is located approximately 6.8 nautical miles from shore, about 6,000
feet southwest of the Sabine Bank Channel. This site occupies an area of approximately
4.7 square nautical miles, with a depth of about 33 feet.
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SNWW ODMDS 4 is located approximately 2.7 nautical miles from shore, about 500
feet southwest of the Sabine Pass Outer Bar Channel. This site occupies an area of
approximately 4.2 square nautical miles with depths ranging from 16 to 30 feet.
SNWW ODMDS A is located approximately 18.2 nautical miles from shore. The site
occupies an area of 4.02 square nautical miles and is square in shape. The water depth
at the site ranges from 44 to 46 feet and the bottom topography is flat. Sabine Bank, at
its nearest, is located roughly 1.7 miles northwest of the northwest corner of ODMDS A.
SNWW ODMDS B is located approximately 20.9 nautical miles from shore. The site
occupies an area of 4.02 square nautical miles and is square in shape. The water depth
at the site ranges from 44 to 46 feet and the bottom topography is flat.
SNWW ODMDS C is located approximately 23.5 miles from shore. The site occupies an
area of 4.02 square nautical miles and is square in shape. The water depth at the site
ranges from 44 to 46 feet and the bottom topography is flat.
SNWW ODMDS D is located approximately 26.1 miles from shore. The site occupies an
area of 4.02 square nautical miles and is square in shape. The water depth at the site
ranges from 44 to 46 feet and the bottom topography is flat.
2.3 RECORD OF PAST MONITORING ACTIVITIES
Baseline assessments and routine monitoring before and after disposal activities
provide an important record of any changes or impacts that have occurred at or near
the site. These monitoring data also inform future monitoring activities and site
disposal activity.
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Table 1 Surveys and other studies conducted in the vicinity of the eight SNWW ODMDSs
Survey/Study
Title
Conducted
By
Date
Purpose
Results
Baseline
Survey
Interstate
Electronics
Corporation
September
1979,
January
1980
Collect physical,
chemical, and
biological data on
sediments and water
for ODMDSs 1-4.
Results included in
USEPA (1983).
Region VI
Contaminated
Sediment
Study - Phase
III
Batelle
1995
Bulk sediment,
toxicology, benthics,
fish community, and
tissue analysis in
ODMDSs 1-4.
Results included in
Trulli (1996).
Sabine-Neches
Waterway
Entrance
Channel,
Contaminant
Assessment
PBS&J
2004
Collect physical,
chemical, and
biological data on
sediments and water
for ODMDSs A-D.
Results published in
PBS&J (2004).
Trend
Assessment
Survey
EPA
September
2013
Collect data to assess
the overall
environmental impact
of past and recent
disposal operations to
the benthic infaunal
community and
bottom sediments and
determine if the
disposal footprint has
extended past the site
boundaries of
ODMDS 1, 2, 3, or 4.
The survey was
conducted for
ODMDSs 1-4.
Using sediment
profile imaging (SPI),
Region 6 observed
that the dredged
material footprint
centered over the
disposal sites and
that the material
extended beyond the
boundaries of
ODMDSs 1, 3, and
4. Historical and
recent dredged
material was
observed beyond the
boundaries at
ODMDS 1, and only
historical dredged
material was found
beyond the
boundaries at
ODMDSs 3 and 4.
Region 6 determined
that disposal
activities have not
adversely impacted
the benthic
community at
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ODMDSs 1-4. To
better assess the
extent of the disposal
footprint, Region 6
plans to collect
samples from
stations beyond the
area of the 2013
survey during future
surveys (USEPA,
2014).
Safe navigation
depths have been
maintained as
confirmed in post-
disposal reports and
bathymetry analyses.
Bathymetric
Surveys
USACE
Before and
after each
dredging
event
Monitor bathymetry
changes in ODMDSs
1-4.
Note: as of January
2021, no dredged
material has been
disposed of in
ODMDSs A-D;
therefore, pre- and
post-disposal
bathymetric surveys
have not been
conducted at Sites
A-D.
2.4 SITE CHARACTERIZATIONS
Baseline conditions at the SNWW ODMDSs 1-4 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 Sabine-Neches, Texas Dredged
Material Disposal Site Designation" (USEPA, 1983).
Conditions were also assessed and contained in the 2013 Status and Trends Report
(USEPA, 2014). From the 2013 survey report, no use changes were recommended at
the time of reporting to the SMMP for the SNWW ODMDSs 1-4.
Baseline conditions at the SNWW ODMDSs A-D 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 "Environmental
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Impact Statement Sabine-Neches Waterway Channel Improvement Project, Texas
Ocean Dredged Material Disposal Site Designation" (PBS&J, 2010).
2.4.1 PHYSICAL CHARACTERIZATION
Predominant longshore currents at the ODMDSs flow east to west causing longshore
transport of disposed material at those sites; dredged material transport modeling
shows that disposed dredged materials at the eight ODMDSs will not enter or
otherwise affect Louisiana's coastal zone (PIE, 2003). According to EPA (1983),
dredged material is likely to disperse completely within one to two years due to
tropical storms or hurricanes. Therefore, steady longshore transport and occasional
storms, including hurricanes, are expected to remove the disposed material from the
sites through dispersal, horizontal transport, and vertical mixing. Pre- and post-
dredging bathymetry surveys have demonstrated that dredged material disposed of in
the SNWW ODMDSs does not accumulate; it disperses quickly after disposal in the
offshore environment (USACE, 2011).
The designation survey for ODMDSs 1-4 found that from the shoreline to a distance
about 10 nautical miles offshore, clay is the predominant sediment. The area's sediment
composition ranged from 63%-70% clay, 23%-33% silt and 3%-4% sand. The area from
shoreline to ~10 nautical miles would include ODMDSs 3 and 4 (USEPA, 1983).
Further offshore, silt becomes the major size fraction. The area's sediment composition
ranged from 43%-59% silt, 33%-45% clay and 7%-12% sand. The area beyond ~10nmi
from shore would include ODMDSs 1 and 2 (USEPA, 1983). Grain size distributions for
ODMDSs 1-4 from past surveys are listed in Appendix A.
ODMDSs A-D have not received any disposal material since their designations. From
the designation survey, sediments in the area of ODMDSs A-D are characterized as
predominantly sand: 26% of samples contained >90% sand, 41% of samples
contained >80% sand, and only two samples had a sand content less than 50%
(PBS&J, 2004).
2.4.2 CHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION
At the time of designation, chemical constituents of the water at ODMDSs 1-4 did not
exceed EPA (1976) water-quality criteria (USEPA, 1983).
Sediment chemistry data for metals and PAH compounds from the 1995 Battelle survey
of sites 1-4 (Trulli, 1996) was compiled for comparison to sediment data collected in the
2013 survey. Semivolatile compounds analyses were not conducted in 1995. PCBs
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data could not be compared because PCB congeners were analyzed in 1995 and PCB
aroclors in 2013. Pesticides detected in 1995 at ODMDSs 1-4 are as listed:
• ODMDS 1: aldrin, 4',4'-DDE and 4'4'-DDD
• ODMDS 2: hexachlorobenzine, aldrin, 4'4'-DDE, 4'4-DDD, and 4'4'- DDT
• ODMDS 3: hexachlorobenzine, lindane, 4',4'-DDE and 4'4'-DDD
• ODMDS 4: hexachlorobenzine, lindane, dieldrin, and 4',4'-DDE
No pesticides were detected in samples from the 2013 survey for any of these sites
(USEPA, 2014)
Metals analysis for sediment samples from the SNWW ODMDSs and reference sites
was compiled from Sabine-Neches Contaminant Reports (103 evaluations) for the years
1993, 1999, 2004, and 2010 and compared against the ODMDSs 1-4 sediment sample
results from the 2013 survey (USEPA, 2014). The concentrations of arsenic, nickel,
beryllium, silver, zinc, selenium, and barium from 2013 exceeded the historical
maximums within ODMDSs 3 and 4. Sediment chemical analysis from the 2013 study
found both arsenic and nickel at levels of concern. The arsenic and nickel
concentrations exceeded the NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)
ERL (Effects Range Low) in sediments collected within and surrounding ODMDSs 3
and 4. Sediment chemical concentrations above the NOAA ERL, but below the NOAA
ERM (Effects Range Median) are not likely to be harmful to benthic organisms but are
considered by EPA in the context of other evidence when making environmental
management decisions. Selenium and barium concentrations in 2013 exceeded the
historical maximums at ODMDSs 1 and 2. Data can be found in "Sabine-Neches
ODMDS Sites 1-4 Status and Trends-2013 Site Monitoring Assessment Report"
(USEPA, 2014). The source for the increased arsenic and nickel concentrations
observed in sediments is unknown and warrants further investigation (USEPA, 2014).
2.4.3 BIOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION
SNWW ODMDSs are comprised of organisms living in both the water column and
benthos. Water column biota include phytoplankton, zooplankton, and nekton; benthic
biota are composed of infaunal and epifaunal organisms (USEPA, 1983).
The following excerpt is from USEPA (1983):
The Existing Sites [ODMDSs 1-4] are between the shrimp spawning grounds of
the Mid-Shelf and the important nursery area of Sabine Lake, therefore they
could be passageways of commercially valuable species (EHA, 1979). However,
the sites represent only a minor portion of the entire range of shrimp along the
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Gulf coast and thus would only affect a small percentage of the existing
population. Many commercially and recreationally important species offish also
occur in this region; however, most recognized breeding and spawning grounds
occur in the productive marshes and estuaries of the coastal region or in the
midwater areas of the Gulf (Chittenden and McEachran, 1976).
USEPA (2014) survey report concluded that "the benthic macroinfaunal assemblages
found at SNWW ODMDSs 1-4 were typical for shallow water habitats in the Gulf of
Mexico (Vittor, 2014)." Sites 1-4 were dominated by polychaete assemblages, primarily
of genera Mediomastus, Meredithia, Paraprionospio, Prinospio, and Cossura.
Taxa richness and density were generally higher at ODMDSs 1 and 2 than sites 3 and 4
(USEPA, 2014). The benthic community indices (Pielou, 1966), taxa richness and
density, did not differ significantly between the disposal sites, nearby surrounding area,
and reference sites for ODMDSs 1, 2 and 4. For ODMDS 3, taxa densities and richness
at stations within the site where the 2012 disposal event occurred were found to be
significantly higher than stations representing areas within the site that were not used
during the 2012 disposal event. EPA R6 concluded that dredged material disposal at
ODMDSs 1 and 3 did not have an impact on benthic assemblages, because taxa
richness and densities were higher at stations where dredged material was placed
during the 2012 disposal event (USEPA, 2014).
For SNWW ODMDSs A-D, PBS&J (2004) also found that for the vicinity of the ODMDSs
polychaetes were the most numerous organisms. The dominant taxa were Spiophanes
bombyx, Mediomastus (LPIL), Magelona, and Prionospio.
2.4.4 DISCUSSION OF CRITICAL AMENITIES
The only biologically sensitive area near the SNWW ODMDSs is the Sabine Bank, a
sand bank located roughly 1.7 miles northwest of the northwest corner of ODMDS A
(Blum et al., 2002) and would not be impacted by the use of the ODMDSs (PBS&J,
2010). There are no nearby fish havens, and the jetties, which provide excellent fish
habitat, are more than 16 miles away (PBS&J, 2010). The nearest artificial reef is 6.6
miles from ODMDS B (PBS&J, 2010). The only marine fish with Critical Habitat near the
ODMDSs is the Gulf sturgeon, which has a present range of Lake Pontchartrain and the
Pearl River system in Louisiana east to the Suwannee River in Florida (68 FR 13370).
The nearest portion of the Critical Habitat is Lake Pontchartrain east of the Lake
Pontchartrain Causeway and is, therefore, not affected.
The NMFS issued a biological opinion on August 13, 2007, that the proposed
activities of disposal at the "existing ODMDSs" (1-4) and the "proposed ODMDSs" (A-
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D) are unlikely to adversely affect sea turtles. The biological opinion also stated
"furthermore, the disposal of dredged material will occur in areas that are not
preferred sea turtle foraging grounds". The biological opinion can be found in
Appendix G of the Feasibility Report (USACE, 2011).
The following excerpt is from PB&J (2010) regarding ODMDSs A-D:
"Since this is a short-term effect [disposal], and considering the mobility of the
sea turtle species and the lack of limestone ledges in the proposed ODMDSs,
the sea turtles should easily be able to avoid a descending plume, and available
food sources should not be seriously reduced (NOAA, 2003)."
2.5 REFERENCE SITE CHARACTERIZATIONS
Reference sediment is defined in the RIA as a sediment, "substantially free of
contaminants, that is as similar as practicable to the grain size of the dredge material
and the sediment at the disposal site, and that reflects the conditions that would exist in
the vicinity of the disposal site had no dredged material disposal ever taken place but
had all other influences on sediment conditional taken place. The reference sediment
serves as a point of comparison to identify potential effects of contaminants in the
dredged material." (USEPA and USACE, 2003)
Reference sediment test results are an important point of comparison for determining
suitability of a dredging project's sediments for disposal at each of the SNWW ODMDSs
(1-4 and A-D for a total of eight sites). Sediment from a proposed dredging project and
from the reference area are collected according to an approved sampling and analysis
plan. Section 5 of the Region 6 Regional Implementation Agreement (RIA) provides
additional guidance on sample design and approach.
The three SNWW reference sites were selected to be used with specified SNWW
ODMDSs. Reference Site 1&2 is for use with ODMDSs 1 and 2 and is located east of
the Sabine Bank Channel. Reference Site 3&4 is for use with ODMDSs 3 and 4 and is
located northeast of the Sabine Bank Channel. Reference Site A-D is for use with
ODMDSs A, B, C and D and is located east of the Extension Channel. All three
reference sites are shown on Figure 1 above. Reference site coordinates and particle
size distributions are presented in Appendix A.
2.6 SNWW HISTORICAL AND FUTURE SITE USE
Dredged material has been disposed of at SNWW ODMDSs 1 -4 since 1976; ODMDSs
A-D have not yet received any dredged material at the time this SMMP was issued.
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Historically, the dredging frequency for this navigation project ranges from one year for
the Outer Bar Channel to 5 years for the Jetty Channel, with an average of about 3.5
MCY (million cubic yards) of material excavated per dredging contract. Dredging occurs
on at least one channel segment of the SNWW every 18 months. It is anticipated that,
with the SNWW Channel Improvement Project (CIP), ODMDSs 1-4 would receive a
total of 31 MCY of dredged material and ODMDSs A-D would receive 18.7 MCY of
dredged material. After the completion of the deepening and widening project, the
proposed future maintenance dredging quantities for ODMDS 1-4 would be 10.5 MCY
of dredged material from the extension channel on a frequency specific to that channel
section and 7.4 MCY of dredged material from the existing channel maintenance on a
frequency specific to that channel section. ODMDSs A-D would receive a total of 3.0
MCY of dredged material on a 4-year cycle from the extension project maintenance
(PBS&J, 2010).
At the time this SMMP was issued, the ODMDSs had only received dredged material
from the federally maintained Sabine-Neches Waterway. Material from other sources is
not currently disposed at these sites, and none is expected in the foreseeable future.
Records of disposal history for each of the sites 1-4 are included in Appendix A.
3 SITE MANAGEMENT
Appropriate management of an ODMDS is aimed at assuring that disposal activities do
not unreasonably degrade or endanger human health, welfare, the marine
environment or economic potentialities (MPRSA §103(a)). The primary objectives in
the management of these ODMDSs are:
• Protection of the marine environment, which includes:
o No unacceptable physical, chemical, or biological impacts inside or
outside the disposal site
o Adequate site monitoring to detect environmental impacts
• Documentation of disposal activities and compliance with permit and/or contract
conditions
• Only material meeting suitability requirements of the MPRSA/EPA/USACE
Dredged Material Testing Manual (Green Book)/RIA is disposed within the
designated disposal site
• Identification of special management conditions to be implemented by EPA and
the USACE and those to be required in contracts/permits
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• Maintenance of a long-term disposal alternative for dredged material,
while encouraging beneficial use of dredged material where practicable
• Identification of a schedule or condition triggering a review or renewal of this
SMMP.
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3.1 DREDGED MATERIAL QUALITY VERIFICATION
Before any person can dispose of dredged material at any of the eight SNWW
ODMDSs, EPA and the USACE must evaluate the project according to the ocean
dumping regulatory criteria (40 CFR 227) and the USACE must authorize the
disposal under section 103 of the MPRSA. EPA and the USACE agree on the
sampling and analysis plan for each project prior to any samples of the material to
be dredged being collected. The USACE relies on EPA's ocean disposal criteria
when evaluating permit requests for (and implementing federal projects involving)
the transportation of dredged material for the purpose of disposal into ocean waters
and making a determination of the suitability of the dredged material. MPRSA
permits and federal projects involving ocean disposal of dredged material are
subject to EPA's review and concurrence in accordance with 33 U.S.C. § 1413(c).
EPA may concur with or without conditions or decline to concur (i.e., non-concur) on
the permit or federal project authorization. If EPA concurs with conditions, the final
permit or authorization must include those conditions. If EPA declines to concur, the
USACE cannot issue the permit for ocean disposal of dredged material or authorize
the transportation to and disposal of dredged material in the ocean associated with
the federal project.
According to the RIA (USEPA and USACE, 2003), MPRSA permits for, and federal
projects involving, the transportation of dredged material for the purpose of disposal
into ocean waters may not exceed five years.
The process for determining the suitability of dredged material proposed for disposal at
the eight SNWW ODMDSs is described in the EPA/USACE Dredged Material Testing
Manual (USEPA and USACE, 1991) and the RIA (USEPA and USACE, 2003) and
includes:
1) Case-specific evaluation against the exclusion criteria (40 CFR 227.13(b)),
2) Determination of the need to test non-excluded material based on the time
since previous testing and the potential of sediment contamination since
last verification, and
3) Conducting required testing to determine the suitability of the material for
ocean disposal.
Only material determined to be suitable and in compliance with the Ocean Dumping
Criteria (40 CFR Part 227) may be considered for transportation and disposal in any of
the SNWW ODMDSs.
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The SNWW currently has three sections from which material is dredged and then
disposed of in ODMDSs 1-4. The maintenance material dredged from Sabine Pass
Channel averages 89% silt/clay and 11% sand. Material dredged from Sabine Pass
Outer Bar Channel averages 96% silt/clay and 4% sand, while material dredged from
the Sabine Bank Channel averages 76% silt/clay and 24% sand (Parchure et al.,
2005).
The modeling conducted for the Sabine-Neches Waterway Channel Improvement
Project (PBS&J 2010) included estimates of the grain size characteristics of the new
work material to be disposed of at the SNWW ODMDSs:
• For ODMDSs 1-4, the material from the extension project will range from
3.2%-18.7% sand, 20.7%-24.7% silt, and 60.6%-72.1% clay. The future
maintenance material with the proposed project will range from 5.0%-11.8%
sand, 51,3%-57.5% silt, and 32.9%-43.4% clay.
• For ODMDSs A-D, the material from the extension project will range from
21,6%-45.8% sand, 16.5%-23.8% silt, and 37.8%-55.9% clay. The future
maintenance dredged material for the extension project will be 9.7% sand,
35.8% silt, and 54.5% clay.
3.2 DISPOSAL REQUIREMENTS
The eight SNWW ODMDSs were designated by EPA through promulgation in the
Ocean Dumping Regulations and are listed at 40 CFR part 228.15(j)(8) through (11)
and (22) through (25).
SNWW Sites 1-4 (see in Section 228.15(j)8-11) have the following restriction:
• Disposal shall be limited to dredged material from the Sabine-Neches area.
SNWW Sites A-D (see Section 228.15(j)22-25) have the following restrictions:
• Disposal shall be limited to dredged material from the Sabine-Neches 13.2-mile
Extension Channel that complies with EPA's Ocean Dumping Regulations.
• Dredged material that does not meet the criteria set forth in 40 CFR part 227
shall not be placed at the site.
• Disposal operations shall be conducted in accordance with requirements
specified in a Site Management and Monitoring Plan developed by EPA and
USACE, to be reviewed periodically, at least every 10 years.
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This SMMP describes the disposal operation conditions that will be considered for
management of all eight of the SNWW ODMDSs (not just A-D) as described in 40 CFR
Section 228.150)22-25.
Enforceable conditions for dredged material disposal operations at the eight SNWW
ODMDSs are included in USACE-issued permits and authorizations for Federal
projects, based on EPA's and USACE's identification of necessary conditions under
MPRSA Section 103(a) or 103(e), or through EPA's concurrence under 103(c) of the
MPRSA, and the ocean dumping regulations at 40 CFR Parts 220-228. The following
summary provisions of this SMMP and the template language in Appendix B are
intended to be applicable to dredging projects permitted by USACE (federal and non-
federal), or to USACE-authorized Federal dredging projects, whether using Government
owned and operated dredging equipment such as the Wheeler hopper dredge or using
contracted equipment.
Conditions and reporting requirements become enforceable when and as specified or
confirmed by EPA in its ocean disposal concurrence letters for individual projects and
would be in addition to any other conditions USACE may include in its MPRSA Section
103 permits or authorizations. In the event of any conflict or inconsistency between the
conditions in EPA's project-specific concurrence letter and the most recent SMMP, the
former establishes the enforceable obligations. EPA may determine not to include one
or more of the conditions identified in the Appendix, or to require additional conditions,
on a project-specific basis. Otherwise, EPA intends to apply many of the conditions
(along with any supplemental conditions included in EPA concurrence letters) as
conditions in concurrence actions for all projects involving transportation and disposal of
dredged material at any of the eight SNWW ODMDSs. Violations of the MPRSA,
including conditions established in an MPRSA permit or federal and non-federal project
authorization by a permittee or dredging contractor are subject to compliance action
including suspension of disposal operations, or possible assessment of substantial
administrative, civil, or criminal penalties as appropriate.
3.2.1 OCEAN DUMPING CRITERIA (ODC) COMPLIANCE PROCESS
Only material determined to be suitable and in compliance with the Ocean Dumping
Criteria (40 CFR Part 227) may be considered for transportation and disposal in the
SNWW ODMDSs. Projects that are not Federal Civil Works, or other federal projects
involving ocean disposal of dredged material, require an ocean disposal permit
issued by the USACE pursuant to Section 103 of the MPRSA. Federal Civil Works
projects, though not required to have a permit, must adhere to the same criteria,
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factors to be evaluated, procedures, and requirements that apply to permits,
including the process for evaluation of the project, and must receive EPA's
concurrence prior to awarding any contract for transportation and disposal of
dredged material at an ODMDS. A summary of the permitting process can be found
at: https://www.epa.gov/ocean-dumping/ocean-disposal-dredged-material.
3.2.2 DISPOSAL LOCATIONS
The regulation at 40 CFR §227.28 requires that all disposals occur at least 330
feet (100 meters) inside ODMDS boundaries. A buffer zone of 500 feet will be
implemented for all eight SNWW sites to ensure that the dredged material is
deposited within the site boundaries. Release zones within the sites will be
established by EPA and the USACE on a project specific basis at the time of site
use to maintain compliance with the Ocean Dumping Criteria set forth in 40 CFR
Part 227. This specificity will allow the historical data associated with
maintenance material to be utilized as well as new data that may be generated for
new work and third-party dredging projects. Disposal will be initiated within the
applicable release zone boundary and completed (i.e. doors closed) prior to
leaving the ODMDS. Disposal methods, which prevent mounding of dredged
materials from becoming an unacceptable navigation hazard, must be used.
3.2.3 DISPOSAL TRACKING
For all permits and projects, an automated disposal tracking system must be utilized.
The Electronic Tracking System (ETS) will provide surveillance of the transportation and
disposal of dredged material. The ETS will be maintained and operated to continuously
track the horizontal location and draft condition (accuracy ±0.1 foot) of the disposal
vessel from the point of dredging or loading to the disposal site and return to the point of
dredging or loading. Data shall be collected at least every 0.25 nautical mile or every 4
minutes during travel to and from the ODMDS and every 12 seconds or every 30 feet of
travel while within the ODMDS. The tracking system must also indicate and record the
time and location of the beginning and end of each disposal event (e.g., opening and
closing of hull or doors). Data recorded from the disposal tracking system must be
provided to EPA Region 6, the Galveston District USACE, and any other requirements
identified within the dredging contract at a minimum on a weekly basis during disposal
operations. For each disposal trip the records shall include disposal trip number and
date, estimated volume of material disposed, and a visual display of the beginning and
ending locations of the disposal event relative to the disposal zone.
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3.2.4 INFORMATION MANAGEMENT OF DREDGED MATERIAL DISPOSAL ACTIVITIES
As part of site management, EPA and the USACE will continue to investigate
implementable, practical, and applicable alternatives for appropriate data
management. The USACE has an Ocean Disposal Database
(https://odd.el.erdc.dren.mil/) maintained by the Engineering Research and
Development Center (ERDC). This database provides the quantities disposed of at the
eight SNWW ODMDSs and whether the project is from a civil works project or private
entity. EPA Region 6 and USACE Southwestern Division (SWD) have agreed on using
an extensible Markup Language (XML) standard for sharing of disposal monitoring
data (see also Section 4.6).
4 SITE MONITORING
Under the SMMP, site monitoring is conducted to ensure the environmental integrity
of a disposal site and the areas surrounding the site, as well as to verify compliance
with the site designation criteria, any special management conditions, and permit
requirements. Monitoring programs should be flexible, cost effective, and based on
scientifically sound procedures and methods to meet site-specific monitoring needs.
The intent of the program is to provide the following:
• Information indicating whether the disposal activities are occurring in compliance
with the permit and site restrictions;
• Information indicating the short-term and long-term fate of materials disposed of
in the marine environment.
• Information concerning the short-term and long-term environmental impacts of
the disposal;
The main purpose of a disposal site monitoring program is to determine whether
dredged material site management practices, including disposal operations, at the site
need to be changed to avoid significant adverse impacts.
4.1 BASELINE MONITORING
The results of investigations presented in the designation EIS (USEPA, 1983) and
subsequent surveys listed in Table 1 serve as the main body of data for the monitoring
of impacts associated with use of the SNWW ODMDSs and serve, in part, as baseline
data for future use of the ODMDSs.
Bathymetric surveys will be required to monitor the mounding to ensure a navigation
hazard is not produced, to assist in verification of material disposal, to monitor
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bathymetry changes and trends, and to ensure that the site capacity is not exceeded,
i.e., the dredged sediment does not exceed the site boundaries on disposal.
For all permits and projects, the USACE and permittees will conduct bathymetric
surveys along transects spaced at 500-foot intervals or less to a degree in which
the number and length shall be sufficient to encompass the defined disposal zone
within the SNWW ODMDSs and a 500-foot-wide area around the periphery of the
disposal zone. Transects shall be taken perpendicular to the channel with a depth
recording density of 20 to 70 feet. The minimum performance standards for
bathymetric surveys are as follows:
• Horizontal location of the survey lines and depth sounding points will be
determined by an automated positioning system utilizing either microwave
line of site system or differential global positioning system.
• Vertical datum will be referenced to prescribed NOAA Mean Lower Low
Water (MLLW) datum.
• Horizontal datum shall be referenced to the local State Plane Coordinate
System (SPCS) for that area or in Geographic Coordinates (latitude-
longitude).
• Horizontal reference datum shall be the North American Datum of 1983 (NAD
83). State Plane coordinates shall be reported to the nearest 0.10 foot and
latitude and longitude coordinates shall be reported as degrees and decimal
minutes to the nearest 0.01 minutes.
All data shall be collected using methodology described in Engineer Manual EM 1110-2-
1003. (https://www.publications.usace.armv.mil/Portals/76/Publications/EngineerManual
s/EM 1110-2-1003.pdf).
Pre-disposal bathymetric surveys will be conducted by the USACE or site user within
three (3) months of project disposal. Post-disposal bathymetric surveys will be
conducted as described in Section 4.3. Results from post- and pre-dredge bathymetry
shall be provided to EPA R6 when completed as part of the post disposal summary
report.
4.2 DISPOSAL MONITORING
All permits and projects will require use of an electronic tracking system (ETS). An ETS
provides surveillance of the transportation and disposal of dredged material. The ETS
shall consist of a visual display of the beginning and ending locations of the disposal
event relative to the disposal zone and shall be maintained and operated to
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continuously track the horizontal location and draft condition (accuracy! 0.1 foot) of the
disposal vessel (i.e. hopper dredge or disposal scow) from the point of dredging to the
disposal site and return to the point of dredging. Data shall be collected at least every
0.25 nautical mile or every four minutes during travel to and from the ODMDS and every
12 seconds or every 30 feet of travel within the ODMDS and while hull status is open. In
addition to the continuous tracking data, the following trip information shall be
electronically recorded for each disposal cycle:
• Load Number
• Disposal Vessel Name and Type (e.g. scow)
• Estimated volume of Load
• Description of Material Disposed
• Source of Dredged Material
• Date, Time and Location at Initiation and Completion of Disposal Event
It is expected that disposal monitoring will be conducted utilizing the Dredge Quality
Management (DQM) system [i.e.,
http://dqm.usace.armv.mil/Specifications/lndex.aspx1, or equivalent acceptable
system. Disposal monitoring ETS data will be reported to EPA Region 6 on a weekly
basis utilizing the extensible Markup Language (XML) specification and protocol as
described above.
EPA Region 6 and the USACE Galveston District shall be notified within 24 hours (or
the next business day) if any apparent leaking or spilling of dredged material occurs
as indicated by an average loss of draft during transit from the dredging area to the
disposal release zone(s) in excess of 2.0 feet. An average loss of draft transit is
defined as forward draft loss plus aft draft loss divided by 2. In addition, the permittee
understands that no debris is to be placed in the SNWW ODMDS. Alerts must be sent
via email within 24 hours of USACE or the permittee becoming aware of the apparent
issue. Both for federal and non-federal projects, the USACE representative must send
the notification via email to the EPA Region 6 Ocean Dumping Coordinator and
pertinent Ocean Dumping Program Staff (https://www.epa.gov/ocean-
dumping/forms/regional-contacts-ocean-dumping-management-program). If the event
occurs on the weekend or holiday, notification shall take place the following business
day. If EPA deems the event warrants further investigation, they will contact USACE
and the USACE representative will follow up in a timely manner with a letter of
justification, including how the incident occurred, how the issue will be addressed,
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pertinent dates, and corrective actions to be implemented to prevent repetition in the
future.
4.3 POST DISPOSAL MONITORING REQUIREMENTS
For all permits and projects, the USACE and other site users will be required to
conduct a post-disposal bathymetric survey consistent with pre-disposal survey
requirements within 45 days after disposal project completion. If a release zone is
utilized and adhered to, the number and length of transects required will be sufficient
to encompass the release zone and a surrounding 500-foot wide buffer zone.
4.4 DISPOSAL EFFECTS MONITORING
Based on the type and volume of material disposed, various monitoring techniques
can be used to examine if the disposed dredged material is moving and in what
direction.
There are also techniques to assess potential environmental effects that the material
is having on the site and adjacent areas. A tiered approach will be used to determine
the level of monitoring effort required following each disposal event. With a tiered
approach, an unacceptable result may trigger further and more complex monitoring.
The monitoring program for the eight SNWW ODMDSs is structured to address
specific questions (hypotheses) and measure key indicators and endpoints,
particularly those defined during site designation or specific project issues.
At a minimum, bathymetry will be required to be conducted after all disposal events,
and detailed summary project reports will certify either total compliance with all
disposal requirements, or explain when and where any deviations occur and a
description of actions taken to remedy the cause for such deviations.
At a minimum, a Trend Assessment Survey (40 CFR 228.13) will be conducted
approximately every ten years. The Trend Assessment surveys focus on
changes in overall health and viability of the benthic communities over time and
compare areas where disposal has occurred to areas where it has not. Such a
survey will be used to detail temporal changes that may be occurring across
benthic communities in the northern Gulf of Mexico relative to the ODMDSs.
EPA R6 Ocean Dumping Team will continue to use the phased approach to suggest
appropriate monitoring techniques and level of monitoring required for a specific
action. Team suggestions are based on type of disposal activity (i.e., maintenance vs.
construction), quality of material, location of disposal activity within an ODMDS, or
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quantity of material. EPA and USACE will ultimately determine the actual monitoring
activities to be required.
Future surveys will focus on determining the rate and direction of disposed dredged
material dispersal and the capacity of the ODMDSs. Should future disposal at the
SNWW ODMDSs result in unacceptable adverse impacts, further studies may be
required to determine the persistence of these impacts, the extent of the impacts within
the marine system, and/or possible means of mitigation. In addition, this SMMP may be
revised based on the outcome of the monitoring program.
4.5 SITE MONITORING PLAN SUMMARY
The table below (Table 2) describes all routine monitoring activities that are currently
planned for the sites as well as actions that may occur if a threshold for any of the
routine monitoring is exceeded.
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Table 2. Site Monitoring Strategies and Thresholds for Action
Goal
Monitor
Bathymetric
Trends
Model
Bathymetric
Capacity
Benthic Effects
Monitoring & Trend
Assessment (40
CFR §228.13)
Technique
Bathymetry
Bathymetry and
modeling
Responsible
Entity
USACE and
Site User
Sediment
Mapping
(Gamma/ CS3)
Water and
Sediment Quality,
Benthic
Community
Analysis (40CFR
USACE or
Site User
§228.13)
EPA
Rationale
Frequency
Threshold for
Action
Threshold Not
Exceeded
Threshold
Exceeded
Determine the extent
Post-Disposal
Disposal
Continue
-Modify disposal
of the disposal mound
for projects
mound occurs
monitoring.
method/disposal.
and major bathymetric
changes.
outside
ODMDS
boundaries.
-Restrict disposal
volumes.
Determine that large
All projects
Verify that
No action.
-Modify disposal.
project volumes can
be accommodated
disposal will
remain in the
-Restrict disposal
volumes.
based on most recent
ODMDS at
bathymetry.
proposed
(maximal)
volume.
-Expand of modify
the site.
Determine areal
Approximately
-Absence of
-Conduct
influence of dredged
every 10 years.
pollution
Environmental
material.
sensitive biota
from the site.
Effects Monitoring or
Advanced
Environmental
Periodically evaluate
the impact of disposal
on the marine
environment (40CFR
§228.9).
-Progressive
non- seasonal
changes in
water or
sediment
quality.
Continue
monitoring on
prescribed
schedule.
Effects Monitoring.
-Review dredged
material evaluation
procedures and
amend, if necessary.
-Discontinue site use.
-De-designate site.
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Goal
Technique
Environmental ; Chemical
Effects Monitoring Monitoring
Responsible
Entity
EPA/
USACE
Rationale
Determine if sediment
chemical contaminants
are significantly
elevated1
within, and outside of,
site boundaries.
Determine whether
there are adverse
changes in the
benthic populations
outside of the site and
evaluate recovery
rates.
Frequency
Implement if
disposal footprint
extends
beyond the site
boundaries or if
Trend
Assessment
results warrant.
Threshold for
Action
Contaminants are
found to be
elevated in
dredged
sediments.1
Adverse
changes
observed
outside of the
site that may
endanger the
marine
environment.
Threshold Not
Exceeded
Discontinue
specific event
monitoring.
Benthic
Monitoring
Threshold
Exceeded
-Conduct directed,
specific contaminant
monitoring to define
extent of
management action
required.
-Perform biological
testing on ODMDS
samples.
-Review and
potentially alter
dredged material
evaluation
procedures.
Advanced
Environmental
Effects Monitoring
Tissue
Chemical
Analysis
Benthic
Monitoring
EPA/ Determine if the site is
USACE a source of adverse
i bioaccumulation or
: sub-lethal^ changes
: in benthic organisms
: which may endanger
: the marine
environment.
Implement if
Environmental
Effects
Monitoring
warrants.
Benthic body
burdens and risk
assessment
models indicate
potential for food
chain impacts.
Sub-lethal effects
are unacceptable.
Discontinue
monitoring.
-Implement case-
specific
; management
options (i.e.
; Remediation,
i limits on
; quantities or
i types of
; material).
-Discontinue site use
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Goal
Technique
Responsible
Entity
Rationale
Frequency
Threshold for
Action
Threshold Not
Exceeded
Threshold Exceeded
Ensure Safe
Navigation
Depth & Monitor
Bathymetric
Trends
Bathymetry
Site User
Determine
height of mound
and any
excessive
mounding.
Pre & Post
disposal for
projects
Mound height
greater than 10 feet
from existing bottom
elevation
Continue
Monitoring.
-Modify future
disposal
method/disposal.
-Restrict disposal
volumes.
Compliance
Disposal
Site Use
Records &
DQM data
Site
User
Ensure
management
requirements
are being met.
Continuously
during the project
with weekly
reports to project
manager/EPA.
-Disposal records
required by
EPA/USACE are
not submitted or are
incomplete.
-Review of records
indicates a disposal
occurred outside
ODMDS boundary,
excessive leakage
en route to
disposal.
-Disposal records
required by
SMMP are not
submitted or are
incomplete.
-Continue
constant
monitoring
and reporting.
-Restrict site use until
requirements are met.
-Notify EPA Region 6 &
USACE and investigate
why non-compliance
occurred.
-Verify corrective actions
to be enacted; or
-Take appropriate
enforcement action.
1 Significantly elevated: 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.
2 Examples of sub-lethal effects include without limitation the development of lesions, tumors, development abnormality, and/or decreased fecundity
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4.6 REPORTING AND DATA FORMATTING
4.6.1 PROJECT INITIATION AND VIOLATION REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
The USACE (or other site user) will notify EPA at least 15 days prior to the beginning of
a dredging cycle or disposal project. The user also will be required to notify the USACE
and EPA within 24 hours if a violation of the permit and/or contract conditions related to
required terms of the permit or project authorization occur during disposal operations.
Alerts regarding any degree of apparent disposal outside the Sabine-Neches Waterway
ODMDS boundaries, and/or regarding any apparent substantial leakage/spillage or other
loss of material on route to the SNWW ODMDSs must be sent via email within 24 hours of
USACE or the permittee becoming aware of the apparent issue. Both for federal and non-
federal projects, the USACE representative must send the notification via email to the EPA
Region 6 Ocean Dumping Coordinator and pertinent Ocean Dumping Program Staff
(https://www.epa.gov/ocean-dumpirig/forms/regiorial-coritacts-oceari-dumpirig-
management-program). If the event occurs on the weekend or holiday, notification shall take
place the following business day.
If EPA deems the event warrants further investigation, the USACE representative will
follow up in a timely manner with a letter of justification, including how the incident
occurred, how the issue will be addressed, pertinent dates, and corrective actions to be
implemented to prevent repetition in the future.
4.6.2 DISPOSAL MONITORING DATA
Disposal monitoring will be conducted ideally utilizing the Dredge Quality Management
(DQM) system (see http://dgm.usace.army.m il/Specifications/lndex.aspxl, although other
systems are acceptable. The USACE will provide (or require another user to provide)
disposal monitoring data to EPA Region 6 electronically on a weekly basis, per EPA
Region 6 XML format and delivered as an email attachment. The XML format is available
from EPA Region 6.
4.6.3 POST-DISPOSAL SUMMARY REPORTS
A site user will be required to provide a Post-Disposal Summary Report to EPA within
90 days after project completion. Post-Disposal reports will be required to include:
vessel name, disposal start and end dates and times; dredging project; volume
disposed, number of loads completed, type of material disposed; name of contractor
conducting the work, permit and/or contract number; identification of any misplaced
28
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material; and dates of bathymetric surveys of the ODMDSs. The disposal summary
reports must be submitted with the bathymetry survey results (contour plot and X, Y, Z
ASCII data file).
4.6.4 ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING DATA
EPA and/or the USACE will coordinate material tracking, disposal effects monitoring and
any other data collected and provided to federal and state agencies as appropriate. The
report should indicate how the survey relates to the SMMP and previous surveys at the
SNWW ODMDSs and should provide data interpretations, conclusions, and
recommendations, and should project the next phase of the SMMP. Monitoring results
will be summarized in subsequent modifications to the SMMP posted to EPA's website
(https://www.epa.gov/ocean-dumping).
29
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5 REFERENCES
ANAMAR Environmental Consulting, Inc., 2020. Sampling, Chemical Analysis and
Bioassessment of Sabine-Neches Waterway Entrance and Sabine Pass
Channel Texas-Louisiana Border.
Blum, M.D., A.E. Carter, T. Zayac, and R. Goble, 2002. "Middle holocene sea-level
and evolution of the Gulf of Mexico coast (USA)," Journal of Coastal
Research, Special Issue 36, p 68.
Chittenden, M.E., Jr., and J.D. McEachran, 1976. Composition ecology and dynamics
of demersal fish communities on the Northwestern Gulf of Mexico Continental
Shelf with a similar synopsis for the entire gulf. Dept. of Wildlife and Fisheries
Sciences, Texas A & M University, College Station, TX.
Espey, Huston & Associates, Inc. (EHA), 1978. Sabine-Neches Waterway solid
phase bioassay. Prepared for Department of Army, Galveston District, U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers. 9 pp.
National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), 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).
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 2003. Biological Opinion
regarding Dredging of Gulf of Mexico Navigation Channels and Sand Mining
("BOITOW') Areas Using Hopper Dredges by COE Galveston, New Orleans,
Mobile, and Jacksonville Districts (Consultation Number F/SER/2000/01287),
November 19. National Marine Fisheries Service, Southeast Regional Office,
Protected Resources Division, St. Petersburg, Florida.
Pacific International Engineering (PIE), 2003. Coastal geomorphology of a non-
barrier Gulf of Mexico beach: Analysis for protection of Highway 87 and
McFaddin NWR in Jefferson County, Texas. Austin, Texas.
Parchure, T.M., S. Maynord, and S. Sarruff, 2005. Desktop Study for Sediment-
Related Problems at Sabine-Neches Project. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers,
Engineer Research and Development Center, Coastal Hydraulics Laboratory,
Vicksburg, Mississippi.
Pielou, EC, 1966. The measurement of diversity in different types of biological
collections. Journal of Theoretical Biology 13:131-144.
30
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PBS&J, 2004. Sabine-Neches Waterway Entrance Channel, contaminant
assessment. PBS&J Document No. 040274. Austin, Texas.
PBS&J, 2010. Environmental Impact Statement, Sabine-Neches Waterway Channel
Improvement Project, Texas, Ocean Dredged Material Disposal Site
Designation. Document 050232. PBS&J, Austin, Texas.
Trulli, W.R., 1996. Draft final report. Region VI contaminated sediment study, Phase
III. Battelle Ocean Sciences, Duxbury, MA.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 2011. Final Feasibility Report for Sabine-Neches
Waterway Channel Improvement Project Southeast Texas and Southwest
Louisiana. USACE Galveston District. March 2011.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1976. Quality criteria for water. U.S.
Government Printing Office. EPA - 44019-76-023. Washington, DC. 256 pp.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1983. Final Environmental Impact Statement
(EIS) for the Sabine-Neches, Texas Dredged Material Disposal Site
Designation. USEPA, Criteria and Standards Division, March 1983.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2014. Sabine-Neches ODMDS Sites 1-4
Status and Trends-2013 Site Monitoring Assessment Report.
U.S Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 1991.
Evaluation of Dredged Material Proposed for Ocean Disposal Testing Material.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 1996.
Guidance Document for Development of Site Management Plans for Ocean
Dredged Material Disposal Sites, February 1996. Prepared by Environmental
Protection Agency Office of Water and Department of Army United States Army
Corps of Engineers.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 2003.
Regional Implementation on 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.
Anny Corps of Engineers, Galveston and New Orleans Districts.
Vittor, 2014. Sabine-Neches ODMDS 2013 status and trend assessment survey,
Texas: benthic macroinvertebrate report. Final Report for US EPA Region 6.
January 2014.
31
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APPENDIX A SITE CHARACTERIZATION
Table A1. SNWW ODMDSs Buffer and Disposal Zone Boundary Coordinates (NAD83)
Buffer Zone
Latitude
Buffer Zone
Longitude
Disposal Zone
Latitude
Disposal Zone
Longitude
29°28'03"N
93°41'14"W
29°27'54.15"N
93°41'20.24"W
ODMDS 1
29°26'1 T'N
93°41'14"W
29°26'16.79"N
93°41'20.24"W
29°26'1 T'N
93°44'11"W
29°26'16.79"N
93°43'54.11"W
29°30'41"N
93°43'49"W
29°30'36.37"N
93°43'51.35"W
ODMDS2
29°28'42"N
93°41'33"W
29°28'47.79"N
93°41'47.24"W
29°28'42"N
93°44'49"W
29°28'47.78"N
93°44'47.24"W
29°30'08"N
93°46'27"W
29°30'06.06"N
93°46'16.45"W
29°34'24"N
93°48'13"W
29°34'17.86"N
93°48'13.43"W
29°32'47"N
93°46'16"W
29°32'46.27"N
93°46'22.95"W
ODMDS3
29°32'06"N
93°46'29"W
29°32'10.90"N
93°46'34.16"W
29°31'42"N
93°48'16"W
29°31'48.30"N
93°48'14.95"W
29°32'59"N
93°49'48"W
29°32'59.93"N
93°49'40.54"W
29°38'09"N
93°49'23"W
29°35'13.30"N
93°50'21.63"W
29°35'53"N
93°48'18"W
29°36'35.17"N
93°51'02.12"W
ODMDS 4
29°35'06"N
93°50'24"W
29°36'58.08"N
93°49'59.35"W
29°36'37"N
93°51'09"W
29°37'44.08"N
93°50'19.35"W
29°37'00"N
93°50'06"W
29°38'03.32"N
93°49'26.63"W
29°37'46"N
93°50'26"W
29°35'56.43"N
93°48'25.98"W
29°24'47"N
93°43'29"W
29°24'42.05"N
93°43'23.34"W
ODMDSA
29°24'47"N
93°41'08"W
29°24'42.05"N
93°41'13.69"W
29°22'48"N
93°41'09"W
29°22'52.98"N
93°41'14.60"W
29°22'49"N
93°43'29"W
29°22'53.90"N
93°43'23.34"W
29°21'59"N
93°43'29"W
93°43'23.34"W
93°43'23.34"W
ODMDS B
29°21'59"N
93°41'08"W
93°41'13.69"W
93°41'13.69"W
29°20'00"N
93°41'09"W
93°41'14.60"W
93°41'14.60"W
29°20'00"N
93°43'29"W
93°43'23.35"W
93°43'23.35"W
29°19'1 T'N
93°43'29"W
93°43'23.35"W
93°43'23.35"W
ODMDS C
29°19'1 T'N
93°41'09"W
93°41'14.64"W
93°41'14.64"W
29°17'12"N
93°41'09"W
93°41'14.64"W
93°41'14.64"W
29°17'12"N
93°43'29"W
93°43'23.35"W
93°43'23.35"W
29°16'22"N
93°43'29"W
93°43'23.35"W
93°43'23.35"W
ODMDS D
29°16'22"N
93°41'10"W
93°41'15.64"W
93°41'15.64"W
29°14'24"N
93°41'10"W
93°41'15.64"W
93°41'15.64"W
29°14'24"N
93°43'29"W
93°43'23.35"W
93°43'23.35"W
32
-------
) 2 (29° 28'47.79"N, 93" 42' 33 5TW)
(29° 28' 42"N. 93° 41 33"W)
SABINE-NECHES
WATERWAY ODMDS 1
I Disposal Zones 1
52 500 ft Buffer Zone \
I I Reference Sites
Existing Channel
Proposed Entrance
Channel Extension
Miles
0 0.6 1.2
93° 43" 23.35W)
41" 8'W)
(29= 24" 4205'N,[93° 41" 13.69%^)
Figure A1. Sabirie-Neches Waterway ODMDS 1
33
-------
(29= 3CT 41"N, 93= 43'
(29° 30r'28.01"N^93° 44'
(29° 3Of 8"N, 93" 46"-27"W)'
(29°,3Cf 06.06'N, 93° 4GT 16.45-W)
(29° 28" 47.78"N, 93° 44* 47.24*W) (29° 2S 47.79"N, 93° 42 33.57*W)
^^xxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>d&>»
(29° 28 42'N. 93° 44' 49"W)
SABINE-NECHES
WATERWAY ODMDS 2
| Disposal Zones
"4"
500 ft Buffer Zone *
I | Reference Sites
Existing Channel
Proposed Entrance
Channel Extension
I Miles
0 0.8 1.6
[29° 28f 42"N, 93° 41'33'W)
(29° 28 3"N, 1
(29° 27 54:15"N. 93°
(29° 26 16.79.N>93° 43 5411 '.'V:
iW?Fi 1R 7Q N g^'-H
Figure A2. Sabine-Neches Waterway ODMDS 2
34
-------
X(29° 32' 47'T'J 93° 46' 16"W)
W
(29°/32" 46-27", -93°.46' 22-95")
SABINE-NECHES
WATERWAY ODMDS 3
Disposal Zones
500 ft Buffer Zone s
I | Reference Sites
Existing Channel
Proposed Entrance
Channel Extension
I Miles
0 0.8 1.6
(29= 30" 8"N, 93 = 46' 27"W)
(29° 3ff 06.06 N, 93= 46' 16.45"W);
Figure A3. Sabine-Neches Waterway ODMDS 3
35
-------
SABINE-NECHES
WATERWAY ODMDS 4
I I Disposal Zones
ESSSsoo ft Buffer Zone 4
I | Reference Sites
Existing Channel
Proposed Entrance
Channel Extension
^ I Miles
0 0.8 1.6
(29° 37' 0"N. 93
MEXICO
Figure A4. Sabine-Neches Waterway ODMDS 4
36
-------
n. a j 44 ii
MEXICO
(Z3 ZO I I N, S)j 4 1 14 VV,
(29° 24" 47N, 93° 43" 29"W) (29= 24" 47N, 93° 41" 8W)
t|>cx;-'.xxxxxxxxx;-;xxxxxx;sXxXAxV'
(29° 24" 42 05 "N 93° 43" 23 35*W) (29° 24" 4205'N?93" 41 13.69W)
to
(29° 2Z 53 91 Ii: 93° 43" 23.35W) (29= 2Z 52.98'N, 93° 41' 14.611/V)
x x xx xx x v x y y y x x. x x x x x x x x x x x fSj
(29° 2Z 49TN, 93° 43" 29"W) (29s 2Z 48"N, 93° 41" 9"W)
SABINE-NECHES
WATERWAY ODMDS A
.-A ,
Disposal Zones y
21" 59TN, 93° 43" 29W) ^g= 2\ 59TN, 93° 41" 8W)
IT 54.05'N, 93° 43" 23.35W) r9Q° 9r
(29= 21 54.05'N,<:.'93C 41" 13.69W)
KXX>I 500 ft B uffer Zone
Reference Sites
Existing Channel
Proposed Entrance
Channel Extension
I Miles
0 0.65 1.3
B
Figure A5. Sabine-Neches Waterway ODMDS A
37
-------
(2M2E &g/l'H7S© 43T 23.35W)
(29= 2Z 52 98 N.
(29= 2Z 49"N, 93= 43" 29W)
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX^
93= 41 14.61W)
(29° 22" 48"N, 93° 41" 9W)
£29= 21" 59TN, 93= 43" 29W) (2g= 21" 5STN, 93= 41" 8W)
fyxX>:y:xx>V.-,.>:;••• :(x>'xvy'v^
(29° 21" 54 05 N 93° 43" 23 35W) (29= 21" 54 05(1 93= 41" 13.69"W)
B
<
(29= 20" 4.95,N,x93= 43" 23.35'W) £29° 2(T 4.95N, 93= 41" 14.61'W)
j$xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx%j
(29= 20" O N, 93 = 43" 29W)
SABINE-NECHES
WATERWAY ODMDS B
.-A ,
Disposal Zones y
19" 11'N, 93° 43" 29W)
faxXX XX XXXXX XX XXXXX XX XXXXX XX f
?N1 9.T jr 33 WW1 (29= ig" 6.05N,'o
(29= 20" O N. 93= 41" 9TW)
(29= 19T 11'N, 93= 41" 9W)
19" 6.05N,1 93° 43" 23.35W)
[gg] 500 ft Buffer Zone
Reference Sites
Existing Channel
Proposed Entrance
Channel Extension
I Miles
0 0.65 1.3
93=41 14.65W)
Figure A6. Sabine-Neches Waterway ODMDS B
38
-------
B
-------
I: o
93 = 43" 23.35'W)
K
%
$
(29= 17" 16.95N, 93= 41 14.65W)
J^XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX^
(29° 17" 12N. 93° 43"29W)
(29° 17' 12N, 93° 41 9W)
(29° 16" 22N, 93° 43" 29"W) (29°16"22N 93°41"10"W)
(29° 16" 17.05'N. 93° 43" 23.35W) (29° 16" 17.05'N, 93° 41" 15.65"W)
(29= 14" 28.95 N? 93° 43" 23.35W) (29° 14" 28.95'N,[93° 41 15.65TW)
|£yxyxyxyyxvxyyxyxyxyx'xyx5?x^
(29° 14" 24'N, 93° 43" 29W) (29° 14" 24'N, 93° 41* 10"W)
SABINE-NECHES
WATERWAY ODMDS D
Disposal Zones y
500 ft Buffer Zone
I | Reference Sites
Existing Channel
Proposed Entrance
Channel Extension
M i I es
0 0.65 1.3
Figure A8. Sabine-Neches Waterway ODMDS D
40
-------
SABINE-NECHES WATERWAY
REFERENCE SITES
I I Refere n c e S ite s
1 I Disposal Zones
K>^3 500 ft Buffer Zone
Existing Channel
Proposed Entrance
Channel Extension
~ Miles
(29= 20" O'N, 93= 37" OTW) (29° 20" O'N, 93= 36" 45*W)
J] Reference A D
(29" 19' 8'N, 93= 37" CTW) (29= 19" 8 N, 93° 36" 45W)
37" CV.'J (23° 27' 3ON, 93° 36" 45 W)
J J Reference 1 & 2
93= 37" OW) (29° 26" 38'N, 93° 36"45W)
(29° 35" 52 N, 93°41"45W) (29° 35" 52N, 93° 41"30W)
Reference 3 & 4
93° 41" 30"W)
Figure A9. Sabine-Neches Waterway Reference Sites
41
-------
Table A2. SNWW Reference Sites 1&2, 3&4 and A-D Coordinates (NAD83)
Reference Site Latitude
Reference Site Longitude
29°27'30"N
93°37'00"W
Reference Site
29°27'30"N
93°36'45"W
1&2
29°26'38"N
93°36'45"W
29°26'38"N
93°37'00"W
29°35'52"N
93°41'45"W
Reference Site
29°35'52"N
93°41'30"W
3&4
29°35'00"N
93°41'30"W
29°35'00"N
93°41'45"W
29° 20' 00" N
93° 37' 00" W
Reference Site
29° 20' 00" N
93° 36'45" W
A-D
29° 19' 08" N
93° 36'45" W
29° 19' 08" N
93° 37' 00" W
Table A3. Disposal history of SNWW ODMDS 1
Disposal Start Date
Disposal End Date
Quantity of Dredged Material (cy)
03/03/1976
09/15/1976
1,169,165
06/01/1977
09/18/1977
967,708
07/18/1978
12/31/1978
5,589,100
10/01/1979
10/04/1979
58,080
07/24/1983
08/07/1983
50,003
04/05/1991
10/21/1991
1,680,432
03/12/1997
09/25/1997
576,553
07/27/2002
08/13/2002
438,118
08/06/2003
09/27/2003
730,300
12/17/2004
12/31/2004
292,220
07/28/2006
08/26/2006
965,400
07/09/2009
09/14/2009
962,200
06/28/2012
11/15/2012
2,049,404
10/19/2016
12/31/2016
566,860
01/01/2017
01/19/2017
126,798
Total cy disposed:
16,222,341
42
-------
Table A4. Disposal history of SNWW ODMDS 2
Disposal Start Date
Disposal End Date
Quantity of Dredged Material (cy)
03/03/1976
09/15/1976
1,169,166
06/01/1977
09/18/1977
967,708
07/24/1983
08/07/1983
50,003
06/13/1985
09/07/1985
5,353,000
04/05/1991
10/21/1991
1,224,832
08/12/1994
09/12/1994
1,337,096
03/12/1997
09/25/1997
1,370,551
01/11/2000
05/02/2000
2,842,002
08/06/2003
09/27/2003
393,500
12/17/2004
12/31/2004
511,420
07/28/2006
08/26/2006
558,803
07/09/2009
09/14/2009
3,215,900
10/19/2016
12/31/2016
566,860
01/01/2017
01/19/2017
126,798
08/07/2018
09/29/2018
767,320
Total cy disposed:
20,454,959
ible A5. Disposal history of SNWW ODMDS 3
Disposal Start Date
Disposal End Date
Quantity of Dredged Material (cy)
03/03/1976
09/15/1976
1,169,166
07/24/1983
08/07/1983
50,003
04/05/1991
10/21/1991
2,155,132
09/01/1994
10/30/1994
2,899,203
01/23/1996
04/26/1996
3,723,835
03/12/1997
09/25/1997
424,637
08/13/1998
10/07/1998
681,764
05/12/2001
06/18/2001
2,441,500
07/27/2002
08/13/2002
562,700
08/06/2003
09/27/2003
287,100
12/17/2004
12/31/2004
1,056,115
01/01/2005
01/08/2005
335,005
07/09/2009
09/14/2009
1,633,500
06/28/2012
11/15/2012
3,401,718
08/08/2014
10/15/2014
2,329,286
01/01/2017
01/19/2017
126,798
08/07/2018
09/29/2018
767,320
Total cy disposed:
24,044,782
43
-------
Table A6. Disposal history of SNWW ODMDS 4
Disposal Start Date
Disposal End Date
Quantity of Dredged Material (cy)
03/03/1976
09/15/1976
1,169,166
03/19/1981
05/30/1981
3,589,510
04/27/1982
05/20/1982
1,693,275
07/24/1983
08/07/1983
50,003
07/22/1984
09/22/1984
5,835,479
05/12/1986
07/13/1986
5,626,837
07/11/1987
09/21/1987
3,972,320
09/04/1988
10/16/1988
3,002,319
04/05/1991
10/21/1991
5,758,031
09/11/1992
11/07/1992
2,363,981
12/10/1993
12/31/1993
955,656
01/01/1994
01/10/1994
955,655
03/12/1997
09/25/1997
2,370,724
08/13/1998
10/07/1998
3,716,300
01/11/2000
05/02/2000
1,940,700
05/12/2001
06/18/2001
1,622,103
07/27/2002
08/13/2002
1,877,100
08/06/2003
09/27/2003
2,134,056
01/01/2005
01/08/2005
727,705
12/28/2007
12/31/2007
497,281
01/01/2008
04/24/2008
2,149,181
09/29/2010
11/14/2010
2,669,300
08/08/2014
10/15/2014
1,802,615
01/01/2017
01/19/2017
126,798
08/07/2018
09/29/2018
767,320
Total cy disposed:
57,373,415
Table A7. Particle-Size Distribution Trend Data for SNWW ODMDS 1
Year
% Gravel
% Sand
% Silt
% Clay
1980
4.6
79.2
12.6
3.7
1995
10.3
66.5
17.5
5.7
1999
0.0
96.6
3.4
0.0
2013
1.0
54.1
27.3
17.7
Mean
4.0
80.8
11.2
3.1
Data Source: 2013 SNWW Status & Trends Survey (USEPA, 2014)
44
-------
Table A8. Particle-Size Distribution Trend Data for SNWW ODMDS 2
Year
% Gravel
% Sand
% Silt
% Clay
1980
0.7
68.6
21.1
9.7
1995
0.4
69.5
23.8
6.6
1999
0.0
61.1
23.4
15.5
2013
1.5
68.9
17.8
21.1
Mean
0.7
66.4
22.8
10.6
Data Source: 2013 SNWW Status & Trends Survey (USEPA, 2014)
Table A9. Particle-Size Distribution Trend Data for SNWW ODMDS 3
Year
% Gravel
% Sand
% Silt
% Clay
1980
4.6
46.7
23.5
25.2
1995
4.3
45.3
33.6
16.7
1999
0.0
64.9
25.8
9.3
2013
0.4
6.0
53.5
40.3
Mean
1.6
55.1
29.7
13.0
Data Source: 2013 SNWW Status & Trends Survey (USEPA, 2014)
Table A10. Particle-Size Distribution Trend Data for SNWW ODMDS 4
Year
% Gravel
% Sand
% Silt
% Clay
1980
0.0
1.7
27.8
70.5
1995
0.1
5.7
47.2
46.9
1999
0.0
24.8
59.9
15.3
2013
1.0
5.3
34.2
60.3
Mean
0.3
10.7
45.0
44.2
Data Source: 2013 SNWW Status & Trends Survey (USEPA, 2014)
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APPENDIX B TEMPLATE OF GENERIC CONDITIONS FOR MPRSA SECTION
103 PERMITS FOR THE SNWW ODMDSs
MPRSA section 102(c)(3) directs EPA in conjunction with the USACE to develop site
management and monitoring plans for dredged material disposal sites and such plans
are implemented through MPRSA permits issued by USACE or through Federal projects
subject to the same criteria, evaluation factors, procedures and requirements as permits.
EPA in conjunction with USACE developed the template language below for inclusion in
permits, though the template language is intended to be include on a case- by-case
basis. Neither the SMMP nor this Appendix impose requirements on a permittee. Instead,
the terms of any particular permit would impose requirements specific to the permitted
activity. The USACE is not obligated to impose any particular permit term based on the
template language; the language is provided to facilitate USACE permit development and
to provide notice to third parties. For any future permit, EPA's concurrence review would
confirm that appropriate terms are included to assure adequate implementation of the
SMMP.
B1 DISPOSAL OPERATIONS
B1.1 For this permit, the term disposal operations shall mean: navigation of any vessel
used in disposal of operations, transportation of dredged material from the dredging site to
the SNWW ODMDSs, proper disposal of dredged material at the disposal area within the
SNWW ODMDSs, and transportation of the hopper dredge or disposal barge or scow back
to the dredging site.
B1.2 The SNWW ODMDSs are defined as follows (NAD83):
Buffer Zone
Latitude
Buffer Zone
Longitude
Disposal Zone
Latitude
Disposal Zone
Longitude
ODMDS1
29°28'03"N
29°26'11"N
29°26'11"N
93°41'14"W
93°41'14"W
93°44'11"W
29°27'54.15"N
29°26'16.79"N
29°26'16.79"N
93°41'20.24"W
93°41'20.24"W
93°43'54.11 "W
ODMDS2
29°30'41"N
29°28'42"N
29°28'42"N
29°30'08"N
93°43'49"W
93°41'33"W
93°44'49"W
93°46'27"W
29°30'36.37"N
29°28'47.79"N
29°28'47.78"N
29°30'06.06"N
93°43'51.35"W
93°41'47.24"W
93°44'47.24"W
93°46'16.45"W
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29°34'24"N
93°48'13"W
29°34'17.86"N
93°48'13.43"W
29°32'47"N
93°46'16"W
29°32'46.27"N
93°46'22.95"W
ODMDS 3
29°32'06"N
93°46'29"W
29°32'10.90"N
93°46'34.16"W
29°31'42"N
93°48'16"W
29°31'48.30"N
93°48'14.95"W
29°32'59"N
93°49'48"W
29°32'59.93"N
93°49'40.54"W
29°38'09"N
93°49'23"W
29°35'13.30"N
93°50'21.63"W
29°35'53"N
93°48'18"W
29°36'35.17"N
93°51'02.12"W
ODMDS 4
29°35'06"N
93°50'24"W
29°36'58.08"N
93°49'59.35"W
29°36'37"N
93°51'09"W
29°37'44.08"N
93°50'19.35"W
29°37'00"N
93°50'06"W
29°38'03.32"N
93°49'26.63"W
29°37'46"N
93°50'26"W
29°35'56.43"N
93°48'25.98"W
29°24'47"N
93°43'29"W
29°24'42.05"N
93°43'23.34"W
ODMDSA
29°24'47"N
93°41'08"W
29°24'42.05"N
93°41'13.69"W
29°22'48"N
93°41'09"W
29°22'52.98"N
93°41'14.60"W
29°22'49"N
93°43'29"W
29°22'53.90"N
93°43'23.34"W
29°21'59"N
93°43'29"W
93°43'23.34"W
93°43'23.34"W
ODMDS B
29°21'59"N
93°41'08"W
93°41'13.69"W
93°41'13.69"W
29°20'00"N
93°41'09"W
93°41'14.60"W
93°41'14.60"W
29°20'00"N
93°43'29"W
93°43'23.35"W
93°43'23.35"W
29°19'11"N
93°43'29"W
93°43'23.35"W
93°43'23.35"W
ODMDS C
29°19'11"N
93°41'09"W
93°41'14.64"W
93°41'14.64"W
29°17'12"N
93°41'09"W
93°41'14.64"W
93°41'14.64"W
29°17'12"N
93°43'29"W
93°43'23.35"W
93°43'23.35"W
29°16'22"N
93°43'29"W
93°43'23.35"W
93°43'23.35"W
ODMDS D
29°16'22"N
93°41'10"W
93°41'15.64"W
93°41'15.64"W
29°14'24"N
93°41'10"W
93°41'15.64"W
93°41'15.64"W
29°14'24"N
93°43'29"W
93°43'23.35"W
93°43'23.35"W
B1.3 No more than [NUMBER] cubic yards of dredged material excavated at the location
defined in [REFERENCE LOCATION IN PERMIT] are authorized for disposal at the SNWW
ODMDS.
B1.4 The permittee shall use an electronic positioning system to navigate to and from the
SNWW ODMDSs. For this section of the permit, the electronic positioning system will be as
per the DQM specifications. If the electronic positioning system fails or navigation problems
are detected, all disposal operations shall cease until the failure or navigation problems are
corrected.
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B1.5 The permittee shall certify the accuracy of the electronic positioning system proposed
for use during disposal operations at the SNWW ODMDSs. The certification shall be
accomplished by providing current certification documentation from the National DQM
Program for scow and hopper dredge instrumentation systems. The National DQM
certification is valid for one year from the date of certification.
B1.6 This permit does not authorize leakage or spillage out of barges, dump scows, or
hopper dredges of water and/or excavated material while on route to the ODMDSs disposal
release zone(s). Failure to repair leaks or change the method of operation which is resulting
in the leakage or spillage will result in the suspension of dredging operation and require
prompt repair or change of operation as prerequisite to the resumption of dredging. Transit
to the ODMDSs begins as soon as dredged material loading into the disposal vessel is
completed and the vessel begins moving to the ODMDS. All appropriate measures to avoid
spillage during transit must be taken. Appropriate measures may include but are not limited
to: up-to-date U.S. Coast Guard and/or American Bureau of Shipping certification of all
disposal-related vessels; maintenance (inspection and/or replacement) of gaskets on barge
doors, minimization of excess free liquids in barge loads, pre-transit testing of barge door
hydraulics, and pre-transport verification of appropriate weather and sea state conditions.
EPA Region 6 and the USACE Galveston District shall be notified within 24 hours (or the
next business day) if any apparent leaking or spilling of dredged material occurs as
indicated by an average loss of draft during transit from the dredging area to the disposal
release zone(s) in excess of 2.0 feet. An average loss of draft transit is defined as forward
draft loss plus aft draft loss divided by 2. In addition, the permittee understands that no
debris is to be placed in the SNWW ODMDS. Alerts must be sent via email within 24 hours
of USACE or the permittee becoming aware of the apparent issue. Both for federal and non-
federal projects, the USACE representative must send the notification via email to the EPA
Region 6 Ocean Dumping Coordinator and pertinent Ocean Dumping Program Staff
(https://www.epa.qov/ocean-dumpinq/forms/reqional-contacts-ocean-dumpinq-
management-program). If the event occurs on the weekend or holiday, notification shall take
place the following business day. If EPA deems the event warrants further investigation, the
USACE representative will follow up in a timely manner with a formal letter of justification,
including how the incident occurred, how the issue will be addressed, pertinent dates, and
corrective actions to be implemented to prevent repetition in the future.
B1.7 A disposal operations inspector and/or captain of any tugboat, hopper dredge or other
vessel used to transport dredged material to the SNWW ODMDSs shall insure compliance
with disposal operation conditions defined in this permit.
• If the disposal operations inspector or the captain detects a violation, he shall report
the violation to the permittee immediately.
• The permittee shall contact the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, SWG District's
Regulatory Branch (409) 766-3869 and EPA Region 6 via email to the Ocean
Dumping Coordinator and pertinent staff (https://www.epa.gov/ocean-
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dumping/forms/regional-contacts-ocean-dumping-management-program) to report
the violation within twenty-four (24) hours after the violation occurs. A complete
written explanation of any permit violation shall be included in the post-dredging
report.
B1.8 When dredged material is disposed, no portion of the hopper dredge or disposal
barge or scow shall be outside of the boundaries of the SNWW ODMDSs as defined in
Special Condition B. Additionally, disposal shall occur within a specified disposal zone
defined as [DEFINE COORDINATES AND SIZE OF DISPOSAL ZONE], Disposal shall not
occur closer than 1,300 feet to any oil or gas rig that may be present within the site
boundaries.
B1.9 The permittee shall use an automated disposal verification system that is certified by
the National DQM program to continuously track the horizontal location and draft condition
of the disposal vessel (hopper dredge or disposal barge or scow) to and from the SNWW
ODMDSs. This real-time information is available on-line to the SWG District and will be
provided to EPA Region 6 on a weekly basis via email using the extensible Markup
Language (XML) specification and protocol. Data shall be provided per EPA Region 6 XML
format and delivered as an attachment to an email to the Ocean Dumping Coordinator for
EPA Region 6 (https://www.epa.gov/ocean-dumping/forms/regional-contacts-ocean-
dumping-management-program). The XML format is available from EPA Region 6.
B1.10 The permittee shall conduct a pre-disposal bathymetric survey of the SNWW
ODMDSs within three months of project commencement and a post-disposal bathymetric
survey within 30 days after project completion.
• The number and length of the survey transects shall be sufficient to encompass the
defined disposal zone within the SNWW ODMDSs and a 500-foot-wide area around
the disposal zone. Transects shall be spaced at 500-foot intervals or less with a
depth recording density of 20 to 70 feet.
• Vertical accuracy of the survey shall be ±0.1 feet. Horizontal location of the survey
lines and depth sounding points will be determined by an automated positioning
system utilizing either microwave line of site system or differential global positioning
system. The vertical datum will be referenced to prescribed NOAA Mean Lower Low
Water (MLLW) datum. MLLW is 1.8 feet below NGVD 1929. The horizontal datum
will be Texas State Plane (zone 4204 Texas South) or Geographic (NAD 1983).
State Plane coordinates shall be reported to the nearest 0.10 foot and latitude and
longitude coordinates shall be reported as degrees and decimal minutes to the
nearest 0.01 minutes.
B1.11 The permittee has read and agrees to assure its actions are consistent with any
revisions to the SNWW ODMDSs Site Management and Monitoring Plan (SMMP) in effect
at the time of permit issuance.
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B1.12 The permittee shall not transport dredged material to the SNWW ODMDSs until it
confirms that EPA has concurred that the proposed dredge material meets the Ocean
Disposal Criteria as given in 40 CFR Part 227.
B1.13 Enclosed is the Gulf Regional Biological Opinion (GRBO) dated [INSERT DATE], for
swimming sea turtles, whales, and sturgeon. The GRBO contains mandatory terms and
conditions to implement the reasonable and prudent measures that are associated with
"incidental take" that is also specified in the GRBO. Authorization for transportation and
ocean disposal of dredged material at the SNWW ODMDS under the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers (USACE) permit is conditional upon compliance with all of the mandatory terms
and conditions associated with the incidental take of the attached GRBO, which terms and
conditions are incorporated by reference in the permit. Failure to comply with the terms and
conditions associated with the incidental take of the GRBO, where a take of the listed
species occurs, would constitute an unauthorized take, and it would also constitute non-
compliance with your USACE permit. Depending on the affected species, National Marine
Fisheries Service (NMFS) is the appropriate authority to determine compliance with the
terms and conditions of its GRBO and with the Endangered Species Act. For further
clarification of this point, contact the project managers at USACE and the NMFS. Should a
determination be made that the conditions of the GRBO have been violated, the violation
may be enforced administratively by EPA, or referred to the Department of Justice for
further investigation and appropriate enforcement.
B2 REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
B2.1 The permittee shall send the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, SWG District's
Regulatory Branch and EPA Region 6's Marine, Coastal & Non-Point Source Section (1201
Elm Street, Suite 500) a notification of commencement of work at least 15 days before
initiation of any dredging operations authorized by this permit.
B2.2 The permittee shall submit to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and EPA Region 6
weekly disposal monitoring reports. These reports shall contain the information described in
Special Condition I.
B2.3 The permittee shall develop and send one copy of the disposal summary report to the
USACE SWG District's Regulatory Branch and one copy of the disposal summary report to
EPA Region 6 documenting compliance with all general and special conditions defined in
this permit. The disposal summary report shall be sent within 90 days after completion of
the disposal operations authorized by this permit. The disposal summary report shall include
the following information:
• The report shall indicate whether all general and special permit conditions were met.
Any violations of the permit shall be explained in detail.
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• The disposal summary report shall include the following information: USACE permit
number, actual start date and completion date of dredging and disposal operations,
total cubic yards disposed at the SNWW ODMDS, locations of disposal events, and
post disposal bathymetric survey results (in hard and electronic formats)
B3 PERMIT LIABILITY
B3.1 The permittee and all contractors or other third parties who perform an activity
authorized by this permit on behalf of the permittee shall be separately liable for a civil
penalty for each violation of any term of this permit committed alone or in concert with the
permittee or other parties. Liability shall be individual, rather than joint and several, and shall
not be reduced in any fashion to reflect the liability assigned to and civil penalty assessed
against the permittee or any other third party as defined in 33 U.S.C. Section 1415(a).
B3.2 If the permittee or any contractor or other third party knowingly violates any term of
this permit (either alone or in concert), the permittee, contractor or other party shall be
individually liable for the criminal penalties set forth in 33 U.S.C. Section 1415(b).
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