JACKSONVILLE ODMDS DESIGNATION M. Rau, J. Seitz, C. Smith, N. Lombardero – ANAMAR Environmental Consulting, Inc. Chris McArthur – USEPA Region 4 P. Griffin, J. Verhagen, A. Patterson – USACE Jacksonville District Jacksonville ODMDS Designation: Site Selection Process and Characterization Studies

Outline Current ODMDSs Guidance Purpose and Need ODMDS Designation Process Project Coordination Alternatives Evaluation Site Designation Surveys Preferred Site Selection

Total = 82 ODMDS in 7 EPA Regions ODMDS

Guidance Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act of 1972 (MPRSA) National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) 40 CFR 228 EPA Region 4 – USACE SAD Ocean Disposal of Dredged Material MOU

1)Minimize adverse environmental effects, as well as the interference of dumping activities with other activities in the marine environment; 2)Ensure that temporary perturbations in water quality are reduced to normal ambient seawater levels before reaching any beach, shoreline, marine sanctuary, or geographically limited fishery. All discharges will meet applicable water quality standards. Objectives

Process 1.Demonstrate a need for an ODMDS 2.Conduct a constraints analysis 3.Conduct reconnaissance surveys 4.Conduct site designation surveys 5.Evaluate the Alternatives using USEPA general and specific criteria (40 CFR Part 228) 6.Document the findings in the EIS and identify the preferred alternative 7.Proceed with rulemaking published in the Federal Register

USEPA Lead Agency USACE Cooperating Agency ANAMAR Consultant USEPA Internal Coordination NEPA Air Quality Fisheries Water Quality USACE Internal Coordination Operations Socioeconomics Geotechnical T&E Species Archaeological Interagency Coordination NOAA-NMFS USFWS FWC FDEP SHPO Public/Stakeholders Coordination JAXPORT Naval Station Mayport Shrimp Producers Assoc. Jax Offshore Sport Fishing Club St. Johns Bar/Jax Pilots Assoc. Scubanauts City of Jacksonville Coordination ODMDS Designation Team

Based on observed mounding, future capacity modeling, dredging volumes, limited capacity at existing CDFs, and estimates of future proposed projects. Need Historically, the Jacksonville ODMDS has supported maintenance and new work material: Jacksonville Harbor Navigation Channel Naval Station Mayport The new ODMDS will continue to support these projects including any new work (i.e., Jacksonville Harbor Deepening) Jacksonville ODMDS

ZSF Study A Zone of Siting Feasibility Analysis evaluates the operational and economic feasibility of various disposal locations for future maintenance and new work scenarios. 5 nautical miles BCR= nautical miles BCR= nautical miles BCR=0.98 Jacksonville ODMDS

Biological, Socioeconomic, Recreational, Cultural, and Mineral Resources Existing Resources EPA Criteria: Minimize interference with other activities (fisheries, recreation, navigation) Stakeholder/Agency Coordination

Surveys/Modeling/Analysis Threatened and Endangered Species (e.g., North Atlantic Right Whale, sea turtles, etc.) Hardbottoms and other geographically limited benthic habitats Essential Fish Habitat Commercial Fisheries (e.g., shrimping) Socioeconomic Considerations Recreation Cultural Resources Mineral Resources Sidescan Sonar Surveys Chemical and Physical Testing Epifaunal and Infaunal Surveys Surveys

Physical and Chemical Characteristics: Water Sediment Bioaccumulation (crustaceans, fishes) Community Characteristics: Benthic infaunal communities Epifaunal invertebrates Demersal fish communities Federally managed taxa Nonindigenous taxa Surveys

Currently, Alternatives 1 and 2 are preferred. Coordinating with agencies on final site selection. Final EIS – anticipated Winter

Thank you for attending today’s presentation! Questions/Comments: Please feel free to contact Michelle Rau Or stop by ANAMAR’s booth!