1. Valerie A. Cappola, Ph.D. Kenneth M. Levitt USACE New England District

2. 27 ft MLLW At least 500 ft wide Extends ~ 13 miles from River entrance to city of Bath

4.  elongate and rock-bound  large tidal ranges  extreme discharge seasonality  Doubling Point channel bedload convergence zone  Bluff Head placement site an erosional area

5.  Jackknife Ledge Placement Area  sand expected to remain in nearshore system  help to indirectly re-nourish beaches due to sediment gyre Goldschmidt et al. 1991

6.  Bath Iron Works  Shellfish harvest  Lobster fishing  Recreation boating, fishing, beaches  Bed & Breakfasts  Heavily utilized in the summer

7.  November 2010 Notified about need for dredging  Surveyed channel  December/January 2010/2011  February 2011 & May 2011  February 2011 USS Spruance – sea trials  EA/Coordination WQC, CZM, Biological Opinion, contract out the work  Dredge  September 1, 2011 USS Spruance departs BIW

8.  Major Concerns closures to shellfish harvest interference with recreation noise concerns inability to set lobster traps and burial of traps (www.newmainetimes.com) Dredging the Kennebec: A significant loss Posted Wednesday, August 3, 2011 in Investigation

9.  State and US EPA- worked to correct water quality classification description for in-river placement area  NMFS- biological opinion for Atlantic Salmon, Shortnose Sturgeon & Atlantic Sturgeon incidental take statement of 27 shortnose sturgeon no take of Atlantic salmon (not expected to be present) no conference is necessary for Atlantic sturgeon, but report any interactions observed no takes or interactions with any species

10.  Letters in response to public notices questioned the water quality classification at the Bluff Head placement site potential economic impacts to fishermen (shellfish and lobster) potential impacts to commercial and recreational fishing, and tourism potential environmental impacts to lobsters, clams, endangered species and marine mammals (harbor seals)  Requested minimal dredging or placement of dredged material upland or at Portland Disposal Site

11.  Clarification of the water quality classification Governor signed an emergency bill  DEP WQC- appeal to the State of Maine Board of Environmental Protection denied (July 22, 2011)  Federal injunction July 29, 2011 the Court denied the Plaintiffs’ motion for a preliminary injunction  NMFS - 60 Day Notice Letter Regarding Legal Violations in NMFS’ Biological Opinion, August 2011 F/NER/2011/00691 no impacts to endangered species

12.  USACE conducted pre and post-dredge surveys of the nearest shellfish beds to determine if any bacterial contamination resulting in closure of shellfish beds increased sedimentation  Pre-dredge monitoring - July 28, 2011 grain size distribution fecal coliforms water quality profiles sediment cores surface/underwater images  Post-dredge August 25,2011

13.  no coliform colonies found  no shellfish closures

15.  Don’t always assume the science wins over public perception  Work with other agencies especially to help explain their responses to the public in relation to potential impacts from dredging not as matter of fact responses  If possible, try to keep ahead of any misinformation to alleviate public concerns