A Process for Setting, Managing, and Monitoring Environmental Windows for Dredging Projects Special Report 262 (2002) / Chapter Skim
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3 Process for Setting, Managing, and Monitoring Environmental Windows
3 Process for Setting, Managing, and Monitoring Environmental Windows
Pages 19-33
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From page 19... ...
The proposed methodology works most effectively if it is recognized by all participants as an iterative process allowing for the resolution of environmental windows and related issues that require decisions based on the best available scientific and technological information. It is not the aim of the proposed process to modify the legal basis by which the various agencies (both lead and trustee)
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From page 20... ...
Step 2F. Form an Engineering Team, including contractors and USACE personnel whose expertise will allow them to identify the most ap propriate technological options (i.e., equipment, management con trols, or operational procedures)
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Step 3A. The Science Team identifies biological resources predicted to be adversely affected by each dredging project and provides this in formation to the Engineering Team.
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Step 5 The recommended plan is implemented. Step 6 The Stakeholder Group reviews the season's dredging activities to eval uate monitoring data and to identify changes that can be incorporated to refine future dredging and disposal activities.
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From page 23... ...
life-history In sufficient effect on Step project threshold and currently resources Yes data concern. juveniles, Identify Process there and window dredging cycle.
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From page 24... ...
24 A Process for Setting, Managing, and Monitoring Environmental Windows for Dredging Projects of delineating a "region" must be based on locally acceptable definitions. For example, many areas have existing groups that actively assess environmental issues, such as groups addressing watershed issues, participating on regional dredging teams, or working on a particular estuary's comprehensive conserva tion and management plan.
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It should be noted that the ranking and prioritization process conducted in this step refers to the application of environmental windows. The process should not be used to prioritize or rank dredging projects.
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From page 26... ...
Step 3 The Science and Engineering Teams conduct biological and engineer ing evaluations of the proposed dredging projects. All potential ad verse impacts, along with the biological resources of concern, should be identified.
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From page 27... ...
. To the degree possible, this evaluation should take into account the cumulative effects of dredging-related stressors and other factors -- including fishing, cooling-water intakes, and other dredging projects that can affect the same population -- on the resources of concern.1 Input from the chair of the Engineering Team will be important for ascertaining the current state of knowledge about particular parameters, such as actual levels of TSS around different types of equipment or anticipated noise levels.
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From page 28... ...
The Engineering Team should provide to the Science Team information re garding improvements or changes in operational approaches to the dredging 2 One key technology implementation issue is whether there is enough commitment to fully uti lizing the flexibility in the USACE Federal Acquisition Regulations to specify certain dredging equipment for a particular project. Depending on the recommended technology (or technologies)
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From page 29... ...
Step 3E The Science Team recommends acceptable dredging periods, that is, environmental windows. On the basis of its findings in earlier stages of the process, the Science Team should determine the temporal constraints that need to be imposed on dredging activities to protect resources of concern from likely substantial adverse impacts.
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From page 30... ...
Step 3F A formal consultation under Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act is con ducted if listed species may be adversely affected. A dredging project that has the potential to affect species listed as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C.
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From page 31... ...
Once it has been determined that unavoidable adverse effects are likely, a formal consultation is required to determine whether the proposed action is likely to jeopardize the continued existence of the species of concern or result in destruction or adverse modification of critical habitats. During this formal consultation, the information resulting from the informal consultation is useful in developing the Biological Assessment (required for major construction activities)
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From page 32... ...
Stakeholders will then have an opportunity to discuss the scientific con clusions presented, as well as economic and societal considerations, such as the consequences of choosing a particular environmental window for the recre ational use of the area or the overall economics of the dredging project. The final product from the Stakeholder Group should be a consensus recommen dation for the implementation of environmental windows.
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From page 33... ...
Step 6 The Stakeholder Group reviews the season's dredging activities to evaluate monitoring data and to identify changes that can be incorporated to refine future dredging and disposal activities. It is imperative for the efficacy of the process that follow-up reviews of both the implementation of the recommendations and the specific environmental windows be conducted.
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