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Northern Bayshore Dredged Material Management Plan Raritan and Sandy Hook Bays Monmouth County, New Jersey
Working Draft Working Draft EXECUTIVE SUMMARY SECTION A. Goals and Objectives of DMMP B. Participants C. Planning Process SECTION II. REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS A. Permitting B. Dredging Windows C. Testing Requirements D. CDF Management E. Fees F. Acceptable Uses G. Limitations SECTION III. EXISTING CONDITIONS A. Characterization of Bayshore B. Historic Dredging Activities C. Current Uses of Material (Storage & Cap) SECTION IV. SEDIMENT REDUCTION A. Prevention & Remediation Options B. Channel Sediment Reduction SECTION V. CONFINED DISPOSAL FACILITIES A. Keyport Marine Basin CDF B. Pedersen’s Boat Yard CDF C. D. Shoal Harbor (N61) CDF E. Atlantic Highlands CDF SECTION VI. ECONOMIC FACTORS A. Cost of Dredging B. Material Movement Costs SECTION VII. OPPORTUNITIES FOR BENEFICIAL USE FACILITIES IN BAYSHORE REGION A. Aberdeen Site – potential placement and mulch blending location B. Aeromarine – fill & capping opportunities utilizing Brownfields Program C. Keansburg – temporary storage area & beach replenishment opportunities D. Belford Landfill – active facility, expansion opportunities should be explored E. Leonardo Marina – temporary storage area & beach replenishment opportunities SECTION VIII. BENEFICIAL USES A. Habitat Creation & Restoration (potential locations?) B. Beach Replenishment – flood protection C. Construction Site Uses D. Topsoil Creation F. Industry dredged-related products (bricks/pavers, etc.) SECTION IX. OPTIONS ANALYSIS FOR BENEFICIAL USE A. Costs and feasibility of each potential use B. Selection of most economically viable option SECTION X. FINDINGS & RECOMMENDATIONS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Marine activities in six of the seven municipalities located along the Bayshore region of Each municipality or marina deals with the management of dredging and disposal on an individual basis, resulting in costly, onerous, and competitive processes. At the moment, the waterfront communities and marinas in the Bayshore region do not have a sustainable systematic method to manage dredging activities or a course of action to utilize dredged material. For the most part, municipalities and small marinas discharge their dredged material into individual Confined Disposal Facilities (CDF). Existing CDF sites are filling to capacity and options for using the dredged material in a beneficial manner must be explored. Coordinating dredging among the municipalities creates an economy of scale minimizing the ultimate expense of dredging. Mobilizing equipment necessary for dredging is an expensive endeavor. By coordinating dredging needs among the towns, dredging activities can become predictable and enable the mobilization of heavy equipment at the same time thus saving money. Likewise, the infrastructure necessary for the movement of the material on land can capture similar savings. Boaters, marina owners and local officials often find dredging requirements, restrictions, and management issues confusing. Proper planning simplifies and creates predictability in permitting requirements associated with dredging and storing dredged material. Creating a sustainable dredged material management plan endorsed by regulatory authorities will enable a self-driven process capable of managing dredged material into the future. Project partners will create a Dredged Material Management Plan (DMMP) that establishes a predictable and economical process for dredging and the beneficial use of the material. SECTION I. INTRODUCTION A. Goals and Objectives of DMMP The goal of the project is to produce a long-term regional dredged material management plan (DMMP) for the Bayshore region of The Bayshore DMMP will serve as a model for other areas interested in developing a regional DMMP. Coastal communities throughout Project partners will develop a regional plan that involves inter-town cooperation to: The project goal is to create a community forum by which user groups and stakeholders can participate in the development of the Dredged Material Management Plan. This will involve completing the following tasks. Task 1: Determine extent of dredging needs along the Bayshore Task 2: Identify environmentally sound dredged material management options in the Bayshore region. Task 3: Educate marina managers, municipal officials and the general public on dredged material and management. Task 4: Engage user-groups and the community in developing the Dredged Material Management Plan Task 5: Develop a Dredged Material Management Plan for the B. Participants Principal project partners include the The municipalities in the Bayshore region and county agencies fully support the development of a regional DMMP and determine it necessary for the maintenance and enhancement of water recreation activities for which their communities are dependent. The Monmouth County Park System, the Borough of Atlantic Highlands, A number of organizations have continually demonstrated support for the DMMP by participating in planning meetings. Representatives include the Atlantic Highlands Harbor Commission, Keyport Yacht Club, Pederson’s Marina, NJDEP – Coastal Engineering, Naval Weapons Station Earle, Monmouth County Park System, Monmouth County Planning Board, Atlantic Highlands Environmental Commission, Middletown Environmental Commission, Keyport Council and Commission Members, NJ Marine Sciences Consortium, and the Monmouth County Mosquito Extermination Commission C. Planning Process The planning process consists of a planning advisory team and public forums. The planning advisory team is comprised of members from Bayshore Regional Watershed Council, Hazlet Area Quality of Life Alliance, Clean Ocean Action, NJ Department of Environmental Protection, SECTION II. REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS A. Dredging Practices & Regulatory Requirements New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) developed a list of Best Management Practices (BMPs) intended to reduce environmental impacts associated with dredging activities. Concerns about potential impacts to benthic habitats and aquatic organisms led to the development of BMPs to control the dispersal of sediments away from the dredging area. Preventing aquatic degradation is keystone for these practices, so areas of ecological importance such as shellfish beds and finfish migratory pathways are avoided. The following BMPs are used to minimize the potential for environmental impacts from dredging operations and will be incorporated into permit conditions based on applicability and their relative effectiveness. B. Dredging Windows Dredging activities are prohibited during times of the year when aquatic and near-shore terrestrial wildlife may be impacted. The most common timing restriction is from January 1 through May 31 for winter flounder. C. Testing Requirements Testing of dredged material for contaminants is required unless the material to be dredged is greater than 90% sand (grain size of >0.0625 mm) and other background information such as no known historical spills or discharges of pollutants do not lead the NJDEP to believe the material may be contaminated. If additional testing is required, bulk sediment chemistry analysis as well as modified elutriate (wash extraction) testing will be required when disposal is intended for a containment area or upland CDF. It must be demonstrated that the placement of the dredged material in a CDF will not result in significant adverse impacts to terrestrial or aquatic ecosystems or pose risk to public health. Prior to sampling, the applicant shall obtain a dredged material sampling and testing plan sediment sampling plan from the Office. Attachment A of this document outlines the information that must be submitted for the Office to prepare the dredged material sampling and testing plan. Please note that if the material is to be amended (i.e. with Portland cement), additional testing of the amended material will be required. D. CDF Management Owners of CDFs are responsible for the material contained within them. To maintain oversight of the CDF, the NJDEP issues Acceptable Use Determinations (AUDs) to the owners/operators of CDFs. Some common requirements contained in AUDs are as follows: · Owners/operators of CDFs are required to maintain a minimum of one foot of freeboard from the top of the berms during dredging operations. · A minimum of 24 hours of retention is required prior to discharge of effluent. · Owners/operators may be required to sample the effluent and report results to the Office for those pollutants that were detected above the NJ Surface Water Quality Standards in their modified elutriate tests. · No dredged material shall be removed from the CDF without prior written approval from the Office in the form of a modification to the Acceptable Use Determination. · Owners/Operators shall inspect berms for structural integrity during dredging operations. Material may be removed from a CDF, but before dredged material is removed, the owner/operator must obtain an AUD from the NJDEP. Essentially, the AUD ensures that the dredged material and any supplemented material (admixture) will be protective of human health and the environment. Application for an AUD requires the submission of data required to determine the safety of the dredged material and its admixture. A contaminant profile and an evaluation of the general quality of all dredged material, admixtures, and all products produced from the blending process are required. Basic monitoring will include grain size characteristics, total organic carbon (TOC), and total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH). Additional evaluations may be assigned on a case-by-case basis. The AUD also requires detailed recordkeeping of all materials and processes. Additional information will include, but may not be limited to, processing descriptions, material tracking, material classifications, storage and processing capacities, regulatory activities, authorizations, mapping, geographical assessments, operational timetables, photographs, etc. E. Fees (permit fees, sediment testing costs, other expenses) Tidelands Council Use fee = $0.30/cy. Historically, fees have been reduced or waived. NJDEP exploring a fee waiver when dredged material is used beneficially. F. Acceptable Uses Dredged material can and should be considered a resource as opposed to a waste for disposal. The NJDEP supports its use as a beneficial product versus an exclusive reliance on disposal. Due to the never-ending supply of dredged material, strategies are needed to ensure a long-term sustainable program for the use of dredged material. The Army Corps of Engineers and the NJDEP have identified a number of alternative uses for dredged material. The following list is not all inclusive and the NJDEP encourages creative and multi-faceted uses of the material: · Beach Nourishment · Habitat Development (wetland & upland habitats) · Structural & Non-structural Fill · Landfill Cover · Agricultural Uses · Capping Open Water Disposal Sites G. Limitations Dredged material may not be used with contaminated solid wastes or material that would render the material hazardous. SECTION III. EXISTING CONDITIONS A. Characterization of Bayshore Dredged channels in The tidal range averages 1.7 meters (5.5 feet), entering and leaving the bay in a counter-clockwise gyre. High-salinity ocean water enters at the flood tide from the Ambrose Channel, mixes with the fresh and brackish water, and exits at ebb tide through the Sandy Hook Channel. Compared with other parts of the The sediments of B. Historic Dredging Activities The table below displays the location of dredging activities and the volume of dredged material removed from Bayshore waters between January 1999 and June 2005. It should be noted that Amboy Aggregates dredges in
Municipality Project Location Activity Quantity Destination Completed Monmouth County-Ferry Dredging 9,900 Captain's Cove Dredging 350 Bayviewcon Municipal Dredging 11,800 Adj. CDF Eugene Shute Dredging 332 Onsite Captain's Cove Dredging 350 Onsite Wagner's Dredge 35 Onsite Keansburg NJDEP BCE - Waackaak/Thorns Dredging 29,100 Upland CDF USCG Dredge/Bkwater 1,900 Beach Matawan Matawan Creek DredgeScience 180 Matawan Creek Keyport Boro Aero Marine Terminal Dredging 6,000 Bk22 Lt20 Keyport Boro Hans Pederson Boat Yard Dredging 6,000 CDF Lentze Marina, Inc. Dredging 4,000 NJDEP CDF Captain's Cove Dredging 2,540 NJDEP CDF Dredging 2,500 Keyport Boro Dredging 15,000 Onsite CDF Union/Keansburg (1300) NJDEP-Jetty Reconstruction Dredging 30,000 Beach Dredging unknown Municipal Dredging 20,000 Onsite CDF Comptons Creek Dredging 42,727 N61 Municipal Dredging 4,000 Onsite CDF Dredging 4,000 open Total (cubic yards) 190,714 (1999 - 2005) C. Current Uses of Dredged Material Current beneficial uses of dredged material in the Bayshore include landfill capping, beach replenishment and septic system soil amendment. The Shoal Harbor CDF utilizes material to cap the historic Belford landfill. Dredged material is blended with leaf compost to create topsoil suitable for capping the Belford landfill. In 2007, The Shoal Harbor CDF has also been utilized for beach replenishment. The beach nourishment plan focuses on protection of the landfill and ensuring the integrity of the CDF berms. Sand is placed on the beach near the ferry terminal so that it may naturally migrate east toward the landfill and CDF location. Suitable material must consist of at least 90% sand grain. Approximately 9,000 cubic yards of sand have been placed on the Belford beach. Additional material is needed for beach nourishment and it is evaluated for suitability on a case-by-case basis. The beach nourishment project has a 60 year life expectancy. The Borough of Keansburg utilized dredged material for a beach replenishment project. In 2003 a permit was issued to the NJDEP Coastal Engineering Program to dredge 36,000 cy from the mouth of Waackaack Creek and a channel into SECTION IV. SEDIMENT REDUCTION A. Prevention & Remediation Options When it rains, soil and debris from the landscape are eroded and washed into streams. From there, sediment particles wash downstream towards the bay. Sediments tend to accumulated at stream and storm drain outlets, some of which discharge directly into marine basins. It is then the responsibility of marina owners to remove sediment accumulation where it creates navigation problems. Sediment transport through aquatic systems is a natural occurrence. Sediment carries nutrients vital to aquatic life, but all too often the sediment load is too great and actually impairs aquatic organisms. Eroded sediment can cause many problems in coastal areas, including adverse impacts on water quality, critical habitats, submerged aquatic vegetation beds, recreational activities, and navigation. It can include unwanted biological growth caused by excess nitrogen and phosphorus, and increased turbidity. Sediment is delivered to the aquatic environment by stream erosion and loss of soil at construction sites. Stream erosion is caused by the proliferation of impervious surfaces such as roadways and parking lots. Rainwater that once percolated into the soil is now channelized into stormwater conveyance systems that discharge into local streams. The increase in flow from the channelized discharge causes an increased flow in the stream which causes streambed and stream bank erosion. The eroded material is washed downstream until its ultimate discharge into the bay. Soil loss at construction sites results from land disturbance activities. As the land is graded to accommodate new roadways and buildings, freshly exposed soil is washed into local streams during rain events. To control soil loss, the Freehold Soil Conservation District is charged with managing soil containment at construction sites. Soil containment strategies include silt fences, sediment deposition areas, construction site ingress and egress controls and stormwater filtration devices. Soil management requirements are controlled under the Soil Erosion and Sediment Control Act. The goal of the Soil Erosion and Sediment Control Act is to retard sediment-related nonpoint source pollution and to protect the land, water, and other natural resources. It is more practical, time efficient, and cost-effective to prevent sediment from getting into our waterways. Consequently, construction sites are routinely inspected, and plans are required to be on site at all times. Local governments also have responsibility for managing stormwater. By utilizing strict control of land use and development within their municipalities, they can reduce incidents of erosion and sedimentation. Municipalities have the option to make their laws stricter than the federal or state laws. By requiring the use of specific “Best Management Practices”, municipalities can place comprehensive erosion controls on development projects. Best Management Practices (BMPs) are structural and nonstructural stormwater management control measures taken to mitigate changes to both quantity and quality of runoff caused by changes to the landscape. Generally BMPs focus on addressing increased impervious surfaces from development such as roadways and rooftops. BMPs are designed to reduce volume, peak flows, and/ or non-point source pollution through evapotranspiration, infiltration, detention, and filtration or biological and chemical actions. Traditional BMPs include detention and retention stormwater basins, vegetated buffers and silt fencing. More recently, innovative BMPs are gaining traction such as A rain garden is a strategically located low area planted with native vegetation to intercept rainwater runoff. These vegetated depressions slow the water down in order to prevent erosion and allow it to percolate into the ground. In many cases the plants are chosen for their ability to maintain soil porosity and to remove pollutants. A green roof is a rooftop that is partially or completely covered with plants. It may be a tended roof garden or a self-maintaining ecology like a living wall. Earthen structures often have such a roof, as plants simply grow naturally over it, making a hill that is from some angles indistinguishable from a natural one. Engineered green roofs are typically place on buildings with flat a roof such as a municipal building. Plant and soil material on the roof absorb and cleanse rainwater before it is released into downspouts and storm drains. B. Channel Sedimentation Reduction Channel sediment reduction techniques reduce the amount of sediment settling within navigation channels. These techniques can reduce the cost of dredging operations. Sediment reduction can be classified into two types: Channel Design Optimization and Structural Modification. Channel Design Optimization reduces sedimentation within the channel by straightening the channel. Commonly referred to as channel realignment, this method increases water velocity within the channel moving suspended sediment through the water column more rapidly. The rapid movement of water reduces the amount of material settling out of the water column and accumulating in the channel. Structural Modifications are physical constructions designed to keep sediment moving through the channel or preventing sediment from entering the channel. Typical structures include flow training dikes and sills, scour and propeller jets, gates and curtains, pneumatic barriers and sedimentation basins. Hydrodynamic numeric models are used to determine the feasibility of specific structural modification plans. Source: DMMP for the SECTION V. CONFINED DISPOSAL FACILITIES Note: Balloons lettered A through E identify the locations of CDFs in the Bayshore and correspond with descriptions in the following paragraphs. A. Keyport Marine Basin CDF Storage capacity is approximately 20,000 CY. Facility was permitted in 2003 to place 15,000 CY in CDF. Material is required to stay there until they modify their acceptable use determination for a final disposal site. Not deed restricted. B. Pedersen’s Boat Yard CDF Storage capacity is approximately 22,000 cubic yards. Pedersen's dredged 6,000 CY under a permit issued in 2002. On C. Storage capacity is approximately ???? A permit was issued to Monmouth Cove Marina on D. Shoal Harbor (N61) CDF Storage capacity is 100,000 to 160,000 cubic yards depending on the type of dredged material received. Approximately 43,000 cubic yards of material dredged from Comptons Creek was placed in N61 in 2006. The material has not been removed. The ACOE is planning to dredge approximately 100,000 cy from Comptons Creek and place it into N61 in 2009. The CDF is deed restricted. The design of the CDF requires hydraulic pumping to place material within the site. The facility, situated near an old airport, also receives material by truck. The material is placed on the old tarmac and blended with leaf litter from nearby towns to create topsoil. The topsoil is then used to cover the historic Belford Landfill adjacent to the CDF. A landfill closure plan is currently under development. E. Atlantic Highlands CDF Storage capacity is 22,700 cubic yards. In 2007, 18,000 CY was placed in the CDF. A permit modification was issued SECTION VI. ECONOMIC FACTORS Dredging is an expensive endeavor and moving dredged material from one point to another is often the most expensive part of managing dredged material. Minimizing the movement of material will inevitably be the least costly option. Finding nearby locations for the use of dredged material will be desirable. A. Cost of Dredging The ACOE provides actual annual costs for dredging activities throughout the Hopper vs. Non-hopper Dredging (ACOE – Average Hopper = $3.58/cy Non-hopper = $5.22/cy Hopper Dredge A Hopper dredge is a propelled floating plant which is capable of dredging material, storing it onboard, transporting it to the disposal area, and dumping it. Hopper dredges are workhorses responsible for clearing channels and offshore sandbars from the mouths of major rivers. A hopper dredge fills its hoppers as it dredges the bottom. Hopper dredges move like a ship, and when the dredge's hopper is loaded, it moves to the material relocation site. Direct pumpout is a common method of removing dredged material from hopper dredges. The dredge moors to a structure, buoy, or multiple buoy berth. Hoses connected to a pipeline extending to shore are attached to the hopper dredge discharge manifold. The dredge mixes the dredged material with water to form a slurry and pumps the slurry from its discharge manifold through the hoses and pipeline to a designated discharge location. Non-hopper Dredge (typically “Mechanical Dredge”) The two most common types of mechanical dredges are dipper dredges and clam shell dredges. Mechanical dredges are rugged and capable of removing hard-packed materials or debris. They can be worked in tight areas and are efficient when large barges are used for long-haul disposal. Mechanical dredges have difficulty retaining loose, fine materials in buckets, do not dredge continuously like pipeline dredges, and may need added controls when handling contaminated sediments. Mechanical dredges place the material into barges for transport to the placement location. Bucket Dredge The bucket type of dredge is so named because it utilizes a bucket to excavate the material to be dredged. Different types of buckets can fulfill various types of dredging requirements. The buckets used include the clamshell, orangepeel, and dragline types and can be quickly changed to suit the operational requirements. The vessel can be positioned and moved within a limited area using only anchors; however, in most cases anchors and spuds are used to position and move bucket dredges. The material excavated is placed in scows or hopper barges that are towed to the disposal areas. The crane is mounted on a flat-bottomed barge, on fixed-shore installations, or on a crawler mount. The bucket type of dredge is not self-propelled but can move itself over a limited area during the dredging process by the manipulation of spuds and anchors. The loaded barges are towed to the disposal area by a tug and emptied by bottom dumping if an open water disposal area is used. If a diked disposal area is used, the material must be unloaded using mechanical or hydraulic equipment. Bucket dredges may be used to excavate most types of materials except for the most cohesive consolidated sediments and solid rock. Bucket dredges usually excavate a heaped bucket of material, but during hoisting turbulence washes away part of the load. To minimize the turbidity generated by a clamshell operation, watertight buckets have been developed. The edges seal when the bucket is closed and the top is covered to minimize loss of dredged material. These buckets are best adapted for maintenance dredging of fine-grained material.
Dipper Dredges The dipper dredge is basically a barge-mounted power shovel. It is equipped with a power-driven ladder structure and operated from a barge-type hull. A bucket is firmly attached to the ladder structure and is forcibly thrust into the material to be removed. To increase digging power, the dredge barge is moored on powered spuds that transfer the weight of the forward section of the dredge to the bottom. The dipper type of dredge is not self-propelled but can move itself during the dredging process by manipulation of the spuds and the dipper arm. The best use of the dipper dredge is for excavating hard, compacted materials, rock, or other solid materials after blasting. Although it can be used to remove most bottom sediments, the violent action of this type of equipment may cause considerable sediment disturbance and resuspension during maintenance digging of fine-grained material. In addition, a significant loss of the fine-grained material will occur from the bucket during the hoisting process. The dipper dredge is most effective around bridges, docks, wharves, pipelines, piers, or breakwater structures because it does not require much area to maneuver; there is little danger of damaging the structures since the dredging process can be controlled accurately. No provision is made for dredged material containment or transport, so the dipper dredge must work alongside the disposal area or be accompanied by disposal barges during the dredging operation. Dipper-dredged material can be placed in the shallow waters of eroding beaches to assist in beach nourishment. It is difficult to retain soft, semisuspended fine-grained materials in the buckets of dipper dredges. Scow-type barges are required to move the material to a disposal area, and the production is relatively low when compared to the production of cutterhead and dustpan dredges. The dipper dredge is not recommended for use in dredging contaminated sediments.
B. Material Movement Costs There are essentially four stages of movement relating to the placement of dredged material. Each stage has specific costs associated with handling the material. First is dredging sediment from marinas and navigation channels. Second is transporting the dredged material from the marina/channel to a nearby confined disposal facility (CDF). Third is excavating the material from the CDF and loading it onto a transport system such as a truck, barge or train. Fourth is moving the loaded material to its ultimate destination. Access & Loading Costs from CDFs For CDFs that are road accessible, the cost of accessing the CDF and loading material into a transport vehicle can be expected to range from $6/CYD to $8/CYD. (Source: ACOE, 2006) The cost of removing materials from a CDF surrounded by salt marsh or open water, and loading the material into a transport vehicle, is estimated to range from $12/CYD to $14/CYD. (Source: ACOE, 2006) (Note: Transport Cost Estimates Professionals in the field state that the current cost of hauling material to a disposal area in In 2006 the Army Corp of Engineers reported the following costs per cubic yard dried:
(Source: ACOE, 2006) Note: Driving Distance from SECTION VII. BENEFICIAL USES Dredged material can and should be considered a resource as opposed to a waste destined for disposal. It is increasingly important to explore emerging beneficial use options to ensure an integrated long-term program for the management of dredged material. Depending on its characteristics, particularly grain size, dredged material may be suitable for habitat development projects, beach replenishment, construction site fill for non-structural and structural applications, topsoil creation and many other creative applications. A. Habitat Creation & Restoration (potential locations?) The majority of habitat creation and restoration projects (e.g., wetland creation, mud flat creation, etc.) recommended by the ACOE and NJDEP require the placement of dredged material in open waters. Concerns about potential impacts to aquatic organisms, have not permitted these types of projects in
B. Beach Replenishment NJDEP encourages the replenishment of eroding beaches for both flood protection and public use/access to waterways. Beach replenishment must involve the placement of clean sand of acceptable grain size and composition to ensure beach stability. Suitable material must be comprised of 75% or greater sand with a grain size compatible with that of the receiving beach. Material with a grain size smaller than the “compatible grain size” for the beach, but still greater than 75% sand, could be utilized in dune construction, provided that the effective erosion controls are utilized until vegetative cover is established. Potential adverse environmental impacts can result from the placement of dredged material on beaches if the material contains excessive levels of organic material. NJDEP’s objectives are to prevent any adverse impacts that threaten public health, benthic and open water ecological communities, or are of aesthetic concern to the community. Beach replenishment projects in the Bayshore include Keansburg and C. Construction Site Uses Some dredged material can be used as construction material. In many cases, dredged material consists of a mixture of sand and clay fractions, which requires some type of separation process. Dewatering may also be required because of high water content. Depending on the sediment type and processing requirements, dredged material may be used as: concrete aggregates (sand and gravel); backfill material or in the production of bituminous mixtures and mortar (sand); raw material for brick manufacturing (clay with less than 30 percent sand); ceramics, such as tile (clay) pellets for insulation or lightweight backfill or aggregate (clay); raw material for the production of riprap or blocks for the protection of dikes and slopes against erosion (rock, mixture); and raw material for the production of compressed blocks for security walls at military installations and for gated communities and home subdivisions. (ACOE & USEPA, 2006) Uses include: · Structural · Nonstructural · Roadway Aggregate · Soil Amendment · Septic System Leach Field Soil Amendment D. Topsoil Creation Maintenance dredging in harbors, access channels, and rivers produces mixtures of sand, silt, clay and organic matter that can be excellent ingredients for topsoil. However, dredged material from coastal or tidal areas require special attention to salinity, since most vegetation cannot tolerate and grow in salty soil. Salinity may be reduced naturally by rain or by a dewatering process. Other uses of topsoil might include using dredged material to cap poor soils or to cover and fill coarse material (e.g., urban or industrial waste sites). Other dredged material may require blending with other residual materials such as organic matter (yardwaste, wastepaper, storm debris, etc.) and biosolids (human sewage sludge or animal manure) to manufacture enhanced fertile topsoil. This method is practiced at the Belford Landfill where dredged material is blended with leaf litter to create a topsoil for the landfill. The dredged material may be used to improve soil structure for agricultural purposes. For production of food, uncontaminated material must be used. For other uses, the allowed contaminant level will depend on the use of the topsoil. In some cases, suitable material may be placed in a thin layer directly by pumping. After dewatering, the material is suitable topsoil for seeding and planting. Dewatering may require several years, depending on the granular texture of the dredged material and is influenced by additional substances or by the type of dewatering process. Dredged material can also be used in the manufacture of blended artificial topsoil products. The blended topsoil can be used for athletic fields such as soccerfields and ball fields, home landscaping, golf courses, parks, brownfield redevelopment, etc. Required topsoil specifications for a specific use can be met through blending appropriate materials together in specific amounts. E. Open Water Capping Open water capping involves the placement of clean dredged material over a deposit of contaminated dredged material in open-water. It is used as a means of isolating contaminated sediment from the surrounding environment. Open-water caps provide a wave-and current-resistant layer on top of previously deposited contaminated materials. Sand or mixed materials may be used for open-water capping. Open water capping is used at the Historic Area Remediation Site (HARS) off the coast of The NJDEP has expressed concern about impacts to aquatic organisms from open water capping. Consequently, open water capping is only considered a beneficial use when remediation is required. F. Flood Control Projects (Geotextile Uses) The planned Raritan Bay-Sandy Hook Bay Hurricane and Storm Damage Reduction Plan presents an opportunity for the use of dredged material. Beach nourishment plans for The Storm Damage Reduction Plan includes the study of flood prevention in Leonardo, Port Monmouth, Keyport and the G. Quarry Rehabilitation Quarries in the region present opportunities for the beneficial use of dredged material. Once a quarry has finished extracting mining material, closing plans may seek rehabilitation of the land. Some rehabilitation plans call for redevelopment of the property by filling and re-grading the landscape. In some cases, dredged material may be used as fill. When this occurs, substantial volumes of material can be brought in to improve property topography. Bernards, H. Industry dredged-related products (bricks/pavers, etc.) Dredged material can be blended with recycled residual materials such as glass, gypsum, plastic bottles, and automobile interiors, etc. to manufacture statues, figures, garden benches, stepping patio pavers, plant vases, artificial rocks and water fountains. These products can be used to landscape gardens, backyards, swimming pool environments, monument stones, miniature golf courses, highway rest areas, tourist welcoming centers, zoos, and theme parks. Suitable dredged material may contain sand, silt, clay and mixtures. SECTION VIII. OPPORTUNITIES FOR BENEFICIAL USE RELAY FACILITIES Most beneficial use options require some level of processing of the dredged material. For example, dredged material used for construction sites must be dried before transporting, and material used for soil amendments will require desalination and blending with leaves and/or aggregate. Both drying and processing will require a Dredged Material Processing Facility with adequate storage space and blending capabilities. The following sites meet these criteria simply because they provide adequate space for such activity or are currently used for blending/storage. These sites are not listed in any order of priority. They are simply listed in a geographic order from west to east. A. Aberdeen – potential placement and mulch blending location The This site offers an opportunity to blend dredged material with leaf compost to create more robust topsoil for residential and commercial use in the township. The township has limited capability for blending material but already supports movement of the material on and off site.
B. Aeromarine – fill & capping opportunities utilizing Brownfields Program The Aeromarine site once manufactured planes, engines, propellers, and sea planes. Sometime around 1940, the manufacturing plant closed and the site became an industrial park and a garbage landfill. Development of the site may present opportunities for utilizing dredged material. Removal of landfill material may result in the need for clean fill and topsoil for capping that dredged material may provide. As of the date of this document, the Department of Environmental Protection has not made a final determination regarding remediation/redevelopment of the site. C. Keansburg – temporary storage area & beach replenishment opportunities The Keansburg site is located off of D. Belford Landfill – active facility, expansion opportunities should be explored The Belford landfill is located at the eastern terminus of Similar to E. Leonardo Marina – temporary storage area & beach replenishment Leonardo State Marina is located adjacent to The federal channel leading to the Leonardo Marina was last dredged in 1991 with approximately 58,756 cys removed at a cost of $454,536. The material was 92% sand and was placed along the beach on the southeast side of the channel. On May 2006 a survey revealed that the grain size is approximately 50% sand and 50% silt. SECTION IX. OPTIONS ANALYSIS FOR BENEFICIAL USE Dredged material will require varying degrees of processing depending on its ultimate use. For example, beneficial uses that require extensive processing of dredged material are terrestrial habitat development, structural and non-structural fill material, topsoil creation and soil amendment for agricultural applications. These uses have higher costs associated with them because of the expense of preparing the material for the specified use. Options that require minimal processing such as beach replenishment, and aquatic and wetland habitat development will cost less and options that require no processing such as capping open water disposal sites will have transportation costs but little to no processing costs. In some cases, the fate of the processed material will determine the ultimate cost. For example, costs associated with preparing material for use as fill or topsoil will be covered by the sale and purchase of the material. A truck load of topsoil costs developers $16/CY and a truck load of fill material $10/CY. (Atak Trucking 917-912-2900, prices fluctuate based on availability). A. Costs and Feasibility of Each Potential Use B. Identification of Most Economically Viable Option SECTION X. NEXT STEPS | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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