Savannah Harbor is a major deepwater port with 18.5 miles of ocean channel and 21.3 miles of inner harbor channel. Sediment and suspended phase testing are required under MPRSA Section 103 to determine the suitability of the material to be dredged and placed in an ODMDS. Section 103 requires that all proposed operations involving the transportation and discharge of dredged material into ocean waters be evaluated to determine the potential environmental impact of such activities. This project focused on the entrance channel, which is dredged yearly to ensure continued navigability and maintenance of the channel. The Savannah ODMDS encompasses an area of 4.26 square nautical miles (nmi) and is about 3.7 nmi east of the coastline and about 0.25 nmi south of the navigation channel.
USACE subcontracted ANAMAR to collect sediment and water samples from six dredging units, conduct required analyses, and present the results in a report. The field effort, laboratory methods, and the report were prepared in accordance with the Sampling and Analysis Plan/Quality Assurance Project Plan (SAP/QAPP).
Deliverables associated with this project include:
ANAMAR coordinated and directed operations for this project and worked closely with USACE and EPA to develop sampling and analysis schemes, schedules, and deliverables. ANAMAR also reviewed all data and produced this report summarizing the results of the physical, chemical, and toxicological analyses of sediment, elutriate, water, and tissue samples.
Roles/Responsibilities