The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Jacksonville District initiated a review of the use of bed-leveling devices in the major channels and basins within several of Florida’s major ports: Port of Palm Beach, Port of Miami, Port Everglades, and Port Canaveral.
Region
Where:
Location:
EPA Region:
Region 4
USACE District:
Jacksonville District
Project Statute
- NEPA
- Other
The purpose of this effort was to research, collect, and compile baseline information through interviews, documents, and database searches regarding the use of bed-leveling devices and the potential effects on sea turtles during dredging operations in Port of Palm Beach, Port of Miami, Port Everglades, and Port Canaveral. The data gathered was compiled into a Biological Assessment (BA) to initiate consultation under the Endangered Species Act of 1973. This BA includes results from (1) research of existing documents and data regarding the use of bed-leveling devices and the amount of hopper and bucket dredging conducted in Port of Palm Beach, Port of Miami, Port Everglades, and Port Canaveral over the last 15 years; (2) compiled stranding reports for turtles stranded within a 4-mile radius of the entrance channel for dates coinciding with dredging projects; and (3) interviews conducted with dredging industry professionals concerning bed-leveling devices used by their companies and how these devices are used.
