Environmental Impact Statement and Supporting Surveys, Jacksonville Harbor ODMDS Designation

Home ProjectsEnvironmental Impact Statement and Supporting Surveys, Jacksonville Harbor ODMDS Designation

​The US Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District (USACE) contracted ANAMAR to lead in preparing the EIS, coordinating with the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other agencies in addressing alternatives, the affected environment, and the potential environmental effects of the proposed project.

Field team members boarding a boat for site designation studies.

Project Statute

  • NEPA
  • MPRSA Section 102

The objective of this project was to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) evaluating the proposed expansion of the existing Jacksonville ocean dredged material disposal site (ODMDS) or the designation of a new ODMDS off Jacksonville, Florida. The project provided additional dredged material disposal capacity for the proposed Jacksonville Harbor Expansion Project. ANAMAR documented the affected environment by obtaining environmental data though hydroacoustic surveys and site designation studies along with conducting a detailed literature search. ANAMAR characterized and evaluated alternative sites as part of the NEPA documentation process.

Services

, ,

Tasks & Deliverables

  • Managed agency stakeholder engagement and initiated the ODMDS designation process.
  • Organized and facilitated meetings including
    • A meeting with local stakeholders to obtain information about potential resources that may be impacted by the proposed action.
    • A planning meeting with EPA and USACE to develop a project schedule, discuss the process of new ODMDS designation, identify potential study areas, and discuss baseline studies required for site characterization.
    • Coordination meetings with EPA, USACE, and agencies to initiate consultation early in the NEPA process; present information gathered and discuss data gaps; and obtain feedback from agencies on local knowledge and concerns about resources, selection of study areas for initial investigation, and potential challenges related to site designation.
    • A scoping and public meeting to inform the public of the proposed action, present alternatives being evaluated, and provide an opportunity to submit comments.
  • Designed and performed required studies. Two initial surveys were conducted to provide initial characterization of the seafloor and determine the presence of hardbottom resources. Survey results were used to help identify three alternative sites to be studied in more detail and evaluated in the EIS. Two additional surveys were performed to further characterize the physical, chemical, and biological components of the three alternative sites.
  • Prepared a comprehensive report of results and findings from site designation studies that was used to help select the preferred alternative site.
  • Prepared technical appendices that evaluated the alternative ODMDS sites; described the physical, biological, and socioeconomic resources in the affected environment; and discussed environ­mental effects of the proposed action. As part of the EIS, ANAMAR also prepared:
    • A Biological Assessment as part of an Endangered Species Act Section 7 consultation with NOAA-Fisheries.
    • An Essential Fish Habitat.
    • A Coastal Zone Consistency Determination.
    • An Air Quality Analysis.
    • Managed the agency and external review of the Preliminary Draft EIS, incorporated all comments, and produced a final EIS.

Regulatory Guidance

  • Southeast Regional Implementation Manual (SERIM)
  • 40 CFR Parts 1500-1508 (NEPA)

Equipment

  • Double Van Veen Grab Sampler
  • Benthic Trawl

Federal Contract Information

Contract Number

W921EP09R0054

Period of Performance

9/26/2009 – 3/6/2012

Contract Type

SATOC Task Order

Posted

in

Tags: