Tier I ecological evaluation for phase III channel improvements to the John. F. Baldwin ship channel

Abstract

The John F. BaldwinShip Channel (JFBSC) is part of the San FranciscoBay to Stockton,Califomia,NavigationProjectauthorizedby the Riverand HarborsAct of 1965 (Public Law 89-298). The JFBSC extendsfrom the GoldenGate northof the cityof San Francisco, throughSan Pablo Bay and the CarquinezStrait,and intoSuisunBay. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers(USACE)-San FranciscoDistrict,isresponsible for the construction and maintenanceof the JFBSC. Planned improvementsto the JFBSC includedeepeningalongan approximately28-mi sectionof the channelin the West Richmond,PinoleShoal,and CarquinezStraitreachesto a depthof-45 ft mean lowerlowwater (MLLW). Disposaloptionsfor sedimentproposedfor removalfrom these improvement areas includeaquaticdisposal withinSan FranciscoBay or at an open-oceansite, marshor wetlandsconstruction, and uplandsdisposal. To assistthe USACE in determiningwhetherthe proposeddredgedmaterialis suitablefor unrestricted, unconfinedopen-oceandisposal, Battelle/MarineSciencesLaboratory(MSL) preparedthis Tier I report. Technicalguidanceforevaluatingthe suitabilityof dredgedmaterials for ocean disposalis providedin the 1991 TestingManual (Evaluation of Dredged Mater_al Proposed for Ocean Disposal-Testing Manual, EPA-503/8-91/001), knownas the =Green Book." The Green Bookprovidesa tiered approachfor testingthe suitabilityof dredged materials throughchemical,physical, and biological evaluations. The Tier I reportprimarily summarizes existinginformationon sedimentcontamination and toxicitypotential,identifiescontaminants of concem,and determinesthe needfor furthertesting(i.e.,Tiers II-IV). Basedon the findingsof thisTier I report, sedimentsthatwouldbe removedduringPhase III improvements to the JFBSCfail to meet the three suitabilitycriteriafor unrestricted, unconfined open-oceandisposalthatare delineatedin the Green Book. The firstcriterionis notmet because fine-grainedsedimentscomprisea significant fractionof the bottommaterialin some areas of the JFBSC, and becausethismaterialis notexposedto highcurrentor wave energy. Dredged materialfrom the JFBSC is notbeingproposedfor beach nourishment; therefore,the second criterionis notmet. JFBSC sedimentsdo notmeetthe thirdcriterionbecause,althoughthey may be substantiallysimilarto substratesat severalof the proposeddisposalsites,they are from an area that historically has experiencedloadingof contaminants, whichtoxicologystudieshave shownhave the potentialto resultin acutetoxicityor significant bioaccumulation. Sufficientinformationon contaminant concentrations in JFBSCsedimentsexiststo conclude that dredgedmaterialsfrom the JFBSC maypose _ !skto sensitivemarineorganisms. Informationon persistence, bioavailability, and relativebioaccumulation potentialare lacking; therefore,additionaltestingof sedimentsunderTier III is warranted. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Informationreviewedand incorporatedin this reportwas providedby a numberof individuals.We especiallywishto recognizeKerryGuy of the USACE-San FranciscoDistrict;Ed Longand Don MacDonaldof Seattle/NOAA;Dale Bowyer,Mike Carlin,and Tom Gande...

Tier 1 ecological evaluation of proposed discharge of dredged material from Oakland Harbor into ocean waters

“…The goal of the information-gatheringphase of a Tier I evaluation is to compile all reasonably available information for use in assessingthe potential for contaminant-associated 1.1 impacts following ocean disposal of the proposed dredged material. Specific guidelines have not been established for conducting Tier I evaluations, and to date only one other Tier I evaluation has been conducted in San Francisco Bay (Bienert et al 1992). The Green Book recommends the following as potential sources of information:…”