CHAPTER 5 DESIGN GUIDELINES

SECTION 5.8 COASTAL MARINE

SUBSECTION 5.8.5 DREDGING

3) A constructability report shall be prepared for dredging projects. The report

shall include an assessment of sediment characteristics, volumes of
excavation, proposed location and methods for placement and dewatering of
the dredged material, recommended equipment and transport methods and
estimated production schedule.
3. Environmental Impacts
a. Prior to initiating a dredging operation, characterization of the sediment for potential
contamination shall include, but is not limited to, surveys, sediment sampling and
sediment testing. This characterization can determine potential environmental
impacts from the dredging operations as well as proper methods of transportation,
placement, disposal, and management of the dredged sediment. Until it is confirmed
that the dredged sediment is not contaminated with pollutants such as petroleum or
volatile organic compounds, the sediment shall be treated as contaminated material.
1) Refer to the USACE Engineer Research and Development Center’s Technical
Guidelines for Environmental Dredging of Contaminated Sediments (2008,
ERDC/EL TR-08-29) for the following:
(a) Evaluating site conditions and sediment characteristics
(b) Applicable environmental dredging performance standards
(c) Equipment selection and capacities
(d) Sediment production and transportation
(e) Estimation methods for re-suspension, residuals, and release
(f) Dredging measures of control
(g) Methods of operation
(h) Monitoring.
b. If the sediments that are being dredged are confirmed to be not contaminated, and
approval from RCJ is acquired, refer to the USACE’s Geotechnical Properties and
Sediment Characterization for Dredged Material Models (2001, ERDC TN-DOER-
N13) for details on modeling and characterizing dredged sediments.
c. Surveys, sediment sampling and testing and subsequent equipment type selection
shall take into consideration environmental impacts from the dredging operations,
transport of the sediment as well as the placement of the sediment.
d. Dredging operations require best management practices (BMP’s) for sediment and
other environmental impacts. The following are suggested structural and dredging
management BMP’s to control turbidity around the dredging operation and reduce
turbidity of water returning from the disposal area into sea to the specified limits:
1) Turbidity Curtain – Also known as a silt barrier or floating turbidity barrier, a
turbidity curtain allows suspended sediment to settle out of the water column
in a controlled area minimizing the sediment transport from the area of
disturbance. Turbidity curtains are floating impermeable barriers that are
constructed of flexible reinforced thermoplastic material with an upper hem
containing floatation material and a lower hem that is weighted. Turbidity
screens are similar in construction but are constructed of permeable
geosynthetic fabric and allow for water to flow through. The upper limit of
effectiveness for turbidity barrier use is a current velocity of approximately 0.8
m/s. Turbidity barriers shall not be installed across channel flows, as they are

RCJ Guiding Engineering Manual

Rev. 1 5.8 - 54