1.4.3 Relationship to Other Dredged Material Management Efforts

Impacts associated with beneficial site use or beneficial use of dredged

material removed from CDFs.1

1.4.3 Relationship to Other Dredged Material Management Efforts

The USACE and EPA have long recognized the need for a consistent

technical framework for decision-making regarding alternatives for dredged

material management (Engler et al. 1988; Francingues et al. 1985; Wright and

Saunders 1990). The UTM was developed by the USACE to supplement a series

of guidance documents developed by EPA and the USACE in response to that

recognition. The complete set of guidance documents consists of:

"Evaluating Environmental Effects of Dredged Material Management

Alternatives - A Technical Framework" (USACE/EPA 1992), commonly

referred to as the Technical Framework. The Technical Framework

articulates those factors (including the potential for and degree of

contaminant-related impacts) to be considered in identifying the

environmental effects of dredged material management alternatives on a

continuum from uplands to oceans, and which meet the substantive and

procedural requirements of applicable laws and regulations. The UTM

and the testing manuals for open water disposal alternatives described

below are all consistent with and support the Technical Framework by

providing detailed procedures for assessment of contaminant-related

impacts.

"Evaluation of Dredged Material Proposed for Ocean Disposal Testing

Manual" (EPA/USACE 1991), commonly referred to as the "Green

Book," Ocean Testing Manual, or OTM. Dredged material transported

for purposes of disposal in the ocean is regulated under the Marine

Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act (MPRSA), commonly referred

to as the Ocean Dumping Act. The OTM contains guidance for the

evaluation of potential contaminant-related environmental impacts of the

ocean disposal of dredged material (regulated under Section 103 of the

MPRSA) through chemical, physical, and biological evaluations. The

OTM procedures evaluate the suitability of dredged material for disposal

at ocean sites, focusing on potential contaminant-related water column

and benthic effects.

"Evaluation of Dredged Material Proposed for Discharge in Waters of the

U.S. Testing Manual" (EPA/USACE 1998), commonly referred to as

the Inland Testing Manual (ITM). Dredged material placed in waters of

The procedures in the UTM are aimed at evaluation of CDFs as disposal options for

dredged material. It is recognized that various natural habitats will often become

established on inactive CDFs. Other CDFs may be intentionally managed to provide or

encourage certain beneficial site uses or beneficial use of the dredged material, along with

their primary function as disposal options for dredged material. Even though the

approach and procedures in the UTM are not structured to evaluate specific beneficial site

uses, they may be applicable for such evaluations within other frameworks for evaluation

of beneficial site use.

1-6

Chapter 1

Introduction