OCS Scientific Committee Meeting Summary - Program
Status Update/Sand and Gravel Program: Studies Methodology and Results
Since 1991, the MMS has been conducting studies to evaluate the environmental impacts
of offshore dredging for sand for beach nourishment activities and for construction
aggregate material. The early studies took an overview approach by focusing on collecting
available information and literature and on the general nature of available technologies
and mitigation. Site-specific studies were initiated in 1995 to examine the biological and
physical effects associated with dredging in sites, which have been identified as
potential, borrow areas. These studies use traditional biological grab sampling along with
sediment profile and video cameras to evaluate the resident benthic communities; numerical
wave modeling is being used to look at the physical effects of sand removal on the local
wave climate and current patterns. Studies offshore Virginia, Alabama, Maryland, and
Delaware have been completed and studies are ongoing offshore New Jersey, North Carolina,
and the East Coast of Florida. A site-specific study offshore Northern New Jersey and Long
Island, New York, is scheduled to be procured in Fiscal Year 2001.
Public Law 103-426, enacted October 31, 1994, gave the MMS the authority to convey, on a
non-competitive basis, the rights to OCS sand, gravel, or shell resources for shore
protection, beach or wetlands restoration projects, or for use in construction projects
funded in whole or part or authorized by the Federal Government. The Shore Protection
Provisions of the Water Resource Development Act of 1999 (S. 507 as passed by Congress on
August 4, 1999) amended that law by prohibiting charging non-Federal interests a fee for
using OCS sand. To date, MMS has provided sand to the U. S. Navy to restore the beach at
the Navy’s Fleet Combat Training Center at Dam Neck, Virginia, to Duval County,
Florida, to renourish Jacksonville Beach, to the City of Virginia Beach to renourish
Sandbridge Beach, to the Park Service and the State of Maryland for the restoration of
portions of Assateague Island, and to Brevard County, Florida, to renourish beaches near
Cape Canaveral.
Recently, a decision was made not to proceed with a competitive sale for offshore sand and
gravel for construction aggregate offshore northern New Jersey due to public concern over
environmental and other issues. However, the MMS continues to conduct research in the
United Kingdom to provide relevant information on the biological and physical effects of
offshore dredging. These studies, which are providing critical data relative to the extent
of the surface and benthic plume created during the dredging process, will be used to
formulate a computer model to help evaluate the biological impacts associated with both
aggregate and beach dredging operations.
In addition, a study was initiated in Fiscal Year 2000 to design/develop
biological/physical monitoring templates to ensure that adverse impacts do not occur in
areas where the long-term use of sand from offshore borrow sites is anticipated. The study
is also examining the feasibility and appropriateness of convening oversight/management
groups that include Federal, State, and local interests for responsible, environmentally
sound long-term management of Federal offshore sand areas.
Ms. Carol Hartgen, Chief of INTERMAR, presented a program status update on the Sand and
Gravel Program and Mr. Barry Drucker, oceanographer, reported on the studies, methodology
and results of that program.
For more information, contact Julie Reynolds.
