Integration of sediment cleanup, waterfront redevelopment, and habitat improvements through comprehensive port planning

Abstract

Ports and industrial waterfronts today face complex problems associated with environmental contamination and habitat loss that affect the ability of local governments to plan and carry out dredging and waterfront development projects. In the USA, separate regulatory programs exist to address source control, cleanup of contaminated sediments, navigational dredging projects, habitat restoration, and shoreline development projects, each with its own set of agencies, permits, and regulatory requirements. In some areas, these overlapping and often conflicting requirements and interests have led to extreme difficulties in completing port development and cleanup projects, even when these projects could have substantial benefits to the environment. This paper presents a shift in regulatory approach toward in-water projects currently being tested by the Department of Ecology and other federal, state, and local agencies in Washington State. Three projects are described that provide regulatory streamlining in exchange for integration of cleanup and habitat restoration needs into Port navigation and waterfront redevelopment projects. In addition to providing significant benefits to both navigation/commerce and the environment, substantial cost savings can be realized in comparison to traditional approaches to these projects.