HARBOR MAINTENANCE USING A REGIONAL SEDIMENT MANAGEMENT APPROACH

Regional Sediment Management (RSM) is the practice of handling sediments to achieve local project goals within a regional context. The region of interest is defined by the sediment transport pathways and rates affected by the local project. A regional sediment management philosophy may alter the frequency and/or scope of operation and maintenance activities for a given project. The resulting benefits to the regional system may include a decrease in long-term project costs, environmental improvements, and a reduction in the potential for storm damage. In the fall of 2000, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers initiated RSM Demonstration projects within some of its District offices. By implementing regional sediment management as a part of their business management practices, each District has documented challenges encountered. One of the districts is the Detroit District. In May of 2003, the Detroit District offered regional planning assistance to the Chicago District on their Dredged Material Management Plan (DMMP) development at Michigan City Harbor, Indiana. The DMMP for Michigan City was being developed to identify specific measures necessary to manage the volume of sediment likely to be dredged over a 20-year period. By instilling the RSM philosophy in this process, both Detroit and Chicago Districts were able to identify local stakeholder issues and begin formulating plans to address dredge management at Michigan City Harbor on a regional scale.