OCEAN DREDGED MATERIAL DISPOSAL SITES (ODMDS) IN FLORIDA - 2018

Abstract:

This dataset represents Ocean Dredged Material Disposal Sites (ODMDS) designated by the EPA for dredged material disposal under section 102 of the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act (MPRSA). 

In the United States, uncontaminated dredged material is the primary material disposed into the ocean today. Dredged material is sediment excavated or otherwise removed from the bottoms of the navigable waters of the United States to maintain navigation channels and docks. 

In October 1972, Congress enacted the Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act (MPRSA), sometimes referred to as the Ocean Dumping Act, declaring that it is the policy of the United States to regulate the dumping of all materials which would adversely affect human health, welfare or amenities, or the marine environment, ecological systems or economic potentialities.

EPA is responsible for designating and managing ocean dumping sites under the Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act (MPRSA). For further information, visit: https://www.epa.gov/ocean-dumping/ocean-disposal-sites. 

This is an update to the FGDL layer EPADRDG_SEP12.shp

Purpose:

This dataset represents locations of ocean disposal sites designated under the MPRSA.

Supplemental_Information:

Ocean Disposal Sites:
EPA is responsible for designating and managing ocean dumping sites under the
Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act (MPRSA). All but one of the
currently designated ocean sites are for disposal of dredged material permitted or
authorized under the MPRSA. Many of these ocean disposal sites are located
offshore of major ports and harbors nationwide. Designated ocean disposal sites are
selected to minimize the risk of potentially adverse impacts of the disposed material
on human health and the marine environment.

As of March 2018, EPA s Ocean Dumping Program manages 99 designated ocean
disposal sites. The number of ocean disposal sites may vary slightly from year to
year as EPA designates a new site or cancels (or de-designates) a site that is no
longer needed. 


Ocean Disposal Site Management and Monitoring Plans:
All designated sites are required to have a site management and monitoring plan
(SMMP). For dredged material, USACE is responsible for developing, and providing
an opportunity for public comment on, an SMMP for each ocean dredged material
disposal site. Each SMMP includes the following, but may not be limited to:
- a baseline assessment of site conditions;
- a program for monitoring the site;
- special management conditions or practices to be implemented at each site that 
  are necessary for protection of the environment;
- consideration of the quantity of disposed materials, and the presence, nature and
  bioavailability of the contaminants in the material; 
- consideration of the anticipated long term use of the site; and 
- a schedule for review and revision of the SMMP.

Management of ocean disposal sites ensures that disposal activities will not
unreasonably degrade or endanger human health, welfare, the marine environment
or economic potentialities. Management of the ocean disposal sites involves:
- regulating the times, quantity and physical/chemical characteristics of disposed
  material;
- establishing disposal controls, conditions and requirements to avoid and minimize
  potential impacts to the marine environment; and
- monitoring the site and surrounding environment to verify that unanticipated or
  significant adverse effects are not occurring from past or continued use of the
  ocean disposal site and that terms of the MPRSA permit are met.

Currentness_Reference:

publication date

Attribute_Accuracy_Report:

GeoPlan relied on the integrity of the attribute information within
the original data.