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by Bruce Smith
(from Jersey Coast Anglers Association June 2004 Newsletter)
On March 31st Clean Ocean Action hosted, at the James J. Howard Marine Science Laboratory, Sandy Hook, a meeting with New York District EPA and Army Corps of Engineers (COE) personnel to discuss recent activity at the HARS Site. Kristen Milligan, Ph.D. Science Advisor, COA, moderated the meeting.
By invitation, interested parties attended including those from recreational fishing advocacy groups, fishing clubs, local charter boat and party boat captains, dive clubs, marine conservation and Representative Pallone’s office. JCAA representatives attending were Tom Fote, Tom Siciliano and Bruce Smith
Kristen reviewed the purpose for the meeting, bringing together the interested parties to discuss activities at the Historic Area Remediation Site.
Of particular concern are the mounding of sediments and loss of hard bottom fish habitat.
HARS is located approximately 3.3 miles from the highlands. The remediation site is 9 square miles, plus a buffer zone.
EPA personnel made a presentation of the history of the Mud Dump / HARS, definition and testing of remediation material. They also discussed measures taken to preserve the fish habitat created by 4 wrecks located within the area and that a 500 meter buffer zone is maintained around them.
Approximately 70 % of all dredge materials from the New York Harbor do not meet the current criteria for remediation material. Of qualified material, red clay is the least preferred because it does not provide good fish habitat. The most preferred material is glacial till; sands, gravels, cobbles and boulders.
The Army Corps of Engineers discussed why it is necessary to dredge the harbor and how the HARS is being remediated and managed. It is noteworthy that many procedural changes have been made to improve control of placement of materials. The ADISS system now utilized allows the Corps to track tug and barge location and the release of remediation materials. The target drop zones have been reduced in area to facilitate placement of materials.
The EPA, Corps and COA feel that the current situation is a win-win with less contaminated material capping the older more toxic materials while providing a home for 30% of the harbor dredging. All representatives of the fishing/diving interests pointed out that the third leg of the triangle has to be preservation and improvement of the marine life habitat and that it would be desirable to remediate small areas completely to minimize adverse impact to this historically productive area. This area could be enhanced by placement of some demolition material as well. It was also noted that this is an area that is of some importance to commercial interests and that they should be invited to participate in the future.
The Corps will address the safety concerns raised concerning tug and barge operations, scheduling, notification, etc.
This was a worthwhile meeting that should produce positive results.