The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is preparing Dredged Material Management Plans (DMMP) for the placement of dredged material in support of the operation and maintenance of the nine-foot navigation channel.
The DMMP program ensures that all practicable and reasonable alternatives for the placement of dredged material are fully considered on an equal basis. This includes the placement of dredged material in the least costly manner, at the most practicable location, and consistent with engineering and environmental requirements. Plans are being developed for 38 recurrent dredge cuts on the Illinois Waterway and 44 recurrent dredge cuts on the Mississippi River, within Rock Island District boundaries. These plans identify environmentally sound and operationally feasible dredged material placement sites.
Background
The Rock Island District has been in the process of developing plans for the placement of dredged material since the completion of GREAT II (Great River Environmental Action Team) in the early 1980s.
The Dredged Material Management Program evaluates alternative dredged material placement sites using a matrix with six evaluation criteria:
- Dredging Cost
- Natural Resources
- Beneficial Use of Dredged Material
- Recreational Resources
- Cultural Resources
- Social Impacts
The Rock Island District uses the matrix results to determine the selected placement alternative.