Post on 06-Aug-2015
Erie Pier: Finding Sustainable Markets For Dredged Materials
Jacob CaldwellTarik Gaertener
Iva Wepner
Port of Duluth/Superior: Background● Located within cities of Duluth, MN and Superior,
WI.
● Allows shipping companies to move large quantities of commodities through the port to their destination.
● Maximize loads on vessels that carry cargo in and out of the port.
● Top 20 leading port in U.S.
Port of Duluth/Superior: Dredging● Dredging is necessary to maintain adequate
depth for ships to pass through.
● Dredging is responsibility of the Army Corps of Engineers (ACE).
● ACE gets funding from: money allocated from Congress, Harbor Maintenance Tax, and docking fees.
● Dredged Material: non-toxic sand and silt
Erie Pier● Port of Duluth/Superior’s Contained Disposal
Facility (CDF).
● Most dredged material goes to Erie Pier.
● In 5 years, Erie Pier will no longer have a place to store the dredged materials.
● Ports Management is searching for a low cost alternative to a CDF.
Problems?
● Transporting to Erie Pier is more expensive than hydraulic pumps and
open water dumping
● Water level fluctuations
● Can only dredge in summer
● Silt is not very useful
● State Regulations
● Limited storage for dredged materials
● No other CDF allowed.
● Dredging funded through government.
State Regulations
Minnesota: A dredge site must be analyzed prior to dredging for a risk assessment. Beneficial reuse of dredged materials is in the best interest of the state.
Wisconsin: Dredged materials are considered solid waste and can only be exempted on a case by case basis, which requires a formal meeting
Dredged Materials Management Plan
● In 1998 various groups developed the DMMP for a 20-year period
● They identified three major alternatives:
1. Erie Pier 2. Continuous 3. “Deep Holes” within the
Beach Nurishment harbor
Other Short Term Potential Markets
1. Highway Construction
- Contractors won’t go beyond 50 miles to haul materials
- Competition from local sand and gravel pits
2. Farmland Enhancement
- Material is acceptable for soil enrichment use by farmers
- Hauling cost is very high for farmers
Long Term Opportunities
Project Use Distance (Miles)Needs (Cubic
Yards)Annual
Recurring
Hibbard Power Plant
Construction Material
3 1,000,000 No
21 St AvenueCreate Wildlife
Habitad1 950,000 No
CN RailroadProvide
protection for steel pilings
2 900,000 No
Sky Harbor Airport
Construction of new Runway
7 250,000 No
Erie Pier Cost Assumptions
Almost 30% more material can be hauled with the same cost→ Distance is a crucial aspect!
Discussion
We, the Port’s Management Team, are searching for a low cost alternative to the CDF in order to extend the life of Erie
Pier.
Discussion
We, the Port’s Management Team, are searching for a low cost alternative to the CDF in order to extend the life of Erie
Pier.
Discussion: Reuse or Dump?
Option 1:
Reuse dredged materials in sustainable ways. If so, how?
Option 2:
Lobby for open water dumping.