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Title: CLEANING UP CONTAMINATED SEDIMENTS IN THE NATION'S WATERWAYS: STUDY BY THE NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL
Accession Number: 00750079
Record Type: Component
Availability: Find a library where document is available Abstract: Contaminated marine sediments pose a threat to ecosystems, marine resources, and human health. Moreover, controversy over the risks and costs of sediment management results in delays in dredging and/or the inability to dredge the nation's harbors. Given that approximately 95% of the total U.S. trade passes through dredged ports, the potential economic impacts of sediment contamination may therefore be severe. The management of contaminated sediments is a complex and difficult process. The multiple factors that contribute to this complexity exacerbate the problem, and lead to management actions that are not cost-effective and have controversial outcomes and marginal benefits. These factors include (1) high public expectations for protecting human health and the environment; (2) multiple stakeholder interests and priorities; (3) conflicting and overlapping jurisdictions of federal, state, and local regulatory authorities; (4) relatively low levels of contamination; (5) large quantities of affected sediments; (6) uncertainty in quantifying and managing the risks involved; and (7) limitations of available handling and treatment technologies. An overview of a study performed during 1993-1996 by the National Research Council (NRC) Committee on Contaminated Marine Sediments is provided in this article. The 15-member committee included national experts from academia, industry, and the professional services sector. The results of the committee's deliberations were published in an NRC report entitled "Contaminated Sediments in Ports and Waterways: Cleanup Strategies and Technologies" (March 1997). The NRC study indicates that careful problem formulation and good information can provide the foundation for sound decisions in managing contaminated sediments. Incremental improvements in remediation technologies, project implementation, and decision making can be made and may result in cost-effective, socially acceptable, and environmentally sound solutions.
Language: English
Corporate Authors: Transportation Research Board 500 Fifth Street, NW Authors: Pavlou, S PThibodeaux, L JPagination: p. 16-20
Publication Date: 1998-5
Serial: TRT Terms: Uncontrolled Terms: Old TRIS Terms: Subject Areas: Administration and Management; Economics; Environment; Highways; Marine Transportation; Terminals and Facilities
Files: TRIS, TRB
Created Date: Jun 29 1998 12:00AM
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