Beneficial use of dredged material from the Buffalo River to restore coastal wetland habitat

Session: 51. - Coastal Resilience

Andrew Hannes, US Army Corps of Engineers, [email protected]
Colleen O'Connell, US Army Corps of Engineers, Colleen.M.O'[email protected]

Abstract

Sediment remediation programs in the Great Lakes, like the Great Lakes Legacy Act, have succeeded in removing contaminated legacy sediments, which are often located outside or under navigation channels. These programs have improved overall sediment quality, and the need for confined disposal facility placement no longer exists at some harbors. Further environmental regulations enacted by federal, state, and local agencies have reduced the influx of new pollution into waterways. Therefore, sediments in harbors and rivers around the Great Lakes are becoming cleaner, especially those sediments which are removed on a regular basis from navigation channels. These clean sediments can now be used for beneficial purposes like habitat restoration and creation, beach nourishment, aquaculture and various upland uses. In this project, clean dredged sediments from the Buffalo River federal navigation channel are being used to restore five acres of coastal wetland habitat at Unity Island, a riverine island in the upper Niagara River. 

1. Keyword
coastal wetlands

2. Keyword
sediment quality

4. Additional Keyword
habitat restoration

5. Additional Keyword
dredged sediment