Los Angeles Basin Contaminated Sediments Task Force

Summary of Aquatic Disposal and Dredge Operations
Committee Meeting
November 15, 2000

1. Meeting time and location: November 15, 2000 at the Port of Los Angeles, from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm.

2. Attendees: Michael Lyons (LARWQCB), Jack Gregg, Maile Gee (CCC), Omer Kadaster (Kleinfelder), Kathryn Curtis (POLA), Rick Cameron (POLB), Dennis Eschen (City of Long Beach), Mitzy Taggart (Heal the Bay), George Piantka (URS), Michael Curtis (MBC Applied Environmental Science), Doland Cheung, Kathy Anderson, Mo Chang (USACE).

3. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the water quality testing issues associated with Pier T and Mole widening project performed by Port of Long Beach.

4. MBC Applied Environmental Science presented their findings on the turbidity measuring issues in relation to the dredging. Based on analysis of the transmissivity and water quality data from the Port of Long Beach dredge monitoring effort, they have concluded that a 20% change over the ambient control station would be too restrictive and would not represent a meaningful level of turbidity where negative effects to the environment could occur. It was also pointed out that the different instrumentations used to measure turbidity differ in their limitations. These methods are: Secchi disk, Turbidimeter, Transmissometer, and Total Suspended Solids (TSS).

5. The recommendation made by MBC was to use the transmissometer for measuring the turbidity and that the 20% limit be increased to 40%. It was agreed that the origin of the 20% limitation was unclear and should have room for modification. However, the concern of losing data points was also raised. The Committee finally agreed as an interim standard that, if using a transmissometer, the limitation can be increased to 30%. The project sponsor is, however, required to collect 3 data points.

6. The Corps also informed the committee that they are proceeding with the bench scale study on the concrete stabilization. Moffett & Nichol is in the process of developing a scope of work for the bench scale. The sampling site is currently limited to Marina del Rey and Los Angeles River Estuary. The Committee however feels that it would be worthwhile to sample and test material from the Consolidated Slip. The reasoning is that material from the Consolidated Slip is the most contaminated in the region, and if the bench scale works there it would work mostly anywhere. The Committee also feels that a sample from one of the ports should be taken where a finer material type may be located. The Corps is concerned of the cost of the additional sampling and testing. The Committee suggested that if the Corps cannot sponsor these tests that the funding from the State could be used to supplement the additional cost of the bench scale. The Corps will work with Moffett and Nichol to determine what the cost increases would be and will let the Committee know if they can sponsor these tests.

7. With the increased number of issues associated with the Pilot Projects, the Chair suggested that the meeting frequency be increased. The next meeting is tentatively scheduled for November 30, 2000 for 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Port of Los Angeles.

Return to the Contaminated Sediments Task Force Committee Meetings page.

Return to the Contaminated Sediments Task Force home page.

Return to the California Coastal Commission's home page.