MEETING CORPS AND EPA DREDGING MONITORING NEEDS

Transcription

1 MEETING CORPS AND EPA DREDGING MONITORING NEEDS W. Vern Gwin 1, Christopher J. McArthur, P.E. 2 ABSTRACT This paper has two primary objectives, to explain the current capabilities of the Corps and EPA to monitor dredging projects and how the dredging data is utilized for environmental compliance. In addition, the paper documents the history and current capabilities of both the Corps s next generation dredging monitoring system and the EPA Region 4 s ocean disposal monitoring and compliance program. This development and evolution of the current systems has resulted in data format standardization and a reduction in duplication of monitoring systems. This paper also documents the use, importance, and needs of the dredging data. Keywords: DQM, Compliance, data, monitoring, ocean disposal INTRODUCTION The EPA and Corps closely monitor all off-shore hopper and scow dredging projects for environmental compliance. The Corps National Dredging Quality Management (DQM) Program, formally known as, Silent Inspector Program (SI), has undergone a significant program and system upgrade. The newly revised program is now known as DQM. DQM is a public-private partnership between the Corps of Engineers, the dredging industry, and stakeholders at the local, state, and federal level. The EPA Region 4 s Automated Ocean Disposal Data Management System is designed to rapidly and efficiently screen data provided by DQM or other ocean disposal monitoring systems for environmental compliance and as a tool for long term management of the EPA designated Ocean Dredged Material Disposal Sites (ODMDS). The two dredge monitoring systems, although significantly different in design actually complement each other, helping both agencies meet specific needs and uses. In addition to assisting Corps Districts for environmental compliance, the data can be used by the Corps to improve business practice, monitoring performance, and provide dredging information and data to support the National Dredging Mission. After EPA receives disposal data via , the data is automatically imported into a database where it is checked against ODMDS or project specific environmental criteria. The data is then also available to EPA for management of the ODMDS. EPA uses the system to track usage of each ODMDS and to assist in impact assessments of the ODMDSs by tracking where and what types of material have been disposed within each ODMDS. This paper will describe each of the above systems and document the history, development, evolution and future direction for the two programs. THE NATIONAL DREDGING QUALITY MANAGEMENT PROGRAM The National Dredging Quality Management Program, is the US Army Corps of Engineer s next generation automated dredging monitoring system and suite of tools for the modern Corps dredging manager. The program name change more accurately reflects the primary purpose of the system, to provide a quality management monitoring and documentation tool for the Corps dredging activities and ensure top quality work is performed according to the specification and permit requirements. DQM V2.0 replaces the previous SI version, V 1.5, with a state of the art Oracle database, near real-time dredging data availability, and web-based tools. On board the dredge, sensors continually monitor dredge activities, operations, and efficiency. Information from these sensors is routed to the National DQM Support Center for data processing, storage and publishing. The DQM web-based tools can be utilized to view project operations, produce disposal plots and data export of dredge operations. 1 Program Manager, National Dredging Quality Management Program, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 109 Saint Joseph Street, Mobile, Alabama, 36606, , william.v.gwin@usace.army.mil. 2 Ocean Dumping Program Coordinator, Wetlands and Marine Regulatory Section U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 4, 61 Forsyth Street SW, Atlanta, GA 30303, Phone: (404) , Fax: (404) , mcarthur.christopher@epa.gov 375

2 Background The Corps National Dredging Quality Management Program was originally conceived as early as 1986, as a research and development project at the Corps Experimental Research and Development Center (ERDC) in Vicksburg, MS. In April of 2006, a National Implementation Directive was issued which mandated the use of SI on all CORPS hopper dredge and scow contracts and permit actions. A National SI Support Center was established under the Chief, Operations Division of the USACE Mobile District, consisting of the developers from the Corps ERDC and Mobile District Operations personnel, requiring the monitoring of multiple dredge plant across the nation simultaneously. Transitioning from a Research and Development initiative into a nationwide operational program in 2006, was a challenging process, with both successes and lessons learned. Since the program was implemented operationally, the idea of electronically monitoring dredge activities has gained invaluable support from both contractors wishing to increase the efficiency of their operations, and with US Army Corps of Engineers personnel seeking to find better methods of monitoring contract progress and environmental compliance. Over the years, dredging Contractors and private vendors have proven themselves capable of designing and installing sensor arrays for providing the data to the Corps. Current Program The mission of the National DQM Program is to provide the Corps dredging manager with a low cost remote monitoring and documentation system, with timely data access, multiple reporting formats, full technical support, including dredge certifications, data quality control, database management, and support for the DQM operating system. In addition to assisting dredge inspectors for monitoring performance, the data can be used to ensure environmental compliance, meet agency data and documentation reporting requirements, improve business practice, and provide dredging information and data to support the National Dredging Mission. The DQM Center will continue to evolve capabilities to support the ever changing modern Corps dredging manager needs. Advances in technology are constantly providing opportunities for driving redevelopment of the DQM program using customized software to improve data transmittal, access and analysis through a web-based environment. Operational support includes customized tools and services to evaluate, analyze, and report on specific dredging activities or issues. The DQM Support Team strives to increase understanding of dredging science and technology while continuing to improve functionality and efficiency of the program. The new DQM system includes a state of the art Oracle database, a suite of web-based tools, new on-board software and near real-time data access for the hopper dredges, and revised contract specifications. Figure 1 is a screen shot from the new DQM V2.0 web based viewer. Other capabilities of the V2.0 viewer include data export, dredge disposal plot reports, and parameter graphing functions. DQM Partnership The DQM program is built on a strong partnership foundation. The partnership is a three party relationship that includes the National DQM Center, the locale Corps District, and the dredging industry. The DQM team understands the importance of their partnership with not only the Corps customer but the industry as well. Programmers benefit from valuable information shared, resulting in a better understanding of each partner s role and process. DQM has seen a dramatic increase in quality of data, reduced inspection time, and a larger percentage of dredge plants obtaining certification on their first inspection trip. Communication between this partnership is crucial for the program s success. Pursuing the constant exchange of information and ideas, the DQM team seeks opportunities to facilitate meetings and build on relationships. These meetings provide the team the opportunity to establish new goals after learning from the industry about the various ways to improve functionality and efficiency. It is one of the Support Center s priorities to work together with industry leaders to benefit Corps customers. Figure 2 is an illustration of this three party partnership. 376

3 Figure 1. DQM V2.0 Web-based Viewer showing load track above and parameter graphing capabilities below. Figure 2. Illustration of the three party partnership of the DQM program. 377

4 DQM Program Future The DQM center is currently working on the development of V2.1 and V2.2 concurrently. V2.1 is a web-based tool for the high-end Corps dredging manager. V2.1 will provide additional capability of multiple load data export, dredging plot reports, near real-time scow data transmittal and a new DQM website. All of these new features are being developed based on feedback from the Corps dredging managers around the country. V2.2 is primarily a cycle analysis MATLAB program that will integrate with the existing database and calculate the dredging cycles for superior quality load number reporting capability. This will improve the quality and dependability of the webbased tools and provide a tremendous amount of high level calculation capability to the DQM system for future tools. Some of the V2.2 tools include standardized EPA and Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement (BOEMRE) reports, internal QA reports and dredge state determination. The current DQM system can generate reports per requests by the local Corps Districts located within EPA Region 4. These reports are generated based on format requirements requested by EPA to meet the Districts Section 103 authorization. V2.2 will allow the Corps district manager to produce these reports themselves from the DQM web site and eliminate the need for the District to request the report from the DQM center. This will automate the process and put the capability in the hands of the district s dredging managers. EPA REGION 4 S AUTOMATED OCEAN DISPOSAL DATA MANAGEMENT SYSTEM Background Under the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act (MPRSA), EPA in cooperation with the Corps is responsible for the designation, management and monitoring of Ocean Dredged Material Disposal Sites (ODMDS). Part of the management and monitoring responsibilities include monitoring disposal activities at the ODMDS. Since the late 1980 s, EPA Region 4 has required as part of its management of regional ODMDSs that disposal monitoring data be collected to document that disposal operations are conducted in accordance with any applicable permit requirements or conditions for ODMDS use. Required data for each disposal event has routinely included the following: 1. Time and date of disposal event, 2. Disposal event number, 3. Location of initiation and completion of disposal, 4. Origin of the dredged material, 5. Estimated volume of the load, 6. General description of the material (ie. clay, silt, sand, rock) 7. Type and name of disposal vessel used. In addition, it has been required that the draft and position data be automatically and continuously tracked (1 to 5 minute intervals) to insure that excessive leakage was not occurring. EPA did not mandate any specific system to be used to record and provide the above required data or require that the data be supplied in any particular format. As a result, EPA Region 4 was receiving data in a number of formats from a variety of systems. Data was also received in different coordinate systems requiring further data processing prior to analysis. Furthermore, data was being provided through a variety of mechanisms. Sometimes data was provided on electronic media at the end of a project, sometimes as attachments to s and sometimes it was only available on an ftp site for download. As a result, it was very difficult and labor intensive to review and analyze the submitted data and EPA s ability to effectively monitor disposal projects for compliance, and to correct actions during a project s operations was compromised. In 2005, EPA Region 4 undertook an effort to standardize the data submittal format and procedure for disposal monitoring data. This would allow EPA Region to streamline its procedure for importing data into a database to track ODMDS use and monitor disposal projects for compliance more effectively. In developing this format, EPA worked closely with the South Atlantic Division Districts and the Silent Inspector Program to insure that the format would be acceptable to data providers. 378

5 Data Format EPA Region 4 s standard format for submittal of disposal compliance data was completed in The data format utilizes an extensible Markup Language (XML) format based on the XML Design Rules and Conventions for the Environmental Data Exchange Network and the EPA XML Schema Design Rules. An example of the EPA Disposal Vessel Monitoring Data XML format is provided in Figure 3. Data in this format can be easily viewed in a web browser or word processing software. The data is provided to EPA as an attached file to an . Data can be received in this format directly from the dredging contractor, monitoring subcontractor, permittee, the Corps District or the DQM database. Each XML file can contain data for one or more trips to the disposal site. Data can be forward to EPA after every trip, daily, weekly or at the end of the project depending on the ODMDS or project specific needs. Figure 3. EPA disposal vessel monitoring data XML format. 379

6 Data Processing Once EPA receives the data, it is automatically forwarded to a database provider where it is auto imported into the database and routine screening of the data are completed. Routine screening of the data include: 1. Checks for possible leakage from the disposal vessel en route to the ODMDS 2. Check for misplacement outside of the permitted release zone 3. Check for possible violations of speed restrictions (where applicable) 4. Check for possible violations of route restrictions (where applicable) The ability to auto import the data and provide routine automated screening of the data greatly reduces the compliance review workload on EPA Region 4 staff and improves the capability to detect and correct compliance issues early on in the dredging and disposal project. If the screening process detects a potential compliance issue, EPA Region 4 is notified almost immediately via . The automated message indicates the suspect load number and vessel along with the type of potential violation. EPA Region 4 staff can then examine the data for that load in detail to determine if a violation has occurred. Figure 4 shows an example of where leakage has occurred. Figure 4. Example of leakage. Data Display and Use Data auto-imported in the database is made available to EPA Region 4 via a web-base geographic information system. Data for individual loads or summary data for an entire dredging project can be displayed (see Figure 5). Data can also be exported from the system in a variety of different formats including EPA Region 4 s post-disposal report format (see Figure 6). This eliminates the need for the permittee or Corps District from having to provide post disposal reports if the data has been submitted electronically. 380

7 Figure 5. Disposal summary plot. Figure 6. EPA Region 4 post disposal report. 381

8 In addition to monitoring for compliance, EPA Region 4 uses the data to manage ODMDS use and monitor the site for impacts. Historical records of disposal locations can be used in concert with physical, chemical, and biological monitoring of an ODMDS to interpret monitoring results. For example, if environmental impacts or changes in the physical or chemical properties of the benthos are detected within an isolated portion of an ODMDS, accurate and available disposal records can be used to identify the disposal events that caused those changes. Integration with DQM EPA Region 4 has worked closely with the SI Program and now the DQM program in the development of our data standard format and DQM is capable of exporting disposal monitoring in this format. However, all DQM data is collected without user input and some of EPA Region 4 s required field s require load specific manual input. Examples of this type of data include: the designated placement or disposal area name; material description and the origin of the material. Therefore once data is exported by DQM, additional data fields must be edited with this missing information by Corps District personnel prior to submittal to EPA Region 4. Future Activities EPA Region 4 s data management system is based on and similar to previous site specific or project specific efforts by other EPA regional offices and Corps Districts. The data format schema however is unique. Because the data format schema is compatible with the DQM system, it can easily be portable to other EPA regional offices throughout the country. EPA Region 4 is currently making the database accessible to all EPA coastal regional offices. CONCLUSIONS The purpose of this paper was to document the functionality and development history of both the Corps DQM system and the EPA Region 4 ocean disposal data management system. It was also important to show how the two systems currently complement each other. With the current capability of the DQM system and the available technology, future considerations could include, standardizing and implementing the current data sharing procedure nationally that EPA Region 4 and the Corps DQM center currently have in place and potentially provide EPA access to the DQM system, including customized tools and export capability. CITATION Gwin, V.W. and McArthur, C.J. Meeting Corps and EPA dredging monitoring needs, Proceedings of the Western Dredging Association (WEDA XXXI) Technical Conference and Texas A&M University (TAMU 42) Dredging Seminar, Nashville, Tennessee, June 5-8,