Dredge Material Sediment Sampling, Characterization and Reuse/Disposal Reporting and Consultation Services - Pinole Shoal Channel

Client: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, San Francisco District (USACE)

Location: Pinole Shoal Channel, San Pablo Bay, California

Period of Performance: June - July 2009, April - May 2010

Project Overview: Approximately 11 miles long and 600 feet wide, the Pinole Shoal Federal Channel is a vital deep-draft shipping channel located along southeastern San Pablo Bay that serves commercial vessels en route to ports from Concord to Sacramento. The USACE proposed to conduct currently authorized dredging of the Pinole Shoal Channel as part of its Operations and Maintenance Dredging Program, and to conduct advance maintenance dredging in specific portions of the channel in order to maintain the authorized depth for a longer duration.

Scope of Services: Based upon the USACE's Pinole Shoal Channel 2009 Advance Maintenance Sampling and Analysis Plan (SAP), ADH developed and managed all technical aspects of this 8(a) sole-sourced, Firm Fixed-Price contract including contracting with a research vessel operator, vibracoring subcontractor, and National Environmental Laboratory Accredited Program (NELAP) certified analytical and toxicological laboratories who could meet USACE required ultra low method detection limits for dioxins and PCBs. ADH staff, in association with our vessel and vibracoring subcontractors, performed all sediment coring and site water sampling from four channel composite areas and two in-Bay disposal sites in accordance with the SAP, and the Master Sampling and Analysis Plan, USACE SF-District O&M Dredging.

Sediment samples collected from the Pinole Shoal Channel and two disposal reference sites were subjected to a comprehensive suite of physical and chemical analyses and biological toxicity tests - as outlined in the SAP and based on applicable guidelines established in the Inland Testing Manual, the Ocean Testing Manual, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Biological Opinion on placement of dredge materials at the Hamilton Wetland Restoration Project (HWRP BO). Results of these analyses and tests were evaluated to determine the channel sediment's suitability for multiple disposal/placement options: upland placement at the HWRP, in-Bay disposal sites SF-09 or SF-10, and ocean disposal. Sediment chemistry and toxicity results were evaluated in relation to criteria established in the HWRP BO, to San Francisco Bay Ambient Sediment Concentrations, and to historical sediment concentration data from the San Francisco Deep Ocean Disposal Site Reference Area. The report followed guidelines provided in the SAP and Public Notice 99-4: Sampling and Analysis Plan (Quality Assurance Project Plan) Guidance for Dredging Projects within the San Francisco District.

The project was overseen by the USACE and the final report incorporated comments from the Dredged Material Management Office (comprised of USEPA Region 9, San Francisco Bay RWQCB, Bay Conservation and Development Commission, and California Department of Fish & Game), NOAA Fisheries, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, and the California Coastal Commission.