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Public Notice Manager

SPL-2019-001-KB - Santa Barbara Harbor Maintenance Dredging

Los Angeles District
Published Oct. 11, 2019
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Santa Barbara Harbor Maintenance Dredging

Supplemental Environmental Assessment

Comment Period:  October 11, 2019 to October 18, 2019

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) biannually performs maintenance dredging in Santa Barbara Harbor in the City of Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara County, California.  Maintenance dredging is required to maintain the federal channel to design configurations and depths in order to maintain safe navigation within the harbor. Dredging operations typically occur in late fall and spring of each year. The annual average volume of dredged material is approximately 342,000 cubic yards.  The dredged material is suitable for beach replenishment and is placed down coast of the harbor within the East Beach placement area.

Local air quality management regulations require the use of electric dredges or diesel-powered dredges that meet the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Final Tier 4 emission standards.  Final Tier 4 compliant engines substantially reduce emissions of particulate matter and oxides of nitrogen.  Use of Tier 4 engines that do not meet the Final Tier 4 emission standards are subject to additional technical evaluations. Use of any of the dredges above are subject to permitting requirements from the Santa Barbara Air Pollution Control District.

Dredging operations are conducted pursuant to an Environmental Assessment (EA) completed in 2016. In the recent past, the Corps has used electric dredges within Santa Barbara Harbor since dredges with Tier 4 compliant engines were not readily available within the dredge fleet.  Thus, the air quality analysis in the 2016 EA was based on the use of an electric dredge.  However, due to changes in the availability of this technology, the Corps is expanding its air quality analysis to consider the use of dredges with Tier 4 compliant engines in addition to electric dredges.

Other elements of the maintenance dredging project as described in the 2016 EA remain unchanged. Likewise, impact analysis for other environmental resources remain unchanged. The final 2016 EA is available for download on this page.

The Corps is soliciting comments on the proposed change from federal, state, local agencies, and the interested public. All comments must be received by 5 p.m. on October 18, 2019.

If you have questions or would like additional information, please contact Kirk at (213) 452-3876. Comments may be sent to Kirk.C.Brus@usace.army.mil .

 


Related Story: Santa Barbara Harbor Maintenance Dredging 2016 EA