GALVESTON BAY RSM Moving toward an Integrated, Cooperative, and Holistic Approach to Estuarine Sediments RAE Conference 2010 Larry A. Wise Moffatt & Nichol
RSM is a system-based approach for collaboratively addressing sedimentrelated issues within a regional context an integrated management of local projects/activities involving sediments within the context of regional coastal, river & estuarine systems a recognition of sediment as a resource a link between watershed planners and sediment managers (dredging, restoration, protection/resiliency, etc.)
RSM s Objective is to integrate data on sources and sinks of sediment, demands for sediment, and impacts on commerce and the environment into a decision making tool that would help promote efficient management of sediments and decreased costs
What s Necessary for an RSM? Knowledge System as context for local decisions & long-range implications Economics Understanding of costs and benefits of sediment uses Dissemination Sharing of knowledge about sediments and systems Partnerships Across government levels and with private sector
What Type of Activities are Included? Dredging and placement Building structures that divert or trap sediment Erosion protection structures or methods for riverbanks, shorelines, sea beds, and channel bottoms Habitat stabilization and restoration Sand and gravel mining for construction or other purposes
What are the Benefits of RSM? Cost Efficiency Knowledge Environment Reduce shoaling Reduce rehandling of material Leverage across projects Achieve multiple objectives Future problem solving readiness Improve agency and institutional relationships Improve decisions & provide greater consistency Inventory and prioritize sediment sources and needs Develop sediment budget & processes Integrate data & monitoring Develop regional models Reintroduce sand to littoral systems Reduce erosion Improve coastal resilience Improve or replace habitat Mitigate sea level rise
Effects of Not Using RSM Approach induced erosion or sedimentation in nearby areas inefficient planning for dredged material management missed opportunities to more costeffectively manage sediment resources
Galveston Bay RSM Objectives Cost Efficiency Knowledge Environment Reduce overall lifecycle costs for dredging operations More efficiently utilize money Maximize beneficial uses & manage sediment as a regional resource Beneficially use sediments from dredging and CDFs Develop a regional sediment budget Involve stakeholders to effectively manage sediment resources Aid in restoration of wetlands and eroded shorelines Increase coastal resiliency Improve water quality
Study Scope Identify sediment pathways Coordinate roles, responsibilities, and authorities for agencies and stakeholders Identify needs, opportunities, and constraints Develop a management strategy for sediment resources Develop a prioritized list of strategies and solutions
Study Area
Preliminary Sediment Budget
Preliminary Sediment Budget
Sediment Balancing Act Dependencies Activities / Resources
Stakeholders Federal Agencies State Agencies Local Agencies Others / NGOs USACE EPA NOAA USFWS MMS USGS TCEQ TGLO TPWD TXDOT GBEP Galveston Co. Harris Co. Chambers Co. Galveston Parks Board Harris County Flood Control District Harris Galveston Subsidence District Port of Galveston Port of Houston Authority Port of Texas City West Galveston Island Property Owners Association Galveston Bay Foundation The Nature Conservancy
Connecting Supplies & Demands Met with 11 agencies and stakeholders Shared existing data and knowledge Prior studies & data GIS data Indentified Sources & Sinks Needs for Sediment Opportunities to Better Use Sediments Constraints to Efficient Use of Sediments
Needs/Opportunities
Constraints Restore Ecosystems in Areas Where They Existed Previously Mismatch of Sediment Needs and Supplies Timing Permitting Funding Federal Standard Sediment Quality Construction Quality Control
Strategies & Solutions Cost Efficiency Knowledge Environment Develop Life-Cycle Costs for Dredged Material Implement Dredged Material/Marketing Program Establish, Lead, and Support a Regional Sediment Management Working Group Maintain and Use RSM Needs and Opportunities List USACE Initiate and Lead a Federal Standard Workshop Implement Information Sharing Address data gaps and improve knowledge of regional sediments Implement Beneficial Nearshore Placement of Dredged Material Use Upland Confined Dredged Material for Ecosystem Restoration Improve Beneficial Use Opportunities for Private Dredging