DRAFT

Appendix F

Yaquina Bay 

North and South 

Ocean Dredged Material Disposal Sites

Draft Site Management/Monitoring Plan

2012

This Site Management/Monitoring Plan has been prepared jointly by the U.S. Environmental Protection 

Agency, Region 10, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Portland District, and describes 

management and monitoring requirements for the EPA-designated ocean dredged material disposal sites 

located offshore of Yaquina Bay in Oregon. 
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Yaquina Bay ODMDS

Draft Site Management/Monitoring Plan

Table of Contents

Introduction................................................................................................................................................. 3

Site Management Roles and Responsibilities............................................................................................. 5

Yaquina ODMDS History........................................................................................................................... 5

Site Definitions and Description................................................................................................................. 6

Baseline..................................................................................................................................................................6

Disposal Sites.........................................................................................................................................................8

Placement Area (also called Disposal Area)..........................................................................................................9

Anticipated Capacity..............................................................................................................................................9

Anticipated Site Use.............................................................................................................................................10

Site Management ...................................................................................................................................... 10

Goal and Objectives.............................................................................................................................................10

Monitoring ...........................................................................................................................................................12

Routine Monitoring ........................................................................................................................... 13

Special Studies................................................................................................................................... 14

Adaptive Management....................................................................................................................... 14

Special Management Conditions or Practices........................................................................................... 16

SMMP Review and Revision.................................................................................................................... 19

References................................................................................................................................................. 19

LIST OF FIGURES AND TABLES

Figure 1: Yaquina Bay North and South ODMDS and Vicinity................................................................................4

Table 1. Coordinates, Dimensions, and Depths of the Yaquina Bay North and South ODMDS 9
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Introduction

This Site Management/Monitoring Plan (SMMP) was jointly prepared by the U.S. Environmental 

Protection Agency, Region 10 (EPA), and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Portland District 

(USACE). This SMMP describes management and monitoring requirements for the EPA-designated 

Yaquina Bay North and South Ocean Dredged Material Disposal Sites (ODMDS) located offshore of 

Yaquina Bay in Oregon, hereafter referred to as the Yaquina Bay ODMDS or Yaquina Bay Sites or Sites 

(Figure F-1). This SMMP becomes effective upon the effective date of the site designation and 

supersedes and replaces any previous SMMP for this location.

It is the responsibility of the EPA and the USACE to manage and monitor each ODMDS designated by 

the EPA pursuant to Section 102 of the Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act, as amended 

(MPRSA). The EPA has final authority over site management. The SMMP provisions establish 

requirements for all dredged material disposal activities at each site. All permits issued pursuant to 

Section 103 of the MPRSA for the ocean disposal of dredged materials at the Yaquina Bay Sites shall be 

conditioned as necessary to ensure consistency with this SMMP. The USACE shall ensure that its use of 

the Sites is consistent with this SMMP.

Guidance for the preparation of a SMMP for ODMDS is provided in the joint national EPA/USACE 

Guidance Document for Development of Site Management Plans for Ocean Dredged Material Disposal 

Sites (EPA/USACE 1996). This guidance document lays out a recommended framework for site 

management plan development and content.

Each SMMP is required, pursuant to the MPRSA, to include: 

 a baseline assessment of conditions at the site; 

 a program for monitoring the site; 

 special management conditions or practices to be implemented at each site that are necessary for 

protection of the environment; 

 consideration of the quantity of material to be disposed at the site, and the presence, nature, and 

bioavailability of the contaminants in the material; 

 consideration of the anticipated use of the site over the long term, including the anticipated 

closure date for the site, if applicable, and any need for management of the site after closure; 

 a schedule for review and revision of the plan which must be no less frequently than 10 years 

after adoption of the plan and at least every 10 years thereafter.

Management of ODMDS involves regulating the times, the quantity and the physical/chemical 

characteristics of dredged material that is dumped at the site; establishing disposal controls, conditions, 

and requirements to avoid and minimize potential impacts to the marine environment; and monitoring 

the site environs to verify that unanticipated or significant adverse effects are not occurring from past or 

continued use of the disposal site and that permit terms are met. Appropriate ODMDS management is 

aimed at assuring that disposal activities will not unreasonably degrade or endanger human health, 

welfare, the marine environment or economic potentialities (EPA/USACE 1996). 
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Figure 1: Yaquina Bay North and South ODMDS and Vicinity
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Site Management Roles and Responsibilities

The designation of ODMDS and the issuance of permits for such sites are components of the federal, 

non-delegable, ocean dumping program. Site designation and management are federal responsibilities.

Owing to the interactive nature of regulating ocean disposal of dredged material, the functional 

management of ODMDS along the coast of Oregon is shared between the EPA and the USACE. The 

EPA and USACE will routinely consult on all decisions regarding site use and management. At a 

minimum, the USACE and the EPA will consult on an annual basis to discuss the annual summary 

report prepared by the USACE which will discuss disposal activities at the Sites during the prior 

dredging year, the results of any routine monitoring surveys or specials studies, and the need for any 

routine monitoring or special studies in subsequent years. 

The USACE is expected to be the primary user of the Yaquina Bay Sites for dredged material from the 

federal navigation project at Yaquina Bay. The USACE also issues permits to other users for 

transportation of dredged material for the purpose of ocean disposal, after consultation with and 

concurrence from the EPA, in compliance with these criteria. The USACE must comply with the 

MPRSA and meet substantive permit requirements, including the EPA concurrence, for its own use of 

the Yaquina Bay Sites.

 

The EPA may condition, terminate or restrict site use with cause. The EPA is responsible for managing 

and monitoring ocean dredged material disposal sites in ocean waters off the States of Alaska, 

Washington, and Oregon, including the Yaquina Bay Sites addressed in this SMMP.

Yaquina ODMDS History

The need for improved navigation controls in the Yaquina Bay estuary began with the founding of a port 

city at Yaquina. Because of the navigation need, two rubble mound jetties were constructed in 1896, and 

Congress authorized dredging in the bay in 1919. For historical annual disposal volumes, see Appendix 

B (Table B-1; page B-5).

Summary of site use:

 1919 – 1977. During this period of time, 200,000 to 250,000 cubic yards (cy) of dredged material 

were disposed in the general area of the Interim Site (Figure F-1). 

 1978 – 1985. During this period of time, all dredged material was placed at the Interim Site 

(Figure F-1).1

 1986. The USACE selected an alternate ODMDS under its Section 103 authority, Section 103 

Site, because of mounding at the Interim Site and the potential adverse effect on navigation 

safety (Figure F-1). 

Bathymetric monitoring between 1985 and 1988 of the Interim Site found that by 1988 more

than 20-feet of material present in 1985 had been removed by natural processes and depth 

contours had returned to their 1983 condition. 

 

1 The 1992 MPRSA amendments abolished interim ocean dumping sites. In 2008, EPA‘s final rule (73 FR 74983 

(12/10/2008)) repealed obsolete regulations regarding interim ocean dumping sites, interim ocean dumping permits, and 

interim ocean dumping criteria. 
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 1986 – 1997. During this period of time, all dredged material was deposited at the Section 103 

Site. Dredged material continued to accumulate at this site. After 1989, dredged material disposal 

was restricted to only portions of the Section 103 Site because of continued mounding. In May 

1998, the maximum accumulation was 19 feet at an original water depth of approximately 84 

feet with all contour lines shifted offshore. For that year, dredged material placement was 

restricted to the northeast and southwest corners of the site. 

 1998 - 2000. In 1998, the USACE enlarged the Section 103 Site to include the outer two thirds of 

the former Interim Site. In 1999, material placement was restricted to the new southern portion 

of the Section 103 Site. In 2000, dredged material was placed in the southwest corner of the 

Section 103 Site. 

 2001 – Present. In 2001, under the USACE‘s Section 103 authority, USACE selected two new 

sites for disposal of dredged material. Based on the historical record of significant mounding in 

shallower water near the Yaquina Bay entrance channel, the USACE chose two sites rather than 

one, significantly expanded their size, moved them north and south of the mouth of Yaquina 

Bay, further away from the entrance channel, and sited them far enough offshore to avoid 

Yaquina Reef (Figure F-1). 

Since 2001, only the North Site has been used for disposal for the following reasons: 1) use of 

the North Site was preferred by local fishing interests, the Port of Newport and the dredges; and 

2) the prevailing wave climate during the dredge season (waves approaching from the northwest)

makes the North Site preferable for use by hopper dredges more often than the South Site. 

Between 2001 and 2009 all dredged material was placed in the northern half of the North Site

(drop zone) (Figure F-1). In 2010 the whole 103-selected North site was used while in 2011 the 

USACE only used the southern half. The only time during this period that another entity besides 

the USACE disposed at the Yaquina Sites was the Port of Toledo in 2010 (3,000 cy). 

Site Definitions and Description

For the purposes of management and monitoring of the designated Yaquina Bay Sites, the following 

definitions and descriptions are applicable.

Baseline

Section 102(c)(3)(A) of the MPRSA requires that the SMMP include a baseline assessment of 

conditions at the site. A broad scale assessment of physical, chemical and biological characteristics of 

this area of the Pacific Ocean encompassing the sites are described in Richardson 1973; Peterson and 

Miller 1977; Richardson and Pearcy 1977; Brodeur et al., 1985; Keister and Peterson 2003; Auth and 

Brodeur 2006; Auth et al., 2007. In the area offshore of Yaquina Bay, the USACE has been conducting 

studies for over 30 years to support the long-history of dredged material disposal going back to 1977. 

These surveys and studies included bathymetry, benthic grabs, and sediment chemistry at or near the 

dredged material disposal sites. More specifically, baseline studies for the North and South sites 

occurred in 1999 and 2000 followed by surveys in 2002 and in 2008 during the disposal season. These 

studies included bathymetry, sidescan sonar, benthic grabs, and benthic trawl surveys. For the purposes 

of the discussion of baseline in this SMMP, the focus is on findings from the benthic grabs in the 1999 

and 2000 surveys which were prior to any disposal at either site. Details on sampling methodology and 
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the results of the 2002 and 2008 studies are discussed in detail in Appendix A and Appendix C (pages 

C-11 to C-24). 

These studies provide the EPA with the following: 1) confirmation that the disposal sites are on areas 

with a sandy substrate of similar-grain sized materials with the majority of material in the federal 

navigation project (the primary source of material to be disposed at the Sites); 2) confirmation that the 

material at the sites (native sand and dredged material) are not contaminated and do not pose a risk to 

benthic organisms (this meets the requirement of Section 102(c)(3)(D) of the MPRSA); 3) a snapshot in 

time over several years of the benthic infaunal community at and near these sites. The benthic 

community data, primarily infauna, are used as a gauge for long-term adverse affects with the 

assumption being that a persistent change of species diversity and abundance at this lower level of the 

food chain could potentially cause long-term adverse affects to higher trophic levels which include 

species of higher societal and commercial value. 

Of primary concern to the EPA and the USACE is the substrate type at the disposal sites, which dictates 

the epifaunal community structure in the area. The EPA and the USACE are locating these disposal sites 

on sandy substrate and by doing so, are avoiding the Yaquina reef complex, a highly valued and unique 

rocky reef that is found landward of the ODMDS. This rocky reef complex parallels the shore within the 

ZSF (Figure F-1). Seaward of the reefs recent marine sands 5-35 feet thick form a discontinuous cover 

over the underlying rock where these sites are located. Further offshore of the Sites, sidescan sonar 

survey in 2000 showed the presence of gravel deposits and gravel interspersed with sand and silt ribbons 

(Figure F-1).

To have a baseline of the benthic infaunal community prior to disposal, the USACE surveyed areas 

within and around the North and South Sites in May and September 1999 and June and September 2000. 

The USACE took 5 replicate grabs at each of the stations (Figure 1). The stations discussed here are 

those that are within the North and South Sites. The data gathered outside the designated sites are 

contained within USACE 2001 and 2003 reports and will be used in future analyses of changes to 

species abundance and diversity within and outside the disposal sites. 

North Site. The May and September 1999 and the June and September 2000 surveys were similar in the 

number of species found at each sampling location. As for individual abundance, the May and 

September 1999 survey and the June 2000 were similar in abundance while the September 2000 

abundances were orders of magnitude greater. During the September 2000 survey, there appeared a large 

recruitment of opportunistic short-lived polychaetes, (Spiophanes bombyx and Megelona sacculate) into 

the North Site. The third most abundant species was the anthozoan, Halcampoides sp, a species that had 

not previously been one of the 5 most abundant species at the sampling locations. Otherwise, the other 

species with the greatest abundances were polychaetes and a crustacean. 

The benthic infaunal species found at the North Site sampling stations that had the greatest abundance 

were the same in May 1999 (YQ1), September 1999 (YQ1), and June 2000 (YQ1). However, station 

YQ24 in June 2000 only had one species (in the top 5), in common with the other stations mentioned 

(the polychaete Nephtys caecoides). In September 2000, when benthic infaunal abundance increased

greatly at both YQ1 and YQ24 sites, the infauna was dominated by 3 species that had not been seen in 

1999 or in June 2000 at YQ 1. These species were observed at YQ24 in June 2000 in the top 5 in the 

prior 3 surveys (1 polychaete, 1 crustacean, and 1 anthozoan). It does appear that variation in species 

and their abundance can be fairly site specific. At the two sampling stations in the North Site in June 
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2000, only 1 out of the 5 most abundant species were the same at both stations. 

The 1999 and 2000 September surveys at the two stations within the North site indicated that dominant 

species (the polychaete Spiophanes bombys ) were the same at both stations. Another polychaete (either 

Nephtys sp or Magelona sp.) was second most abundant. The third most abundant species was either an

anthozoan (Halcampoides sp.) or a polychaete (Notomastus sp), and either polychaetes or crustaceans

filled out the rest of the top 5 most abundant species. 

The dominant mollusc genus at the North Site was the carnivorous gastropod, Olivella. Dendraster 

excentricus, sand dollar, was not found in high abundance at the North Site whereas they were a 

dominant species at the stations in the South Site.

South Site. The May and September 1999 and the June and September 2000 surveys were similar in the 

number of species found at each sampling location. As for individual abundance, the May and 

September 1999 survey and the June 2000 were similar in abundance while the September 2000 

abundances were orders of magnitude greater. During the September 2000 survey, there appeared a large 

recruitment of opportunistic short-lived polychaetes, (Spiophanes bombyx and Magelona sacculate).

Another species which showed up in September 2000 in high abundances but was not at such levels was 

the anthozoan, Halcampoides sp. Otherwise; the other species with the greatest abundance were 

polychaetes, a crustacean, and juvenile razor clams at one station. 

The benthic infaunal species found at the South Site stations that had the greatest abundance were very 

similar in May 1999, September 1999, and June 2000. In September 2000, when benthic infaunal 

abundance increased greatly at all stations, the infauna was dominated by 3 species that had not been 

present at high abundance in 1999 or in June 2000. These species were the same top three most 

abundant species at all 4 stations sampled in September 2000: Spiophanes bombyx, Magelona sacculata

(polychaetes), Halcampoides sp. (anthozoan).

In the May 1999, September 1999, and June 2000, the most abundant species was fairly consistent 

between seasons and sampling stations. Dendraster excentricus (sand dollar), Notomastus lineatus

(polychaete), Olivella pycna (gastropod), Nemerteinea sp. (ribbon worm), Nephtys caecoides

(polychaetes), and Eohaustorius sencillus (crustacean) dominated the top five most abundant species. In 

general, the species abundance and diversity at each station was fairly representative of the community 

structure at the other stations. 

The large abundance increases of particular species at the both the North and South Sites in September 

2000 is postulated to have been attributed to upwelling on the Oregon coast (Marine Taxanomic 

Services 2003). Magelona sacculate and Spiophanes bombyx are two species that show a marked 

increase in the population densities in fall 2000. Most of this density increase was attributed to juvenile 

recruitment. 

Disposal Sites

The disposal sites include the sea bottom and overlying water column within the coordinates specified in 

the applicable Federal Register Final Rule designating the individual sites (Table F-1).
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Table 1. Coordinates, Dimensions, and Depths of the Yaquina Bay North and South ODMDS

Yaquina North ODMDS (North American Datum 1983)

44° 38‘ 17.98‖ N, 124° 07‘ 25.95‖ W

44° 38‘ 12.86‖ N, 124° 06‘ 31.10‖ W

44° 37‘ 14.33‖ N, 124° 07‘ 37.57‖ W

44° 37‘ 09.22‖ N, 124° 06‘ 42.73‖ W

Dimensions: 4,000‘ width by 6,500‘ long

Depth Range: 112-152 feet

Yaquina South ODMDS (North American Datum 1983)

44° 36‘ 04.50‖ N, 124° 07‘ 52.66‖ W

44° 35‘ 59.39‖ N, 124° 06‘ 57.84‖ W

44° 35‘ 00.85‖ N, 124° 08‘ 04.27‖ W

44° 34‘ 55.75‖ N, 124° 07‘ 09.47‖ W

Dimensions: 4,000‘ wide by 6,500‘ long

Depth Range: 112-152 feet

Placement Area (also called Disposal Area)

The placement area is defined as the area of the sea bottom that will be immediately occupied by 

disposed dredged material released at the water surface on an annual basis, and/or over the anticipated 

life of the disposal site. The Yaquina North and South Sites are at depths (greater than 60-feet) where 

material is not expected to move substantially off the site. Thus, these are considered non-dispersive 

sites so the material will not remain part of the Newport littoral cell (Appendix B pages B-21 to B-25). 

Although one of the Corps‘ and the EPA‘s sediment management objectives is to keep material within 

the littoral cell, given the nearshore shallow Yaquina reef complex at depths of 45- 50 feet which runs 

the entire north-south length of the ZSF, it is not possible for dredges to dispose of material safely in the 

shallow depths that are landward of the reef. Thus, the Yaquina North and South Sites will be managed 

as sites with a finite lifespan which requires placement to be managed on a seasonal or annual cycle. The 

EPA and the USACE will need to consider placement of future disposal sites based on the presumed

finite capacity of the North and South Sites. 

Anticipated Capacity 

Section 102(c)(3)(D) of the MPRSA requires that the SMMP include consideration of the quantity of 

material to be disposed of at the site. A projection of 310,000 cy per year per site (based on past 

dredging volumes) was used with a 20-year lifespan (typical engineering planning time horizon) to size 

both of the North and South Sites (see Appendix B, Table B-1 for historic disposal quantities and pages 

B-21 to B-25). After 10 dredging seasons (2010 bathymetric surveys), smaller areas near the center of 

the North Site drop zone have mounded 10-12 feet above the 2001 baseline bathymetry while in the rest 

of the drop zone, mounding ranges from 2 to 10 feet. This is less than the 14-foot design height for the 

20-year site life discussed in detail in Appendix B (pages B-35 to B-37). This indicates that due to 

reduced quantities of material dredged in the last ten years and proper management of the placement of 

the material, the site life of the disposal sites may be longer than the original 20 year use-period as 

calculated in 2001 particularly if the trend of reduced disposal volumes over historical levels continues.

The South Site has all of its original capacity remaining.
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Anticipated Site Use

Section 102(c)(3)(E) of the MPRSA requires that the SMMP include consideration of the anticipated use 

of the site. Primary and regular use of the Yaquina Bay Sites is expected by the USACE for the disposal 

of dredged material removed from the federal navigation project on an annual maintenance schedule. It 

is also expected that the sites will be used for disposal of material dredged by other public or private 

entities pursuant to a permit as required by Section 103 of the MPRSA. These individual Section 103 

permits (which could be multiple-year authorizations up to 7 years) will be issued by the USACE 

Regulatory Branch after the EPA concurrence. Individual permits generally require public notice and 

require other federal consultations (e.g., Endangered Species Act, Essential Fish Habitat) and 

authorizations (e.g., water quality certification) prior to issuance. As mentioned above, over the last 10 

years, only one other entity (Port of Toledo) other than the USACE has disposed at the Yaquina Sites. 

The volume of material that the Port of Toledo disposed of at the North Site was 1.4% of the total 

volume of material disposed of at the Sites since 2001. 

The USACE‘s authorized federal navigation project extends from the entrance of Yaquina up to RM 

14.0 in Toledo. The project includes the turning basin in Depot Slough at Toledo and the South Beach 

marina access channel. 

Site Management 

Goal and Objectives

The primary goal of this SMMP is to assure that disposal activities will not unreasonably degrade or 

endanger human health, welfare, the marine environment, or economic potentialities (MPRSA Section 

103(a)). This goal, and the subsequent objectives, applies generally to all of the EPA‘s Oregon Coast 

ODMD sites:

1. Avoid the creation of persistent mounds that can negatively impact the wave climate;

2. Minimize impacts on coastal sediment circulation by keeping sediment in the littoral zone to the 

extent practicable;

3. Minimize long-term adverse effects to coastal and marine resources2; 

4. Minimize interference with other uses of the ocean; 

5. Promote safe and efficient dredge operations;

6. Document disposal and monitoring activities at the disposal sites.

The EPA is meeting all of these goals at the Yaquina Sites, to the maximum extent practicable. For 

objective #2, the EPA is not able to keep the material in the littoral cell because Yaquina Reef runs 

 

2 EPA and USACE statutory authority, regulations and guidance define this goal as the need to rigorously assess the material 

and location for disposal and to test when needed, and adjust where necessary how materials are to be disposed. Testing and 

adjustments under applicable guidance generally leads to a change in management strategies for the material rather than 

leading to a decision not to dump the material. Implicit in the guidance and in the application of the regulatory criteria is that 

a level of adverse effect is to be expected but that those effects are to be limited so as to avoid reaching a level of effect too 

severe to be endured. In essence  ̳effects that are too severe to be endured‘ are to be avoided. Consequently, some level of 

adversity is anticipated and the term implicitly recognizes that an exercise of professional judgment when looking at the 

severity of effects is called for. Furthermore, Congress directly authorized EPA to look at the severity of effects in light of the 

need to refrain from impairing foreign and domestic commerce. It must also be recognized that the term does not mean  ̳no 

adverse effects.‘ With respect to disposal of materials in the ocean, those effects that do not satisfy the applicable 

prohibitions, limits, and conditions of the regulations for disposal of material in the ocean are to be avoided.
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parallel along the shoreline. The presence of Yaquina Reef close to shore at shallow depths prevents

nearshore ODMDS designation and dredged material disposal in dispersive locations at depths of less 

than 60 feet. Thus, the EPA recognizes that for the Yaquina North and South Sites, the material will not 

be kept within the Newport littoral cell. 

To achieve the aforementioned objectives, the EPA and the USACE will do the following: 

1. Avoid the creation of persistent mounds:

 Conduct annual bathymetric surveys.

 Dump plans will be developed for each Site where disposal will occur. Dump plans establish

cells within the Site to ensure uniform placement. Dump plans may be adjusted during each 

disposal season to utilize different portions or cells in the Site(s) as needed. 

 Disposal may be alternated as necessary between the two Sites to allow for maximum 

dispersal and minimal impact. The North Site is anticipated to receive more frequent use but 

this may change as conditions warrant.

2. Minimize long-term adverse effects to coastal and marine resources:

 Place material in a uniform manner. For the Yaquina Sites, the EPA and the USACE will 

implement a uniform placement strategy. At the Yaquina Bay Sites uniform placement 

means the spreading of disposal material throughout the Sites, rather than spot dumping. 

Uniform placement at the Sites is expected to result in a relatively uniform accumulation on 

the bottom. Application of ―uniform placement‖ is an expected outcome over the long-term 

and multiple-year disposals, rather than a placement regime to be achieved during each 

dredging season.

 A hopper dredge would be used for the majority of dredged material disposal. Hopper 

dredges will be moving during disposal, spreading material across disposal cells as much as 

possible, resulting in uniform placement of material and thinner disposal layers than point 

dumping (modeling estimates were from 2 to 7 cm thickness, based on grain size, depth of 

fall after release, ambient current strength, and other factors) (Appendix B, pages B-35 to B45). 

 The majority of the material will be of similar grain size to that at the disposal site such that 

any changes to the composition of the benthic infaunal and epifaunal communities are 

minimized. 

 Conduct benthic monitoring (grabs for infaunal invertebrates, benthic trawls) every 5 years 

within and outside the disposal sites, as EPA resources allow. Monitoring will be conducted 

such that statistical analyses of community structure indices at disposal and non-disposal 

areas can be compared.

3 Benthic trawls will be conducted within and outside the disposal 

sites to qualitatively compare absence/presence and abundance of species. Results will be 

reviewed by the EPA, in coordination with State and Federal marine resource agencies. The 

EPA will then determine the significance of these ecological results and any needed 

subsequent actions. 

 At present, the North Site will continue to be the preferred placement area. During some

 

3

The USACE collected 5 samples from each station in their 1999, 2000, and 2002 benthic grab survey and used the data to calculate the 

number of species, frequency of occurrence, and community structure indices (Shannon-Weiner Diversity Index; Simpson Diversity Value, 

evenness, and species richness) at each station. EPA would use this approach or similar for future benthic grab sampling. 
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periods, disposal may be alternated between the two sites as necessary to allow for safe and 

maximum usage of the Sites. Before sites reach the 14-foot mound increase threshold (over 

the 2001 baseline), re-evaluation of disposal impacts on the wave climate will be initiated. 

The use of the South Site is more dependent upon wind and wave conditions, particularly in 

April and May.

3. Minimize interference with other uses of the ocean:

 For example, a potential use conflict could be with Dungeness crab fishing. This user conflict 

will be minimized by the USACE notifying the Dungeness Crab Commission when disposal 

will occur. It is then the responsibility of the point of contact at the commission to notify the 

crabbers so that pots are not placed during disposal.

 For other users receiving an individual permit from the USACE Regulatory Division the 

Dungeness Crab Commission will be notified in the following manner: 1) the USACE will 

send a courtesy copy of the permit to the Oregon Dungeness Crab Commission; and 2) the 

permittee will notify the Oregon Dungeness Crab Commission at least 14 days prior to 

disposal.

4. Promote safe and efficient dredge operations.

5. Document disposal and monitoring activities at the North and South ODMDS:

 For permits issued under section 103 of the MPRSA by the USACE and concurred upon by 

the EPA, the applicant/permittee will provide the EPA and the USACE the beginning and 

ending points of each disposal, volume disposed, and dates of disposal within 60 days of 

completing disposal in each calendar year that disposal occurs. 

 The USACE will prepare an annual ODMDS summary report documenting surveys (physical 

or biological), sediment testing (physical and chemical) if conducted, disposal volumes, and 

beginning and ending dates of each period of disposal during the dredging season, for the 

prior disposal season (defined as April through October). The USACE will provide this 

document to the EPA prior to the following dredging season in the annual summary report 

(described under section ―Special Management Considerations or Practices‖); the EPA may 

review and provide comments to the USACE on the document before the USACE finalizes 

the document. 

 Every 5 years the USACE will provide the EPA with a map of the dump track lines for the 

prior disposal year (April through October). 

These specific Site objectives will be periodically reassessed and/or revised as needed. 

Monitoring

Section 102(c)(3)(B) of the MPRSA requires that the SMMP include a program for monitoring the Sites. 

The main purpose of a disposal site monitoring program is to determine whether dredged material site 

management practices, including disposal operations, at the site need to be changed to avoid 

unreasonable degradation or endangerment of human health or welfare or the marine environment

(EPA/USACE 1996). To achieve this, the EPA and the USACE will conduct routine monitoring and 

special studies, as warranted, and review that information within an adaptive management context.4

 

4 Adaptive management is defined as: A systematic approach for improving resource management, environmental 
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The following specific monitoring objectives are identified to support the SMMP goal and objectives 

listed previously for the Yaquina Bay North and South Sites:

1) Ensure that dredged material is being placed as required by this SMMP and the provisions as 

codified in the Federal Register for the Sites; 

2) Ensure that the dredged material is behaving as predicted during placement:

a) Dredge material does not create persistent and adverse wave-generating mounds

b) Dredge material remains on-site

3) Unreasonable degradation of the marine environment is not occurring;

Routine Monitoring

The EPA, in collaboration with the USACE will conduct routine monitoring of the physical, chemical, 

and biological conditions to address the monitoring objectives above. The monitoring frequency for 

these parameters will be at regular intervals but different frequencies. 

 Physical Monitoring. Bathymetric surveys will be conducted by the USACE annually, 

usually in the spring. The number and length of transects required for annual assessment will 

be sufficient to encompass the disposal area. The survey area will extend at least one survey 

transect beyond the disposal area.

The survey results will be compared to the initial bathymetric baseline survey (February 12, 

2001), designation baseline survey (Spring 2012), and the previous year‘s survey to evaluate 

cumulative changes between years. This information will assist in determining the site 

utilization plan for the upcoming dredging season. 

The survey results will be used to monitor the disposal mound and assist in verification of 

material placement, to monitor bathymetric changes and trends, to ensure disposed dredged 

material stays onsite, and ensure that the Site capacity is not exceeded. In addition, other 

historical surveys from the area will be retained and used as needed to determine trends and 

gather information relevant to site management. More intensive monitoring will be employed 

when annual bathymetry or direct field observation reveals persistent mounding, or a rapid 

increase from the previous year. If this information is collected, it will be provided to the 

EPA in the annual summary reports. The results of bathymetric surveys will be available to 

the public either on the EPA and/or USACE website, or through individual request. 

Disposed dredged material is expected to move offsite gradually over time during extreme 

storm events. If bathmetry indicates potential for movement of dredged material beyond the 

disposal site boundaries in an onshore direction, the EPA and the USACE would review 

those findings to determine the significance of the movement of sediment and if needed, may 

use sediment profile (SPI) imaging, video camera monitoring, a Remotely Operated Vehicle 

(ROV) or other appropriate technology as warranted. 

 Chemical Monitoring. Chemical testing of dredged material intended to be disposed of at the 

Yaquina Sites will occur prior to disposal. For the USACE‘s federal navigation project, the 

 

governance, and decision-making by learning from actual management outcomes. Based on the objective measurements of 

such outcomes and in light of new scientific information, management should change, or adapt its program to better achieve 

the outcomes desired to better create and maintain sustainable marine ecosystems. [Taken from DOI, Technical Guide: What 

is Adaptive Management? http://www.doi.gov/initiatives/AdaptiveManagement/TechGuide/Chapter1.pdf.] 
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agency characterizes the physical and chemical properties of the material according to the 

Sediment Evaluation Framework (2009) guidance for dredging projects in the Pacific 

Northwest. Currently, the USACE characterizes dredged material from their federal 

navigation project every 5 years. All other users seeking to dispose at either the North or 

South sites must conduct chemical testing of proposed dredged material per the requirements 

of the SEF 2009 prior to being approved for disposal. 

Ecological Monitoring. Monitoring of the benthic infauna and epifauna will occur every 5 years 

from the approval or review of an SMMP, as the EPA resources allow. Information collected 

from these studies could be incorporated into the revised SMMP. Such monitoring would include 

surveys (benthic grabs and trawl surveys) within and outside the disposal areas. Monitoring will 

be conducted such that statistical analyses of diversity indices can be compared. The EPA will 

determine specific sampling methodology including seasonality, frequency, and sampling 

stations, subsequent to the approval of this SMMP and in coordination with the USACE and 

other federal and state agencies responsible for marine resources. It is anticipated that ecological 

monitoring will be documented as stand-alone reports to be used in adaptively managing the 

Yaquina Sites. The EPA will make the final determination of what monitoring activities are 

appropriate.

Special Studies

Special studies are non-routine studies of specified duration that are intended to address specific 

questions or issues that are not covered by routine monitoring events but may arise from routine 

monitoring. If such studies are justified, as determined by The EPA in collaboration with the USACE, 

then the EPA would work with the appropriate entity or agency to design and implement the needed 

study. The EPA has final authority in determining the need, scope, and scale of the special studies. 

A special study may be warranted if through either routine monitoring or outside academic or other 

credible research, site specific data emerges that a group of species, a single species, or species life stage 

found in the vicinity of the disposal sites and not analyzed and discussed in the EA, may be at risk of 

significant adverse affects from disposal. Another example of when a special study would be needed is 

if an accident or spill occurred that impacted the Sites. Under this example, the EPA would work with 

the party responsible for such an accident to determine the appropriate studies needed to address the 

effect of the incident on the Sites and whether specific contingency or possible enforcement action 

would be necessary. The results of any special studies would be used to refine future management 

objectives and practices, modify routine monitoring requirements, or reset baseline conditions. 

Depending on study objectives, technical assistance or advice would be sought from other agencies and 

entities. 

Adaptive Management

The EPA, in collaboration with the USACE, may confer and discuss with other federal and State 

agencies, as necessary, and will determine which of the following outcomes from the physical, chemical, 

and ecological monitoring from routine monitoring or special studies is appropriate, and if needed, how 

the changes or activities will be undertaken and by whom. The EPA will make the final determination of 

what monitoring activities are appropriate.

No Change:

a. No Change Required (e.g., routine monitoring reveals no cause for concern; disposal and 
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monitoring continue as planned).

b. No Change Possible (e.g., one-time event or accident took place at a Site - while there may be 

no change in disposal operations, other actions may be appropriate).

Additional Information Required:

Adjust routine monitoring (e.g., go to more frequent bathymetric surveys; conduct physical, chemical or 

biological monitoring).

a. Require a special study.

Operational Change Required:

a. Scheduling (e.g., adjust time periods or rates of disposal).

b. Adjust placement of material within a Site (e.g., place material in a different manner).

c. Restrict type or quantity of material placed at a Site.

Change Sites:

Relocate disposal activities from one Site to another (i.e., days to weeks); follow-up with 

monitoring to determine if additional attention is warranted.

Discontinue Disposal Site Use: 

a. Cease Disposal – short-term (e.g., 1 season). A known temporary condition took place which 

merits discontinued use for a short period of time; follow-up with monitoring to determine if 

additional attention is warranted.

Cease Disposal – long-term. Typically, this would occur when routine monitoring or a special 

study confirms an unacceptable condition persists. This would require Site modification or 

identification and designation of a new site(s).

The aforementioned actions will be applied to the results of the physical, chemical, and ecological 

monitoring to avoid unreasonable degradation or endangerment to human health or welfare, or the 

marine environment. The EPA will use the following as a guide for further action: 

 If physical seafloor monitoring shows seafloor elevations at 14-feet above the 2001 baseline 

elevations over more than 30% of the Site, the USACE will re-evaluate disposal impacts on the 

wave climate. If mounds above this threshold become widespread or persistent, the USACE and 

the EPA will conduct additional site assessment to determine if further site restrictions or change 

in disposal methodology are needed.

 If routine bathymetric monitoring shows movement of significant volumes of dredged material 

off the sites in an onshore direction, the Corps and the EPA will conduct additional monitoring to 

determine the extent of movement and the potential effect on bottom habitat in the vicinity of the 

reef, and if appropriate, determine if special studies are needed.

 For chemical monitoring of the dredged material prior to disposal, if screening levels (as defined 

in the 2009 SEF) are exceeded, additional biological testing would be required. A determination 

as to the suitability of that material for disposal at the North or South Site is made by the 

interagency Portland Sediment Evaluation Team with a final decision made by the EPA. 

 For ecological monitoring, unreasonable degradation of the marine environmental could be 

triggered by, increasing the volume of disposal material, changing the disposal operation to 
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something other than uniform placement, or increasing the days of the disposal. 

Site management and monitoring will be adjusted at any time as conditions warrant. If the EPA has 

reason to believe that human health and safety may be adversely impacted by Site use and/or that the 

marine environment at the Sites may be at an increased risk of degradation or other adverse impact, 

additional testing or monitoring may be required and Site use may be restricted or terminated while Site

assessment is underway. The USACE and the EPA may discuss Site monitoring with other federal and 

state agencies to receive their feedback.

Special Management Conditions or Practices

Section 102 (c)(3)(C) of the MPRSA requires that the SMMP include special management conditions or 

practices to be implemented at each site that are necessary for the protection of the environment. The 

following special management conditions or practices will be implemented at the Yaquina Bay North 

and South Sites.

1) Placement Strategy. The placement strategy has a large influence on the consequences of disposal in 

any site. Placement strategies vary, ranging from individual dumps to the long-term distribution of 

material. Both the EPA and USACE policy establishes a preference for beneficial use of dredged 

material when practical. For the reasons discussed earlier, this is not possible at the Yaquina Sites. 

For the Yaquina Sites, the EPA and the USACE will implement a uniform placement strategy. At the 

Yaquina Bay Sites uniform placement means the spreading of disposal material throughout the Sites, 

rather than spot dumping. Uniform placement at the Sites is expected to result in a relatively uniform 

accumulation on the bottom. Application of ―uniform placement‖ is an expected outcome over the 

long-term and multiple-year disposals, rather than a placement regime that needs to be achieved 

during each dredging season.

Dredged material is to be preferentially placed in the North Site, if capacity is available in that 

location. Exceptions to this requirement may include: (1) material or equipment incompatibility; (2) 

weather or navigation safety conflicts (e.g., use of multiple dredges); (3) expected volumes exceed 

annual capacity in any year; and/or (4) specific restriction or direction by the EPA.

2) Dump plans. The USACE will prepare a dump plan for each year, and shall be available upon 

request by the EPA. 

3) Quantity, Seasonal Weather and Environmental Restrictions. Quantities placed at the North and 

South Sites will vary year-to-year depending on shoaling. Disposal volumes and placement will be 

closely monitored and documented to verify uniform placement and to assess dispersive capability. 

Adverse sea and weather conditions limit dredging and disposal to a period typically from June 15

through October 31, although the USACE usually dredges the Yaquina Bay project approximately 4 

to 6 days in April and May. Even during the dredging season, storm events can restrict disposal 

events. Environmental restrictions may be imposed on disposal. In the event that new information or 

monitoring results reveal the need for any additional restrictions, disposal activities may be 

scheduled so as to avoid unreasonable degradation of the marine environment. 

4) Equipment Considerations. The type of dredge used influences the dimensions of the individual and 

cumulative dump mound. Hopper dredges are the dredge-type normally deployed at Yaquina Bay for 
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sandy material. Hopper dredges, such as the USACE‘ multiple bottom-door hopper dredge Yaquina, 

produce a thinner deposit than the typical split-hull contract hopper dredges at any given water 

depth. Material discharged from a split-hull barge is typically more consolidated than material 

discharged from a hopper dredge. Bottom dump scows and split haul hopper dredges may be used at 

Yaquina. The current proportion of use between a hopper dredge versus split-hull barge allows a 

uniform placement strategy to occur. 

5) Equipment Requirements and Discharge Point. Hopper dredges or clamshell and barge operations 

could include USACE and private contract dredges and barges. All such operations are required to 

meet all U.S. Coast Guard requirements for safety. They are also required to use modern global 

positioning equipment capable of fixing their location within plus or minus 3 feet to ensure that 

material is placed within the designated disposal sites. As stated in the reporting requirements 

section, daily records are required of dredgers indicating where material was dredged and where and 

how material was placed when disposed. For individual permittees, the start and endpoint 

coordinates for each load disposed at the North or South Sites must be recorded and shall be reported 

to the EPA within 60 days of completing disposal in each calendar year that disposal occurs. For the 

USACE federal navigation dredging and disposal, the start and endpoint coordinates for each load 

disposed at the North or South Sites must be recorded and shall be provided to the EPA when 

requested. 

6) Debris Removal Provisions. Debris is material that could cause interference with particular uses of 

the ocean. Floatable debris might include logs, wood chunks, or plastics that can be navigation 

hazards, foul beaches, or harm marine life. Non-floatable debris may cause conflicts with bottom-net 

or trawl fishing and includes materials such as logs, pilings, rip-rap and concrete. As a general rule, 

non-floatable, non-sediment materials that would pass through a 24-inch x 24-inch mesh is not 

considered debris if it is natural in origin and only occasionally found within, and therefore dredged 

as part of, the sediment matrix. This would only be a potential issue for clamshell dredging as 

hopper and pipeline dredges are incapable of picking up large debris.

Typically, the planning or permitting process assesses the potential risks of any debris that could be 

encountered during dredging. Should debris be identified as a potential issue, the USACE or the 

EPA may make dredging or disposal area inspections to ensure that a contractor is in compliance 

with the approved operating plans, and that debris is removed prior to discharge at the Sites. The 

preference is that floatable debris be removed at the dredging area; however, circumstances may 

occur where it must be picked out of the water at the disposal area. Clamshell-dredged sediments, 

which contain debris that is not easily removed, may require screening through a 24-inch x 24-inch 

mesh or grid structure. The mesh must be periodically cleaned and the debris disposed of according 

to the approved dredging and disposal plan

Dredging contractors and USACE dredge captains are required to maintain a record of the handling 

of debris encountered during dredging and disposal. Compliance inspectors may review these 

records. If debris is encountered, copies of dredging logs recording management of debris shall be 

provided to the EPA. 

7) Quantity of Material and Presence of Contamination. Section 102(c)(3)(D) of the MPRSA requires 

that management plans include consideration of the quantity of the material to be disposed of at the 

site, and the presence, nature, and bioavailability of the contaminants in the material.
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The EPA anticipates that the average annual volume of material to be disposed of at the Sites will be 

310,000 cy, with a maximum annual volume of 495,000 cy. Only clean dredged material can be 

placed into the Sites per current statutes and regulations (SEF 2009). Material suitability must be 

documented prior to disposal at the Sites. This must be completed as part of regulatory permitting 

(non-USACE) or the USACE substantive review process for specific dredging projects where 

disposal at the Yaquina sites is proposed. The EPA will evaluate all sediments to be placed at the 

Yaquina Bay North and South Sites according to applicable current requirements of the MPRSA, the 

national testing manual, Evaluation of Dredged Material Proposed for Ocean Disposal

(USACE/EPA 1991) and the regional Sediment Evaluation Framework for the Pacific Northwest

(SEF 2009) or their subsequent replacements.

Sediment characterization results of dredged material approved to be disposed at the Yaquina Bay 

Sites shall typically be retained by the USACE—either as the entity responsible for the dredging and 

disposal [Planning and/or Operations and Maintenance (O&M) program] or the permitting agency 

(regulatory permits). Ultimately, all sediment data will be routinely entered into a publicly available 

sediment database. The EPA will retain secondary copies of sediment characterizations.

8) Annual Site Review. The EPA and the USACE will meet annually to discuss the prior calendar 

year‘s use of the Yaquina Bay Sites. Prior to the meeting, the USACE will prepare a summary report 

for the prior dredging/disposal year. The summary report will include: results of sediment 

characterization (if conducted) and testing recency of material proposed for discharge, the predredging/disposal hydrographic surveys (typically conducted the previous spring), and dredge 

operating parameters. In addition, the site review meeting will include discussion on any operational 

adjustments that should be implemented in the upcoming dredging/disposal year, identify Site 

capacities, expected volumes to be disposed, sediment characterizations if applicable, testing recency 

of material proposed for discharge, dredging and disposal techniques, timing and locations, routine 

monitoring (e.g. annual bathymetry and comparisons to previous bathymetry) and/or special studies, 

and other considerations drawing on the then-current Site use conditions and SMMP. 

The USACE, as prime user of the Sites and as permitting authority, will prepare the summary report

and provide it to the EPA each spring. Once reviewed by the EPA, with an opportunity for the 

EPA‘s recommendations/suggested changes to be incorporated, and with an opportunity for the 

USACE and the EPA to discuss any more-recent site-specific information, the summary will 

constitute the template for that year‘s disposal. The EPA recognizes that the summary cannot 

anticipate every operational situation. Day-to-day flexibility in dredging and disposal decisions will 

be necessary; however, the user will make every effort to consult and coordinate with the EPA and 

will seek the EPA‘s concurrence before changes are initiated. Such changes could include decisions 

to increase the spacing between dumping positions, to shift disposal operations to other portions of 

the Sites, or to redistribute placement of material between the Sites.

9) Record-keeping and reporting. The EPA must review and concur on USACE-issued dredged 

material ocean disposal permits, and for USACE dredged material ocean disposal (33 CFR Part 

336.2(d) [2]-[5]). The EPA‘s concurrence for either of these activities may result in additional 

conditions that affect record-keeping and reporting requirements (as deemed necessary to support 

Site management). Permittees/applicants are required to keep daily records of disposal activities 

indicating where material was dredged and where and how material was disposed at the Site(s); the 
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start and endpoint coordinates must be recorded for each load placed. 

The summary report from the USACE to the EPA for their federal navigation disposal events at the 

North and South Sites must include the following: physical surveys conducted the prior year, 

sediment characterization results (physical and chemical) if completed, disposal volumes and 

beginning and ending dates for each disposal for the previous disposal year (April through October.). 

The USACE will provide this document to the EPA prior to the following dredging season; the EPA 

will review and provide comments to the USACE on the document before the USACE finalizes the 

document. When needed for adaptive management, the USACE and/or the EPA may also request 

placement plots showing which portions of each Site were used for disposal that dredging year.

The annual site review report and data reports from routine monitoring or special studies must be 

compiled and submitted to the EPA (ATTN: Region 10, Pacific Northwest Ocean Dumping 

Coordinator). These results will be evaluated by the EPA and USACE, and these agencies will 

attempt to make consensus decisions concerning the need for management changes regarding the 

Sites. While a consensus process is the goal, the EPA has final authority over Site management 

decisions. Finally, the EPA should receive notification when in-water work is to begin. In spring of 

any given year, the EPA should receive an annual dredging schedule from the USACE in advance of 

the dredging season. The EPA should receive updates (via telephone or email) to the schedule as 

they become available, with the EPA notified by the USACE not less than 15 days prior to the 

beginning of a dredging cycle or project disposal. Holders of Section 103 permits shall notify the 

EPA not less than 20 days prior to use of the Sites in a given dredging year.

10) Inspection and surveillance provisions. The EPA will typically utilize the inspection and 

surveillance capabilities of the USACE and the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG). For example, contract 

dredges are periodically inspected by USACE personnel to ensure dredging and disposal takes place 

in the correct locations, and USACE dredges are responsible for ensuring their own proper 

positioning. The EPA may also choose to implement its own inspection and surveillance 

requirements using the EPA personnel or contractors. It is expected that the EPA and the USACE 

will coordinate with each other on any special inspections and surveillance.

11) The EPA may condition, terminate or restrict site use with cause.

SMMP Review and Revision

Section 102(c)(3)(F) of the MPRSA requires that SMMPs include a schedule for plan review and 

revision. At a minimum, the EPA will conduct a substantive review of the SMMP no less frequently 

than every 10 years once it has been finalized. The EPA will consider the results of the monitoring or 

special studies during this review, or at intervening times if it is warranted, and update the SMMP as 

necessary to avoid unreasonable degradation or endangerment of human health or welfare or the marine 

environment. The EPA will conduct these reviews with the USACE and other federal and state marine 

resource agencies, technical experts, and stakeholders.

References

Auth, T.D. and R.D. Brodeur. 2006. Distribution and community structure of ichthyoplankton off the 

coast of Oregon, USA, in 2000 and 2002. Marine Ecology Progress Series 319:199-213.
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Auth, T.D., R.D. Brodeur., and K.M. Fisher. 2007. Diel variation in vertical distribution of an offshore 

ichthyoplankton community off the Oregon Coast. Fish Bulletin 105:313-326.

Brodeur, R.D., D.M. Gadomski, W.G. Pearcy, H.P. Batchelder, and C.B. Miller. 1985. Abundance and 

distribution of ichthyoplankton in the upwelling zone off Oregon during anomalous El Niño 

conditions. Estuarine Coastal and Shelf Science 21:365-378.

EPA/USACE. 1996. Guidance Document for Development of Site Management Plans for Ocean 

Dredged Material Disposal Sites. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. U.S. Army Corps of

Engineers. www.epa.gov/owow/oceans/ndt/publications/pdf/1996_smmp_guidance.pdf Accessed 

December 2011. 

Keister, J.E. and W.T. Peterson. 2003. Zonal and seasonal variations in zooplankton community 

structure off the central Oregon Coast, 1998-2000. Progress in Oceanography 57:341-361.

Marine Taxonomic Services. 2003. Final Report. A Comparative Study - Part C 1999-2002 Yaquian

Bay Ocean Dredged Material Disposal Site. Benthic Infauna Evaluation Prepared For: U.S. Army 

Corps of Engineers Portland District Portland, Oregon

Peterson, W.T. and Miller, C.B. 1977. Seasonal cycle of zooplankton abundance and species 

composition along the central Oregon Coast. Fishery Bulletin 75:717–724.

Richardson, S.L. 1973. Abundance and distribution of larval fishes in waters off Oregon, May-October 

1969, with special emphasis on the northern anchovy, Engraulis mordax. Fishery Bulletin 71:697-

711.

Richardson, S.L. and W.G. Pearcy. 1977. Coastal and oceanic larvae in an area of upwelling off 

Yaquina Bay, Oregon. Fishery Bulletin 75:125-145.

SEF (Sediment Evaluation Framework). May 2009. Sediment Evaluation Framework for the Pacific 

Northwest. Prepared by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Seattle, Portland, and Walla Walla Districts 

and Northwestern Division; U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 10; Washington 

Departments of Ecology and Natural Resources; Oregon Department of Environmental Quality; 

Idaho Department of Environmental Quality; National Marine Fisheries Service; and U.S. Fish and 

Wildlife Service.

USACE/EPA (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency). February 

1991. Evaluation of Dredged Material Proposed for Ocean Disposal – Testing Manual (referred to as 

the OTM or the ―Green Book‖).