December 15, 2011: Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe thanked the Long Beach Harbor Commissioners for their approval on Monday of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for placement of sediment within its Middle Harbor Terminal Redevelopment Project:
“I want to thank the Long Beach Harbor Commissioners for their support of this innovative and critical project,” said Supervisor Don Knabe. “With this approval, we have secured a disposal site for contaminated dredged materials from Marina del Rey. We are now one step closer to meeting the safety needs of boaters and first-responders in Marina del Rey, while assisting the Port of Long Beach with an important expansion project.
November 15, 2011: Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe announced an agreement with the United States Army Corps of Engineers and the Port of Long Beach for an important dredging project in Marina del Rey. Through the collaboration, the County saves millions of dollars and significantly reduces the project’s carbon footprint, while meeting the urgent needs of two local communities.
The project entails dredging up to 760,000 cubic yards of contaminated sediment from the Marina del Rey harbor entrance and transporting it by barge to the Port of Long Beach for a redevelopment project. This plan will save upwards of $85 million and eliminate the 42,000 truck trips through densely populated communities that would have been required to dispose of the sediment at inland landfill sites. In addition, approximately 140,000 cubic yards of clean sediment will be deposited offshore at Dockweiler State Beach and up to 75,000 cubic yards will be pumped on Redondo Beach to address beach erosion issues.
“This innovative agreement between federal and local agencies is a terrific example of government at all levels working together to solve regional issues,” said Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe. “This partnership was a once in a lifetime opportunity and the timing is perfect – Marina del Rey needs to get rid of sediment and Long Beach needs sediment. Besides being a win for both of these communities, we are saving millions of dollars through an environmentally sound solution. I want to thank the Army Corps of Engineers and all parties involved for their willingness to work together for the safety and benefit of the residents of Los Angeles county.”
A severe build-up of sediment around the north and south entrances to Marina del Rey has reduced navigation for recreational boaters. It is also a huge safety risk for first responders in the area, including the United States Coast Guard, Los Angeles County Lifeguard Baywatch and the Marina del Rey Sheriff’s boat patrol. These agencies respond to emergencies throughout Santa Monica Bay, including LAX and three major plants in the bay: Hyperion Treatment, Chevron Products and the Redondo Beach Power Plant.
“I am pleased to hear that the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors has approved additional funding for our dredging project at Marina del Rey,” said Col. Mark Toy, commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Los Angeles District. “This is another example of the quality partnership that exists between the Corps and the County of Los Angeles and the benefits the partnership provides. The next step in the process is for Corps headquarters to review and accept the additional funds approved by the Board of Supervisors. I’m confident that all relevant information and conditions will be considered and that a decision will occur as expeditiously as possible.”
Long Beach Port’s Middle Harbor Redevelopment Project will combine two aging shipping terminals into one modern terminal to improve cargo-movement efficiency and environmental performance. The project will upgrade wharfs, water access and storage areas, as well expand an on-dock rail, all while cutting air pollution and adding approximately 14,000 jobs in Southern California.
“The Middle Harbor Redevelopment Project provides an opportunity to safely dispose of dredge materials, while creating much-needed land for a cargo terminal expansion that will support thousands of new jobs,” said Richard D. Steinke, executive director of the Port of Long Beach. “This is a cost-effective reuse of contaminated sediments that otherwise would need to be hauled off by trucks to remote disposal sites. Regulatory and wildlife agencies have helped us to approve this sequestering of contaminated sediments in the most environmentally responsible way possible.”
The project is anticipated to begin in January 2012 with construction expected to be completed by September 2012.