O/PH-1

Description:

Summary: The Maryland Port Administration's (MPA) Dredged Material Management Program (DMMP) Management Committee's Sediment Quality Workgroup (SQW; Workgroup) was established to support the DMMP's Innovative Reuse Committee's (IRC) final report to the Executive Committee. This report recommended an initiative to consolidate and review sediment data. Based on the IRC's recommendation, the Workgroup recommended to MPA that a scientific review of issues related to sediment quality in the Port of Baltimore's shipping channels be conducted. The general focus of the review, as related to Baltimore Harbor, should be the sediments of the entire Harbor, with an emphasis on the shipping channels. The characteristics of Harbor channels and the main Bay channels should be compared, including the potential for beneficial uses of these sediments. The review should also recommend scientific tools to evaluate dredged material for its suitability for use in various innovative reuse applications. The Maryland Environmental Services (MES) has selected UMCES/Maryland Sea Grant (MDSG) to perform the sediment review. MDSG will partner with the Chesapeake Research Consortium (CRC) to provide a team of national credible experts to provide an independent technical review of the sediment quality in the Harbor and the Bay channels. MDSG will provide the following services: project management, technical and reporting services, and conference calls/meetings. Work may also include supplemental services agreed to by the MPA and MES, consistent with the scope of work, available resources, and budget. Subcontracted services will be provided on a fixed price basis, not-to-exceed the available budget. Contingent items not budgeted will be funded within the overall price estimate, insofar as available resources permit; Otherwise, the work will be provided upon authorization of additional funds. The described services are to commence in March 2008 and shall run through December 2008, although a draft final report shall be submitted to the Workgroup within six months from the date of issuance of Notice to Proceed with the project.