Improving Emission Estimates and Understanding of Pollutant Dispersal for Impact Analysis of Beach Nourishment and Coastal Restoration Projects

Publication Title: Improving Emission Estimates and Understanding of Pollutant Dispersal for Impact Analysis of Beach Nourishment and Coastal Restoration Projects

Subject: Anthropogenic Properties
Air Quality; Coastal & Estuarine Habitats
Beach Nourishment; Coastal Restoration; Emissions Inventory; Dredging; Dispersion Modeling; Conformity

CSE Reference: ENVIRON International Corporation (Novato, CA). 2013. Improving emission estimates and understanding of pollutant dispersal for impact analysis of beach nourishment and coastal restoration projects. Herndon (VA): US Department of the Interior, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management. 70 p. Obligation No.: M10PC00088. Report No.: OCS Study BOEM 2013-123. URL: https://espis.boem.gov/Final%20Reports/5300.pdf

Abstract: The Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, National Environmental Policy Act, and Clean Air Act require the BOEM to ensure that beach nourishment and coastal restoration projects do not cause or contribute to the deterioration of air quality. Estimating a proposed activity’s emissions and evaluating the degree of dispersion of pollutants over the shallow inner continental shelf and coastal region are key elements of evaluating the potential effect of the proposed activities on air quality and determining appropriate mitigation. This study addresses the need for a standardized and technically defensible method for estimating criteria pollutant and GHG emissions associated with beach nourishment projects to ease the burden of preparing the required environmental reviews.