Does the Corps test for contaminants, and how will hazardous levels of contaminants in sediments in the proposed areas to be dredged be determined?
A. The Corps does test sediments for contaminants. However, the bulk of dredged material from the project areas is made up of large percentages of find sand. Most contaminants typically do not bind with larger-grained materials such as sand. Limited industrial activity in the proposed project areas also reduces the chance that hazardous levels of contaminants are contained in dredged sediment. Historic sampling and analyses of sediments prior to dredging activities supports these findings. Q.
