The Army Corps of Engineers announced plans to redo its current Draft Environmental Impact Statement for dredged material placement at Site 104 (an area of the Bay near Kent Island, MD) due to growing concern about the analysis. Redoing the Draft Environmental Impact Statement effectively delays for at least one year the decision about using Site 104 as a dumping ground.

“We are glad to see the Army Corps recognizes the significant short comings of its current environmental impact statement,” said Jenn Aiosa, staff scientist at Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s Maryland Office. “We are confident that the environmental consequences associated with dumping at Site 104 are great enough to remove it from consideration as a viable option. The Corps should concentrate on the alternatives that won’t harm the Bay.”

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation released formal comments on the Army Corps Draft Environmental Impact Statement on July 15 that noted several inaccuracies, oversights, and underestimates in the Corps’ analysis. CBF identified that damage to key species including oysters, crabs, rockfish, flounder, and bluefish from excessive nutrients and migrating sediment is higher than the DEIS suggested. Moreover, CBF contends that burying over-wintering blue crabs, degrading the habitat for numerous finfish, and potentially smothering nearby productive oyster beds are contrary to ongoing policies and programs aimed at protecting and restoring the bay’s water quality and living resources.

Click here for a copy of the CBF’s comments to the Army Corps.

Related Articles at TheChesapeakeBay.com

• Stop Open Bay Dumping at Site 104 - 2/22/99
• Rep. Gilchrest Asks Governor To Delay Site 104 Dumping - 5/26/99
• U.S. Rep. Gilchrest Seeks to Block Site 104 Dumping With Appropriations Legislation - 7/21/99
• Site 104 Victory! At Least For Now... - 7/30/99