About the National Dredging Team: Summary of 2005 Steering Committee Meeting

Background

On October 12, 2005, the National Dredging Team (NDT) Steering Committee met to review progress since the last meeting and to provide an update on implementation of the 2003 Actiona Agenda ("Dredged Material Management: Action Agenda for the Next Decade"). Meeting participants included: Steering Committee Co-Chairs Benjamin Grumbles of the U.S. EPA and the Honorable George Dunlop of the Department of the Army (DOA), principals and additional attendees.

Discussion Topics

Regional Dredging Team Support The Steering Committee recognized the outstanding efforts of the RDTs and emphasized the importance of increased coordination between the NDT and the RDTs. The Steering Committee thanked the New England Regional Dredging Team for both hosting the next RDT National Meeting and providing an overview of their work.

National Conference on Dredged Material Management in the WatershedThe importance of a watershed approach in dredged material management was highlighted, and the need for coordination among sediment and watershed managers was stressed. The Steering Committee gave their support for a national conference to bring together dredged material managers, watershed planners, and other interested stakeholders to discuss dredging and dredged material management in the watershed.

Beneficial UsesThe Steering Committee called attention to the importance of increasing beneficial use of dredged material for projects such as habitat restoration and shore protection and noted the importance of being able to track this use. The Steering Committee requested that the NDT provide an update on efforts to develop a beneficial use tracking system at the next Steering Committee meeting.

NDT Outreach Efforts A draft NDT outreach plan was reviewed by the Steering Committee. The Committee urged the NDT to continue this effort and to develop a clear message with an emphasis on communication with stakeholders.

Steering Committee Conclusions

Progress Implementing the Action Agenda The Steering Committee recognized that much progress has been made implementing the Action Agenda and noted that most actions are ongoing.

Role of the Steering CommitteeThe Steering Committee re-emphasized the role of Steering Committee to resolve policy issues and welcomed discussion of specific policy concerns at future meetings.

U.S. Department of Agriculture Participation The NDT will serve as the principal operating organization within the Marine Transportation System for dredging issues.

Action Agenda Finalized The U.S. Department of Agriculture joined the NDT as a participating agency and attended the Steering Committee meeting.

Regular NDT Steering Committee Meetings The Steering Committee directed the NDT to convene regular Steering Committee Meetings.

Meeting Attendees

Principals George Dunlop, NDT Steering Committee Co-Chair, Department of the Army Benjamin Grumbles, NDT Steering Committee Co-Chair, Environmental Protection Agency Eldon Hout, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Kevin Krick, Maritime Administration Robin Nims-Elliot (representing Dale Hall), Fish and Wildlife Service Rajiv Khandpur (representing Rear Admiral Thomas H. Gilmour), U.S. Coast Guard Merlyn Carlson, Department of Agriculture

Attendees Barry Holliday, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, NDT Co-Chair Tom Fredette, U.S Army Corps of Engineers Craig Vogt Environmental Protection Agency, NDT Co-Chair Diane Regas, Environmental Protection Agency Elizabeth Kim, Environmental Protection Agency Molly Madden, Environmental Protection Agency Jeremy Martinich, Environmental Protection Agency Tom Bigford, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Michael Ludwig, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Mike Hokana, Maritime Administration Lt. Abby Benson, U.S. Coast Guard Russell Morgan, Department of Agriculture Jerry Bernard, Department of Agriculture