Ocean Dumping; De-Designation of Ocean Dredged Material Disposal Site and Designation of New Site Near Coos Bay, OR

EPA is finalizing its proposal to de-designate an existing ocean dredged material disposal site and designate a new ocean dredged material disposal site located offshore of Coos Bay, Oregon. EPA's proposed rule was published March 31, 2000. The new site is needed for long-term use by authorized Coos Bay navigation projects and may be available for use by persons meeting the criteria for ocean disposal of dredged material. The de-designation of the existing site allows for its incorporation into the newly designated site. This will allow EPA to manage the entire new site to avoid adverse mounding conditions and will ensure site capacity is sufficient for total volumes of dredged material. The newly designated site is necessary for current and future dredged material ocean disposal needs and will be subject to ongoing monitoring and management to ensure continued protection of the marine environment so as to mitigate adverse impacts on the environment to the greatest extent practicable.