Beach and Coastal Restoration – Minerals Management Service (DOI), Florida

The Minerals Management Service, a bureau within the U. S. Department of the Interior, has jurisdiction over all mineral resources on the Federal Outer Continental Shelf. Public Law 103.426, enacted October 31, 1994, gave the MMS the authority to convey, on a noncompetitive basis, the rights to OCS sand, gravel or shell resources for shore protection, beach or wetlands restoration projects, or for use in construction projects funded in whole or part or authorized by the Federal Government.

In the last decade, attention has focused on submerged shoals located offshore in Federal waters as possible areas of sand borrow material for beach and coastal restoration projects. Some of these shoals have already been dredged and are being considered as a long-term source of material for beach replenishment efforts. The use of Federal OCS sand as a source of renourishment/restoration material will continue, especially given the growing scarcity of material in State waters and the adverse environmental impacts associated with the continual removal of nearshore sand material.

Berger is currently conducting environmental studies for a project located off the southwest and northeast coasts of Florida.  The purpose of the study is to address the likelihood of adverse environmental impacts on resident biological organisms and on the local wave climate and sediment transport regime from sand dredging for the purposes of beach renourishment. Specifically, Berger’s responsibilities include the characterization and evaluation of benthic habitats in potential borrow areas and assessment of the potential effects of offshore sand dredging on these communities, including an analysis of the potential rate and success of recolonization following cessation of dredging.  The results of these investigations will be used to develop a time schedule of environmental windows for dredging operations that will best protect benthic and pelagic species from adverse environmental effects.  The information provided from this study will be used to prepare environmental analyses to meet the requirements of current environmental laws and legislation and incorporate the results, as appropriate in lease requirements for the dredging of Federal Outer Continental Shelf sand.