Managing Contaminated Dredged Material: Application

Abstract

A procedure that was developed to assist decision makers plan for proper management of contaminated dredged material is illustrated with the use of a case study. Decisions regarding dredging operations of contaminated dredged material are outlined for a project in Commencement Bay, Tacoma, Washington. Preliminary screening of potential disposal sites is described and using criteria developed for the case study. In addition, appropriate means for dredging, transport, treatment, and disposal are determined and combined into alternatives. Viable alternatives are evaluated using criteria established as part of the overall decision‐making procedure. Final selection of an alternative is presented in terms of two objectives: cost minimization and maximization of a composite qualitative criterion which incorporates several characteristics of each alternative.