Environment: Kalama

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Kalama Navigation Dredging Project Honored for Environmental Excellence 

The Western Dredging Association (WEDA) has presented the Port of Kalama with its top 2014 Environmental Excellence Award in the navigation dredging category and specifically for the port’s TEMCO Berth Maintenance Dredging and In-Water Flow-Lane Placement project.

The port was recognized for using a new "scour hole placement' technique on the award-winning TEMCO project. In 2013, the port successfully placed 189,000 cubic yards of dredge material near two pile dikes in the Columbia River. This method places dredge material back in the river to maintain natural river processes and protect the pile dikes. In addition, the dredging and disposal costs were 65 percent less than dredging costs in 2012. The port designed the dredging project with input and support from local, state and federal agencies, as well as collaboration with various companies.

The new dredging technique is credited for environmental and economic benefits for the Port of Kalama and its community. According to the port, the project minimizes erosion while restoring conditions for shallow water habitat for fish. Furthermore, it says, the methodology is transferable to other dredging sites.

The WEDA Environmental Excellence Awards were announced June 17 at the organization’s annual conference in Toronto.

Photo/Port of Kalama