A Technical Workshop:
Long-Distance Pipeline Transport of Dredged Material
to Restore Coastal Wetlands of Louisiana
14 October 2003
Metairie, Louisiana (suburb of New Orleans)
Sponsoring Organizations: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Baton Rouge, LA, and the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC), Coastal and Hydraulics Laboratory (CHL), Vicksburg, MS, will host a Technical Workshop (funded by EPA; organized by CHL) from 8:00 a.m. till 5:00 p.m. on 14 October 2003 in Metairie, LA, in conjunction with the Western Dredging Association (WEDA) Gulf Coast Chapter meeting on 15 October in the same Jefferson Orleans-South convention facilities. WEDA is a co-sponsor of the Technical Workshop, along with the Louisiana Governor’s Office of Coastal Activities and R&D Program; Louisiana Department of Natural Resources; Plaquemines Parish Port, Harbor, and Terminal District; and Jefferson Parish Department of Environmental Affairs. Pre-Registration is required.
Purpose: The purpose of the Technical Workshop is to bring together national and international experts in the field of long-distance transport of materials by pipeline to help determine the feasibility of transporting dredged material from the Mississippi River to coastal marsh areas of south Louisiana to assist in restoring the wetlands of that region (one concept for restoration). If feasible, over time, hundreds of million cubic yards of material may be needed for transport up to 30 miles to enhance the receding coastal marsh area. The Technical Workshop will provide guidance for determining if current technology can be adapted, or if emerging innovative methodologies can be developed, to fulfill this critically important mission.
Speakers: The workshop will convene with introductory information that (a) establishes the need for the addition of sediment from external sources to the coastal wetlands of Louisiana, (b) describes the status of ongoing work, (c) documents experience with sediment delivery for small-scale restoration projects to date, and (d) discusses long-term planning and commitments for the Louisiana coastal area restoration. Len Bahr, Science Advisor to the Governor of Louisiana, will address Louisiana’s commitment to coastal and marshland restoration. Expert engineers who will share their experiences and knowledge pertaining to pumps and long-distance pipeline pumping of solids include
Robert Randall, Director, Center for Dredging Studies, Texas A&M University, TX
Wim Vlasblom, Dredging Chairman, Delft University, Netherlands
Arie Smits, Rikjswaterstaat, Netherlands
Rick Smith, Weeks Marine Dredging, Kenner, LA
Robert Hagler, Hagler Engineering Incorporated, Augusta, GA
Steven Young, Pipeline Systems Incorporated, Walnut Creek, CA
Graeme Addie, Georgia Iron Works, Grovetown, GA
Gary Scott, EnSenTech Corporation, Centerville, UT
Joseph Suhayda, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA
Mead Allison, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA
Denise Reed, University of New Orleans (panel moderator), New Orleans, LA
The workshop will conclude with a panel discussion of pertinent issues, including future actions needed to further refine the transport and use of sediment for coastal restoration.
Logistics: The WEDA meeting will convene at 6:30 p.m. on that same day with an icebreaker/reception, and continue with WEDA activities throughout the day of 15 October. The EPA/ERDC Technical Workshop registration fee of $ 30.00 does not include admission to either the WEDA icebreaker/reception or WEDA activities. However, for a small additional fee, EPA/ERDC Technical Workshop attendees may participate in the WEDA icebreaker/reception.
Pre-Registration is Required: Because the conference room seating is limited to 200, admission must be by pre-registration on a first-come basis. The pre-registration fee of $ 30.00 should be paid by check made payable to WEDA/Workshop, and will include lunch and beverage breaks. The Jefferson Orleans-South conference facility, located at 2536 Edenborn Avenue, Metairie, Louisiana 70002, is a free-standing building not connected to any hotel or motel. The nearest hotel is located 2 blocks from the conference facility (Best Western Landmark Hotel, 2601 Severn Avenue, Metairie, Louisiana 70002, Phone 800-277-7575). Many other hotels in the region can be located at
http://chamber-of-commerce.com/hotels/findallhotels.cfm/METAIRIE/LA.
Additional workshop and pre-registration information may be obtained by contacting Lynn Hales, phone 601-634-3207, or e-mail Lyndell.Z.Hales@erdc.usace.army.mil. Workshop registration checks should be mailed to Lyndell Hales, Engineer Research and Development Center, CEERD-HV-T, 3909 Halls Ferry Road, Vicksburg, MS 39180-6199. The workshop agenda can be located at