Executive Summary

 

Dredging is necessary to maintain open waterways in harbors for commercial, national defense and recreational uses, but disposing of dredge spoils has been a contentious issue in Rhode Island.  Due to Rhode Island’s industrial past, some dredged material contains contaminants that can be a risk to human health.  Recent changes in Rhode Island state law classifies dredged material as distinct from “solid waste” and prioritizes reuse of dredged material on-land over in-ocean disposal.  As disposal of dredge spoils has been controversial in the past, future dredge reuse projects have the potential of meeting resistance and uncertainty from the public.   In order to find ways to conduct successful reuse projects with effective communication strategies, research was conducted to understand the public’s perception of dredging and dredge reuse projects. 

 

This thesis is based upon three research components:

1.      Geographic Information Systems (GIS) analysis of potential reuse sites in Rhode Island (Spring 2003)

2.      Public knowledge and perceptions of dredging and dredged materials,[1] 

(Summer 2003)

3.      Dredge Reuse and Brownfields Redevelopment (Fall 2003)

 

First, research was conducted using GIS technology to map where dredged material could be reused on land based on the new regulations prioritizing on-land dredge reuse.  The area where dredged material can be reused is primarily limited by several factors including groundwater classifications, proximity to wetlands, and groundwater protections areas.  Findings indicated that based on the regulations, most of the land available for dredge reuse lies in areas where groundwater is not utilized for drinking water and the majority of this land coincides with urban areas, where groundwater is already impaired.  These findings can inform siting of reuse projects in the future. 

Second, research conducted during summer of 2003 by team of researchers from the Center for Environmental Studies focused on an intensive study of a community in Portsmouth, Rhode Island where dredged material has been reused on-land at a private facility, and intercept interviews with the public at various public places in Providence, Rhode Island.  This preliminary research indicates that although Rhode Islanders understand the basic concept of dredging, many have misconceptions that dredging involving some sort of cleaning or contamination and there is a mistrust of public officials in relation to the regulatory process of dredge reuse. 

            Third, the research in this thesis examines the potential of reusing dredged material in Brownfields sites in Rhode Island.  The reuse of dredged material in redevelopment of Brownfields sites has the potential to revitalize hazardous property for the public good while reusing dredged material in lieu of in-ocean disposal, which can be both costly and harmful for aquatic ecosystems.  The central question addressed in this thesis is; how can we reframe dredge reuse by harmonizing the good intentions of Brownfields reclamation and dredge reuse in Rhode Island?  Analysis of this question includes examining the goals of Brownfields and dredge reuse using a “case study” of Narragansett Landing, a Brownfields development project originally proposed as part of former Mayor Cianci’s “New Cities” initiative.  This thesis research builds upon past work and culminates with interviews with stakeholders to gauge public perceptions and attitudes towards reuse of dredge spoils in Brownfields development with the goal of creating communication strategies for such projects in the future.  Findings indicate stakeholders respond positively to the idea of reuse of dredged material in Brownfields redevelopments, specifically at the Narragansett Landing site.  Additionally, respondents explained the need for a transparent public process and communication about reuse projects on Brownfields sites that focus on the concept of recycling and connecting dredging and reuse with the ocean character of Rhode Island.

 

Recommendations from thesis research:

  1. Reuse of dredged material in Brownfields sites offers an opportunity to link environmental and economic needs in Rhode Island emphasizing the connection to Rhode Island as an “ocean state.”
  2. Communication about dredged material must seek to inform the public on the actual risks involved in reuse of dredged materials in an accessible format.
  3. Reuse projects on Brownfields sites should be presented as “green” projects with the concept of recycling at its core.
  4. Incentives for developers and planners should be put in place to encourage reuse of dredged material in Brownfields sites.

 

 

 


 

[1] Andrew Pleasant, et al., “An exploratory study of public knowledge and public perceptions of dredging and dredged materials,” Center for Environmental Studies, Brown University, manuscript 2003.