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About the National Dredging Team: Summary of 2003 Steering Committee Meeting
About NDT
National Dredging Team Charter (PDF) (5 pp, 336K, About PDF)
1994 Interagency Workgroup Report (PDF) (41 pp, 184K, About PDF)
Background
On July 9, 2003, the National Dredging Team (NDT) Steering Committee met to review the progress of the NDT and to provide guidance for future NDT action. The specific tasks of the meeting were to renew the NDT charter and to endorse the publication and implementation of the 2003 Action Agenda. Meeting participants included: Steering Committee Co-Chairs G. Tracy Mehan of the U.S. EPA, the Honorable George S. Dunlop of the Department of the Army (DOA), principals and additional attendees.
Discussion Topics
Watershed and Regional Sediment Management Approach The Steering Committee emphasized the need for a regional sediment management approach, particularly at the watershed level, for dredged material management.
Regional Dredging Team and Local Planning/Project Group Participation The importance of strengthening Regional Dredging Teams (RDTs) and increasing participation with local planning/project groups was stressed. The Steering Committee urged the NDT to focus the next Steering Committee meeting on RDT progress and instructed the NDT to invite RDT Co-Chairs to attend.
Beneficial Uses The Steering Committee pointed to the critical need for expanding beneficial uses of dredged material, such as habitat restoration and shore protection.
Beneficial Uses The Steering Committee pointed to the critical need for expanding beneficial uses of dredged material, such as habitat restoration and shore protection.
Steering Committee Conclusions
NDT Charter Renewed The NDT Charter was renewed (2003 NDT Charter).
U.S. Coast Guard Becomes Official Member The U.S. Coast Guard became an official member of the NDT, joining the Army Corps of Engineers, EPA, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA's) National Ocean Service, NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, and Maritime Administration. The U.S. Geological Survey and the U.S. Navy will continue as participating agencies.
NDT Serves as Principal Operating Organization for Dredging Issues within the MTS The NDT will serve as the principal operating organization within the Marine Transportation System for dredging issues.
Action Agenda Finalized The Steering Committee charged the NDT with implementation of its new Action Agenda, which makes 22 recommendations addressing regional sediment management, beneficial use of dredged material, strengthening Regional Dredging Teams (RDTs), and emerging issues.
U.S. Department of Agriculture Invited to Join NDT The Steering Committee directed the NDT to invite the U.S. Department of Agriculture to join the Team.
Annual NDT Steering Committee Meetings The Steering Committee directed the NDT to convene annual Steering Committee Meetings. Regional Dredging Team Co-Chairs will be invited to report on their progress at the next Steering Committee Meeting.
Meeting Attendees
Principals Hon. George S. Dunlop, NDT Co-Chair, Department of the Army G. Tracy Mehan, III, NDT Co-Chair, Environmental Protection Agency Ben Tuggle (representing Steve Williams), Fish and Wildlife Service Eldon Hout (representing Timothy R.E. Keeney), National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration Robert B. Ostrom, Maritime Administration Jeffrey P. High (representing RADM Thomas H. Gilmour), U.S. Coast Guard
Attendees
Barry Holliday, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Craig Vogt, Environmental Protection Agency
David Redford, Environmental Protection Agency
Rachel Adams, Environmental Protection Agency
Neil Christerson, National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration
Tom Bigford, National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration
Daniel Leubecker, Maritime Administration
