LAMA’s report on the Corps’ Mississippi River Maintenance Forum meeting held by earlier today(Wednesday, January 9, 2019) and the corresponding agenda are attached.
Please review the attachments for complete details.
LAMA Corps Mississippi River Maintenance Forum Meeting Notes 1919.pdf
Maintenance Forum Notes January 9, 2019
RE: CORPS’ MISSISSIPPI RIVER MAINTENANCE FORUM MEETING NOTES
The Corps’ Mississippi Valley New Orleans (MVN) holds monthly meetings to discuss channel conditions and related issues directly with the maritime industry. These meetings are usually scheduled for 0900 hours on the first Wednesday of the month. LAMA encourages our members to attend these meetings, which are open to the public (with advanced notice of attendance). The agenda for this meeting as provided by the MVN is attached.
1) Introductions
2) Southeast Waterways Update:
Tiger Pass: The MVN last surveyed Tiger Pass on February 22, 2018, the survey could not be completed because of the extreme shoaling on the jetty end. At that time, the Corps utilized survey data and calculations to approximate that a total of 3.2 million cubic yards (mcy) of material had accumulated in the shallow-draft channel. The MVN was recently awarded $9.5 million for dredging in Tiger Pass in the Corps Fiscal Year 2019 Work Plan. The funding should allow authorized channel dimensions to be restorted, preliminary estimates indicate the dredging would start early this fall or late in Fiscal Year 2019. The MVN is contemplating using shallow-draft or possibly drone type survey equipment to provide more detailed surveys to assist with the dredging project.
Baptiste Collette: The Corps previously received $13.9 million in supplemental funding to perform dredging operations ($6.5 million) and rock work to fortify the jetties and channel boundaries ($7.4 million). The MVN performed channel surveys on November 16, 2018 that indicated 2 mcy of material had shoaled in since the previous survey. The MVN was also awarded an additional $3 million in the Corps Fiscal Year 2019 Work Plan and is working to properly prepare for a cutterhead dredge contract to restore full channel dimensions with work expected to begin in mid 2019. The MVN also intends to issue a contract for the rock work and expects those operations to commence in the first half of 2019. The Baptiste Collette foreshore rock channel borders will be repaired along with the jetties, the jetties could also be extended.
3) Mississippi River Conditions Update:
Current Stage New Orleans: 13.8 feet
* Projected to reach 15 feet on January 21, 2019.
Current Stage Baton Rouge: 35.8 feet
* Projected to reach 38 feet on January 19, 2019.
* NOTE: The long-term Stage Forecasts are attached and based only on future rainfall over the next 48-hours only.
A. Crossings Between Baton Rouge and New Orleans:
The latest surveys for the Crossings are included in the attached agenda. The surveys indicate the Crossings are in decent shape based on the elevated river stages. However, several of the Crossings have up to 20 feet of shoal material that will have to be removed when the stages recede.
B. New Orleans Harbor:
The Port of New Orleans reported no concerns based on the latest surveys and high river stages. The MVN advised it does not have sufficient funding to dredge the New Orleans Harbor unless it receives supplemental funding.
C. Southwest Pass (SWP):
The MVN continues to work their hopper dredge WHEELER and the industry hopper dredge NEWPORT in the area of Southwest Pass. The hopper dredges are presently working in the most deficient areas of the Ship Channel at the Venice Jump (approximately Mile 10 Above Head of Passes [AHP]), Cubits Gap at approximately Mile 3 AHP and the Head of Passes. The industry hopper dredge GLENN EDWARDS is expected to resume dredging no later than tomorrow morning, the hopper will most likely resume dredging just below the Head of Passes. The industry cutterhead dredge R.S. WEEKS continues working on assignment from Mile 12.5 Below Head of Passes (BHP) to Mile 17.8 BHP.
D. Head of Passes, Hopper Dredge Disposal Area (HDDA):
The R.S. WEEKS previously removed approximately 2.5 mcy of material from the HDDA before moving to dredge in SWP on December 15, 2018. The R.S. WEEKS is expected to be replaced by the cutterhead dredge CAPTAIN FRANK later this month and will then return to resume dredging on the HDDA project.
E. Southwest Pass Stone Foreshore Dike & Jetty Repair:
A contract was awarded to EFT Diversified, Inc. on July 16, 2018 to make repairs to the foreshore rocks and the jetties that protect the deep-draft channel in Southwest Pass. The rock placement operations have begun and the contractor coninutes to work closely with the Pilot Associations to assist in maintaining navigational safety.
6) Next Meeting:
The next Forum meeting is scheduled for 0900 hours on February 6, 2019, at the MVN District Assembly Room A.
