Community Protection
During the Indiana Harbor and Canal (IHC) Dredging and Disposal Project, the Kokosing Construction/O'Brien & Gere Joint Venture (JV) is conducting a comprehensive monitoring program
developed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). The goal is to implement the project safely, efficiently, and in compliance with USACE specifications, while preserving quality
of life for the surrounding community.
During dredging, the program monitors air quality, water quality, dock air emissions, and air quality near East Chicago Central High School.
Air Quality
A real-time air monitoring program provides immediate environmental data demonstrating that air quality is consistent with USEPA guidance for remediation projects
and within Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) regulations for air quality. The program includes a network of four air emission monitoring systems located at each corner of the
berms within the confined disposal facility (CDF) that will continuously measure total particulate matter and naphthalene concentrations during dredging operations. The data will be used to prevent
negative environmental impacts to the surrounding community.
Action levels for real-time air monitoring have been established to protect human health during dredging and sediment disposal into the CDF. The action levels are guidelines that determine
corrective actions to be taken by the JV to control emissions. If an action level for any of the above parameters is exceeded during project activities, control measures will be implemented.
Air Monitoring Results
Water Quality
The IHC Dredging and Disposal Project aims to remove as much contaminated sediment as efficiently as possible, while minimizing environmental impacts such as
the re-suspension of contaminated sediments into the waterway. A real-time, in-stream water quality monitoring program provides immediate data to monitor water quality during dredging activities
at the IHC. The program is consistent with the USEPA National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) regulations and guidance. At the beginning of each dredging event, the program will measure real-time
turbidity (a measurement of water cloudiness) in the canal from four sampling sites located upstream and downstream from the dredge. The program will also collect water samples from two of the
sampling sites that will be analyzed for concentration of total suspended solids (TSS).
Action levels for real-time, in-stream water monitoring have been established to protect environmental quality during dredging. The action levels are guidelines that determine corrective actions to be
taken by the JV to control water quality. If an action level for any of the above parameters is exceeded during project activities, control measures will be implemented.
Water Monitoring Results
Dock Air Emissions
Air emissions will continue to be evaluated during sediment off-loading. Photo-ionization detector (PID) air monitoring equipment will be used to monitor
air quality at the dock area around the dredge during the barge docking period. The goal of the PID monitoring is to continuously measure volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions from barge
operations in order to ensure the health and safety of site workers and the public by providing protection from exposure to naphthalene and other organics that may be emitted from the barge.
Dock Area PID
Near East Chicago Central High School
Air monitoring is being performed near East Chicago Central High School by the United States Geological Survey (USGS). The goal of the
monitoring is to continuously measure air quality near the high school to avoid negative environmental impacts to the surrounding community from dredging and sediment disposal activities.