This study was designed to address environmental issues raised by the potential dredging of sand from the inner continental shelf offshore Alabama for beach replenishment purposes.  The Minerals Management Service (MMS) has identified potential sites of high-quality sand deposits in Federal waters.  Five study elements were identified: 1) quantify the potential modifications to waves that cross within the identified borrow areas due to offshore dredging; 2) quantify the impacts of offshore dredging and consequent beach nourishment on local and regional sediment transport patterns, coastal and nearshore sedimentary environments, and local shoreline processes; 3) assess baseline benthic ecological conditions in and around the proposed sand borrow areas; 4) evaluate benthic infauna resident in the potential borrow sites and assessment of potential effects of offshore dredging on these organisms, including an analysis of the potential rate and success of re-colonization following cessation of dredging; and 5) develop a schedule of best and worst times for offshore dredging with regard to transitory, pelagic species.

Woods Hole Group Scientists and Engineers evaluated study elements one (1) and two (2) using previously collected coastal processes data sets (waves, currents, winds) supplemented with measured Acoustic Depth Current Profiler (ADCP) data, and a spectral wave transformation numerical model.  The wave and current analysis, as well as historical shoreline and bathymetric change data sets, were utilized to develop sediment transport models and estimates along the shoreline and in the nearshore zone.  The information gathered and analyzed during the course of this study will enable MMS to monitor and assess the potential impacts of offshore dredging activities and to identify ways in which dredging operations can be conducted to minimize or preclude long-term adverse impacts to the environment.