Los Angeles Region Dredged Material Management Plan Cement-Based Stabilization Pilot Study

The multi-agency Los Angeles Basin Contaminated Sediments Task Force (CSTF) was established in 1998 to develop a long-term management plan (Plan) by 2003 for dredging and disposal of contaminated sediments from coastal waters in Los Angeles County. The goal of the Plan is to identify environmentally preferable, practicable disposal alternatives, promote multiuse disposal facilities and beneficial reuse, and support watershed management efforts to control contaminants at their sources. To identify the most preferable sediment management alternatives, four pilot- and/or bench- scale studies were conducted by the Corps of Engineers Los Angeles District. This paper discusses the background, design, coordination, execution, and evaluation of the Cement-Based Stabilization Pilot Study. The Pilot Study consisted of a multitude of design, field and laboratory tasks including technology review, site selection, permits and approvals, bench study review, treatment process design, logistics design, sampling and testing program design, plans and specs, construction, sampling and testing, laboratory analysis and evaluation report. With extensive coordination with government agencies and environmental groups through the CSTF, the Pilot Study sets an example for implementing a challenging, sensitive project based on consensus among share holders.