2018 WEDA Environmental Excellence Awards Receives More Nominations Than Ever

Each year at the Western Dredging Association (WEDA) Summit and Exhibition, the Environmental Commission of the organization presents special awards to outstanding projects in several specific environmental categories.

“The response to our requests for submissions for our 2018 environmental awards surpassed our expectations,” said Craig Vogt, chair of the Environmental Commission. “The awards are divided into three categories – Adaptation or Mitigation to Climate Change, Navigation Dredging, and Environmental Dredging, and each category received several submissions. The choice of prize winners will not be easy.” The nominations are listed here in random order.

In the “Adaptation or Mitigation to Climate Change” Category, four projects are being considered:

Innovative and Sustainable Dredging Solutions to Help Build a Better World, Cat Marine Advanced Variable DriveTM – Innovative Vessel Design, was submitted by Caterpillar Marine Inc. A second submission in this category is The Ninigret Marsh Restoration Project, Rhode Island, which was executed by J.F. Brennan Company Inc., in cooperation with the Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council, Save The Bay, Narragansett Bay, the Town of Charlestown, Rhode Island, and Fuss & O’Neill Inc. (civil and environmental engineering consultants). The third applicant is Beach Stabilization and Dune Restoration Project, Progreso, Yucatan, Mexico, executed by MARCOST de México SA de CV, Mérida, Yucatán, México, SESI Consulting Engineers Inc. and Centro de Investigación y Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mérida, Yucatán, México. And lastly, La Quinta Aquatic Habitat Mitigation Project, Texas, completed by Mott MacDonald Inc. and the Port of Corpus Christi Authority is being considered.

Under “Navigation Dredging” the choice will fall between two major inland water environmental projects:

The Mississippi River Ship Channel Dredging and Wetlands Creation, which was a major undertaking, was organized and executed by a cooperative effort among multiple partners including: Big River Coalition, American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA), Associated Branch Pilots of the Port of New Orleans, Louisiana, Crescent River Port Pilots Association, Federal Pilots and Docking Masters of Louisiana, Louisiana Department of Natural Resources, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the United States Army Corps of Engineers and United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), and three dredging companies – Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Company Inc., Manson Construction Company Inc. and Weeks Marine Inc. The second project in the running is Florida Inland Navigation District Intracoastal Waterway Deepening at Fort Lauderdale, Broward County, Florida, implemented by Taylor Engineering Inc., Cashman Dredging & Marine Contracting, LLC, and the Florida Inland Navigation District.

In the final category of “Environmental Dredging” four projects are up for the prize:

First under considereation is The Former Gloucester Gas Light Company Manufactured Gas Plant Facility Remedy Implementation, Gloucester,

Massachusetts, where remediation was performed by the National Grid Inc., Charter Contracting Company, LLC, GZA GeoEnvironmental, Inc. and Anchor QEA, LLC. A second nomination is Cedar Creek Environmental Remediation Project, Cedarburg, Wisconsin, which was implemented by J.F. Brennan Co. Inc., Infrastructure Alternatives Inc., Rams Contracting, Ltd., and Cardno & Natural Resource Technology Inc. The third submission is Wagner Creek and Seybold Canal Restoration Project, Miami, Florida, realized by the City of Miami, Florida, working with Sevenson Environmental Services Inc. and AECOM. The fourth proposal being considered is The Port of Bellingham Whatcom Waterway Phase 1 Cleanup Project, carried out by the Port of Bellingham, Washington, Anchor QEA, LLC, KPFF Consulting Engineers Inc., American Construction Company Inc., Strider Construction, LLC, and the Washington State Department of Ecology.

The Western Dredging Summit & Expo will take place in Norfolk, Virginia, from June 25 to 28. “So far by all indications, there’s going to be a great turnout at this annual event,” Vogt said. “Our environmental awards are always a much-anticipated highlight and will be presented at the Summit during the WEDA annual members’ luncheon on Tuesday, June 26. Stay tuned,” he adds.

More information about the prize winners will follow in the July/August issue of IDR.