The Kings Bay Entrance Channel and Inner Channel are located along the boundary between Georgia and Florida. The entrance channel provides access to marine traffic using terminal facilities located in Fernandina Beach and St. Marys and naval vessels utilizing Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay. The base at Kings Bay currently houses a total of six ballistic missile submarines and two guided missile submarines, all of which utilize the Entrance Channel and Inner Channel when departing or returning to the base.
ANAMAR was contracted by USACE to perform sampling activities in support of a Section 103 sediment evaluation. The purpose of this project was to collect and analyze sediment, site water, and elutriate samples from specified project locations to determine the suitability of the material for ocean disposal in the Fernandina Beach ODMDS as required under the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act of 1972 (MPRSA). Dredging in the project area is needed to ensure continued navigability and maintenance of the Kings Bay entrance and inner channels.
Based on the average expected annual dredging volumes, the project area was divided into five dredging units or zones (Zones 1 through 5). This project involved a combination of grab sampling and vibracore sampling depending on sampling depth. ANAMAR coordinated and directed operations for this project and worked closely with USACE to design sampling and analysis schemes, perform sample collection, subcontract vibracoring services and laboratory analyses, and prepare final report deliverables. ANAMAR reviewed all data and produced a report summarizing the results of the physical, chemical, and toxicological analysis of sediment, elutriate, water, and tissue samples of the proposed dredge material collected from the project area.