The Port of Brunswick is an Atlantic seaport in Brunswick, Georgia. It is one of four ports operated by the Georgia Ports Authority. Imported products include automobiles, wood pulp, paper products, wheat, soybeans, and heavy machinery. Exports include agricultural products, cement, gypsum, limestone, perlite, salt, and sand.
Dredging the entrance channel is part of the congressionally authorized Brunswick Harbor Federal Navigation Project. The Brunswick Harbor navigation channel is a 38-foot-deep, 11-mile-long channel 500 feet wide from the ocean to Station -6+250. From that point, it narrows to 400 feet wide and 36 feet deep through St. Simons Sound and Brunswick River with arms extending up the East River, Turtle River, and South Brunswick River.
ANAMAR was contracted by USACE to perform sampling activities for 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 under the congressionally authorized Brunswick Harbor Federal Navigation Project. These samples were analyzed for physical, chemical, and toxicological parameters. The objective was to determine the suitability of the sediment for ocean disposal 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 Brunswick Harbor entrance channel.
Based on the average expected annual dredging volumes, the project area was divided into five dredging units identified as Bar-1, Bar-2, Bar-3, Bar-4, and Bar-5. This project involved a combination of grab sampling and vibracore sampling. ANAMAR coordinated and directed operations for this project and worked closely with USACE to design sampling and analysis schemes, perform sample collection, subcontract vibracore 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.