Water Resources: Legislation Needed To Extend the Life of Confined Disposal Facilities
RCED-86-145
Published: Aug 12, 1986. Publicly Released: Sep 16, 1986.
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Highlights
In response to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the status and use of confined disposal facilities that the Army Corps of Engineers built on the Great Lakes, specifically: (1) whether the facility in Kenosha, Wisconsin, should be closed; (2) the location and status of all confined disposal facilities that the Corps has built since 1970, local government and private sector use of the facilities, and the use for other than dredged contaminated material; and (3) remedies proposed by other communities whose facilities were not filled within the 10-year statutory period.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Department of Defense | If the Corps determines that continued use of existing unfilled confined disposal facilities for more than 10 years is necessary to hold contaminated dredgings, the Secretary of Defense should direct the Chief of Engineers to propose legislation amending P.L. 91-611 to allow the Corps to use such facilities beyond 10 years until filled, if local communities agree to the extension. |
Closed – Implemented
The Army proposed legislation to clarify that the Corps' authority to fill a confined disposal facility is not limited to a particular time period. This proposal was made in letters dated April 1, 1987, to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
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| Department of Defense | If the Corps determines that continued use of existing unfilled confined disposal facilities for more than 10 years is necessary to hold contaminated dredgings, the Secretary of Defense should direct the Chief of Engineers to develop alternatives to dispose of contaminated dredgings where communities do not agree to the extension. |
Closed – Implemented
The Army and the City of Kenosha, Wisconsin, executed a Memorandum of Understanding, dated September 2, 1986, which provided for the incremental turnover of the excess fill capacity of the Kenosha confined disposal facility (CDF) to the City.
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HarborsHazardous substancesInland waterwaysWaste disposalWater pollutionWater supplyConstructionLakesLocal governmentsMilitary forces