The role of agencies, scientists, and the public in planning dredged-sediment disposal.

Alternative disposal strategies could facilitate the handling of harbour sediments for port development but advances in the technology have exceeded advance in planning. In an attempt to expedite the implementation of alternatives the New York District Army Corps of Engineers formed a steering committee of those federal and state agencies with jurisdiction in New York. One of the alternatives studied was the subaqueous burial of dredged sediment. A demonstration project was developed in 10 months from a scientific study that was reviewed every 6 weeks by the committee. The project was delayed, because of the public response and although it began in December 1981 it has now been interrupted by litigation. Suggests that the presentation of planning information to the public is as important as the presentation of technical information by scientists to the managers. (A)