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In addition, the approach utilized by the Interagency Coordination Team in 

 developing the plan is particularly noteworthy on four accounts: 



1. Suggestions for beneficial uses were actively solicited from the 

 community and particularly from Galveston Bay user groups. These 

 collective ideas were given full consideration in developing the plan. In 

 point of fact, the community identified more beneficial uses than the 

 material expected over the 50 year life of the project. 



2. Sound scientific methods have been used to examine alternative 

 beneficial use plans, including: 



a. hydrodynamic and salinity models; 



b. analysis of physical data; 



c. sediment contaminant studies; and, 



d. National Marine and Fisheries Service productivity studies to 

 determine the most environmentally appropriate locations for 

 marshes. 



3. Additionally, the Port Authority itself has funded several studies, 

 including: 



a. Probes of the bay bottom to asses the best bottom conditions for 

 siting beneficial uses (relative to other environmental constraints); 



b. Construction of a 250 acre demonstration marsh (in process) to 

 determine how to achieve the desired result out of the typical new 

 work and maintenance material using typical dredge equipment; 



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