PORTLAND, MAINE 



Sackground 



Tne Portland Disposal Area being studied by 3AM0S has not yet been desig- 

 nated as a regional disposal site. Prior to this report three major surveys 

 nave been conducted in the area off Portland to determine the best location 

 for future disposal of dredge spoils. In 1974 Normandeau Associates studied 

 a site north of Hue and Cry Valley, and in 1976 NUSC conducted a survey in the 

 valley itself that resulted in a second proposed disposal area. When this point 

 was Suggested to local fishermen it met with severe opposition and a third site 

 in a '.istorical disposal site north of the Portland lightship was suggested. 

 In August, 1977 J NUSC conducted a broad bathymetric and side scan survey of 

 the tnvrd site. Data from this survey were used to designate four potential 

 sites w. thin the area and these were presented to state, local and fishing 

 representatives in November, 1977. At that meeting a location in the center 

 of the site was defined and the area Incorporated into the DAMOS program as a 

 one mi'le square centered at 43° 34. TN, 70° 1.8 'W (Fig. B-1 ) . 



Bothy ma try 



Tnis site was surveyea on 13 December, 1977, (Fig. B-2 (a-k)) and on 

 17 May, 1978 (Fig. 3-3 (a-h)). Navigation control for the site was provided 

 by t.-isponder stations located at Portland Head Light and the Prouts Neck Fire 

 Control Station. 



The topograpny in the area is extremely rugged and consists of bedrock 

 Obtcrcrs SLrrounced by fine sand and mud (Fig. B-4). The side scan record 

 snown r.ere covers the area designated as the disposal site and clearly shows 



