/. Placement/discharge flexibility—flexibility of the alternative to place/pump material to 

 the nearshore, onshore, or along a large area. Floating plant graded lower because of 

 mobility and ability to place nearshore and onshore. Other alternatives primarily limited 

 to onshore placement with limited potential to adjust discharge outlet. 



g. Continuous/periodic— ability of the alternative to mimic nature with essentially 



continuous bypassing. Floating plant graded higher because material would be delivered 

 in large volumes over short periods. Semi-fixed, Crawldog, and mechanical fillet mining 

 more closely resemble natural bypassing with a continuous/semicontinuous supply. 

 Punaise graded in the middle because even though it pumps continuously/ 

 semicontinuously, it may be remobilized to other locations, thus limiting ability to make 

 unscheduled "start-ups." 



h. Mechanical reliability— equipment performance based on knowledge of the operation of 

 each alternative and the complexity of each alternative. Floating plant is the most 

 established alternative and thus has the highest level of mechanical reliability. The semi- 

 fixed alternative also has a high relative level of reliability because of the experience of 

 use in the United States and relative simplicity of operation. The Punaise has a 

 somewhat lower level of reliability because it is remotely operated, resides underwater, 

 and there is relatively little experience in the United States with its use. Crawldog and 

 mechanical fillet mining have the lowest reliability because of the mechanical complexity 

 and lack of experience. 



i. Owner/operator— ownership/operator of the alternative. Floating plant and Punaise 

 graded low because of the ability to rent/lease equipment, thus preventing the need for 

 full-time staff. Semifixed, Crawldog, and mechanical fillet mining all require permanent 

 equipment and full-time employees. 



If one looks strictly at annual costs, the semifixed plant may seem to be the most desirable 

 alternative, except for the 3-year cycle (nearshore placement) floating plant. However, changing 

 needs of the local sponsor and coastal processes and geomorphic changes over time may make a 

 semifixed plant less desirable because it is fixed in one location and less able to allow for "mid- 

 stream" corrections in operation. Physical changes that may warrant changes in the approach to 

 bypassing would be less likely to be implemented because of the long-term commitment 

 involved in construction and operation of this type of plant and the uncertainty of continued 

 trapping of required quantities. Lease/rental arrangements for a floating plant or Punaise (lowest 

 initial cost) system offer far more flexibility for changing conditions and demands. If physical, 

 social, or political conditions at Shinnecock change in the future, a floating plant or Punaise 

 would allow greater flexibility to change bypassing schemes and limit the loss associated with 

 abandoning a capital investment. The floating plant (3-year cycle nearshore placement) provides 

 the most flexibility for maximizing bypassing benefits and is the alternative that is most familiar 

 in the United States. 



84 Chapter 7 Conclusions 



