The Port of Oakland has announced the transfer of more dredged material from the Oakland Seaport to a Solano County wetland restoration facility.
Montezuma Wetlands will get a $2.1 million grant over the next three years to use more port-dredged silt to restore wetlands and endangered species habitat.
According to regulations, at least 40 per cent of the sand, silt, and mud dredged from berth maintenance must be used for beneficial purposes.
Berths and approach channels must be up to 50 feet deep to suit the large vessels that currently use the port.
Port of Oakland Director of Environmental Programs and Planning Colleen Liang, said: “We are committed to expanding our sustainable dredging initiative. Restoring and maintaining the Bay’s ecosystem provides many environmental benefits to the region.”
READ: Port of Oakland surpasses 2 million TEUs in 2024
The San Francisco Bay Restoration Authority authorised the funds, which will reportedly make it more cost-effective for the port to deliver extra sediment to the project site.
Doug Lipton, Chief Scientist for the Montezuma Wetlands Project, and Owner and Principal Scientist of the Lipton Environmental Group, stated: “Our relationship developed into a strong and trusting business collaboration when Montezuma became the port’s preferred alternative disposal site for the 50-foot channel deepening project, which diverted a total of 2 million cubic yards of sediment.
“That project essentially launched Montezuma, as it was the very first project that delivered sediment to us (in December 2002).”
Recently, the Oakland Board of Port Commissioners approved the Port’s Strategic Plan for 2025-2030.
