LETTER FROM MAYOR GLASSER
TO THE JACKSONVILLE WATERWAYS COMMISSION CHAIR
Nov. 23, 2022
A STATEMENT/UPDATE FROM MAYOR GLASSER
Sept. 22, 2022
Linked is a story about the barge that ran aground off our coast after hitting the jetties in March 2021 and the resulting multi-ton coal ash spill in May 2021. This is part of a 12-part investigation by the Chicago Investigative Project within the graduate program at the Medill School at Northwestern University. Read more.
CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH RESOLUTION
Dec. 13, 2021
At its Dec. 13, 2021, meeting, the City of Atlantic Beach is scheduled to consider a resolution pertaining to transporting coal ash through the Jacksonville port. Here is a draft of the resolution.
CITY OF JACKSONVILLE WATERWAYS COMMISSION MEETING
Nov. 10, 2021
On Nov. 10, 2021, the Waterways Commission discussed transporting coal ash through the Jacksonville port. Here is the meeting video. The Bridgeport item begins at about 1:50:53.
CITY OF JACKSONVILLE WATERWAYS COMMISSION MEETING
OCT. 13, 2021
Mayor Ellen Glasser addressed the City of Jacksonville Waterways Commission on Oct. 13, 2021, saying that action should be taken to prevent future environmental incidents such as the Bridgeport spill. Here is the meeting video. The Bridgeport item begins at 30:50; Mayor Glasser spoke at 33:40. When it became clear that this required additional attention, it was agreed that the matter would be further considered at a future meeting.
FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION CONSENT ORDER
OCT. 4, 2021
Here is the Oct. 4, 2021, Florida Department of Environmental Protection consent order.
WATER QUALITY TESTING REPORT
BRIDGEPORT BARGE UPDATE
JULY 15, 2021
Here is a report prepared by Advanced Environmental Laboratories, Inc. (AEL), and here is a summary memo prepared by City of Atlantic Beach staff, related to water quality testing along the Duval County shore in response to the Bridgeport Barge spill of Agremax on March 22, 2021.
On June 17, 2021, to follow up on resident concerns about water safety, water samples were collected from the ocean in four locations along the Duval County shoreline. We collected samples in approximately three feet of water off the beach at Huguenot Park, Hanna Park, One Ocean Resort in Atlantic Beach, and the Jacksonville Beach pier. Because we had no data for comparison prior to the spill, we had AEL run metals analyses at multiple locations so we could compare the Atlantic Beach sample to other locations.
Based on our review, none of the analyses appear to indicate that the water samples were adversely impacted by the spill. All four water samples analyzed had fairly consistent results.
The results from all four nickel samples, two arsenic samples and one Zinc sample were detected above the method detection limit (MDL) but lower than the practical quantitation level (PQL). In the Atlantic Beach sample, the only metal that was detected was nickel, but it was below the PQL. FYI, the PQL is the lowest level of measurement the can be reliably achieved. From a practical standpoint, a value falling below the PQL suggests the exact concentration of a particular metal cannot be reliably reported.
While nickel analyses for all four samples may appear high relative to the water quality standard, they are consistent across all four sites, so they can likely be considered the "background concentration" on the day that the samples were collected. Given potential interference of chlorides during analysis of samples, this does not necessarily mean there were water quality violations.
UNIFIED RESPONSE TEAM STATEMENT
BARGE BRIDGEPORT UPDATE
June 24, 2021
Here is a link to the June 22 Environmental assessment report.
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT REPORT
BARGE BRIDGEPORT UPDATE
June 23, 2021
All,
Attached is the RPI test report. The following bullets summarize the report. AES has offered their experts to further brief on the report.
- At the request of Dann Ocean Towing and Unified Command, environmental experts conducted sediment and water sampling near and around the area of the Bridgeport Barge grounding to determine potential impact, if any, of material released from the barge.
- A shoreline assessment concluded Agremax was not present on the beach.
- Sediment and surface water samples were collected from two locations – one in the immediate vicinity of the barge, and one determined to be representative of background (i.e., not impacted by the release of material from the barge); in addition, a sample of the material in the barge was also collected
- These sampling results indicate there is no adverse effect of the potential release of material from the barge
- Samples were analyzed for an extensive list of metals (inorganics)
- Detected concentrations of 5 metals (As, Cd, Cu, Hg, and Ni) from the barge sample are above the conservative ESVs (Ecological Screening Levels) for marine sediment, but below the RSVs (Refinement Screening Levels, sediment levels above which adverse ecological effects may occur but which would be determined based on a site-specific assessment); however, all detected concentrations in both sediment samples (near barge and background) are below risk-based ecological screening levels for marine sediments
- Barium and boron were detected in surface water above risk-based screening levels for marine waters in both the near-barge and background locations, and the concentrations were similar (note that the screening level for boron is below the global marine waters background level for boron)
- Iron and manganese were detected in surface water above risk-based screening levels for marine waters only in the background location
Regards,
Andrew E. Legge
Compliance\IT Manager
Dann Ocean Towing, Inc.
Office: +1 813-251-5100
Mobile: +1 813-955-1994
Attachment: Environmental assessment report
Analysis of the Agremax batch loaded onto the Bridgeport
FROM MAYOR GLASSER TO OUR RESIDENTS & VISITORS
BARGE BRIDGEPORT UPDATE
June 19, 2021
Here in Atlantic Beach, you may have seen the barge that has been grounded off the Jacksonville coast for almost three months. She is named the Bridgeport and you may have learned that several tons of her cargo, known as Agremax, was discharged into the ocean in mid-May when the barge was pummeled during bad weather. You may be wondering what is going on and be concerned by news reports about this material being referred to as coal ash. We at the City had hoped that results from the sampling of sediments and water at the site would be available by now, but they are not yet available. In the absence of this important data, I know you want to hear from us. After all, we are hearing from many of you, and we are LISTENING. When you ask questions, it is our job to find the answers. We work for you.
Please know we are in regular communication with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), which has primary oversight over the discharge of the Agremax. All stakeholders understand the urgency. The public’s safety, health and welfare is our top concern. For us and for now, promoting public awareness of this matter is a primary goal.
I. IS IT SAFE TO SWIM?:
Given the local reporting, we are hearing this question: "Is it safe to swim?" I am not a marine biologist or an environmental expert, but DEP does tell me it is no less safe to swim now than it was before the cargo was discharged. There is no advisory issued and monitoring at the beach and Mayport Boat Ramp has shown no contaminants in the sand. When all data are reported and made public, we have asked DEP to also address this question.
II. DESCRIPTION OF INCIDENT:
On March 22, 2021, the Bridgeport ran aground south of the mouth of the St. John’s River, about 1 mile off the shore of Hanna Park Beach, after being damaged when it hit the jetties. The barge is currently located north of Atlantic Beach off the Jacksonville shore. The cargo onboard was approximately 14,000 tons of Agremax, a material used for road and construction projects. (Please note that this number was updated from 12,000 tons on June 23.) Agremax has historically also been mixed with concrete and used for artificial reef material in oyster bed reconstruction projects. It is commonly referred to as coal ash in media reports. The responsible party is Dann Ocean Towing, Inc. The media has also referred to Moran Towing as owner. Response and salvage efforts are being handled by Global Diving and Salvage, Inc., a company of Moran Environmental Recovery, Inc. (MER). MER has a location in Atlantic Beach.
At the time of the grounding, despite damage to the barge, the cargo was contained in an interior compartment and was intact, with no discharges of Agremax or diesel reported. The transfer of Agremax off the barge was under way for several weeks, but was slower than hoped. Weather and surf conditions were particularly challenging. The City monitored this closely and was satisfied in the response effort despite our frustration that it could not happen faster. Our primary contacts on the government monitoring and response have been with DEP and the USCG; other federal agencies that have monitored this have included the Army Corps of Engineers (ACE), OSHA, and NOAA. We have received daily updates about the salvage operation.
Everything changed when, on May 14, 2021, following shifts in the barge's position during bad weather, hatches covering the cargo compartment blew off, and cargo released into the ocean. Many of the hatch covers fell into the ocean, as well. None of the diesel aboard was discharged from the vessel. This adverse development was immediately reported and has resulted in the formation of a unified response team. Bad weather, barge shifts, and personnel safety have factored into the efforts to remove the barge, survey the location of the Agremax, and oversee a full environmental assessment.
Today, June 19, 2021, we received a very encouraging report about the salvage operation. The water weight of the barge has been reduced, and it has regained buoyancy. The barge has already been shifted north of the site. Removal of the barge will facilitate the assessment of the discharge.
III. ABOUT THE CARGO:
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) classifies the disposal of Agremax as solid waste. It is not regulated as hazardous waste. The unauthorized discharge of Agremax, and its impacts, may be addressed at the appropriate time by DEP which has primary oversight and enforcement authority for the Agremax discharge. The U.S. Coast Guard ensures maritime safety and security in our waters and would have jurisdiction of any spill of diesel, but no diesel has spilled.
Through our communication channels, the City is aware that more than half of the Agremax cargo was discharged. We have been content with approximations, knowing that this information is difficult to verify.
IV. WHERE WE ARE TODAY:
I have posted updates on Facebook, both before the discharge of the Agremax and after; the City posted information about the Bridgeport on our website; and the responsible party has a public website. The City has also responded to media inquiries. We have been forthright, knowing there is no advisory and no indication of beach contamination. If any cause of action on behalf our residents can be demonstrated by site data or other sampling, we will act strongly and accordingly.
On June 11, 2021, on our website, we reported on DEP’s steps to order sampling and testing by the responsible party at the barge site. DEP reported that no contaminants were found on the beach. No advisory has been issued.
Site testing has been completed, and DEP has pledged to report the results to the City and the public as soon as they are available. The scope of testing includes a broader environmental survey that is described in the next section.
Throughout the last three months, Atlantic Beach has been in close contact with primary stakeholders. With the discharge, we are not a responding party and are not a member of the unified response team.
To further assure our residents, independent of the unified response team, we are doing our own testing of water samples along the Duval County shoreline and we have coordinated with the City of Jacksonville to do the same. This additional sampling was not within the scope requirements that DEP dictated to the responsible party. (June 23 correction/update: The City of Jacksonville is not performing testing; rather it is performing onsite monitoring on the beach at low tide. Thus far, there have been no abnormal observations.)
V. WHAT WE KNOW DIRECTLY FROM DEP:
From DEP:
“Since the initial reporting of the Bridgeport barge incident, a unified response team was formed including the responsible party (Dann Ocean Towing), United States Coast Guard (USCG), Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) to provide aftermath incident oversight.
The top priorities of the unified response team have been the health and safety of the community and protection of the environment. DEP and FWC developed a required scope of work for immediate response efforts to ensure potential environmental impacts from the release of cargo from the barge are appropriately assessed. This includes increased sampling and monitoring in the area, which will determine the need for any restoration activities at the site. The responsible party has also hired a contractor to help address any needs related to remediation.
For background, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) describes the barge cargo material as an inert, inorganic material primarily composed of elemental oxides (silica, calcium) commonly found in dirt. It has historically been mixed with concrete and used for artificial reef material in oyster bed reconstruction projects among other applications.
As outlined in the scope of work, DEP has required the responsible party conduct additional sampling to include the following. Divers have collected the required samples and are awaiting their results.
- Collecting bottom accumulations and nearby background sediments for total metals analysis.
- Sampling water quality in the water column above accumulations and nearby background samples for total metals analysis for comparison.
- Monitoring natural bottom communities for indications of smothering or other wildlife impacts.
Once received, these sampling results will provide DEP the additional necessary data to assess impacts from any barge cargo disposal. This data will inform the department’s determination of enforcement actions, which in addition to remedial activities may also include fines and penalties.”
VI. WHAT HAVE WE DONE IN ATLANTIC BEACH:
- Visited site with USCG, responsible party, and the salvage team
- Visit to MER to meet with salvage team
- Postings on Mayor’s Facebook page prior to and after the discharge of Agremax into the ocean (link)
- Updates and resource links on City website
- Regular communication with the responsible party, salvage team, USCG, and DEP
- Daily email updates from the salvage team
- Receiving updates from the responsible party
- Response to emails inquiries and calls
- Cooperation with media inquiries
- Contact with U.S. Naval Station Mayport and COJ Press Offices
- Coordination with COJ Mayor Curry’s Office
- Coordination with COJ Environmental Quality Division (EQD)
- Coordination with COJ Waterways Coordinator
- Coordination with DEP District Director
- Coordination with Beaches Mayors
- Coordination with Councilman Rory Diamond
- Outreach to city, state, and federal elected officials
- Preliminary legal review regarding jurisdiction
- Outreach to groups/individuals with maritime expertise
- Outreach to Atlantic Beach Ocean Rescue and Atlantic Beach Police
- Update to Atlantic Beach City Commission
- Atlantic Beach independent testing of water samples near the beach
- City of Jacksonville onsite monitoring of the beach at low tide
VII. JURISDICTION:
The current effort is under the jurisdiction of these agencies:
- DEP
- USCG
- FWC
VIII. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS:
- We are content that our lines of communications are very good.
- We acknowledge concerns of environmental groups and local experts, and we pledge to work with them as data are available, on lessons learned, and on appropriate actions.
- Although the barge and its cargo were in the news after the grounding in March, WJCT was among the first news outlets to report on the discharge. We agree this matter is definitely of public interest and appreciate the role of the media.
- We acknowledge there is disagreement about whether Agremax is hazardous and should be regulated as such. This is something that is not under the City’s purview.
IX. WEBSITE & LINKS
Dann Ocean Towing incident website