Upper Newport Bay Ecosystem Restoration Project
Location: Newport Beach, CA
Project: Upper Newport Bay Ecosystem Restoration Project
Owner: US Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles District
Company Role: Subcontractor to DD-M Crane and Rigging
Contract Amount at Award: $15,750,000
Current Contract Amount: $24,426,333.44 (contract has increased due to award of option items and additional phases)
Award Date: 11/30/2005
Anticipated Project Duration: Jan 2006 - May 2009
Purpose: Restore the marsh ecosystem through dredging of sediments, excavation and placement of mud and bank protection materials.
Construction Activities:
- Cutter / suction dredging of 250,000 Cubic Meters of tidal slough sediments.
- Clamshell Dredging of 1 Million Cubic Meters to deepen sediment catch basins
- Excavation and placement of bay muds and non-native sands to restore endangered habitats and create new bird nesting islands.
- Clearing, grubbing and placement of riprap bank protection.
Project Description/History: Construction began in April of 2006 when Dutra's HD (hydraulic dredge) Pelican completed the access channel to the Back Bay and the Restoration Channels surrounding the nesting islands. The HD Pelican went on to create two new sand topped islands for the endangered New Least Tern as well as three mudflat areas used by the birds of the Newport Back Bay for foraging.
Subsequently, in 2007 & 2008 the DB-3 (derrick barge) mechanically dredged two sediment retention basins to relieve sedimentation rates in the Newport Lower Bay where recreational boating is widespread. Phase 1 of the Upper Newport Bay project was completed in December 2009 with the performance of additionally awarded dredging in the furthest sediment basin adjacent to the Jamboree Bridge.