Cox Creek Sediment
Technology and Reuse
(STAR) Facility
Investing in the Future
With recent success in innovative reuse (IR) demonstration projects and ongoing success of beneficial use (BU) projects, MPA has begun implementing the IR of dredged material as an instrumental component in its long-range capacity planning. To scale these kinds of projects, MPA has begun to invest in developing a property designed to serve as a hub for IR and BU, the Cox Creek Sediment Technology and Reuse (STAR) Facility.
Preparing for Innovation
Purchased in 2022 by MPA, the Cox Creek STAR Facility site was formerly used for heavy industrial activities and has been undergoing phased environmental remediation. In addition to site remediation, other initial work included improving the site infrastructure by constructing a road connecting the property to the Cox Creek Dredged Material Containment Facility (DMCF). Taking advantage of the facility’s proximity to the Cox Creek DMCF, this road will significantly improve the efficiency of moving dredged material for reuse, while also reducing noise, travel distance, and truck traffic in the surrounding community.
Innovation in Action
The development of efficient drying techniques is central to the long-term success of IR and BU. MPA is implementing several pilot projects to evaluate the optimal use of geotubes for drying material dredged from Baltimore Harbor and prepare it for IR and BU applications. The pilot project has begun to compare drying processes and products in geotubes, large bags commonly used to remove water from dredged material. This project explores how different bag fabrics and drying agents work in combination to deliver dried dredged material, which can be used in many ways. This exploration will be instrumental in informing the design of a full-scale dewatering program.
With the completion of this evaluation, MPA will be able to determine the feasibility of moving forward with commercial-scale dredged material reuse. Without these learnings and the space the Cox Creek STAR Facility provides, this would not be possible.
Innovating For Tomorrow
Maximizing capacity recovery through IR and BU is a cornerstone of the Dredged Material Management Program and critical to meeting the rolling 20-year dredging demand. While an optimal annual recovery rate has yet to be defined, IR and BU are expected to play a vital role in extending the operational lifespans of Baltimore Harbor DMCFs. MPA anticipates a five-year scale up period during which the Cox Creek STAR Facility will gradually increase its processing volumes. An estimated 1.2 million cubic yards of dredged material will be recovered over these five years with the goal of 50,000 cubic yards reclaimed from Cox Creek DMCF in 2026, the first recovery year.
Invitation to Partner
The Cox Creek STAR Facility will be designed to house one or more IR partners or tenants on site. To that end, MPA has issued a Request for Information (RFI) to gauge market interest and capability to perform large-scale IR and BU of dredged material at the Cox Creek STAR Facility. Following review and verification of the submitted information, MPA will begin engaging with prospective developers and begin construction in the near future, marking a significant step toward the full-scale implementation of IR strategies.