Lorain begins operation of facility to reclaim dredged material

The city of Lorain has begun to accept dredging material at its new geopool facility where dredged waterbed material is converted into usable topsoil. According to a news release from the city, the Black River Dredge Material Reuse Facility began accepting dredge materials at the end of August, the culmination of a project that began in 2016. Lorain has partnered with Coldwater Consulting and Terminal Ready-Mix Inc. to operate the eight geopools at the 70-acre facility behind U.S. Steel, along the riverfront. Operators are working to dewater the dredged material and hope to begin harvesting usable topsoil next spring, the release said. The project started in 2016 during a discussion with the Army Corps of Engineers after a change to how the Corps could handle dredge material. The discussion came after the state limited open water dredging in an effort to curb algae blooms and other issues. Lorain also worked with the Ohio EPA, Ohio Department of Natural Resources and Mark Haynes Construction throughout the construction process. At full capacity, the facility is capable of accepting 75,000 cubic yards of dredge material each year. The soil produced in the process could be used for fill-in projects, such as the demolition of larger buildings. In June, Lorain Storm Water Manager Kathryn Golden told The Chronicle that the city had not spent any money directly on the project. The $19.9 million facility was funded by a $15.9 million Ohio Environmental Protection Agency grant and a $4 million Ohio Department of Natural Resources grant. The estimated operating cost, including Terminal Ready-Mix's contract, is about $1.9 million each year.