Preliminary Marine Safety Risk Assessment, Brandon Road Lock and Dam Invasive Species Control Measures

Abstract : This preliminary risk assessment addresses possible effects on marine safety and navigation safety due to proposed invasive species control measures located in the vicinity of the Brandon Road Lock and Dam (BRLD) Navigation Project on the Des Plaines River, near Joliet, IL. This preliminary risk assessment provides the Coast Guard operational commander evaluative input for the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Tentatively Selected Plan (TSP) submittal. This assessment considers commercial and recreational vessel operations and activities, and how a range of control measures, now under consideration, might affect the safety of waterway activities or those activities that occur on the adjacent river and approach channel banks. With the inherent uncertainties as to actual effects of proposed control measures, implementation of actual marine-safety risk mitigation strategies must wait until structures and apparatus are in place and tested. This preliminary analysis indicates that, for the most part, the Coast Guard, in conjunction with the Corps of Engineers, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, and commercial and recreational waterway interests can combine navigation safety regulations, best practices, and operational interventions associated with the control measures in a suite of strategies to minimize risk for the affected area.