Maritime Exchange Data Gathering Initiative

An innovative approach to streamlining waterside permitting

The Maritime Exchange for the Delaware River and Bay (MEX) is a private, non-profit organization that has been supporting the maritime community for 150 years. Throughout this time, MEX has been involved in shipping and associated waterfront and port facilities, domestic and international trade, and more recently, regulated marine and waterfront construction. 

Soon after the US Army Corps of Engineers deepened the Delaware River to 45 feet, many port and waterfront industries and businesses strategized to encourage access from the deeper federal channel to their riverside facilities. 

Motivated by the increased complexity of obtaining permits after the Delaware River was identified as a “Critical Habitat” for Atlantic Sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus) in 2017, the MEX Private Berth Dredge Committee (PBDC) decided to hire regulatory and endangered species specialists to develop a geolocated database for the estuary. This database would allow MEX members to help develop projects and ease the effort of obtaining permits for routine waterfront and ports projects within the Delaware River.

Database development for environmental compliance

Mott MacDonald, as prime consultant, assisted MEX’s PBDC in developing the Data Gathering Initiative (DGI) to streamline waterside construction and maintenance permit application and approval processes. We proposed a database that would include biological, physical, and water quality information, aiming to geolocate this information with an accessible digital map so that site-specific information could be easily obtained. MEX applied for and received a grant from the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to fully fund the project.

The DGI database has well over 200 documents and information sources ranging from ways to obtain Endangered Species Act “Not Likely to Adversely Affect,” as well as biological opinions from the NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). The database and geographic information systems (GIS) mapping developed by our subconsultant, ICI Innovations, also shows wetlands defined by the US Fish and Wildlife Services (USFWS) National Wetland Inventory, as well as the following data from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Services (NRCS):

• Soil types
• Time of year restrictions
• Material placement and borrow areas
• Mapped locations of submerged aquatic vegetation
• River bottom sediment types
• Gauging/tidal stations
• Century-old lease agreements for docks and wharfs on the Delaware and Schuylkill Rivers  

The document manager searches over 200 documents and information sources in the DGI database.

The DGI combines reporting and information sources for various important species in the Delaware Estuary, such as the Atlantic Shortnose Sturgeon.  

The DGI includes maps showing actual locations of critical habitats for important species in the Delaware Estuary. The base map view can be toggled to show roads, aerials, navigation, and USGS topographic quadrangles.  

Using information from the USFWS National Wetland Inventory, US Army Corps of Engineers, and other agencies and organizations, the DGI provides permitting advice and guidance.  

Using information from the USFWS National Wetland Inventory, US Army Corps of Engineers, and other agencies and organizations, the DGI provides permitting advice and guidance.  

In addition to the NOAA NFMS, USDA NRCS, and USFWS, the data used in this extensive database comes from the following government agencies, organizations, and groups:

• US Environmental Protection Agency
• US Army Corps of Engineers
• US Geological Survey
• Philadelphia Water Department
• Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
• New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
• Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Conservation
• Port of Philadelphia
• The Partnership for the Delaware Estuary
• Delaware State University
• Various scientific journals and reports

Sustaining the maritime industry with data

MEX will continue to add and annotate portions of the database and GIS product to support applicants seeking permits for routine activities, like dredging, dock construction, bulkhead repair, and more.

Not only does this comprehensive database reduce the complexity and time required for obtaining permits, but it also supports environmental compliance by providing detailed information on endangered species, wetlands, soil types, and other critical environmental factors.

The NOAA NMFS, who funded this project with a grant, will benefit by an increased awareness of river attributes, and how to prevent impacts to critical habitat, wetlands, shorelines, submerged aquatic vegetation, and water quality through proposed maintenance and routine projects.