Vogt Represents WODA at London Convention Event
Vogt Represents WODA at London Convention Event
Craig Vogt represented the World Organization of Dredging Associations (WODA) at a meeting of contracting parties to the 1972 London Convention and its 1996 Protocol (LC/LP) held October 29 through November 2. The meeting was held at the London headquarters of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and included a reception to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the LC which was signed on Nov. 13 1972.
Vogt’s purpose in attending was in part to invite delegates to the WODCON XX on June 3 through 7 2013 in Brussels Belgium. He also presented the results of an international assessment of marine and riverine discharges of mine tailings that he conducted for the LC/LP.
He explained “The main thing going on is the revision of the international dredged material guidelines by the LC/LP which will be finished next year. United States Canadian Mexican Panamanian and Brazilian dredged material guidelines are based upon these guidelines.”
Vogt is a former chair of the LC Scientific Group an elected position and four-year commitment. Dr. Robert Engler of Moffatt & Nichol was an LC Scientific Group chair in the 1990’s during his tenure with the Engineer Research and Development Center in Vicksburg.
The agenda of the meeting also included:
• further development of regulatory controls on ocean fertilization and other similar activities and the guidelines for CO2 sequestration to include trans-boundary issues;
• a review of compliance issues under the London Protocol;
• a review of the status report and planning for technical co-operation activities;
• a review of the joint MEPC-LC/LP guidance on management of spoilt cargoes;
• a discussion on matters related to the management of radioactive waste;
• the finalization of the publication “The London Protocol: What it is and how to implement it”;
• a review of the Joint Long-term Program for the period 2013 to 2015.
Vogt was formerly a scientist for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and longtime representative of EPA to the Western Dredging Association. He has done ocean and coastal environmental consulting since 2008 as Craig Vogt Inc.
The London Convention promotes control of all sources of marine pollution and takes steps to prevent pollution of the sea by dumping of wastes and other matter. There are 87 countries that are parties to the LC.
In 1996 the London Protocol (LP) was agreed upon which further modernized the LC and will eventually replace it. Under the LP all dumping is prohibited except for possibly acceptable wastes on the so-called “reverse list.” This includes dredged material sewage sludge fish wastes inert inorganic geological material (e.g. mining wastes) organic material of natural origin and carbon dioxide streams from carbon dioxide capture processes for sequestration. The London Protocol entered into force March 24 2006 and has 42 parties. The U.S. has signed but has not yet ratified the LP which is now before the U.S. Senate.
