Beneficial Use of Sediments from Dredging Activities in the Gulf of Mexico

Dredging activities are a potential source of sediment and should be considered in any conservation and restoration planning process. Wise use of sediment resources from dredging is integral to accomplishing the conservation and restoration initiatives and objectives being recommended under the Gulf of Mexico Alliance. Keeping dredged sediments within the natural system or using it in the construction of restoration projects can improve environmental conditions, provide storm damage protection, and contribute to habitat creation and restoration goals. Hundreds of millions of cubic yards of sediments are dredged each year from Gulf ports, harbors, and waterways, much of which could be used beneficially. Currently it is estimated that about 30% of all material dredged from federal channels in the Gulf states is used beneficially and very little of the privately funded dredging is used for beneficial purposes. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) conducts dredging under its navigation maintenance program and much of the dredging conducted is typically done on a scheduled and routine basis. Successful planning of beneficial-use projects utilizing USACE dredging necessitates the early coordination and work of multidisciplinary interagency teams on a regular basis. There is also a need to improve data access and management for dredging activities for use by project managers and planners.