§2326g Beneficial use of dredged material; dredged material management plans

Summary

The Corps of Engineers must try to put most dredged material to useful purposes while protecting the environment. The Secretary must, as much as possible, make sure at least 70 percent by volume (measured in cubic yards) of suitable dredged material from construction or upkeep of water projects is reused for beneficial purposes. When deciding where to place dredged material, the Secretary must look at whether the material can be used in many helpful ways and weigh the environmental effects (including on live coral) and the economic benefits and efficiencies, including effects when projects are combined. The Secretary must include those economic results when applying the “Federal standard” in 33 CFR 335.7 and must send Congress (1) a report explaining the method and factors used to set that Federal standard, and (2) for each evaluation, a report showing the calculations of economic and environmental benefits and efficiencies considered, including when alternative dredging equipment or disposal methods were used.