Title 33, Navigation and Navigable WatersRelease 119-110
§2326a Dredged Material Disposal Facility Partnerships
Title 33 › CHAPTER 36 — WATER RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT › SUBCHAPTER V — GENERAL PROVISIONS › § 2326a
Summary
Lets non-Federal partners use or add space at federal dredged-material disposal sites, or build replacement space, if the Secretary agrees. A non-Federal partner must pay up front for any added or replacement capacity and must pay any extra operation and maintenance costs in advance of each dredging cycle. If using project space actually cuts project costs, the Secretary will credit that savings against future non-Federal payments. Non-Federal partners can recover the cost of added capacity by charging fees to others who use that capacity and can set those fees. Agreements can let the non-Federal partner later propose a different site for replacement capacity and build it at its own cost, and the Secretary may only reject a prefiled site for clear environmental, geographic, or technical reasons and must give written reasons. The public must be allowed to comment on decisions that allow early use of project capacity. The Secretary may also allow non-Federal entities to use federal disposal facilities if it won’t reduce availability for nearby authorized projects, and must allow use of a non-Federal disposal facility for non-Federal dredging if the owner agrees and projected federal needs for the next 20 years can be met by other nearby facilities. The District Commander decides those questions within 90 days. Fees collected go to operate and maintain the facility and must be reduced to reflect improvements made by the non-Federal owner. If a non-Federal facility hasn’t been used by the Secretary for 20 years and won’t be needed for the next 20 years, the Secretary will do a disposition study and will treat the facility as a separable element with no remaining federal interest. The Secretary may enter partnership or public–private agreements to build, operate, or finance dredged-material processing, treatment, contaminant-reduction, or disposal facilities, allow credit for prior non-Federal costs (subject to approval and laws in effect on November 8, 2007), require non-Federal parties to provide lands and rights, permit repayment of private financing through user fees with an approved reasonable return, and follow normal federal cost-share rules and appropriation limits. Definitions: gross capacity — total amount a disposal facility can hold, including added capacity; non-Federal disposal facility — a disposal site owned by a non-Federal entity but managed or under the Secretary’s jurisdiction.
Full Legal Text
Title 33, §2326a
Navigation and Navigable Waters, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
(a)Additional capacity or replacement capacity
(1)Provided by Secretary
(A)In general
Subject to subparagraph (B), at the request of a non-Federal interest with respect to a project, the Secretary may—
(i)provide additional capacity at a dredged material disposal facility constructed by the Secretary beyond the capacity that would be required for project purposes; or
(ii)permit the use of dredged material disposal facility capacity required for project purposes by the non-Federal interest if the Secretary determines that replacement capacity can be constructed at the facility or another facility or site before such capacity is needed for project purposes.
(B)Agreement
Before the Secretary takes an action under subparagraph (A), the non-Federal interest shall agree to pay—
(i)all costs associated with the construction of the additional capacity or replacement capacity in advance of construction of such capacity; and
(ii)in the case of use by a non-Federal interest of dredged material disposal capacity required for project purposes under subparagraph (A)(ii), any increase in the cost of operation and maintenance of the project that the Secretary determines results from the use of the project capacity by the non-Federal interest in advance of each cycle of dredging.
(C)Credit
In the event the Secretary determines that the cost to operate or maintain the project decreases as a result of use by the non-Federal interest of dredged material disposal capacity required for project purposes under subparagraph (A)(ii), the Secretary, at the request of the non-Federal interest, shall credit the amount of the decrease toward any cash contribution of the non-Federal interest required thereafter for construction, operation, or maintenance of the project, or of another navigation project.
(2)Cost recovery authority
The non-Federal interest may recover the costs assigned to the additional capacity under paragraph (1)(A)(i) through fees assessed on third parties whose dredged material is deposited at the facility and who enter into agreements with the non-Federal interest for the use of the facility. The amount of such fees may be determined by the non-Federal interest.
(3)Special rule for designation of replacement capacity facility or site
(A)In general
Subject to such terms and conditions as the Secretary determines to be necessary or advisable, an agreement under paragraph (1)(B) for use permitted under paragraph (1)(A)(ii) shall reserve to the non-Federal interest—
(i)the right to submit to the Secretary for approval at a later date an alternative to the facility or site designated in the agreement for construction of replacement capacity; and
(ii)the right to construct the replacement capacity at the alternative facility or site at the expense of the non-Federal interest.
(B)Requirement
The Secretary shall not reject a site for the construction of replacement capacity under paragraph (1)(A)(ii) that is submitted by the non-Federal interest for approval by the Secretary before the date of execution of the agreement under paragraph (1)(B), or thereafter, unless the Secretary—
(i)determines that the site is environmentally unacceptable, geographically unacceptable, or technically unsound; and
(ii)provides a written basis for the determination under clause (i) to the non-Federal interest.
(4)Public comment
The Secretary shall afford the public an opportunity to comment on the determinations required under this subsection for a use permitted under paragraph (1)(A)(ii).
(b)Non-Federal use of disposal facilities
(1)In general
(A)Non-Federal use
The Secretary—
(i)at the request of a non-Federal entity, may permit the use of any dredged material disposal facility under the jurisdiction of, or managed by, the Secretary by the non-Federal entity if the Secretary determines that such use will not reduce the availability of the facility for the authorized water resources development project on a channel in the vicinity of the disposal facility;
(ii)at the request of a non-Federal entity, shall permit the non-Federal entity to use a non-Federal disposal facility for the disposal of material dredged by the non-Federal entity, regardless of any connection to a Federal navigation project, if—
(I)permission for such use has been granted by the owner of the non-Federal disposal facility; and
(II)the Secretary determines that the dredged material disposal needs required to maintain, perform authorized deepening, or restore the navigability and functionality of authorized navigation channels in the vicinity of the non-Federal disposal facility for the 20-year period following the date of the request, including all planned and routine dredging operations necessary to maintain such channels for the authorized purposes during such period, can be met by the available gross capacity of other dredged material disposal facilities in the vicinity of the non-Federal disposal facility; and
(iii)shall impose fees to recover capital, operation, and maintenance costs associated with such uses.
(B)Determinations
The Secretary shall—
(i)delegate determinations under clauses (i) and (ii)(II) of subparagraph (A) to the District Commander of the district in which the relevant disposal facility is located; and
(ii)make such determinations not later than 90 days after receiving the applicable request.
(2)Fees
(A)Use
Notwithstanding section 1341(c) of this title but subject to advance appropriations, any monies received through collection of fees under this subsection shall be available to the Secretary, and shall be used by the Secretary, for the operation and maintenance of the disposal facility from which the fees were collected.
(B)Reduction in amount
In collecting any fee under this subsection, the Secretary shall reduce the amount imposed under paragraph (1)(A)(iii) to account for improvements made to the non-Federal disposal facility by the non-Federal entity to recover the capacity of the non-Federal disposal facility.
(3)Disposition studies
(A)Requirement
Upon request by the owner of a non-Federal disposal facility, the Secretary shall carry out a disposition study of the non-Federal disposal facility, in accordance with section 578b of this title, if—
(i)the Secretary has not used the non-Federal disposal facility for the disposal of dredged material during the 20-year period preceding the date of the request; and
(ii)the Secretary determines that the non-Federal disposal facility is not needed for such use by the Secretary during the 20-year period following the date of the request.
(B)Conclusive presumptions
For purposes of carrying out a disposition study required under subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall—
(i)consider the non-Federal disposal facility to be a separable element of a project; and
(ii)consider a Federal interest in the non-Federal disposal facility to no longer exist.
(4)Definitions
In this subsection: (A) Gross capacity
(B)Non-Federal disposal facility
The term “non-Federal disposal facility” means a dredged material disposal facility under the jurisdiction of, or managed by, the Secretary that is owned by a non-Federal entity.
(c)Dredged material facility
(1)In general
The Secretary may enter into a partnership agreement under section 1962d–5b of title 42 with one or more non-Federal interests with respect to a water resources project, or group of water resources projects within a geographic region, if appropriate, for the acquisition, design, construction, management, or operation of a dredged material processing, treatment, contaminant reduction, or disposal facility (including any facility used to demonstrate potential beneficial uses of dredged material, which may include effective sediment contaminant reduction technologies) using funds provided in whole or in part by the Federal Government.
(2)Performance
One or more of the parties to a partnership agreement under this subsection may perform the acquisition, design, construction, management, or operation of a dredged material processing, treatment, contaminant reduction, or disposal facility.
(3)Multiple projects
If appropriate, the Secretary may combine portions of separate water resources projects with appropriate combined cost-sharing among the various water resources projects in a partnership agreement for a facility under this subsection if the facility serves to manage dredged material from multiple water resources projects located in the geographic region of the facility.
(4)Specified Federal funding sources and cost sharing
(A)Specified Federal funding
A partnership agreement with respect to a facility under this subsection shall specify—
(i)the Federal funding sources and combined cost-sharing when applicable to multiple water resources projects; and
(ii)the responsibilities and risks of each of the parties relating to present and future dredged material managed by the facility.
(B)Management of sediments
(i)In general
A partnership agreement under this subsection may include the management of sediments from the maintenance dredging of Federal water resources projects that do not have partnership agreements.
(ii)Payments
A partnership agreement under this subsection may allow the non-Federal interest to receive reimbursable payments from the Federal Government for commitments made by the non-Federal interest for disposal or placement capacity at dredged material processing, treatment, contaminant reduction, or disposal facilities.
(C)Credit
A partnership agreement under this subsection may allow costs incurred by the non-Federal interest before execution of the partnership agreement to be credited in accordance with section 1962d–5b of title 42.
(5)Credit
(A)Effect on existing agreements
Nothing in this subsection supersedes or modifies an agreement in effect on November 8, 2007, between the Federal Government and any non-Federal interest for the cost-sharing, construction, and operation and maintenance of a water resources project.
(B)Credit for funds
Subject to the approval of the Secretary and in accordance with law (including regulations and policies) in effect on November 8, 2007, a non-Federal interest for a water resources project may receive credit for funds provided for the acquisition, design, construction, management, or operation of a dredged material processing, treatment, contaminant reduction, or disposal facility to the extent the facility is used to manage dredged material from the project.
(C)Non-Federal interest responsibilities
A non-Federal interest entering into a partnership agreement under this subsection for a facility shall—
(i)be responsible for providing all necessary lands, easements, relocations, and rights-of-way associated with the facility; and
(ii)receive credit toward the non-Federal share of the cost of the project with respect to which the agreement is being entered into for those items.
(d)Public-private partnerships
(1)In general
The Secretary may carry out a program to evaluate and implement opportunities for public-private partnerships in the design, construction, management, or operation and maintenance of dredged material processing, treatment, contaminant reduction, or disposal facilities in connection with construction or maintenance of Federal navigation projects. If a non-Federal interest is a sponsor of the project, the Secretary shall consult with the non-Federal interest in carrying out the program with respect to the project.
(2)Private financing
(A)Agreements
In carrying out this subsection, the Secretary may enter into an agreement with a non-Federal interest with respect to a project, a private entity, or both for the acquisition, design, construction, management, or operation and maintenance of a dredged material processing, treatment, contaminant reduction, or disposal facility (including any facility used to demonstrate potential beneficial uses of dredged material) using funds provided in whole or in part by the private entity.
(B)Reimbursement
If any funds provided by a private entity are used to carry out a project under this subsection, the Secretary may reimburse the private entity over a period of time agreed to by the parties to the agreement through the payment of subsequent user fees. Such fees may include the payment of a disposal or tipping fee for placement of suitable dredged material at the facility.
(C)Amount of fees
User fees paid pursuant to subparagraph (B) shall be sufficient to repay funds contributed by the private entity plus a reasonable return on investment approved by the Secretary in cooperation with the non-Federal interest with respect to the project and the private entity.
(D)Federal share
The Federal share of such fees shall be equal to the percentage of the total cost that would otherwise be borne by the Federal Government as required pursuant to existing cost-sharing requirements, including section 2213 of this title and section 2326 of this title.
(E)Budget Act compliance
Any spending authority (as defined in section 651(c)(2) of title 2) authorized by this section shall be effective only to such extent and in such amounts as are provided in appropriation Acts.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Editorial Notes
References in Text
The Budget Act, referred to in subsec. (d)(2)(E) heading, probably means the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, titles I through IX of Pub. L. 93–344, July 12, 1974, 88 Stat. 297. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see
Short Title
note set out under section 621 of Title 2, The Congress, and Tables. Codification Section was enacted as part of the Water Resources Development Act of 1996, and not as part of the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 which comprises this chapter.
Amendments
2025—Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 118–272, § 1119(a)(1), amended par. (1) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “The Secretary— “(A) may permit the use of any dredged material disposal facility under the jurisdiction of, or managed by, the Secretary by a non-Federal interest if the Secretary determines that such use will not reduce the availability of the facility for project purposes; and “(B) may impose fees to recover capital, operation, and maintenance costs associated with such use.” Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 118–272, § 1119(a)(2), substituted “Fees” for “Use of fees” in par. heading, designated existing provisions as subpar. (A) and inserted subpar. heading, and added subpar. (B). Subsec. (b)(3), (4). Pub. L. 118–272, § 1119(a)(3), added pars. (3) and (4). 2020—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 116–260, § 145(1), inserted “or replacement capacity” after “Additional capacity” in heading. Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 116–260, § 145(2), added par. (1) and struck out former par. (1). Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “At the request of a non-Federal interest with respect to a project, the Secretary may provide additional capacity at a dredged material disposal facility constructed by the Secretary beyond the capacity that would be required for project purposes if the non-Federal interest agrees to pay, during the period of
Construction
, all costs associated with the
Construction
of the additional capacity.” Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 116–260, § 145(3), inserted “under paragraph (1)(A)(i)” after “additional capacity”. Subsec. (a)(3), (4). Pub. L. 116–260, § 145(4), added pars. (3) and (4). 2007—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 110–114, § 2005(2), added subsec. (c). Former subsec. (c) redesignated (d). Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 110–114, § 2005(1), redesignated subsec. (c) as (d). Subsec. (d)(1). Pub. L. 110–114, § 2005(3), inserted “and maintenance” after “operation” and “processing, treatment, contaminant reduction, or” after “dredged material”. Subsec. (d)(2)(A). Pub. L. 110–114, § 2005(3), inserted “and maintenance” after “operation” and “processing, treatment, contaminant reduction, or” after “of a dredged material”.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Savings Provision
Pub. L. 118–272, div. A, title I, § 1119(b), Jan. 4, 2025, 138 Stat. 3014, provided that: “Nothing in the
Amendments
made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall affect— “(1) an agreement between the Secretary [of the Army] and a non-Federal interest that is in effect on the date of enactment of this Act [Jan. 4, 2025], except that, upon request by the non-Federal interest party to such agreement, the Secretary and the non-Federal interest may modify such agreement; or “(2) the inclusion in an agreement between the Secretary and a non-Federal interest entered into after the date of enactment of this Act of a dredged material disposal facility that is included in an agreement between the Secretary and a non-Federal interest in effect on the date of enactment of this Act, unless the non-Federal interest is notified and agrees.” “Secretary” Defined Secretary means the Secretary of the Army, see section 2 of Pub. L. 104–303, set out as a note under section 2201 of this title.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
33 U.S.C. § 2326a
Title 33, Navigation and Navigable Waters
Last Updated
Sep 22, 2026
Release point: 119-110