Dredging is defined as the removal of sediments and debris
from the bottom of lakes, rivers, harbors, and other water bodies (NOAA). It is
often necessary to conduct this activity all around the world’s waterways
because the natural process of sand and silt washing downstream fills in
channels and harbors overtime, interfering with the navigation of ships. As
such, dredging is important to the economy. Large container ships carry the bulk
of the goods imported into the United States, and waterways need to be navigable.
However, the most challenging issue related to dredging is what to do with all
the dredge material. Addressing this problem requires thoughtful, proactive,
community-based planning.
More general information on dredging can be found on NOAA’s
website at https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/dredging.html.
Dredging at Fisherman's Cove in Manasquan, July 19, 2017
Post-dredging at Fisherman’s Cove in Manasquan, August 2,
2017
COA and Beneficial
Reuse
Clean Ocean Action has been on the forefront of developing,
analyzing, and advocating for community driven dredged material management plans
and solutions for over 30 years. COA advocates for dredging of existing
channels and in some circumstances, environmental dredging and the removal of
contaminated or ecologically harmful dredge material. To manage the material,
COA encourages beneficial use of dredged material as a resource through a
well-defined regulatory structure that effectively matches dredged materials
with appropriate projects. It is essential that the options for
beneficial use be dependent on the quality of the dredged material. For
example, clean sand can be used for beach nourishment, habitat creation, and
flood control projects while material that contains some contaminants can be
used for brownfield remediation, and landfill closures and capping after it has
been processed to immobilize the contaminants. Moreover, the development
of community-based dredged material management plans are of utmost importance.
These plans should be recognized by regulatory authorities and supported by the
public to help ensure that only the most environmentally – and economically –
sound decisions are being made. These approaches should be developed
proactively, before dredge material management becomes a crisis. COA also works to ensure that the dredged
material that is being pumped onto the beach meets
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