A website supporting the beneficial use of dredged sediment in coastal habitat and construction projects.
USACE Beneficial Uses of Dredged Sediment Website
Overview
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) hosts a website about the beneficial use of dredged sediment. The USACE defines beneficial uses as “productive and positive uses of dredged material, which cover broad use categories ranging from fish and wildlife habitat development, to human recreation, to industrial/commercial uses” (USACE Beneficial Uses of Dredged Material, Engineer Manual 1110-2-5026). The majority of material dredged from navigation channels can be reused in habitat and construction projects. USACE has a goal to ensure that 70% of navigational dredging sediment is used beneficially by 2030.
Image Caption: Home page of USACE Beneficial Uses of Dredged Sediment website.
Website Content
The website contains information and resources about beneficial uses of dredged sediments to support the use of dredged materials in beach nourishment, wetland habitat, ecosystem restoration, and brownfield reconstruction. The website features guidance documents and USACE manuals related to implementing beneficial use practices as well as success stories of projects that have incorporated beneficial uses of dredged sediment.
Image Caption: Web page from the USACE Beneficial Uses of Dredged Sediment website featuring guidance documents and engineering manuals. Keyword search can be used to find relevant documents.
Examples of Beneficial Use Projects in Wisconsin
In Wisconsin’s Great Lakes coastal communities, dredged materials have been used for projects including the Samuel Myers Park Restoration Project in Racine, Kenosha Dunes Natural Infrastructure Project in Kenosha, and the Cat Island Restoration Project in Green Bay.
Image Caption: Cat Island Chain in Green Bay, WI. Image credit: Jacob Woulf via UW-Green Bay
