DREDGE Act of 2013

To modify the project for navigation, Mississippi River Ship Channel, Gulf of Mexico to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Dredging for Restoration and Economic Development for Global Exports Act of 2013 DREDGE Act of 2013 2. Mississippi River Ship Channel, Gulf of Mexico to Baton Rouge, Louisiana (a) Project modification The project for navigation, Mississippi River Ship Channel, Gulf of Mexico to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, authorized by section 201 of the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 (100 Stat. 4090), is modified as follows: (1) To direct the Secretary of the Army to achieve, operate, and maintain a navigation channel of 50 feet with respect to the portion of the project from Baton Rouge to the Southwest Pass sea buoy. (2) To direct the Secretary to complete the work required under paragraph (1) not later than the last day of the third fiscal year beginning after the date of enactment of this Act (completing at least one-third of such work in each of the first 2 fiscal years beginning after such date of enactment). (3) To direct the Secretary to conduct a pilot disposal and sediment project in the Southwest Pass area to determine the cost-effectiveness of pump-out disposal operations for hopper dredges for— (A) environmental enhancement; and (B) dredged material disposal. (b) Consultation In carrying out subsection (a)(3), the Secretary shall consult with appropriate Federal, State, and local agencies and stakeholders to determine the safe placement and timing of pump-out disposal operations that protect, create, restore, and nourish coastal wetlands and aquatic habitat. (c) Treatment of costs All costs of the work required under subsection (a) shall be treated as operation and maintenance costs, including the first costs of achieving a navigation channel of 50 feet. (d) Federal share Notwithstanding section 101(b)(1) of the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 (33 U.S.C. 2211(b)(1)), the Federal share of the cost of the work required under subsection (a) shall be 100 percent. (e) Funding Notwithstanding section 210 of the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 ( 33 U.S.C. 2238 section 9505 (f) Report to Congress Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on— (1) the cost and the environmental, storm damage reduction, and social benefits of the pump-out disposal operation carried out under subsection (a)(3), as compared to standard dredging practices for the area; and (2) the total quantity of dredge material produced during operation and maintenance activities in the New Orleans District and the quantity that is beneficially used. (g) Limitation on statutory construction Nothing in this section may be construed to affect the authority of the Secretary with respect to the width of the project referred to in subsection (a).

Summary: Dredging for Restoration and Economic Development for Global Exports Act of 2013 or the DREDGE Act of 2013 - Modifies the project for navigation, Mississippi River Ship Channel, Gulf of Mexico to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, to direct the Secretary of the Army to: (1) achieve, operate, and maintain a navigation channel of 50 feet with respect to the portion of the project from Baton Rouge to the Southwest Pass sea buoy; (2) complete such work not later than the last day of the third fiscal year beginning after the enactment of this Act; (3) conduct a pilot disposal and sediment project in the Southwest Pass area to determine the cost-effectiveness of pump-out disposal operations for hopper dredges for environmental enhancement and dredged material disposal; and (4) consult with appropriate federal, state, and local agencies and stakeholders to determine the safe placement and timing of such pump-out disposal operations that protect, create, restore, and nourish coastal wetlands and aquatic habitat. Requires: (1) all costs of such work to be treated as operation and maintenance costs, including the first costs of achieving a navigation channel of 50 feet; (2) the federal cost share of such work to be 100%; and (3) the Secretary to pay 100% of the costs of such work out of amounts made available from the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund for operation and maintenance expenses. Directs the Secretary to report to Congress on: (1) the cost and the environmental, storm damage reduction, and social benefits of the pump-out disposal operation; and (2) the total quantity of dredge material produced during operation and maintenance activities in the New Orleans District and the quantity that is beneficially used.