33 U.S.C. § 2326 (NAVIGATION AND NAVIGABLE WATERS)
§ 2326. Regional sediment management
(a) In general
(1) Sediment use
(A) Sediment from Federal water resources projects
For sediment obtained through or used in the construction, operation, or maintenance of an authorized Federal water resources project, including a project authorized for flood control, the Secretary shall develop, at Federal expense, regional sediment management plans and carry out projects at locations identified in plans developed under this section, or identified jointly by the non-Federal interest and the Secretary, for use in the construction, repair, modification, or rehabilitation of projects, including projects for the beneficial use of dredged materials described in section 1122 of the Water Resources Development Act of 2016 (33 U.S.C. 2326 note),1 associated with Federal water resources projects for purposes listed in paragraph (3).
(B) Sediment from other Federal sources and non-Federal sources
For purposes of projects carried out under this section, the Secretary may include sediment from other Federal sources and non-Federal sources, subject to the requirement that any sediment obtained from a non-Federal source shall not be obtained at Federal expense.
(2) Cooperation
The Secretary shall develop plans under this subsection in cooperation with the appropriate Federal, State, regional, and local agencies.
(3) Purposes for sediment use in projects
The purposes of using sediment for the construction, repair, modification, or rehabilitation of Federal water resources projects are—
(A) to reduce storm damage to property;
(B) to protect, restore, and create aquatic and ecologically related habitats, including wetlands; and
(C) to transport and place suitable sediment for the purposes of improving environmental conditions in marsh and littoral systems, stabilizing stream channels, enhancing shorelines, and supporting State and local risk management adaptation strategies.
(4) Reducing costs
To reduce or avoid Federal costs, the Secretary shall consider the beneficial use of dredged material in a manner that contributes to the maintenance of sediment resources in the nearby coastal system.
(b) Secretarial findings
Subject to subsection (c), projects carried out under subsection (a) may be carried out in any case in which the Secretary finds that—
(1) the environmental, economic, and social benefits of the project, both monetary and nonmonetary, justify the cost of the project; and
(2) the project will not result in environmental degradation.
(c) Determination of project costs
(1) Costs of construction
(A) In general
Costs associated with construction of a project under this section or identified in a regional sediment management plan shall be limited solely to construction costs that are in excess of the costs necessary to carry out the dredging for construction, operation, or maintenance of an authorized Federal water resources project in the most cost-effective way, consistent with economic, engineering, and environmental criteria.
(B) Cost sharing
(i) In general
Except as provided in clause (ii), the non-Federal share of the construction cost of a project under this section shall be determined as provided in subsections (a) through (d) of section 2213 of this title.
(ii) Special rule
Construction of a project under this section for one or more of the purposes of protection, restoration, or creation of aquatic and ecologically related habitat, the cost of which does not exceed $750,000 and which is located in a disadvantaged community as determined by the Secretary, may be carried out at Federal expense.
(C) Total cost
The total Federal costs associated with construction of a project under this section may not exceed $15,000,000.
(2) Operation, maintenance, replacement, and rehabilitation costs
Operation, maintenance, replacement, and rehabilitation costs associated with a project under this section are the responsibility of the non-Federal interest.
(d) Selection of dredged material disposal method for purposes related to environmental restoration or storm damage and flood reduction
(1) In general
At the request of the non-Federal interest for a water resources development project involving the disposal of dredged material, the Secretary, using funds appropriated for construction or operation and maintenance of the project, may select a disposal method that is not the least cost option if the Secretary determines that the incremental costs of the disposal method are reasonable in relation to—
(A) the environmental benefits, including the benefits to the aquatic environment to be derived from the creation of wetlands and control of shoreline erosion; or
(B) the hurricane and storm or flood risk reduction benefits, including shoreline protection, protection against loss of life, and damage to improved property.
(2) Federal share
The Federal share of such incremental costs shall be determined in accordance with subsection (c).
(3) Special rule
Disposal of dredged material under this subsection may include a single or periodic application of sediment for beneficial use and shall not require operation and maintenance.
(4) Disposal at non-Federal cost
The Secretary may accept funds from a non-Federal interest to dispose of dredged material as provided under section 2213(d)(1) of this title.
(5) Selection of dredged material disposal method for certain purposes
Activities carried out under this subsection—
(A) shall be carried out using amounts appropriated for construction or operation and maintenance of the project involving the disposal of the dredged material; and
(B) shall not carried 1 out using amounts made available under subsection (g).
(e) State and regional plans
The Secretary may—
(1) cooperate with any State or group of States in the preparation of a comprehensive State or regional sediment management plan within the boundaries of the State or among States;
(2) encourage State participation in the implementation of the plan; and
(3) submit to Congress reports and recommendations with respect to appropriate Federal participation in carrying out the plan.
(f) Priority areas
In carrying out this section, the Secretary shall give priority to a regional sediment management project in the vicinity of each of the following:
(1) Little Rock Slackwater Harbor, Arkansas.
(2) Fletcher Cove, California.
(3) Egmont Key, Florida.
(4) Calcasieu Ship Channel, Louisiana.
(5) Delaware River Estuary, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
(6) Fire Island Inlet, Suffolk County, New York.
(7) Smith Point Park Pavilion and the TWA Flight 800 Memorial, Brookhaven, New York.
(8) Morehead City, North Carolina.
(9) Toledo Harbor, Lucas County, Ohio.
(10) Galveston Bay, Texas.
(11) Benson Beach, Washington.
(12) Osceola County, Florida.
(g) Authorization of appropriations
There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $62,500,000 per fiscal year, of which not more than $5,000,000 per fiscal year may be used for the development of regional sediment management plans authorized by subsection (e) and of which not more than $3,000,000 per fiscal year may be used for construction of projects to which subsection (c)(1)(B)(ii) applies. Such funds shall remain available until expended.
(Pub. L. 102–580, title II, § 204, Oct. 31, 1992, 106 Stat. 4826; Pub. L. 104–303, title II, § 207, Oct. 12, 1996, 110 Stat. 3680; Pub. L. 106–53, title II, § 209, Aug. 17, 1999, 113 Stat. 287; Pub. L. 110–114, title II, § 2037(a), Nov. 8, 2007, 121 Stat. 1094; Pub. L. 113–121, title I, §§ 1030(d)(1), 1038, June 10, 2014, 128 Stat. 1232, 1236; Pub. L. 114–322, title I, § 1122(i), Dec. 16, 2016, 130 Stat. 1647; Pub. L. 115–270, title I, §§ 1150, 1157(d), Oct. 23, 2018, 132 Stat. 3787, 3794; Pub. L. 116–260, div. AA, title I, § 125(a)(2)(C), Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 2637; Pub. L. 118–272, div. A, title I, §§ 1107(i), 1130(b), Jan. 4, 2025, 138 Stat. 3005, 3019.)
heading: Editorial Notes
heading: Codification
text: Section was enacted as part of the Water Resources Development Act of 1992, and not as part of the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 which comprises this chapter.
heading: Amendments
text: 2025—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 118–272, § 1130(b)(1), substituted “rehabilitation of projects, including projects for the beneficial use of dredged materials described in section 1122 of the Water Resources Development Act of 2016 (33 U.S.C. 2326 note),” for “rehabilitation of projects”.
Subsec. (c)(1)(C). Pub. L. 118–272, § 1107(i), substituted “$15,000,000” for “$10,000,000”.
Subsec. (f)(12). Pub. L. 118–272, § 1130(b)(2), added par. (12).
2020—Subsec. (d)(1). Pub. L. 116–260, § 125(a)(2)(C)(i)(I), in introductory provisions, substituted “At the request of the non-Federal interest for a water resources development project involving the disposal of dredged material, the Secretary, using funds appropriated for construction or operation and maintenance of the project, may select” for “In developing and carrying out a Federal water resources project involving the disposal of dredged material, the Secretary may select, with the consent of the non-Federal interest,”.
Subsec. (d)(1)(B). Pub. L. 116–260, § 125(a)(2)(C)(i)(II), substituted “hurricane and storm or flood risk reduction benefits” for “flood and storm damage and flood reduction benefits”.
Subsec. (d)(5). Pub. L. 116–260, § 125(a)(2)(C)(ii), added par. (5).
2018—Subsec. (a)(1)(A). Pub. L. 115–270, § 1150, inserted “including a project authorized for flood control,” after “an authorized Federal water resources project,”.
Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 115–270, § 1157(d), substituted “$62,500,000” for “$50,000,000”.
2016—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 114–322, § 1122(i)(1), designated existing provisions as subpar. (A), inserted heading, and added subpar. (B).
Subsec. (d)(3), (4). Pub. L. 114–322, § 1122(i)(2), added pars. (3) and (4).
2014—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 113–121, § 1038(1)(A), inserted “or used in” after “obtained through”.
Subsec. (a)(3)(C). Pub. L. 113–121, § 1038(1)(B), inserted “for the purposes of improving environmental conditions in marsh and littoral systems, stabilizing stream channels, enhancing shorelines, and supporting State and local risk management adaptation strategies” before period at end.
Subsec. (a)(4). Pub. L. 113–121, § 1038(1)(C), added par. (4).
Subsec. (c)(1)(C). Pub. L. 113–121, § 1030(d)(1)(A), substituted “$10,000,000” for “$5,000,000”.
Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 113–121, § 1038(2)(A), substituted “Selection of dredged material disposal method for purposes related to environmental restoration or storm damage and flood reduction” for “Selection of dredged material disposal method for environmental purposes” in heading.
Subsec. (d)(1). Pub. L. 113–121, § 1038(2)(B), substituted “in relation to—” for “in relation to the environmental benefits, including the benefits to the aquatic environment to be derived from the creation of wetlands and control of shoreline erosion.” and added subpars. (A) and (B).
Subsec. (e)(1). Pub. L. 113–121, § 1038(3), added par. (1) and struck out former par. (1) which read as follows: “cooperate with any State in the preparation of a comprehensive State or regional sediment management plan within the boundaries of the State;”.
Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 113–121, § 1030(d)(1)(B), substituted “$50,000,000” for “$30,000,000”.
2007—Pub. L. 110–114 amended section generally. Prior to amendment, section related to beneficial uses of dredged material.
1999—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 106–53, § 209(1), in introductory provisions, substituted “binding agreement with the Secretary” for “cooperative agreement in accordance with the requirements of section 1962d–5b of title 42”.
Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 106–53, § 209(2), added subsec. (g).
1996—Subsecs. (e), (f). Pub. L. 104–303 added subsec. (e) and redesignated former subsec. (e) as (f).
heading: Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
heading: Applicability
text: Pub. L. 110–114, title II, § 2037(c), as added by Pub. L. 113–121, title I, § 1030(d)(2), June 10, 2014, 128 Stat. 1232, provided that: “The amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall not apply to any project authorized under this Act [see Tables for classification] if a report of the Chief of Engineers for the project was completed prior to the date of enactment of this Act [Nov. 8, 2007].”
heading: Maximization of Beneficial Use in Dredged Material Management Plans
text: Pub. L. 118–272, div. A, title I, § 1130(d), Jan. 4, 2025, 138 Stat. 3019, provided that:
“Each dredged material management plan for a federally authorized water resources development project, and each regional sediment plan developed under section 204 of the Water Resources Development Act of 1992 (33 U.S.C. 2326), including any such plan under development on the date of enactment of this Act [Jan. 4, 2025], shall—
“(1) maximize the beneficial use of suitable dredged material; and
“(2) to the maximum extent practicable, prioritize the use of such dredged material in water resources development projects in areas vulnerable to coastal land loss or shoreline erosion.”
heading: Project Selection
text: Pub. L. 116–260, div. AA, title I, § 125(b)(3), Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 2638, provided that: “In selecting projects for the beneficial use of dredged materials under section 1122 of the Water Resources Development Act of 2016 (33 U.S.C. 2326 note) [set out as a note below], the Secretary [of the Army] shall prioritize the selection of at least one project for the utilization of thin layer placement of dredged fine and coarse grain sediment and at least one project for recovering lost storage capacity in reservoirs due to sediment accumulation authorized by subsection (a)(8) of such section, to the extent that a non-Federal interest has submitted an application for such project purposes that otherwise meets the requirements of such section.”
heading: Coordination With Existing Authorities
text: Pub. L. 116–260, div. AA, title I, § 125(d)(2), Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 2640, provided that: “The Secretary [of the Army] may carry out the dredge pilot program authorized by section 1111 of the Water Resources Development Act of 2018 (33 U.S.C. 2326 note) in coordination with Federal regional dredge demonstration programs in effect on the date of enactment of this Act [Dec. 27, 2020].”
heading: Dredge Pilot Program
text: Pub. L. 115–270, title I, § 1111, Oct. 23, 2018, 132 Stat. 3774, as amended by Pub. L. 116–260, div. AA, title I, § 125(d)(1), Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 2640, provided that:
“(a) In General.—
The Secretary [of the Army] is authorized to carry out a pilot program to award contracts with a duration of up to 5 years for the operation and maintenance of—
“(1) harbors and inland harbors referred to in section 210(a)(2) of the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 (33 U.S.C. 2238(a)(2)); or
“(2) inland and intracoastal waterways of the United States described in section 206 of the Inland Waterways Revenue Act of 1978 (33 U.S.C. 1804).
“(b) Scope.—
In carrying out the pilot program under subsection (a), the Secretary may award a contract described in such subsection, which may address one or more harbors, inland harbors, or inland or intracoastal waterways in a geographical region, if the Secretary determines that the contract provides cost savings compared to the awarding of such work on an annual basis or on a project-by-project basis.
“(c) Report to Congress.—
Not later than 1 year after the date on which the first contract is awarded pursuant to the pilot program carried out under subsection (a), the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report evaluating, with respect to the pilot program and any contracts awarded under the pilot program—
“(1) cost effectiveness;
“(2) reliability and performance;
“(3) cost savings attributable to mobilization and demobilization of dredge equipment; and
“(4) response times to address navigational impediments.
“(d) Sunset.—
The authority of the Secretary to enter into contracts pursuant to the pilot program carried out under subsection (a), shall expire on the date that is 10 years after the date of enactment of this Act [Oct. 23, 2018].”
heading: Beneficial Use of Dredged Sediment
text: Pub. L. 115–270, title I, § 1148, Oct. 23, 2018, 132 Stat. 3787, provided that:
“(a) In General.—
In carrying out a project for the beneficial reuse of sediment to reduce storm damage to property under section 204 of the Water Resources Development Act of 1992 (33 U.S.C. 2326) that involves only a single application of sediment, the Secretary [of the Army] may grant a temporary easement necessary to facilitate the placement of sediment, if the Secretary determines that granting a temporary easement is in the interest of the United States.
“(b) Limitation.—
If the Secretary grants a temporary easement under subsection (a) with respect to a project, that project shall no longer be eligible for future placement of sediment under section 204 of the Water Resources Development Act of 1992 (33 U.S.C. 2326).”
heading: Beneficial Use of Dredged Material
text: Pub. L. 114–322, title I, § 1122(a)–(h), Dec. 16, 2016, 130 Stat. 1645, 1646, as amended by Pub. L. 115–270, title I, § 1130, Oct. 23, 2018, 132 Stat. 3780; Pub. L. 116–260, div. AA, title I, § 125(b)(1), Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 2638; Pub. L. 118–272, div. A, title I, § 1130(a), Jan. 4, 2025, 138 Stat. 3018, which established a pilot program to carry out projects for various beneficial uses of dredged material and was formerly set out as a note under this section, was transferred to section 2326i of this title.
heading: “Secretary” Defined
text: Secretary means the Secretary of the Army, see section 3 of Pub. L. 102–580, set out as a note under section 2201 of this title.