Categories of Beneficial Use

Framework for Dredged Material Management

May 2004

2.4.3 Categories of Beneficial Use

Beneficial use includes a wide variety of options, which utilize the material for

some productive purpose. Dredged material is a manageable, valuable soil resource, with

beneficial uses of such importance that they should be incorporated into project plans and

goals at the project's inception to the maximum extent possible.

Ten broad categories of beneficial uses have been identified, based on the

functional use of the dredged material or site. They are:

Habitat restoration/enhancement (wetland, upland, island, and aquatic sites

including use by waterfowl and other birds).

Beach nourishment.

Aquaculture.

Parks and recreation (commercial and noncommercial).

Agriculture, forestry, and horticulture.

Strip mine reclamation and landfill cover for solid waste management.

Shoreline stabilization and erosion control (fills, artificial reefs, submerged

berms, etc.).

Construction and industrial use (including port development, airports, urban,

and residential).

Material transfer (fill, dikes, levees, parking lots, and roads).

Multiple purpose.

Opportunities for beneficial use applications under each of these categories are

discussed in Chapter 6. Detailed guidelines for various beneficial use applications are

given in Engineer Manuals (USACE 1983, 1986 and in preparation). Additional

information and case studies on beneficial use are available at the following website,

which is a collaborative effort between USACE and USEPA: