WATER RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT ACT OF 1986

Framework for Dredged Material Management

May 2004

WATER RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT ACT OF 1986

The passage of the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 created a

financing arrangement for dredging associated with navigation improvement and

maintenance projects. In a cost-sharing program between the local sponsors and USACE,

local sponsors will finance one-half the cost of improvements and one-half the cost for

additional maintenance dredging resulting from the improvements. USACE will finance

the other half of these costs. This tremendous amount of work, in addition to the annual

USACE maintenance dredging requirements, the Navy's annual maintenance work, and

private dredging requirements, will have a significant impact on dredging and dredged

material disposal practices.

NATIONAL HISTORIC PRESERVATION ACT OF 1966

USACE is directed to take into account the effects of the proposed project on any

site, building, structure, or object that is included or is eligible for inclusion in the

National Register of Historic Places. Comments from the Advisory Council on Historic

Preservation, both Federal and State, must be sought prior to granting a permit for

construction or disposal. Local historical and archeological societies may also be useful

sources of this kind of information about the site. Magnetometer surveys to locate any

possible objects of historic value under water may be required prior to the preparation of

an EIS.

OTHER FEDERAL STATUTES

Requirements of additional Federal statutes such as the Comprehensive

Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980, Rivers and Harbors

Improvement Act of 1978, Submerged Lands Act of 1953, Rivers and Harbors, Flood

Control Acts of 1970, the National Fishing Enhancement Act of 1984, as amended,

should also be considered in the evaluation of proposed projects, as these requirements

may influence the disposal of dredged material in certain circumstances.