Habitat Development Using Dredged Material

Abstract

Over the past eleven years, a number of environmentally and economically acceptable beneficial uses have been tested and developed using dredged material substrates. This work has primarily been accomplished by the Corps of Engineers, but local and state governments and private groups have also been putting dredged material to beneficial use. These wide ranging uses have included wetland and upland habitat development; nesting islands; seagrass beds; beach stabilization; aquaculture; farmland enhancement; parks and recreation; strip mining reclamation; dike, levee, and island formation; and fisheries and invertebrate enhancement. In addition, dredged material has been used in urban areas as fill material for roadways, parking lots, industrial sites, residential areas, marinas, military activities, and other construction. Case studies of the two most successful habitat development activities are discussed.