Dredging & Beneficial Reuse Committee

In 1983, Bay Planning Coalition was founded upon the regulatory issues surrounding dredging. For nearly 40 years, BPC has been advocating for rational dredging, regulatory and permitting efficiency, and beneficial reuse of dredged sediment as a means to grow the regional economy in an increasing environmentally sustainable way.  Dredging of the Bay’s naturally shallow waters is not only critical to facilitating goods movement in and out of Northern California ports and expanding the region’s water transit services, but it also provides a source of sediment that can be used to buffer our shorelines to be more resilient against sea level rise, while also providing a myriad of ecological benefits.

Dredging & Beneficial Reuse 2023-24 Policy Goals:

• Support permitting reforms and the regular dredging of critical waterways.
• Advocate for State and Federal funding by educating legislators on the importance of the region’s dredging for the movement of goods and people to the state economy.
• Champion the beneficial use of dredged sediment for shoreline resiliency projects.
• Direct funds for dredge-related science through the SFEI Regional Monitoring Program.

Committee Chairs:

• Josh Gravenmier, Environmental Resource Management (ERM)
• Scott Bodensteiner, Haley & Aldrich

Resources:

Additional Resources:

Dredging & Beneficial Reuse News:

• Notice of Preparation of a Draft Environmental Impact Report and Public Scoping Meetings for the Turning Basins Widening StudyJune 1, 2022
  In accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the Port of Oakland (Port) is preparing an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) to evaluate the potential widening of Oakland’s turning basins. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), in partnership with the Port, is performing a feasibility study to improve the efficiency of vessels entering and … Read more
• ENS Federal Report – April 8th 2022April 11, 2022
  Senate Subcommittee Kicks Off FY 23 Spending Proposal Hearing This past week, Senate Committee on Appropriations’ Subcommittee on Energy and Water convened to review the Biden funding request of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (USBR).  Testifying before Chairman Dianne Feinstein and her subcommittee members were Mike Connor, Assistant … Read more
• ESA: President’s Letter & 2022 UpdatesMarch 13, 2022
  In tandem with our expanded technical capabilities, we continue to deliver for our clients across the US as they continue in their important work of advancing resilience, climate mitigation, and critical infrastructure, all while navigating regulatory changes. This issue of ESA Connects features our ongoing work in Florida for more resilient shorelines, work with clients to set … Read more