As maritime activity increases along the coasts, the accumulation of dredged sediment is rising, and traditional placement sites are quickly reaching capacity. Historically, this material has been seen as a costly and unavoidable waste product. Transporting it off-site poses logistical challenges, drives up costs, and often slows down projects while putting pressure on local infrastructure.
But there is an opportunity hidden in this challenge. Dredged sediment can be transformed from waste into a powerful tool for ecological restoration.
Dredged material, the sediment removed to maintain waterways, ports, and harbors, has traditionally been viewed as a disposal issue, often requiring costly solutions. However, there is a growing shift toward seeing it as a resource.
When seen through the lens of sustainability, dredged material can be repurposed as a building block for healthier ecosystems. By carefully selecting and restoring parcels of land, dredged material can be used to rebuild wetlands, improve soil quality, and restore ecosystems. This approach reduces waste and creates long-term environmental benefits.
Houston Ship Channel
RES is pioneering a creative approach to this growing challenge. The strategy is simple but effective:
This model solves the immediate challenge of sediment placement while creating long-term environmental assets. It also provides clients with predictable permitting, streamlined compliance, and cost savings.
Our team strategically evaluates opportunities to repurpose dredged material. Throughout the process we allow local stakeholders to define their maintenance and dredging schedules. From there, RES manages all stages of the process: logistics, engineering, and ecological recovery. This approach not only streamlines compliance with regulatory requirements but also creates cost-effective and environmentally responsible solutions.
When dredged material is repurposed instead of wasted, stakeholders gain clear advantages:
Restored marsh
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ August 2023 memorandum, Expanding Beneficial Use of Dredged Material in the USACE, emphasizes that achieving the national goal of 70 percent beneficial use by 2030 will require both innovation and commitment. This will require treating dredged material as a resource that supports ecosystems, economies, and project delivery.
By fostering increased permitting predictability, agencies and project sponsors can better plan, finance, and deliver initiatives that maximize the value of dredged material. This regulatory clarity and efficiency not only incentivizes beneficial use but also accelerates progress toward the Corps’ long-term sustainability and resilience goals.
As placement sites grow scarce and dredging needs accelerate, there is a sense of urgency to find a sustainable solution.
Houston Ship Channel
Connect with RES. Together, we can transform dredging challenges into long-term environmental and community success. By collaborating with us, clients not only solve today’s logistical problems but also invest in landscapes that will serve communities for generations.