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This policy defines the Department’s role in sampling and testing sediments from harbors, navigation channels, navigable waterways, berthing areas, upland diked disposal areas and ocean disposal areas.
The United States Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) states that dredged material and sediment beneath navigable waters and berthing areas proposed for dredging are tested and evaluated as needed for their suitability for disposal in accordance with the appropriate guidelines and criteria adopted pursuant to Section 404 of the Clean Water Act and/or Section 103 of the Marine Protection Research and Sanctuaries Act (MPRSA). The Corps obtains approval for dredging/disposal projects from all appropriate state and federal resource agencies prior to issuing Corps approval/permits.
The construction and maintenance of navigable waterways is a federal responsibility; the Department is the local sponsor for the federal channel. Therefore, the Department will allow the Corps to obtain all required environmental clearances for navigable waterway projects. The Department will not assume a lead role in the sampling/testing of sediments in the navigable waterways, harbors, navigation channels, berthing areas, upland diked disposal areas or ocean disposal areas unless requested by the Corps.
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