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suitable for both unconfined disposal in open water and 

 beneficial use applications, such as beach nourishment and 

 wetlands restoration. Where appropriate and authorized, dredged 

 sediments generated under the Army dredging program are presently 

 used for a variety of beneficial purposes. Based on a 1990 

 study, about 15 mcy of suitable material are used annually for 

 beach nourishment. Section 204 of the Water Resources 

 Development Act (WRDA) of 1992 included a provision recommended 

 by Army authorizing the Corps, in partnership with non-federal 

 cost sharing sponsors, to expand significantly its ability to 

 utilize dredged sediments beneficially. Consequently, we expect 

 to increase the amount of dredged material applied to beneficial 

 uses substantially in future years. Despite these additional 

 authorities, there will continue to be very large volumes of 

 uncontaminated sediments that cannot be effectively or 

 economically applied to beneficial uses. The prominent concern 

 in managing this material will be the minimization of any 

 physical environmental impacts from placement of the material. 



Of the approximately 300 mcy of sediments that are dredged 

 each year under the Army program, only a small percentage, one to 

 four percent, is currently classified as contaminated and 

 requires special handling or treatment. The total volume of this 

 type of material ranges from 3 to 12 mcy each year. These 

 contaminated materials are placed into appropriately confined 

 areas and fully managed to protect the environment. 



The small percentage of contaminated material associated 

 with our Federal dredging program is not surprising. Most 

 Federal channels have been periodically dredged for many years, 

 which tends to minimize contaminant buildup in channel shoals. 

 Moreover, recently deposited sediments tend to be cleaner due to 

 increased regulation of point source discharges. Another factor 

 which minimizes contaminant buildup is that federal channels are 

 often located in higher energy areas of our waterways or are 

 subjected to frequent turbulence. Highly contaminated sediment 

 is usually found in heavily industrialized inner harbor areas and 

 channel reaches which have not been dredged for many years, and 

 which have been subject to contamination from point and non-point 

 source discharges. 



While it constitutes only 25% of the total volume (100 mcy) , 

 the percentage of dredged material from non-federal permitted 

 activities that is contaminated to the extent that it requires 

 special handling is roughly estimated to be higher than that for 

 federal dredging over the last five years. The actual amount of 

 contaminated sediment depends upon the specific proposed project 

 for which a permit application is submitted. 



