What it is
Dredging removes material from the bottom of a waterbody, typically to restore navigable depth or maintain access. Because it disturbs the bottom, affects water quality and can impact habitat, dredging generally receives closer environmental review than a dock or lift.
Dredging projects commonly involve water-quality considerations, seagrass and protected-species review, and a plan for where dredged material will be placed. New dredging and maintenance dredging can be treated differently, and requirements depend heavily on the waterbody, volume of material and site sensitivity.
Who this applies to
- Owners restoring navigable depth to a canal, channel or slip
- Communities maintaining a shared waterway or channel
- Projects removing accumulated sediment or shoaling
- Any project proposing to relocate or dispose of bottom material
Who commonly reviews it
Reviews dredging under the Environmental Resource Permit (ERP) program, including water-quality considerations.
Authorizes work on state-owned submerged lands where dredging occurs.
Reviews dredging in navigable waters, often through an individual review rather than a general permit given the potential impacts.
Reviews for seagrass, manatees and other protected resources may be part of the federal and state process.
Documents commonly required
Existing and proposed depth contours showing the volume and area of material to be removed.
How material will be removed and where it will be placed or disposed.
Measures to control turbidity and protect water quality during dredging.
Seagrass and habitat surveys within and adjacent to the dredge area.
For some projects, testing of the material to be dredged.
Common correction triggers
These are among the issues that most often send this kind of application back for another round of agency corrections. Addressing them up front tends to reduce review cycles.
- Incomplete bathymetric data or unclear dredge volumes
- No clear plan for disposal or placement of dredged material
- Insufficient turbidity and water-quality controls
- Missing seagrass or protected-species survey information
- Proposed depths or footprint exceeding what the review supports
About timelines
Because dredging can affect water quality and habitat, it typically receives more detailed review than most dock or seawall projects, and individual (rather than general) authorizations are more common. Thorough, well-documented submittals help avoid the additional correction rounds that dredging applications often attract.
Frequently asked
Maintenance dredging of a previously authorized area is sometimes reviewed differently than new dredging, but it still involves water-quality and disposal considerations. The specifics depend on the prior authorization and the agency.
Disturbing the bottom affects water clarity, habitat and sometimes protected species, so agencies generally look at dredging in more detail than structures that sit above the bottom.
This guide is educational and general in nature. Requirements vary by county, waterbody and site conditions, and rules change over time. Nothing here is a determination, legal advice or a guarantee of any outcome. Confirm specifics with the relevant agencies or a qualified professional.