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Working Group on the Beneficial Use of Dredged Material

The Western Dredging Association (WEDA) is partnering with The World Association for Waterborne Transport Infrastructure (PIANC) to work cooperatively developing a report on beneficial use of dredged material. PIANC's Environmental Commission (EnviCom) recently formed Working Group 214 (WG214), focused on developing this report. Three WEDA-members, Victor Magar, Don Hayes and Burton Suedel, are members of this new Working Group. To assure we get broad coverage and input from the WEDA region on the issue of this international working group, a supporting WEDA Work Group will be formed to contribute to the overall effort and the ultimate joint report. 

For the members that have been accepted into this workgroup, conference calls and an in-person meeting of the WEDA Work Group will be conducted during the upcoming Dredging Summit and Exposition in Chicago this June. The WEDA Work Group plans to select its chair during the Chicago meeting. 

The objective of the WEDA Work Group is to provide technical information and guidance regarding the state of the practice for use of sediment as a beneficial use product by drawing from existing approaches and best practices in the Americas (the WEDA region). The overall joint PIANC-WEDA-CEDA report will give orientation to sediment beneficial use practices, technologies, regulations, and limitations world-wide.

Specific Work Group objectives:

  • Gather, review and discuss historical and current trends driving beneficial use
  • Discuss impediments to beneficial use and potential solutions to overcome those impediments
  • Review technologies and their effectiveness, limitations, and costs
  • Discuss the impact of sediment contaminants on beneficial use potential
  • Evaluate beneficial use economics, making sure that approaches are economical and affordable

The final report will provide guidance to practitioners that will serve to identify, define and ultimately realize sediment management alternatives for waterborne navigation projects.

All members of this Work Group must by WEDA members in good standing. If you are uncertain about the status of your membership, please email us at info@westerndredging.org.