Subcommittee advances bill to broaden "beneficial use" of dredged material
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Summary
A Virginia House subcommittee voted 10–0 to report HB 52, which would loosen language that limits beneficial reuse of dredge spoils to beach nourishment and allow uses such as marsh replenishment, island restoration and other resilience projects. Conservation groups testified in support.
Delegate Bloxham introduced House Bill 52 to expand the approved uses of material dredged from waterways, saying current code language that specifies "beach" replenishment narrows options for beneficial reuse.
The measure’s sponsor argued the change would let state agencies and project partners use dredged material for marsh replenishment, island replacement and other coastal resilience projects. "We're trying to broaden a little bit so it could be used for marsh replenishment...replace islands," the sponsor said during the subcommittee hearing.
Multiple conservation and regional planning groups testified in support. Chris Moore of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation told the panel the foundation has worked on projects that would benefit from the broader authority and asked members to look favorably on the bill. Matt Wells of the Middle Peninsula Planning District Commission said siltation has made dredging a prominent activity in his region and that additional reuse options would help local communities.
Brent Hunsinger of Friends of the Rappahannock and other online witnesses also backed the bill, saying dredged material can be reused at living-shoreline or wetland-restoration sites adjacent to waterways.
The committee adopted sponsor line amendments and voted to report HB 52 as amended, 10–0, sending it to the next stage of consideration.
The subcommittee’s action does not set final policy; the bill moves forward for further review and possible amendment in later committees.