With the passage of a host of environmental and fiscal legislation beginning in the 1970's, the Corps of Engineers has been faced with the challenge of maintaining a viable navigation system while protecting the nation's resources. Operational and environmental requirements (e.g., threatened and endangered species, environmental windows, contaminated sediment) of navigation projects have become inseparable. The 21st century will see excessive pressure to end aquatic placement resulting in a significant increase in project costs and placement alternatives. As our corporate technology base is diminishing, risk-based assessment and management will dominate, while beneficial uses of dredged material will be a priority. |
Description of Research