Mobile BayKeeper is leading an effort to stop the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers from dumping dredged sediment into Mobile Bay, arguing that the practice harms water quality, marine life and the coastal economy.
The Corps plans to deposit about 90 million cubic yards of dredged sediment into the bay over the next 20 years—roughly 4.5 million cubic yards annually—as part of maintaining the Mobile ship channel. Critics say the dumping increases turbidity, threatens oyster beds and fisheries, and could negatively affect tourism and waterfront property values.
Mobile BayKeeper supports proposed state legislation requiring 70 percent of dredged material from the Mobile Bay ship channel to be “beneficially reused” for environmental restoration, recreation, or industrial or commercial purposes. The bill specifies that open-water dumping in Mobile Bay does not qualify as beneficial reuse.
The proposal relies on authority granted to states under the federal Coastal Zone Management Act of 1979, which allows states to place conditions on Corps projects. Alabama currently lacks enforceable coastal policies under that framework.
The state bill aligns with federal legislation introduced by U.S. Sen. Katie Britt that would require the Corps to beneficially reuse 70 percent of dredged material nationwide.
William Strickland, executive director of Mobile BayKeeper, praised state lawmakers for taking action.
“We’re grateful to see real leadership from Representative Marques and Senator Elliott,” Strickland says. “This mess started because a federal agency stopped listening to the people who live and work on Mobile Bay… Instead, the Corps decided it could pick winners and losers, and coastal communities were told they’d just have to be the losers. That’s not right. These elected officials are doing what they were sent to Montgomery to do: stand up for their people and protect our rights. We’re hopeful Senator Britt will stand with the people of coastal Alabama in Washington and help see this through at the federal level.”
Supporters say the bill would not change channel maintenance or affect Port of Mobile operations; only how dredged material is disposed. Any increased costs would be covered by federal funds.
The effort is backed by the Alabama Commercial Fishermen’s Association; the Organized Seafood Association of Alabama; and the mayors of Bayou La Batre, Spanish Fort and Daphne.
Congress banned in-bay dumping in 1986, but the Corps resumed the practice in 2012 under an emergency authorization and made it permanent in 2014 through a federal loophole created in 1996. Advocates say beneficial reuse could generate significant economic benefits, including one industrial proposal projecting a $50 million annual impact and 75 permanent jobs.
Take Action to Protect the Bay
Call Senator Katie Britt at 202-224-5744, Senator Tommy Tuberville at 202-224-4124, Rep. Barry Moore at 202-225-2901 and Rep. Shomari Figures at 202-225-4931.
