HB386 Alabama 2014 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

David SessionsSenator

Republican

Co-Sponsor

Chad Fincher

Session

Regular Session 2014

Title

Environment, dredging regulated, exempt certain construction projects

Summary

HB386 would set a formal process for depositing dredged material from Alabama inlet dredging, require beach-quality sand be placed on adjacent eroding beaches to balance sediment, and exempt certain port-related construction from some permits.

What This Bill Does

It creates a procedure for how dredged material from navigation inlets should be deposited. It requires that beach-quality sand from dredging and port projects be placed on adjacent eroding beaches, with the yearly amount matching natural net longshore sediment transport and ongoing estimates to guide planning. It provides permitting exemptions for certain inlet-related construction within port or coastal municipality jurisdictions, while requiring protections for wildlife and habitats during work. It assigns sand disposal responsibilities to the Alabama State Port Authority for federal projects and allows cost-sharing and assessments to determine erosion responsibility and balance sediment budgets.

Who It Affects

• Alabama State Port Authority and its ports: may receive exemptions from some permits for certain inlet-related construction, must demonstrate efforts to place beach-quality sand on adjacent eroding beaches, can sponsor inlet management projects, and handles disposal of beach-quality sand from federal projects.
• Local governments and property owners adjacent to inlets: involved in sand bypass decisions and disputes, subject to measures to balance sediment budgets, and must follow habitat protections and permitting requirements to support beach nourishment and erosion control.

Key Provisions

• Establishes a procedure for depositing material dredged from navigation inlets.
• Requires construction/maintenance dredging of beach-quality sand to be placed on adjacent eroding beaches, with annual amounts equal to natural net longshore sediment transport; maintains estimates to aid planning and permitting.
• Provides permitting exemptions for certain inlet-related construction within port or coastal municipality jurisdictions, provided beach nourishment permits are in place; requires protection of nesting sea turtles, shorebirds, vegetation, and endangered plant communities.
• Ports may sponsor inlet management projects eligible for state cost sharing and must demonstrate sand placement on adjacent eroding beaches per port master plans and department permits.
• ASPA must manage disposal of beach-quality sand from federal navigation-related projects nearshore or on the nearshore; nearshore or upland disposal may be allowed in emergencies; emphasizes least-cost disposal.
• Requires assessments to identify responsible erosion entities when not specified by federal/state plans; maintenance dredging entity may be deemed responsible for erosion.
• Addresses disputes over sand bypass by requiring actions to balance the sediment budget and protect investments in beach nourishment projects.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Environment