HB236 Alabama 2016 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

David SessionsSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2016

Title

Environment, sand dredging in coastal inlets, procedures enforced by Conservation and Natural Resources Dept., to assist in sand placement to help prevent sand erosion

Summary

HB236 would create a state program to place beach-quality sand dredged from inlet navigation projects onto adjacent beaches to prevent erosion, overseen by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

What This Bill Does

The bill requires that sand dredged during navigation channel work be placed on adjacent beaches or nearby nearshore areas to enter the natural sand drift system. If sand is placed elsewhere, an equivalent amount must be added to downdrift beaches. It also sets annual sand placement goals to match natural longshore transport, protects nesting sea turtles and other wildlife during timing, and governs disposal of federal project sand with emergency exceptions; it establishes cost-sharing rules if erosion responsibilities are unclear, with the DoCNR administering the program.

Who It Affects

• Coastal communities and their beaches near inlet navigation projects, who would benefit from reduced erosion and enhanced beach nourishment, subject to regulatory placement and timing requirements.
• Entities responsible for dredging and maintaining navigation channels (including federal projects and related state agencies), who may be required to supply or substitute sand and could be held responsible for erosion costs under certain assessments.

Key Provisions

• The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources shall implement, administer, and develop rules for the program.
• All beach quality sand dredged during navigation channel work must be placed on adjacent beaches or suitable nearshore locations to contribute to natural littoral drift; if not, equivalent sand must be placed on downdrift beaches.
• On an average annual basis, the sand placed on eroding beaches adjacent to inlets must equal the natural net longshore sediment transport that would occur without the navigation project.
• Timing must protect nesting sea turtles, nesting shorebirds, and other threatened or endangered species; sand placed must be suitable for marine turtle nesting.
• Federal sand dredged from navigation projects shall be disposed of on or nearshore adjacent eroding beaches; emergency exceptions may allow other locations.
• If the responsible party for erosion is not specified in federal investigations, the DoCNR will conduct assessments to identify responsible entities and determine cost-sharing for erosion measures; the maintenance dredging entity may be deemed responsible if no other party is identified.
• The act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage and approval by the Governor.

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