HB422 Alabama 2018 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

David SessionsSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2018

Title

Environment, dredging regulated, exempt certain construction projects

Summary

HB 422 would set rules for depositing dredged material from Alabama coastal inlets, require sand placement on adjacent eroding beaches, and exempt some construction projects and ports.

What This Bill Does

It creates a procedure for depositing material removed in dredging of Alabama's navigation inlets. It requires that construction and maintenance dredging of beach-quality sand be placed on adjacent eroding beaches, unless an alternative location places the same quality and amount of sand there. It says that, on average each year, the amount of beach-quality sand placed on the adjacent beaches should equal the natural net longshore sediment transport, and it tasks the Department to keep updated estimates to help plan and permit projects.

Who It Affects

• Coastal communities and local governments along Alabama's beaches and inlets, who would be responsible for ensuring beach-quality sand from dredging is placed on adjacent eroding beaches and for participating in inlet management and sediment balancing.
• The Alabama State Port Authority and other ports, which are exempt from some provisions but must make reasonable efforts to place sand on adjacent eroding beaches per port plans and permits and may sponsor inlet management projects.

Key Provisions

• Section 2(a): Dredged beach-quality sand must be placed on adjacent eroding beaches unless an equivalent quality and quantity of sand from an alternate location is placed there.
• Section 2(b): An average annual amount of beach-quality sand equal to the natural net longshore sediment transport must be placed on the adjacent eroding beaches; the department must maintain current estimates to aid planning and permitting.
• Section 2(c): Construction waterward of the coastal construction control line in certain areas may be exempt from permitting if a beach project permit is in place and protections for nesting sea turtles, shorebirds, vegetation, and endangered plants are provided; sand placed must be suitable for marine turtle nesting.
• Section 2(d): Ports under the Alabama State Port Authority are not required to follow subsections (a) and (b) but must demonstrate reasonable effort to place beach-quality sand on adjacent eroding beaches per port master plans and permits; they may sponsor inlet management projects eligible for state cost sharing.
• Section 2(e): The Alabama State Port Authority must ensure that any beach-quality sand from federal projects dredging for navigation is disposed on or nearshore the adjacent eroding beaches; nearshore or upland disposal may be permitted in emergencies; nearshore disposal is considered the least-cost option.
• Section 2(f): If federal or state plans do not specify who is responsible for erosion, the Authority or local government should assess and identify responsible parties and cost-sharing; the entity responsible for maintenance dredging may be deemed responsible if no other is specified.
• Section 2(g): If there is a dispute about how much sand should be bypassed, the department will balance the sediment budget and implement bypassing and other inlet management to protect its investments.
• Section 3: The act takes effect on the first day of the third month after passage and approval.

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