SB395 Alabama 2018 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Greg AlbrittonSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2018

Title

Coastal areas, shoreline restoration, living shoreline techniques, use of sand and sediment by riparian property owners without fee or charge by Conservation and Natural Resources Dept. and Environmental Management Dept.

Summary

SB 395 would let riparian property owners along Alabama's Gulf coast use sand and sediment from their own riparian area to build living shorelines in front of their property, without paying state permit fees.

What This Bill Does

Defines living shorelines as restoration methods using native plants, wave attenuation structures, fill, and similar techniques to protect the coast while preserving natural features. It would allow riparian property owners to dredge sand and source sediment from in front of their property to construct living shorelines without paying fees to state agencies. The State Lands Division and the Department of Environmental Management would issue these dredging permits at no cost, and such permission could extend to adjacent property with the consent of the riparian owner. The act applies only to Alabama coastal areas along the Gulf of Mexico, including Mobile Bay and related waters, and is intended as a supplement to existing law, becoming effective after governor approval.

Who It Affects

• Riparian property owners along Alabama's Gulf Coast who would be allowed to dredge sand and sediment from in front of their property to build living shorelines without paying state permit fees.
• State agencies responsible for permits (State Lands Division of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the Department of Environmental Management) which would issue the necessary permits at no charge.

Key Provisions

• Definition of living shoreline and its purpose to use natural coastal processes and preserve coastal features (e.g., vegetation, wave attenuation structures, fill).
• Permits for dredging sand and source sediment in front of a riparian property (or adjacent property with the riparian owner's consent) issued without any fee or charge when used for living shoreline construction.
• Geographic scope limited to Alabama coastal areas along the Gulf of Mexico (including Mobile Bay) as defined in the act.
• Supplemental to existing law (not a repeal) and becomes effective on the first day of the third month following governor's 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

Conservation and Natural Resources Department