SB215 Alabama 2019 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

David SessionsSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2019

Title

Environment, dredging regulated, exempt certain construction projects

Summary

SB 215 creates a formal process for handling sand and material dredged from Alabama inlets, requiring beach-quality sand to be placed on adjacent eroding beaches and outlining exemptions for certain construction and port projects.

What This Bill Does

It establishes procedures for depositing dredged inlet material and generally requires dredged beach-quality sand to go onto adjacent eroding beaches. It also requires an annual amount of sand equal to natural longshore transport, with the Department and universities estimating quantities to guide planning. The bill provides exemptions for certain coastal construction near inlets and for Alabama State Port Authority projects, while mandating protections for sea turtles, shorebirds, and vegetation. It appoints the Port Authority to still pursue sand placement through port plans and allows disposal of federal dredged sand nearshore on adjacent beaches if needed for cost reasons; it also allows assessments to identify responsible parties for erosion and gives the department a role in resolving sand-bypassing disputes.

Who It Affects

• Coastal counties, cities, and state agencies that manage inlets and beach nourishment, who would implement sand bypassing, permits, and erosion control.
• Alabama State Port Authority and related ports and port-sponsored projects, which have some exemptions but must follow master plans and permits to place sand on adjacent beaches.

Key Provisions

• Construction and maintenance dredging of beach-quality sand must be placed on the adjacent eroding beaches unless an equivalent amount and quality of sand from another location is placed on those beaches.
• An average annual amount of beach-quality sand must be placed on adjacent eroding beaches equal to the natural net longshore sediment transport; the department maintains sand quantity estimates for planning and permitting.
• Exemptions from permitting requirements for certain coastal construction near inlets if projects have appropriate permits and must protect nesting sea turtles, shorebirds, vegetation, and endangered plants; sand from inlet projects must be suitable for turtle nesting.
• Alabama State Port Authority ports are not required to follow subsections (a) and (b) but must show reasonable efforts to place sand on adjacent beaches per port plans and department permits; ports may sponsor eligible inlet management projects for cost sharing.
• Federal projects involving dredging for navigation sand must be disposed on nearshore areas of adjacent beaches; nearshore or upland disposal may be permitted in emergencies; nearshore placement is considered the least-cost disposal method.
• If erosion responsibility is not specified by federal/state plans, ASPA or local government may assess to identify responsible parties and determine cost-sharing; the designated erosion maintainer may be held responsible if no other party is specified.
• In case of disputes over sand bypassing, the department will take action to balance the sediment budget and implement bypassing and other inlet management measures.
• Effective date: law takes effect on the first day of the third month after passage and governor 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