Dedicated Dredging Program and
Project Submission Information

What is the Dedicated Dredging Program?

The Dedicated Dredging Program is a marsh creation and nourishment program administered by the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources, Coastal Engineering Division (DNR/CED). It was initiated in FY 97/98 and is funded through the State of Louisiana Wetlands Conservation and Restoration Fund.

The mission of this program is to use a mobile hydraulic dredge to move sediments from small inland waterways within the coastal zone of Louisiana and deposit the material to nourish and/or rebuild the threatened coastal marshes located immediately adjacent to those waterways.

Program Goals:

• Build projects that provide environmental and ecological benefits through
  • Enhancing Marsh Infrastructure
  • Reducing Open Water Areas
  • Producing Immediate Marsh

Program Benefits:

• Create a variety of marsh types across coastal Louisiana
• Restore lost or diminishing wildlife habitat
• Utilize state and local inputs for project submittals

Over the years, what has LDNR learned?

• Marsh Creation and Nourishment with the Dedicated Dredging Program is SUCCESSFUL
• Dredging costs are continually rising; current estimates for marsh creation vary between $40K to $50K/acre in open water
• Marsh creation is more sustainable with multiple nourishment lifts/layers

How are sites selected?

Projects are evaluated based on the following criteria and are incorporated into the project list as they are received. It is not critical that a site meet all of these criteria. However, the more criteria a project meets, the higher its ranking will be.

Ranking Criteria:

• The Fill Area should be approximately ±30 acres of shallow water, with a maximum depth of water = 2.5’ during high tides
• The structural integrity of existing marsh should be enhanced and/or promoted
• There should be some existing containment in project area - Spoil banks or existing broken marsh
• Minimum number of landowners (preferably one)
• Minimal to No Oyster Lease impacts
• Preferably no structures in Borrow or Fill areas
• The Borrow area should be within 3 miles of the Fill area

Who can submit a site for consideration?

Anyone who wishes to submit a site can do so. DNR/CED has worked on projects from private individuals as well as other government agencies. The purpose is to develop and maintain a list of project sites that are ready for construction as funding is made available.

When should I submit my project?

There is no specific time for project submittals or reviews. Once a project is submitted, it is placed into queue. Then as current projects move through the design process towards construction, the project list will be reviewed for the next potential project(s) for design. It is possible that multiple sites are evaluated and designed concurrently depending on funding availability.

How does a site get submitted for consideration?

Fill out the Dedicated Dredge Submittal Form and mail it back to DNR/CED at:

DNR/CED
Rudy Simoneaux, E.I.
P.O. Box 44027
Baton Rouge, LA 70804

What Is Required for Project Submittals?

Project Submittals should include a graphical representation of both the borrow and the fill areas, as well as possible latitudes and longitudes for the site. This information will be used during the annual selection process, marsh habitat assessments, and internal map generation.

If the Dedicated Dredge Submittal Form is not available to be included, please make sure to include the following information:

• Contact Information including any Surface Lease Holders
• Approximate size of site
• Landowner information
• Project Area description
• Known Infrastructure Information
• Any additional information that could be considered critical to the project area

Questions about Landrights

The dedicated dredge servitude is a typical agreement between Land owners and the LDNR for a Dedicated Dredging Program project.  If you have additional landrights specific questions, please contact Helen Hoffpauir at (225) 342-9420.