U.S. Army Corps of Engineers New Dredging Engineer Manual ``Dredging and Dredged Material Placement''

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is in the final stages of updating and merging three of its previous dredging Engineer Manuals (EMs) into a single document entitled Dredging and Dredged Material Placement, EM 1110-2-5025. This new EM consists of the updated versions of three previous EMs, Dredging & Dredged Material Disposal (EM 1110-2-5025, 1983), Beneficial Uses of Dredged Material (EM 1110-2-5026, 1987), and Confined Disposal of Dredged Material (EM 1110-2-5027, 1987). In addition to updating the old EMs, this document also includes a new section on open-water placement. The terms disposal and placement are used synonymously to describe the dredged material deposition after its removal from the dredge cut. This paper provides an overview of this comprehensive document that describes the dredging equipment and placement techniques used by the USACE in navigation projects, and provides management, engineering, and design guidance for activities associated with new work and maintenance projects. Guidance is provided on: 1) the evaluation and selection of dredging equipment, 2) planning, designing, constructing, operating, and managing open-water and confined dredged material placement areas to provide adequate storage volume for both short-term and long-term placement needs, and 3) planning, designing, developing, and managing dredged material for beneficial uses, incorporating ecological concepts and engineering designs with biological, economical, and social feasibility.