MONTGOMERY — Rep. Rhett Marques, R-Enterprise, and Sen. Chris Elliott, R-Josephine, will file this week legislation to curtail “mud dumping” in Mobile Bay.
The lawmakers will discuss the bill and the current practice of disposing of dredge material in coastal waters at a press conference this morning at the Fairhope Municipal Pier.
“Mobile Bay is one of Alabama’s greatest economic assets, and protecting it strengthens, not weakens, our business climate,” Elliott said in a written statement. “These bills will ensure we maintain a navigable ship channel while adopting proven, dredge-management practices that benefit our coast instead of harming it. This is the right move for business, for coastal communities, and for the long-term health of Mobile Bay.”
The proposed legislation would mirror federal law enacted by U.S. Sen. Katie Britt, R-Alabama, in 2024 that requires the Army Corps of Engineers to use at least 70% of dredged materials for “beneficial use,” including marsh creation, shoreline protection and restoration of eroding coastal habitats, a press release from the lawmakers Friday said.
The lawmakers will file the bill Tuesday when the Legislature convenes for its annual session, but a draft shared with Alabama Daily News specifies that beneficial use does not include “the deposition of dredged material into public waters unless that deposition is part of a shoreline restoration or marsh creation project.”
The Corps has considered dispersing the dredge materials in the bay a beneficial use, according to lawmakers. Elliott and others raised concerns about mud dumping in the bay last summer.
“I’m committed to protecting Mobile Bay and making sure Alabama leads on coastal stewardship,” said Marques, who is running for Congress in the 1st District that includes Mobile and Baldwin counties. “This legislation reflects conservative principles: protect what drives our economy, use taxpayer dollars wisely, and follow the science on what works.”
Since that 2024 bill, the federal government is required to fully fund disposal of dredge from the Mobile Harbor Ship Channel. This legislation would likely increase the cost of maintaining the Mobile Bay, as mud dumping is the cheapest option for disposal.
Other states like Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, North Carolina and Virginia have already enacted state legislation against mud dumping.