HB236 Summary

• Establishes procedures for depositing beach quality sand dredged from coastal inlet navigation projects onto adjacent beaches to prevent erosion.

• Requires the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to implement and administer the program and develop necessary rules and permitting procedures.

• Mandates that all beach quality sand dredged during construction and maintenance of navigation channels be placed on adjacent beaches or suitable nearshore locations, or equivalent substitute sand be placed on downdrift beaches.

• Requires on an average annual basis that the quantity of beach quality sand placed on eroding beaches equal the natural net annual longshore sediment transport that would cross the inlet without a navigation project.

• Specifies that construction timing must protect nesting sea turtles, hatchlings, shorebirds, and threatened or endangered species, and placed sand must be suitable for marine turtle nesting.