Location
Rock Island District
Illinois Waterway
Description
The Illinois Waterway Dredged Material Management Plan (DMMP), part of the Dredged Material Management Program, is a study to evaluate and identify dredged material placement sites to accommodate the Corps’ dredging needs. The study area includes the Illinois Waterway (Rock Island District’s Portion), which extends 211 river-miles from Lockport, IL, downstream to LaGrange, IL. The Rock Island District’s portion covers 6 lock and dam sites and annually dredges many locations. As of 2022, the Corps dredged an average of 250,000 cubic yards annually. The DMMP will provide a strategy to achieve sufficient capacity, approximately 5 million cubic yards of dredged material, over the next 20 years.
The DMMP is critical to ensure:
- A safe, reliable navigation channel to transport commodities to U.S. ports and beyond.
- Maintenance dredging activities are completed in an environmentally acceptable manner and use sound engineering practices.
- Continued maintenance is economically warranted.
- Sufficient placement areas are available for at least the next 20 years.
- Identify beneficial use opportunities and implement, as feasible.
Background
The IWW is a critical connection from the Great Lakes to the Mississippi River and a high use, commercial inland waterway. Between 2015 and 2019, the IWW transported an average of 35 million tons, valued at $10.8 billion. Corn and soybeans accounted for roughly 30% of the total tonnage moving up and down the IWW between 2015 and 2019. Barges are the most efficient means of transportation for agricultural producers.
The DMMP is necessary to provide a minimum of 20 years of dredged material capacity for future maintenance dredging of the Illinois Waterway. The District uses the six-step planning process and Federal Standard evaluation criteria: dredging cost and operational feasibility; environmental acceptability - natural, aesthetic, cultural resources; beneficial use of dredged material, and social impacts.
Status
The Illinois Preliminary Assessment was completed in August 2022. Initial findings indicate less than 10 years of dredged material capacity remains and the team initiated the Dredged Material Management Plan phase.
Additional Information
Authority
Operation and Maintenance as authorized by the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1930, in accordance with Clean Water Act, Section 404 (33 CFR Parts 335-338).
Summarized Project Costs
|
Estimated Federal Cost
|
$1,500,000
|
|
Estimated Non-Federal Cost
|
$0
|
|
Estimated Total Project Cost
|
$1,500,000
|
|
Allocations Prior to FY 2024
|
$0
|
|
FY 2024 Allocation
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$500,000
|
|
FY 2025 President’s Budget
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$0
|
|
FY 2025 Total Capability
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$1,000,000
|
Major Work Item Current Year
FY 2024: The project moved forward with development of the Illinois Waterway Dredged Material Management Plan, and integration of WRDA 2020, Section 125, Beneficial use of dredged material. The Problems, Opportunities, Objectives, and Constraints were identified.
Major Work Item Next Fiscal Year
FY 2025: If funded, the project will move forward with development for the Illinois Waterway Dredged Material Management Plan. The report will be drafted and review plan implemented in FY25.