---
kind: "section"
citation: "33 U.S.C. § 1413"
title: "33"
title_heading: "Navigation and Navigable Waters"
number: "1413"
heading: "Dumping permit program for dredged mate­rial"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/33/1413"
units:
  - "Chapter 27 — Ocean Dumping"
  - "Subchapter I — Regulation"
---

# §1413. Dumping permit program for dredged mate­rial

- (a) **Issuance by Secretary of the Army—** Subject to the provisions of subsections [(b)](#b), [(c)](#c), and [(d)](#d) of this section, the [Secretary](/usc/33/1402.md?p=h) may issue permits, after notice and opportunity for public hearings, for the transportation of [dredged material](/usc/33/1402.md?p=i) for the purpose of [dumping](/usc/33/1402.md?p=f) it into [ocean waters](/usc/33/1402.md?p=b), where the [Secretary](/usc/33/1402.md?p=h) determines that the [dumping](/usc/33/1402.md?p=f) will not unreasonably degrade or endanger human health, welfare, or amenities, or the marine environment, ecological systems, or economic potentialities.
- (b) **Independent determination of need for dumping, other methods of disposal, and appropriate locations; alternative sites—** In making the determination required by [subsection (a)](#a), the [Secretary](/usc/33/1402.md?p=h) shall apply those criteria, established pursuant to [section 1412(a) of this title](/usc/33/1412.md?p=a), relating to the effects of the [dumping](/usc/33/1402.md?p=f). Based upon an evaluation of the potential effect of a permit denial on navigation, economic and industrial development, and foreign and domestic commerce of the [United States](/usc/33/1402.md?p=d), the [Secretary](/usc/33/1402.md?p=h) shall make an independent determination as to the need for the [dumping](/usc/33/1402.md?p=f). The [Secretary](/usc/33/1402.md?p=h) shall also make an independent determination as to other possible methods of disposal and as to appropriate locations for the [dumping](/usc/33/1402.md?p=f). In considering appropriate locations, he shall, to the maximum extent feasible, utilize the recommended sites designated by the [Administrator](/usc/33/1402.md?p=a) pursuant to [section 1412(c) of this title](/usc/33/1412.md?p=c). In any case in which the use of a designated site is not feasible, the [Secretary](/usc/33/1402.md?p=h) may, with the concurrence of the [Administrator](/usc/33/1402.md?p=a), select an alternative site. The criteria and factors established in [section 1412(a) of this title](/usc/33/1412.md?p=a) relating to site selection shall be used in selecting the alternative site in a manner consistent with the application of such factors and criteria pursuant to [section 1412(c) of this title](/usc/33/1412.md?p=c). Disposal at or in the vicinity of an alternative site shall be limited to a period of not greater than 5 years unless the site is subsequently designated pursuant to [section 1412(c) of this title](/usc/33/1412.md?p=c); except that an alternative site may continue to be used for an additional period of time that shall not exceed 5 years if—
  - (1) no feasible disposal site has been designated by the [Administrator](/usc/33/1402.md?p=a);
  - (2) the continued use of the alternative site is necessary to maintain navigation and facilitate interstate or international commerce; and
  - (3) the [Administrator](/usc/33/1402.md?p=a) determines that the continued use of the site does not pose an unacceptable risk to human health, aquatic resources, or the environment.
- (c) **Concurrence by Administrator—**
  - (1) **Notification—** Prior to issuing a permit to any [person](/usc/33/1402.md?p=e) under this section, the [Secretary](/usc/33/1402.md?p=h) shall first notify the [Administrator](/usc/33/1402.md?p=a) of the [Secretary](/usc/33/1402.md?p=h)’s intention to do so and provide necessary and appropriate information concerning the permit to the [Administrator](/usc/33/1402.md?p=a). Within 30 days of receiving such information, the [Administrator](/usc/33/1402.md?p=a) shall review the information and request any additional information the [Administrator](/usc/33/1402.md?p=a) deems necessary to evaluate the proposed permit.
  - (2) **Concurrence by Administrator—** Within 45 days after receiving from the [Secretary](/usc/33/1402.md?p=h) all information the [Administrator](/usc/33/1402.md?p=a) considers to be necessary to evaluate the proposed permit, the [Administrator](/usc/33/1402.md?p=a) shall, in writing, concur with (either entirely or with conditions) or decline to concur with the determination of the [Secretary](/usc/33/1402.md?p=h) as to compliance with the criteria, conditions, and restrictions established pursuant to sections [1412(a)](/usc/33/1412.md?p=a) and [1412(c)](/usc/33/1412.md?p=c) of this title relating to the environmental impact of the permit. The [Administrator](/usc/33/1402.md?p=a) may request one 45-day extension in writing and the [Secretary](/usc/33/1402.md?p=h) shall grant such request on receipt of the request.
  - (3) **Effect of concurrence—** In any case where the [Administrator](/usc/33/1402.md?p=a) makes a determination to concur (with or without conditions) or to decline to concur within the time period specified in [paragraph (2)](#c-2) the determination shall prevail. If the [Administrator](/usc/33/1402.md?p=a) declines to concur in the determination of the [Secretary](/usc/33/1402.md?p=h) no permit shall be issued. If the [Administrator](/usc/33/1402.md?p=a) concurs with conditions the permit shall include such conditions. The [Administrator](/usc/33/1402.md?p=a) shall state in writing the reasons for declining to concur or for the conditions of the concurrence.
  - (4) **Failure to act—** If no written documentation is made by the [Administrator](/usc/33/1402.md?p=a) within the time period provided for in [paragraph (2)](#c-2), the [Secretary](/usc/33/1402.md?p=h) may issue the permit.
  - (5) **Compliance with criteria and restrictions—** Unless the [Administrator](/usc/33/1402.md?p=a) grants a waiver pursuant to [subsection (d)](#d), any permit issued by the [Secretary](/usc/33/1402.md?p=h) shall require compliance with such criteria and restrictions.
- (d) **Waiver of requirements—** If, in any case, the [Secretary](/usc/33/1402.md?p=h) finds that, in the disposition of [dredged material](/usc/33/1402.md?p=i), there is no economically feasible method or site available other than a [dumping](/usc/33/1402.md?p=f) site the utilization of which would result in non-compliance with the criteria established pursuant to [section 1412(a) of this title](/usc/33/1412.md?p=a) relating to the effects of [dumping](/usc/33/1402.md?p=f) or with the restrictions established pursuant to [section 1412(c) of this title](/usc/33/1412.md?p=c) relating to critical areas, he shall so certify and request a waiver from the [Administrator](/usc/33/1402.md?p=a) of the specific requirements involved. Within thirty days of the receipt of the waiver request, unless the [Administrator](/usc/33/1402.md?p=a) finds that the [dumping](/usc/33/1402.md?p=f) of the [material](/usc/33/1402.md?p=c) will result in an unacceptably adverse impact on municipal water supplies, shell-fish beds, wildlife, fisheries (including spawning and breeding areas), or recreational areas, he shall grant the waiver.
- (e) **Federal projects involving dredged material—** In connection with Federal projects involving [dredged material](/usc/33/1402.md?p=i), the [Secretary](/usc/33/1402.md?p=h) may, in lieu of the permit procedure, issue regulations which will require the application to such projects of the same criteria, other factors to be evaluated, the same procedures, and the same requirements which apply to the issuance of permits under subsections [(a)](#a), [(b)](#b), [(c)](#c), and [(d)](#d) of this section and [section 1414(a)](/usc/33/1414.md?p=a) and (d) of this title.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 92–532, title I, § 103, Oct. 23, 1972, 86 Stat. 1055; Pub. L. 102–580, title V, §§ 504, 506(b), Oct. 31, 1992, 106 Stat. 4866, 4869.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

1992—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 102–580, § 506(b), inserted “maximum” before “extent feasible” and inserted three sentences at end.

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 102–580, § 504(a), amended subsec. (c) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (c) read as follows: “Prior to issuing any permit under this section, the Secretary shall first notify the Administrator of his intention to do so. In any case in which the Administrator disagrees with the determination of the Secretary as to compliance with the criteria established pursuant to section 1412(a) of this title relating to the effects of the dumping or with the restrictions established pursuant to section 1412(c) of this title relating to critical areas, the determination of the Administrator shall prevail. Unless the Administrator grants a waiver pursuant to subsection (d), the Secretary shall not issue a permit which does not comply with such criteria and with such restrictions.”

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 102–580, § 504(b), inserted before period at end “and section 1414(a) and (d) of this title”.

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date

Section effective 6 months after Oct. 23, 1972, see section 110(a) of Pub. L. 92–532, set out as a note under section 1411 of this title.