Two Alabama lawmakers are teaming up to lessen the amount of mud spewed into Mobile Bay by ship channel dredging from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
State Rep. Rhett Marques (R-Enterprise) and State Sen. Chris Elliott (R-Josephine) will hold a press conference at the Fairhope Municipal Pier today to announce the legislation.
The bill would lessen in-bay, thin-layer dredge disposal — known as “mud dumping” — in Mobile Bay.
In 2024, a federal bill was introduced and passed into law by U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Montgomery) that required the Corps of Engineers to use at least 70% of dredged material for “beneficial use” such as marsh creation, shoreline protection, industrial or commercial applications, and restoration of eroding coastal habitats.
After the Britt bill was enacted, the Corps began referring to mud dumping as “beneficial use,” effectively getting around the intent of the bill.
The proposed state legislation mandates that dredged material dumped into Mobile Bay does not classify as “beneficial use.”
The Corps would continue to dredge the ship channel. The state legislation would not require any modifications to the maintenance dredging itself, only that the federal government fund responsible disposal options for 70% of the mud.
Dumping mud into the Bay is by far the least expensive way to dispose of material from dredging the channel. The cost of beneficial uses from 70% of the mud would be paid for by federal funds.
“I’m committed to protecting Mobile Bay and making sure Alabama leads on coastal stewardship,” State Rep. Rhett Marques said.
“This legislation reflects conservative principles: protect what drives our economy, use taxpayer dollars wisely, and follow the science on what works.”
State Sen. Elliott said the bill allows the business community and environmental advocates to work together on commonsense policy that builds the economy while ensuring Mobile Bay remains protected.
“Mobile Bay is one of Alabama’s greatest economic assets, and protecting it strengthens, not weakens, our business climate,” Elliott said.
“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 bill will be filed on Tuesday January 13th, the first day of the 2026 legislative session, giving Alabama the opportunity to join the growing number of states that have established state policies regulating mud dumping, including Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, North Carolina, Virginia, and others.
A release by Sen. Elliott lists supporters of the bill:
- Mayor Henry Barnes of Bayou La Batre
- Mayor Brad Bass of Spanish Fort
- Mayor Robin LeJeune of Daphne, Baldwin REALTORS
- Gulf Coast Convention & Visitors Bureau
- Point Clear Property Owners Association
- Fort Morgan Civic Association,
- Little Lagoon Preservation Society,
- Alabama Commercial Fishermen’s Association LLC
- Eat Alabama Wild Seafood
- Admiral Shellfish Company
- Bama Bay Oyster Farm
- Organized Seafood Association of Alabama
Jim Zig Zeigler is a contributing writer for Yellowhammer News. His beat includes the positive and colorful about Alabama – her people, events, groups and prominent deaths. He is a former State Auditor and Public Service Commissioner. You can reach him at [email protected].
