Concerns grow over Mobile Bay sediment disposal as dredging project advances

As the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers continues efforts to deepen and widen the Mobile Bay ship channel, concerns are mounting from state lawmakers, environmental groups, and commercial fishermen over how dredged sediment is being handled and the potential consequences for local ecosystems and economies.

According to Mobile Baykeeper, drone footage shows sediment being released into the bay, sparking fears for marine health and water clarity. Alabama State Senator Chris Elliott has urged the Corps to use established disposal sites such as Gillard Island rather than open-water dumping, according to a post shared on Mobile Baykeeper’s Facebook page.

According to a report from Fox 10 News, the Army Corps is increasing the channel depth to accommodate larger vessels at the Port of Mobile. Federal guidelines mandate that at least 70% of suitable dredged material be designated for beneficial use, such as wetland restoration or reinforcing Dauphin Island’s shoreline. The remaining sediment, however, is being deposited in the bay through “thin-layer placement,” an approach critics label as experimental.

Mobile Baykeeper reports the Corps intends to release up to 90 million cubic yards of dredged material into the bay over the next 20 years, equivalent to covering about 42,000 football fields with sludge. Advocates argue this volume is the largest ever used in open water, with unpredictable ecological consequences.

Members of the Alabama Commercial Fishermen Association say the dumping is already disrupting the shrimp and oyster industries. 1819 News reported that fishermen said silt buildup damages nets, alters the seabed, and makes historic shrimping areas unusable for extended periods. Oyster reefs are reportedly being buried, preventing new larvae from settling and leading to widespread death. One fisherman told said some bay areas remain unusable for up to two years after dredging.

U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R‑Montgomery) supports the port expansion but stresses the importance of responsible dredged material management. According to her official communications and Lagniappe, Britt helped include provisions in the 2024 Water Resources Development Act requiring at least 70% of suitable dredged material to be used beneficially and mandating consultation with local stakeholders.

Britt was also instrumental in securing $47 million in federal appropriations for beneficial-use projects and sediment flow studies via the Alabama Port Authority and Corps partnership. Additionally, she secured an increase for statewide environmental infrastructure—from $50 million to $85 million—in the same legislation.

Despite criticism, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers maintains that thin-layer placement is a widely accepted, safe method.

“The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Mobile District has been at the forefront of implementing Thin Layer Placement of sediment as an innovative and sustainable method for managing dredged material in Mobile Bay, Alabama,” the group’s website stated. “This approach has become a cornerstone of the District’s strategy for maintaining navigable waterways while safeguarding the environment.”

Mobile Baykeeper held a town hall on May 15 at St. Philip Neri Catholic Church in Theodore, inviting residents, officials, and advocates to voice concerns and explore alternatives. A second meeting is scheduled for May 22 from 6:00 – 7:30 pm at Fairhope United Methodist Church (155 S Section St) to discuss the ongoing federal mud-dumping in Mobile Bay. According to a spokesperson, the public will have the opportunity to speak on the issue and ask questions to stakeholders, including commercial fishermen, oystermen, charter captains, and scientists.

Sherri Blevins is a writer for Mountain Valley News and a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You may contact her at [email protected].