U.S. Army Corps Considers Dredging on Apalachicola River After Two Decades
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers may resume dredging on the Apalachicola River, halted since 2005. Six Florida counties urge balanced navigation and ecological preservation amid discussions on the river's future.
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The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is evaluating the possible resumption of dredging on the Apalachicola River after a 20-year hiatus. A public hearing was held in Bristol to discuss the potential return to dredging, which the Corps supports for maintaining the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint River Basin as a navigable waterway.
However, dredging can only proceed if Florida's Department of Environmental Protection issues a Water Quality Certification, which was denied in 2005, leading to the cessation of dredging activities. Six counties—Jackson, Calhoun, Gulf, Liberty, Gadsden, and Franklin—have united to advocate for stricter oversight and a balanced plan that supports navigation while preserving ecological integrity.
The Corps plans to issue a Notice of Intent in August 2026 to formally initiate the Environmental Impact Statement development, with a draft expected in Spring 2027. The outcome will significantly affect regional commerce and ecological restoration efforts.
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