Dredging/Excavation:

Dredging/Excavation: A. Is not authorized in sensitive coastal wetlands. B. Prior or concurrent authorization is required for dredged or excavated material to be placed in coastal wetlands. C. A minimum ten-foot (10-foot) buffer must be maintained between dredging/excavation and any wetlands unless a turbidity curtain is in place for the entirety of the dredging operation, in which case the buffer may be decreased to five (5) feet. D. The dredging/excavation process must avoid creating sinks or sumps. 1. Dredging/excavation depth is limited to that of the parent body of water (navigational depth of the adjacent waterway). 2. A minimum 3:1 (horizontal: vertical) side slope must be maintained in the dredged/excavated area. E. Best Management Practices must be used at all times during the authorized activity to minimize turbidity at the dredged/excavated site and contaminated runoff into wetlands at the removed material disposal site(s). Acceptable methods include but are not limited to: 1. the installation of turbidity screens around the immediate project site, 2. staged construction, 3. staked hay bales, 4. staked filter cloth, and 5. sodding, seeding, and mulching. MISS. CODE ANN. §§49-15-304, 49-27-59, 57-15-6, 57-15-10.