DEFINITION OF CAPITAL AND MAINTENANCE DREDGINGS

Click links for definitions -    Capital Dredgings   /   Maintenance Dredgings  

see also - Dredging Controls

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Licences for the disposal of dredgings are categorized according to the type of material.  Definitions for each type of material - click the relevant links above - are intended to serve as a guide to how the licensing authority is likely to treat applications for such licences. They will not necessarily be appropriate in another context.

Moreover, the licensing authority will take a flexible approach to the application of these definitions where circumstances suggest that this is appropriate. There may, for example, be instances where a capital dredging operation involves the removal of a small proportion of maintenance overburden. Where the assessment is that this material is suitable for co-disposal at the same site as the capital component, the authority may regard all the material as capital and include all on the same licence. However, where the characteristics of the materials are such that they are not considered to be suitable for disposal at the same site, separate licences will normally be required.

Where components of dredged material which are to be deposited for a beneficial purpose, including as environmental mitigation or habitat enhancement/conservation, a 'beneficial use' licence will normally apply.