Reps. Mike Ezell (MS-04) and Kevin Mullin (CA-15) have introduced the bipartisan Dredging Coordination Improvement Act, aimed at improving coordination in dredging projects at ports across the United States.
The legislation comes as larger cargo and passenger ships require deeper channels for safe passage. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is responsible for dredging more than 400 ports and 25,000 miles of navigation channels to ensure that shipping vessels can reach their destinations and deliver goods to consumers.
Currently, the Army Corps decides which channels to prioritize for dredging. However, non-federal stakeholders such as ports are not always adequately consulted about project timelines or delays. This lack of communication can disrupt supply chains and lead to increased costs for ports, shipping companies, and consumers.
The Dredging Coordination Improvement Act seeks to streamline coordination among stakeholders, particularly between the Army Corps and local partners. It also aims to prioritize dredging projects that support commerce and navigation while increasing transparency between federal agencies and port authorities.
“I’m proud to co-lead the Dredging Coordination Improvement Act because communities along the Gulf Coast deserve a system that works with them—not around them. By strengthening communication, prioritizing commercial navigation, and giving our local partners the information they need to plan ahead, this bill will help keep our waterways open, our economy moving, and our coastal communities strong,” Ezell said.
“America’s maritime infrastructure and commercial shipping industry is essential to the economy here in the San Francisco Bay Area and across our entire country. Ports and consumers rely on the federal government to dredge waterways to ensure ships and the goods they carry arrive efficiently. Dredging delays can cause cost increases and longer wait times for building materials, household appliances, food, and so many other goods that we all rely on,” Mullin said. “This bipartisan legislation will help ensure that ports and supply chains can operate smoothly. By improving coordination and communication, we are cutting unnecessary delays that cost businesses and consumers alike.”
Key provisions of the bill include requiring the Army Corps to consult with stakeholders about maintenance dredging projects’ scope and timeline; prioritizing maintenance dredging in commercially critical waters over recreational areas; ensuring timely updates regarding changes in project timelines; and increasing transparency about federal funding availability for non-federal sponsors.
Mike Ezell has represented Mississippi’s 4th district in Congress since 2023 after replacing Steven Palazzo. He was born in Pascagoula in 1959—where he currently lives—and graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi with a BA in 1997.
The full text of the Dredging Coordination Improvement Act is available online.
