Robert Bloxom House Bill 52 on Beneficial Reuse of Dredged Material Passes Assembly

Sep 9, 2026, 6:00 AM ET

RICHMOND — In a unanimous display of bipartisan cooperation, the Virginia General Assembly passed House Bill 52 on March 10, 2026, establishing a statewide policy to prioritize the beneficial use of dredged material from waterways. Sponsored by Delegate Robert Bloxom Jr., the measure reflects a pragmatic approach to managing Virginia’s coastal resources while addressing recurrent flooding challenges that threaten communities and infrastructure.

The bill, which originated as a recommendation from the Joint Subcommittee on Recurrent Flooding, mandates that starting December 1, 2027, the Marine Resources Commission require the beneficial use of dredged material unless it is deemed unsuitable based on criteria developed by the commission. Dredged material, often generated from maintaining navigation channels, ports, and waterways critical to commerce and recreation, will be directed toward constructive projects such as wetland restoration, beach nourishment, and habitat creation. The Secretary of Natural and Historic Resources must prioritize sites aligned with these beneficial uses for disposal of suitable material.

Delegate Bloxom, representing Virginia’s Eastern Shore districts of Accomack and Northampton counties, introduced the legislation on December 29, 2025. As chief patron, he steered the bill through the House Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources Committee, where it received amendments and advanced with overwhelming support. The subcommittee recommended reporting with amendments on January 26 by a vote of 10-0, and the full committee followed suit on January 28 with a 22-0 tally. The House passed the engrossed version on February 3 by a block vote of 98-0.

In the Senate, the bill moved swiftly through the Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources Committee, which reported it on February 24 with a 13-0 vote before rereferral to Finance and Appropriations. That committee approved it 14-0 on March 6. The Senate dispensed with constitutional readings and passed it on March 10 via block vote, 40-0.

This strong consensus underscores the bill’s appeal as a fiscally responsible solution. The Department of Planning and Budget issued fiscal impact statements on January 26 and February 6, indicating the measure’s implementation would not impose significant new costs on state coffers. Instead, it promotes efficiency by repurposing material that might otherwise require expensive disposal in landfills or open water sites, potentially saving taxpayer dollars while enhancing environmental resilience.

For coastal Virginia, where dredging is essential for safe navigation in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries, House Bill 52 offers tangible benefits. The Eastern Shore, home to vital oyster grounds, aquaculture operations, and farming communities, faces frequent inundation from storms and rising tides. Beneficial reuse can build natural barriers like marshes and dunes, protecting farmland, roads, and homes without expansive new regulatory burdens. The Marine Resources Commission will convene a work group to craft implementing regulations or guidance, ensuring a measured rollout that balances ecological needs with practical application.

Supporters highlight how the policy aligns with long-term stewardship of Virginia’s waterways, fostering habitats for fish and wildlife while supporting industries like commercial fishing and shipping. By prioritizing beneficial sites, the bill encourages innovative projects that turn a maintenance byproduct into an asset for flood mitigation and land enhancement. This approach resonates in rural and coastal areas, where self-reliance and resourcefulness are prized values.

As the bill heads to the governor’s desk, its passage marks a victory for targeted environmental policy that emphasizes reuse over waste. With Virginia’s ports handling billions in cargo annually and recurrent flooding costing millions in damages, House Bill 52 positions the Commonwealth to tackle these issues head-on. The unanimous votes in both chambers signal broad recognition of its merits, particularly in safeguarding the economic vitality of water-dependent regions.

The legislation’s journey from prefiled status to Senate approval spanned just over two months, demonstrating efficient legislative process. Committee amendments refined the criteria for suitability, ensuring flexibility for the commission while upholding the core policy directive. Once signed, the work group’s efforts will be key to translating the mandate into on-the-ground results, potentially setting a model for other coastal states grappling with similar dredging dilemmas.

Virginia’s commitment to beneficial dredged material use comes at a critical time, as federal investments in port infrastructure grow and climate pressures intensify. By embedding this policy in state law, lawmakers have equipped agencies with clear guidance to maximize value from routine operations, benefiting taxpayers, ecosystems, and local economies alike.

Virginia Beach City Council:
Robert Dyer, mayorsoffice@vbgov.com,
Michael Berlucchi, mberlucc@vbgov.com,
Stacy Cummings, stcummings@vbgov.com,
Barbara Henley, bhenley@vbgov.com,
David Hutcheson, dhutcheson@vbgov.com,
Cal Jackson-Green, cjacksongreen@vbgov.com,
Robert Remick, wremick@vbgov.com,
Amelia Ross-Hammond, arosshammond@vbgov.com,
Jennifer Rouse, jvrouse@vbgov.com,
Joashua Schulman, jschulman@vbgov.com,
Rosemary Wilson, rcwilson@vbgov.com,
Group email: CityCouncil@vbgov.com,

Virginia Beach School Board:
Kathleen Brown, Kathleen.Brown@vbcpsboard.com,
Carolyn Weems, Carolyn.Weems@vbcpsboard.com,
Mark Bohenstiel, Mark.Bohenstiel@vbcpsboard.com,
Michael Callan, Michael.Callan@vbcpsboard.com,
David Culpepper, David.Culpepper@vbcpsboard.com,
Matt Cummings, Matt.Cummings@vbcpsboard.com,
Rose Dwyer, Rose.Dwyer@vbcpsboard.com,
Sharon Felton, Sharon.Felton@vbcpsboard.com,
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Email the Richmond City Council:
Andrew Breton, andrew.breton@rva.gov,
Katherine Jordan, katherine.jordan@rva.gov,
Kenya Gibson, kenya.gibson@rva.gov,
Sarah Abubaker, sarah.abubaker@rva.gov,
Stephanie Lynch, stephanie.lynch@rva.gov,
Ellen Robertson, ellen.robertson@rva.gov,
Cynthia Newbille, cynthia.newbille@rva.gov,
Reva Trammell, reva.trammell@rva.gov,
Nicole Jones, nicole.jones@rva.gov,

Email the Richmond School Board:
Matthew Percival, mpercival@rvaschools.net,
Kathryn Ricard, kricard@rvaschools.net,
Ali Faruk, afaruk@rvaschools.net,
Wesley Hedgepeth, whedgepeth@rvaschools.net,
Stephanie Rizzi, srizzi@rvaschools.net,
Anne Holton, aholton@rvaschools.net,
Cheryl Burke, cburke2@rvaschools.net,
Emmett Jafari, ejafari@rvaschools.net,
Shavonda Fernandez, sdixon@rvaschools.net,

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