Page 16: of Marine News Magazine (May 2022)

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Insights

RB: At the moment our number one priority is working

Please describe the shape and size of the with the Corps to get projects under contract and untie

Dredging Contractors of America. When and our assets and get them all working; sitting at the pier why was DCA started, and how has its mission awaiting contract is helpful for no one. The Corps and evolved—or not—over the years?

RB: The Dredging Contractors of America (DCA) is a industry have a lot of work to do, and we are all working non-pro? t trade association representing the interests of together to get it going.

the U.S. dredging and marine construction industry and

Is there anything else you’d like to add?

its members for over 30 years. We are comprised of 24 companies providing dredging services to the U.S. Army RB: I would only add that an issue that is gaining steam

Corp of Engineers, U.S. seaports and state and local gov- in our industry is bene? cial use of dredge material. The ernments. Our companies range in size from large publicly sand and silt we dig up is very valuable in the rebuilding of trade corporations to small family owned and operated beaches and wetlands, and by reusing it and not taking to business. I am still fairly new to the industry and can say a dumpsite to dispose of is a win-win. It reduces the carbon that DCA has evolved from a small group simply con- footprint of our projects, rebuilds wetlands and protected cerned with its relationships with the Corps to an organi- coastal areas and beaches, preserves the environment and, zation that now has a de? ned relationships with Congress, when factored into the overall project, it can be a huge the Corps and local and regional stakeholders. cost saving. We just need to work together with the coastal communities and take a more holistic view of the project with the Corps and local stakeholders instead of just look-

What is the DCA’s number one top priority at ing at the dredging component.

the moment?

Cashman Dredging is among the 24 member companies of the Dredging Contractors of America.

Cashman Dredging 16 | MN May 2022