The evolution of the material evaluation and management process related to dredging activities in brazil: A comparative analysis between conama resolutions no. 344/04 and no. 454/12

Abstract

In 2004, the National Council for the Environment (Conselho Nacional do Meio Ambiente – CONAMA) approved the first Brazilian regulation on procedures for evaluation of dredged material: CONAMA Resolution No. 344/04. This normative act established that, within five years from the date of its publication, there would be a revision of the national guideline values that were established for the classification of dredged material. This review took place, culminating in the publication of CONAMA Resolution No. 454/12. This article presents a comparative analysis between the CONAMA Resolution No. 344/04 and CONAMA Resolution No. 454/12, in order to check the main changes and additions that were made. We conclude that the CONAMA Resolution No. 454/12 not only refined the national guideline values for the classification of dredged material, but also regulated relevant aspects related to the environmental licensing of dredging activities and to the management and disposal of dredged material.