New Books Network Rob Holmes et. al., "Silt Sand Slurry: Dredging, Sediment, and the Worlds We Are Making" (Applied Research & Design, 2023)
Dec 11, 2025
Rob Holmes, an Associate Professor focused on nature-based infrastructure, and Brett Milligan, a Professor specializing in climate adaptation, explore the critical role of sediment in shaping America's coastlines. They discuss dredging's impact on ecology and recreation, highlighting a shift in viewing sediment as a resource rather than waste. The duo critiques conventional cost analyses and emphasizes dynamic design strategies that embrace sediment's role in adaptability. Their insights stress the importance of public engagement and the necessity for sustainable sediment practices.
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Sediment As Climate Currency
- Dredging is underwater removal of sediment used both to clear navigation and to obtain material for restoration projects.
- Sediment is a key currency for climate adaptation because it builds and maintains coastal and riverine landscapes.
From Curiosity To Dredge Fests
- The Dredge Research Collective began as a side project to learn about large-scale human sediment movement and evolved into design practice and public events called Dredge Fests.
- Those events helped them map commonalities across regions and connected designers with regulators and practitioners.
Regulatory History Shapes Sediment Value
- Regulations historically treat placed sediment as contamination, which narrows decision-making toward avoidance and disposal.
- That regulatory history blocks recognition of sediment's potential benefits and reuse opportunities.
