"Societal challenges and trends, such as increased population densities, urban and coastal economic pressures, increased pressure on natural habitats and threats of climate change, require innovative and sustainable approaches to support healthy natural ecosystems and human development. Sustainable approaches are used to carefully manage environmental resources and maximize the use of local materials, thus promoting a circular economy that beneficially uses and reuses raw materials, reduces greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, promotes the cost-effective management of natural or managed habitats and promotes greater coastal resilience to climate change. With increased interest in using dredged sediment beneficially, this guidance focuses on how best to plan for and apply Beneficial Use (BU) principals."--Introduction.