The '02 conference discussed new ideas and experiences in dredging and dredged material disposal. Topics included the economic impacts of dredging, deepening projects for port viability, and dredging as an environmental remediation tool. Key areas covered were legislation, costs, innovative techniques, environmental plans, equipment trends, sediment characterization, and disposal methods. The conference also addressed water quality impacts, geotechnical aspects, beneficial uses of dredged material, and case studies of special dredging projects.