Abstract: A method for renewing a placement area may include one or more of the following steps. A dredge barge may be disposed inside a placement area containing materials dredged from one or more other locations and disposed within the placement area. Material may be dredged from the placement area. The dredged material may be processed. Water may be added to the placement area to maintain a flotation level of the dredge barge. The dredge barge may be removed from the placement area. The water may be removed from the placement area. This process may allow a placement area to be continually renewed and may allow useful materials to be recovered from a placement area.