(a)  Any person proposing to dredge in the coastal zone, or to dewater or to engage in the beneficial use or disposal of dredged material from the coastal zone, shall be required to obtain approval from the council, and from the department pursuant to § 42-17.1-24 as appropriate, before undertaking such activity. An application for approval or approvals shall be made to the council and shall include, among any other matters that may be required, a statement of how it addresses the priorities for dredged material management set forth in § 46-6.1-2 and of how it is consistent with a plan adopted by the council pursuant to § 46-6.1-5. Any application for maintenance dredging of dredged material that is suitable for in-water disposal or appropriate for a beneficial use provided for in the comprehensive plan for dredged material management shall be considered as having the priority assigned to a project of critical economic concern pursuant to chapter 117 of Title 42 and shall be provided, in order to accomplish the purpose set forth in § 46-6.1-2(2), expeditious agency review according to procedures established under § 42-117-8, as appropriate.

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(b)  Notwithstanding the provisions of any rule, resolution, or ordinance, adopted under § 31-25-26, to the contrary, approval by the council shall constitute approval to operate appropriate motor vehicles in a manner necessary to implement the provisions of an approved application.