NJ Congressman unmoved by PA reassurances over river dredging project

Date: 7/1/2008

by Alan Tu

New Jersey Congressman Rob Andrews told It's Our City this afternoon that even though Pennsylvania promises it won't dump river sludge in his state he remains opposed to the project. Pennsylvania is pushing a plan that would deepen the Delaware River in between Cape May and Philadelphia from 40 to 45 feet. The state says the deeper shipping channel will mean bigger cargo ships will come into Philadelphia area ports.

Andrews said "the issue is whether the dredging project should go forward-it should not. This $500 million boondoggle is a waste of taxpayer resources as well as a risk to our region's drinking water supplies and the environmental health of the river. It should not be permitted to move forward irrespective of where the dredge spoils are dumped."

Andrews a longtime opponent to the dredging project was not alone over renewed concerns that NJ would get dumped on. NJ Governor Jon Corzine also made it clear this week that if dredging started, that Pennsylvania would have to honor an agreement reached last year that NJ will not be the resting spot for the slurry which can have contaminants.

The latest dust up started when the Army Corp of Engineers which will actually do the digging said it is not required to honor that inter-state agreement.

The Pennsylvania Governor was quoted today by KYW 1060 saying "Let me make absolutely clear: it is Pennsylvania's intention to honor 100 percent the commitment it made to New Jersey. We will do everything we can to persuade the Army Corps - and I think the Army Corps will agree with it - that we can and should take 100 percent of the dredged material, if New Jersey and Delaware choose to take none of it." And he added that he would be detailing his position in a letter to the Army Corps.

On June 23rd Rendell announced that a deal had been reached between PA and the Army Corp of Engineers that would begin the project within 10 months.