Jennifer Samson, 732-872-0111, Science@cleanoceanaction.org

Agreement Reached for PCB Cleanup in Hudson River

     In October, the US Justice Department and the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reached an agreement or “consent decree” with General Electric (GE), requiring the company to begin the dredging of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in the Hudson River required by the Record of Decision in 2002.  Under the agreement, GE will construct the sediment transfer/processing facility needed for the project and perform the first phase of dredging.  The dredging is scheduled for spring through fall, 2007.  The agreement also requires GE to pay NY to support its efforts to assist the public in understanding and complying with the state fish consumption advisories caused by contaminated sediments.  For 30 years, ending in the 1970s, GE discharged PCBs into the Hudson River. 

     The Justice Department and EPA are accepting public comments on the agreement until Nov. 14, 2005.  For the agreement, visit www.epa.gov/hudson.

UPDATE: Atlantic Highlands Harbor Dredging

     The Atlantic Highlands Municipal Harbor submitted a permit modification request to the NJ Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) at the end of October to modify their existing permit (#1304-04-0001.2).  The request is to incorporate the recently re-designed Confined Disposal Facility (CDF) and include the dredging of approximately 4,000 cubic yards of material from Frank’s Pier, which was previously authorized by another permit that has since expired (#1304-90-0003.8/3.9).  The walls of the CDF were lowered and thickened to increase stability, which decreased the capacity of the CDF.

     The Harbor cannot begin dredging until NJDEP approves the modification request.  Unfortunately, modification requests do not afford public comment, nor is there a definitive timeframe for issuance of the permit.  COA will communicate with NJDEP to ensure that it proceeds in an environmentally sound manner.