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

NY/NJ Harbor Deepening Project

     COA reviewed and commented on the Public Notice and Draft Environmental Assessment for the New York/New Jersey Harbor Deepening Project that would dredge parts of Newark Bay (Contract Area S-NB-1) to 53.5 feet.  The project:

• will generate 1,816,000 cubic yards (CY) of dredged material
• includes 1,345,000 CY of Pleistocene Glacial Till and Red Clay disposed at the Historic Area Remediation Site (HARS).  

     COA identified instances of apparent misclassification of material, warranting a re-analysis of the core data.  As a result, this may lead to more rock material for NY and NJ artificial reef programs.  Also, several questions were raised about how the recent designation of Newark Bay as a Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) Study Area has impacted the Harbor Deepening Project.  COA’s comments are posted on our website.