SENATE, No. 1451

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

INTRODUCED SEPTEMBER 19, 1996

By Senator McGREEVEY

An Act concerning the disposal of dredged materials, and supplementing Title 13 of the Revised Statutes.

    Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

    1. The provisions of any other law or rule or regulation to the contrary notwithstanding, the Department of Environmental Protection shall not issue any permit required pursuant to any law or rule or regulation for the land disposal of dredged materials within 1000 feet of a residential dwelling unit in a county of the second class with a population greater than 550,000 according to the latest decennial census.

    2. This act shall take effect immediately.

STATEMENT

    This bill would prohibit the Department of Environmental Protection from issuing any permit necessary for the land disposal of dredged materials within 1000 feet of a residential unit in a county of the second class with a population greater than 550,000 according to the latest decennial census.

    The sand, silt and mud removed from navigation channels, harbors and ship berths in the port area of New York and northern New Jersey are referred to as dredged material or “dredge spoils.” It has been variously reported that dredge spoils are often contaminated with harmful and dangerous substances, including polychlorinated biphenyls, heavy metals, and petroleum hydrocarbons, as well as the highly-toxic chlorinated hydrocarbon known as dioxin. The disposal of dredge spoils within close proximity of residential dwelling units could create a health hazard for the residents and a safety hazard to children in the vicinity.

Prohibits the land disposal of dredged materials within 1000 feet of residential dwelling units in certain counties.