SENATE RESOLUTION No. 86

 

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

 

INTRODUCED MARCH 20, 1997

 

 

By Senator KOSCO

 

 

A Senate Resolution condemning the United States Army Corps of Engineers’ proposed disposal of contaminated dredged materials at two sites in Bergen County.

 

Whereas, The sand, silt and mud that naturally accumulate in the navigation channels and ship berths in the port area of northern New Jersey and New York City must be dredged on a regular basis to ensure the continued economic viability of the shipping and trade industry; and

Whereas, While the economic importance of dredging is significant, it is well known that dredged material is often contaminated with toxic substances that have been determined to be unacceptable for ocean disposal due both to the health risks to aquatic life and the threat to human health; and

Whereas, A plan prepared by the United States Army Corps of Engineers, identifies more than 50 options as feasible disposal alternatives, including several new landfills in New Jersey, where sites located in the municipalities of Leonia and Moonachie in Bergen County are targeted; and

Whereas, The proposed disposal facilities in the two Bergen County towns would reportedly be situated adjacent to a public swimming pool, sensitive watershed and wetlands areas, and a public park, and would needlessly expose both the human population and sensitive environmental resources to the proven harmful effects of dioxin, PCB's and other hazardous substances found in most of the dredged material located in the port area; now, therefore,

 

    Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of New Jersey:

 

    1.    The Senate condemns the United States Army Corps of Engineers' proposed plan to dispose of toxic dredged materials in upland disposal sites located in Bergen County and declares this option to be unacceptable.

 

    2.    This House implores the Corps to fully explore other disposal alternatives and make exclusive use of these alternatives when contemplating the future disposal of contaminated dredged materials.

    3.    A duly authenticated copy of this resolution, signed by the President of the Senate and attested by the Secretary thereof, shall be forwarded to the Colonel of the United States Army Corps of Engineers.

 

 

STATEMENT

 

    This resolution condemns the United States Army Corps of Engineers' proposed plan to dispose of toxic dredged materials in upland disposal sites located in Bergen County and declares this option to be unacceptable. The resolution further implores the Corps to fully explore other disposal alternatives and make exclusive use of these alternatives when contemplating the future disposal of contaminated dredged materials.

 

 

                             

Condemns Army Corps' proposed dredged material disposal in Bergen County towns.