N.J. AG files suit on river dredging

The state Attorney General has followed through on a directive from the governor and filed a federal lawsuit to block the proposed deepening of the Delaware River.

The lawsuit, filed on Monday in U.S. District Court in New Jersey against the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, follows a recent announcement that the controversial project could begin by year's end.

"Too many concerns have been cut for a project of this magnitude to go forward," said Attorney General Anne Milgram. "Through today's action, we intend to ensure that the Army Corps of Engineers is held accountable, that it complies with all applicable environmental laws, and that New Jersey's vital natural resources are protected."

The state argues the federal agency has chosen to move forward with the dredging project, despite not receiving the required approvals.

The proposal calls for the Army Corps to deepen up to 102 miles of the Delaware River between Philadelphia and the bay from 40 to 45 feet.

Gov. Jon Corzine issued the directive last week over concerns he had regarding the project.

In a statement on Monday, Corzine said he could not sit back and allow the Army Corps to "plow blindly ahead" with the dredging project.

A major bone of contention between New Jersey and the Army Corps is over the dumping of these dredge spoils. The Garden State is against receiving the waste, and said it has been assured by Pennsylvania officials that a majority of the spoils will be dumped on the other side of the river.

The state claims the Army Corps has ignored requests from the Department of Environmental Protection to conduct an updated analysis. Specifically, the state is worried the dredging will create an unnecessary environmental harm.

In addition to noting that insufficient samplings and analyses of sediment have taken place, the lawsuit alleges the Corps failed to perform and update required environmental studies. It also claims there was no attempt to coordinate the deepening project with New Jersey's own coastal management programs as required by the federal Coastal Zone Management Act.

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