By Dave Lucas
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wamc/local-wamc-940907.mp3
Albany, NY – The US Environmental Protection Agency has released the rules for the second phase of Hudson River dredging. Capital District Bureau Chief Dave Lucas reports.
When General Electric resumes dredging in the spring, the EPA says it must remove more PCB-tainted sediment from the river, will have to take better samples, and cap less of the river bottom.
Here is a portion of a press release issued by the EPA:
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today presented GE with requirements for the next phase of the cleanup of the Hudson River. The second phase of the cleanup - which is designed to address potentially cancer-causing chemicals released for decades from two GE plants into the Hudson - would require GE to remove far more contaminated sediment from the river before sealing or "capping" any remaining PCBs. The decision follows months of consultation with GE, the State of New York and a wide range of stakeholder groups as the Agency analyzed technical information and decided how best to proceed with the second phase of the project. GE has until January 14, 2011 to review EPA's decision and notify the Agency whether they will proceed with this phase of the cleanup, scheduled to begin in May 2011.
Environmental groups believe the new standards will lead to cleaner waters but have reservations when it comes to capping. Ned Sullivan, president of the environmental advocacy group Scenic Hudson, says now is the time for GE to take responsibility for perfroming the cleanup. GE spokesman Mark Behan says the company will carefully evaluate EPA's plan.
A statement follows from the groups Hudson River Sloop Clearwater, Natural Resources Defense Council, Riverkeeper and Scenic Hudson:
"These standards are a compromise ensuring a healthier Hudson in the years to come but letting GE get away with leaving a significant amount of toxic waste behind.
"Given the allowances that EPA's standards afford to GE, there's absolutely no excuse for the company not to opt in to the cleanup as soon as possible. All eyes will be on the corporation and EPA to ensure there are no corners cut once the cleanup begins.
"GE is the world's second-largest corporation and prides itself on its innovation. The EPA has made the next phase of the cleanup completely achievable so GE should commit and use the occasion put its 40,000 world-class engineers and scientists to work to prove that it is solving the world's toughest environmental challenges,' as it claims.
"The Hudson River and the millions of people who live along this iconic waterway deserve nothing less."
The EPA's Judith Enck says don't look for any lifting of fish-eating advisories advisories after dredging is completed, as it may take decades for the PCBs to disappear from the water. The E.P.A. has designated nearly 200 miles of the Hudson as a contaminated Superfund site.