WAMC: Dredging: More PCBs Found in Hudson than Expected (2009-09-28)

WAMC New York News

Dredging: More PCBs Found in Hudson than Expected

Dave Lucas (2009-09-28)

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General Electric spokesman Mark Behan presents an aerial map of the dredging site at Fort Edward. [WAMC Photo by Dave Lucas 05.05.09]

FT. EDWARD, NY (WAMC) - More PCB-tainted sediment than expected has been found in the Hudson River. Capital District Bureau Chief Dave Lucas has an update.

General Electric discharged PCBs from its plants in Hudson Falls and Fort Edward for years ending in the 1970s... the company is bearing the $780 million cost of the cleanup, which is being overseen by the Environmental Protection Agency. Since dredging began May 15th, the process has uncovered about 100-thousand cubic yards of additional contamination in the river bed. When Phase One is wrapped up in October, more than 255-thousand cubic yards of sediment will have been dredged, 10-thousand cubic yards short of the target figure originally estimated.

Hudson River Clearwater Environmental Director Manna Jo Greene says it's good that the EPA is willing to remove additional pollution from the Hudson. Greene points out that the discovery of the additional contamination didn't stop the cleanup from going forward, although some portions of the river off Rogers Island have yet to be touched by dredging barges. Officials cannot say whether the dredging project will have to be extended beyond its 2015 end date. When Champlain Canal shuts down for Winter, dredging stops. But river activisits and dredging officials agree the process is for the most part on target and on schedule.