Senator Lautenberg Hails Decision To Block Additional Dumping of Dredged Waste in Nature Park

Senator Says Palmyra Cove Nature Park Must Be Protected

December 18, 2007 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) today applauded the decision to block a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers plan to use an additional 50 acres of land to dump dredged waste in a nature park in New Jersey. Sen. Lautenberg has repeatedly called upon the Army Corps to not use the Palmyra Cove Nature Park for dumping waste.

“Palmyra Cove Nature Park is a national treasure. The plan to dump more dredge spoils in the park would have been devastating to the park, its visitors and its native animals and plants,” said Sen. Lautenberg. “The Army Corps’ decision to stop this dumping is great news for the park, its many visitors and the residents of Burlington County.”

The Corps was seeking approval from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection to use 70 acres of the 250-acre Palmyra Cove Nature Park for disposal of dredged waste from the Delaware River. Twenty acres had been approved for the Corps to use for disposal and it was waiting approval to use the remaining 50 acres. This recent measure passed by the Tidelands Resource Council now prevents the Corps from using those additional 50 acres as a dumping ground.

Palmyra Cove Natural Park is home to hundreds of different wildlife species and is used for environmental and nature education for thousands of students each year. The park is managed by the Burlington County Bridge Commission and the land is owned by the State of New Jersey.

Source: Senator Frank R. Lautenberg

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