A new study raises concerns about efforts to dredge polluted sediment
out of waterways. Chuck Quirmbach reports:
Transcript
A new study raises concerns about efforts to dredge polluted sediment
out of waterways. Chuck Quirmbach reports:
A study by the National Research Council looked at the dredging of
contaminants from about 25 projects around the US. Study Chairman
Charles O’Melia of Johns Hopkins University says the report has two
main conclusions:
One is that dredging has some failings when it comes to achieving short
term pollution reductions. For example, particles can be left behind or
re-suspended in the water.
O’Melia also says the report points to the need for more monitoring of
dredging projects:
“Each site is different and it is not going to be possible, to be able
to come up a plan that you would know with certainty what would
work… that you have to go out and test it.”
The EPA is evaluating the study, but says for the most part, it’s happy
with existing dredging plans for rivers.
For The Environment Report, I’m Chuck Quirmbach