Economic interests in southeastern Pennsylvania are pushing officials in Delaware and New Jersey to approve a plan to deepen the Delaware River. Plan calls for dredging - and in some cases blasting - about one hundred miles of the Delaware River near Philadelphia, from 40 to 45 feet. The area is within four feet of a pristine aquifer that serves all three states. It will cost at least $264 million and many think the cost could be as high as $500 million. For each dollar spent, only fifty cents in benefits will return to the local economy.

The deepening of the River threatens to contaminate drinking water supplies and harm aquatic life. In the proposed plan, the Army Corps of Engineers will dredge an estimated 33 million cubic yards of river sediment, much of it contaminated with PCBs, mercury and lead. This chemical and heavy metal laced sediment will then be dumped at sites along the river, including the Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge. Blasting operations may also damage the rock bed that protects a pristine aquifer currently serving Delaware, as well as Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

The blasting operations could crack and "nick" the rock protecting an aquifer that serves Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware. Also, experts are concerned that dredge spoil disposal sites could leach dangers toxins into aquifers from which we drink.

Ultimately, the project will not increase tonnage shipped on the river or provide more jobs to the region. The plan will only deepen the main channel of the river. In order for the oil companies and shippers to really benefit, they will need to dredge from the main channel to their docks. So far, none of the seven oil companies has agreed to spend the money needed to dredge from the main channel to their facility. Several have said that they see no benefit from the project. Competing ports, like Baltimore, already have a 50-foot channel, deepening the Delaware River to 45 feet will not attract business away from these harbors.

The Army Corps of Engineers and the Philadelphia Regional Port Authority have already approved a five-year plan to dredge the river. Additional approvals are needed before this damaging project can begin.