Del. congressional delegation discusses dredging

Delaware’s congressional delegation is getting a firsthand look at a controversial project to dredge the Delaware River shipping channel.

U.S. Sens. Tom Carper and Chris Coons and Rep. John Carney planned to join Army Corps of Engineers officials Monday afternoon for a tour of the river and discussion of the economic impact of the dredging.
A federal appeals court last month rejected an appeal from environmental groups and the state of New Jersey challenging the dredging project.

The Corps is deepening the channel by five feet to accommodate larger commercial ships.

Supporters say the $360 million project will help keep area ports competitive. But environmentalists claim the sediment stirred up by the dredging could be contaminated with toxic chemicals that will pollute the river and harm the fish population.