Inquirer: Delaware River dredging nixed in US budget plan

A long-standing debate over whether to deepen the Delaware River is getting wrapped up in the federal budget.

In the spending plan announced Monday by President Barack Obama, there was no money allocated for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to move ahead with the project.

Officials in Pennsylvania say the deepening is vital because it could spur the economy by allowing bigger ships to area ports. Lawmakers in New Jersey and Delaware oppose it, raising environmental concerns.

A federal judge ruled last week that the dredging should move ahead despite the states’ objections.

Last year, Obama also did not include any money for the dredging when he presented his budget. But pro-dredging members of Congress provided funding anyway.