To dump or not to dump??

[JohnR]

There is an effort under way to have several marinas in Rhode Island dredged and to have the removed spoils deposited just off Conimicut Point, part of Warwick, RI. The majority of these dredging projects are located in towns other than Warwick. The Army COE has determined this location as "suitable" for dumping the dredged material but the regional EPA office in Boston has determined that samples tested so far are in fact, unsuitable for dumping here. The proposed dumping is also being met with strong resistance from the National Marine Fisheries Service, Save the Bay, as well as the City of Warwick in addition to the residents of Warwick.

The dredging of these marinas is obviously necessary from a business standpoint. I am also aware of the "Not in my backyard" syndrome which is becoming more and more commonplace in American society, often with some merit. But where does the answer lie? Should we take areas that already need to be cleaned up and add more contaminated soil? Or should those who live far from those marinas that will benefit (even the one in Warwick is a good distance away) shut up and live with this?

Now I’m looking for comments from you on this board and I’ll add my personal take soon…

Thanks,

John