The Philadelphia District's commander, Lt. Col. Debra M. Lewis, on Thursday argued sediments dredged from the river as part of the $311 million channel deepening project could become an economic boon to the county

The county, Lewis said, could work with the project's sponsor, the Delaware River Port Authority, in marketing the sediments as "beneficial" material to fill in sand pits and coal mines, for use in road construction projects, even as fill dirt beneath sinking homes in Philadelphia.

Although the materials would still be dumped in South Jersey, the size of the dump sites could be kept in check by selling the material, Lewis said.

"If they (the county) only look at it as a resource, they will find many uses for it." Lewis said. "They're shutting the door."

Gloucester County Freeholder-Director Stephen Sweeney was incredulous, countering the DRPA would have proposed alternative uses for the materials if there were any. DRPA officials could not be reached for comment.

"She's got to be kidding me," Sweeney said, explaining the county's environmental concerns about the project are far from satisfied. "Maybe she thinks we're just foolish."

The freeholders plan to meet with mayors from throughout the county today to drum up opposition to the dredging project. The freeholders hope to get resolutions from all 24 mayors opposing the project on the grounds that it could harm groundwater supplies and riverfront development opportunities.

The Army Corps has identified two suitable dumping sites in Logan and one in Oldmans, Salem County. An old dump site in National Park could also be used for the project.

Lewis said the owner of a sand pit adjacent to one of the Logan sites has approached the Army Corps with the possibility of filling in the pit with dredged sediments.

Lewis insisted that while some of the material to be dredged from the river contains industrial contaminants, most is "essentially virgin soil."

It's just a matter of being able to separate the soils based on intended uses, Lewis said, explaining most users want specific grades of sand and sediment while the dredging process tends to mix them up. For example, landscapers want only top sediments that are rich in nutrients while road builders want coarser grains, she said.

"I believe there is a greater need for the material than the supply available," Lewis said.

-- LAWRENCE R. HAJNA