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The evolution of dredging
Plans to dredge the Delaware River navigational channel from 40 to 45 feet have been in the pipeline for 17 years. Despite the standoff between dredging proponents and environmentalists, the maritime industry is fairly confident dredging will happen on schedule.
Work is anticipated to begin next year and continue through 2004. Here is a timeline for the project:
1982: Congress agrees to study the channel from Trenton to the sea at the request of the port community to make it safer and more competitive for the maritime industry.
1987 to 1992: The Army Corps of Engineers conducts a $2 million feasibility study on deepening the 102-mile main channel from Camden to the sea.
1992: Congress authorizes dredging from 40 to 45 feet.
1997: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers completes the dredging design phase, which includes $7 million in environmental studies and $1 million in administrative costs.
October 1998: Congress provides $1.5 million toward the cost of the $311 million project. Another $16.5 million is included in the proposed federal budget for fiscal 2000.
--EILEEN STILWELL
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