The Dredging Crisis in New York Harbor: Present and Future Problems, Present and Future Solutions
Fordham Environmental Law Review Volume 8, Number 2 2011 Article 2 The Dredging Crisis In New York Harbor: Present and Future Problems, Present and Future Solutions Gerard C. Keegan Jr∗ ∗ Copyright c 2011 by the authors. Fordham Environmental Law Review is produced by The Berkeley Electronic Press (bepress). http://ir.lawnet.fordham.edu/elr THE DREDGING CRISIS IN NEW YORK HARBOR: PRESENT AND FUTURE PROBLEMS, PRESENT AND FUTURE SOLUTIONS Gerard C. Keegan, Jr* INTRODUCTION t is a beautiful day in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. The earth, awake from its long winter's nap, yields forth its green, fresh, growing scent unique to spring. The brilliant sun reflects the bright reds and yellows of kites flying high on the warm breeze. Below, the people laugh and chase kites, or simply lie in the sun. The nearby Belt Parkway, with its steady stream of cars heading east- ward, seems a distant memory. People come to this small strip of grass, not even a park, to gaze at the water, or even to awe at the sheer size of the Verrazano Narrows Bridge, looming headily above them. But if they wait, they will be rewarded with an ordi- nary, and yet somehow still spectacular sight - a supertanker headed up the Verrazano Narrows. What most people do not realize is the danger waiting just under the bridge for these huge ships. This danger is a result of the difficulties New York and New Jersey encounter dredging the waterways leading to their common port in Elizabeth, New Jersey. This port is accessible under the Verrazano Bridge and through the winding, often treacherous passage known as the Kill Van Kull.
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