Corps and EPA Clarify Clean Water Act Definition
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced that they are taking action to better coordinate federal programs affecting protection of wetlands and streams. Completing a regulation proposed by the Clinton Administration in 2000, the Army Corps of Engineers is adopting EPA's approach to the Clean Water Act's definition of "fill material," which has been in place since 1977. The regulation will not only remove ambiguity from Clean Water Act's regulations, but also enhance environmental protection of our wetlands and streams by prohibiting the dumping of trash or garbage in them. In addition, the agencies will apply new conditions to permits issued to regulate the placement of dirt and rock from mountaintop mining in streams.
NY/NJ Close To Resolving Port Budget
New York and New Jersey are close to reaching an agreement that would break a 17-month deadlock over a port lease that has paralyzed the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, according to press reports. Neither New York Gov. George Pataki nor New Jersey Gov. Christie Whitman had signed off on the deal as of early Wednesday evening, but both sides expressed hope that the feud might be near an end. According to those with knowledge of the discussions, some of the major terms of the tentative agreement include: Pataki's signing of a 30-year lease for Maersk Sealand's cargo hub at Port Newark-Elizabeth in New Jersey; Whitman's agreement to let the Port Authority spend $250 million on New York transportation projects.…
Pataki Input Sought In Port Impasse
New York State Comptroller H. Carl McCall has urged Gov. George Pataki to attend the May 25 board meeting of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey in order to help break a 17-month impasse. "It's time for Governor Pataki to step forward, exert some leadership, and get the Port Authority moving again," McCall is reported to have said in a prepared remark. The logjam has stalled major projects, including approval of a new lease for Maersk Sealand, privatization of the World Trade Center and the lease of air rights over the Port Authority Bus Terminal. Also placed on hold was a $3.9 billion capital and operating budget, which was expected to be voted on at last month's board meeting.
NY/NJ Port Authority Authorizes Dredging Study
The Port Authority Board of Commissioners has authorized a study harbor dredging in the Port of New York and New Jersey to identify, develop and explore innovative and cost-effective ways to remove and dispose of sediment from the port's channels and berths. The goal of the $4 million study is to find the most environmentally sensitive and the most effective way to deepen the port's channels to 45-ft. and then to 50-ft. The deeper channels are needed to accommodate a new generation of cargo megaships that can handle over 6,000 truck-size containers and require deep water to operate. The study will be done in two phases. The first, which will take approximately two years…
Maersk Chair Irked By Feud
The chairman of Maersk, the largest shipper at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, has reportedly lost patience with a feud between the two states that has put his lease on hold for a year. Tommy Thomsen, said the firm, which handles up to 25 percent of the port's cargo, might rethink its options if the Port Authority fails to quickly approve his lease. Maersk last year selected New York Harbor as its hub port over competing offers from ports such as Baltimore and Halifax, Nova Scotia. New Jersey Gov. Christie Whitman urged New York Gov. George Pataki to let the Port Authority, which the two governors jointly control, approve the Maersk lease. A Pataki spokesman said the governor was considering Whitman's request for a face-to-face meeting.
NY/NJ Port Authority To Vote On $3.9B Budget
Board members of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey are reportedly scheduled to vote on a $3.9 billion budget. The agenda includes reelection of top officers and discussion of a lucrative port deal, signaling that a dispute between the governors of New York and New Jersey is moving toward a resolution. The budget reportedly calls for no hikes in PATH fares and tolls at Port Authority bridges and tunnels for a ninth year. The commissioners also are expected to discuss a possible lease for the Port Newark terminal that Maersk Line vacated after it acquired Sea-Land Service and moved into its 350-acre terminal in Port Elizabeth. A top contender for taking over the 154-acre property are subsidiaries of London-based Peninsular & Oriental Navigation Co.
Relations Still Chilly At NY/NJ Port Authority
It may be the end of April, but there was no spring thaw at Thursday's board meeting of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. Port Authority commissioners had been expected to vote on a $3.9 billion capital and operating budget, which would have signaled some movement on an impasse that has held up major projects for the agency. However, Chairman Lewis M. Eisenberg said the budget had been discussed among board members, but a decision was made not to take a vote. No reason was given for the inaction. Board members have been paralyzed on the major items pending resolution of a 16-month dispute between New York Gov. George Pataki and New Jersey Gov. Christie Whitman over Port Authority revenues.
