Activists say they are worried that a new plan to manage dumping on the Long Island Sound will simply allow the dumping to continue.

For decades, material dredged from rivers and harbors has been dumped in designated areas in the Sound.

Next week, the Army Corps is expected to release a long-awaited master plan on how to manage the dumping and find environmentally friendly alternatives.

"We need a plan that looks at dredged material as a resource that phases out open water disposal of dredged material, not a plan that's more of the same -- not a plan that continues to use the Long Island Sound as a dumping ground," says Maureen Dolan, of the Citizens Campaign for the Environment.

A spokesman for Connecticut's environmental agency says the state favors reusing underwater soil, but only when it's feasible. He says, "As a result, Connecticut strongly believes that we must maintain the option for open water disposal of dredged material."

Public hearings are scheduled for the week after the plan is released.

Long Island activists say that's not nearly enough time to read, understand and comment on a report that's taken 10 years to draw up, and are asking for more time.