Critics lash out at EPA decision to continue LI Sound dumping

The Environmental Protection Agency's decision to extend a permit to dump in the Long Island Sound for another 30 years is drawing criticism from lawmakers and environmentalists. Earlier this month,

News 12 Staff

•

Jul 30, 2016, 1:30 AM

•

Updated 3,066 days ago

The Environmental Protection Agency's decision to extend a permit to dump in the Long Island Sound for another 30 years is drawing criticism from lawmakers and environmentalists.

Earlier this month, the EPA extended the dumping permit at two sites in the Sound. It's still considering a proposal to extend dumping at two other sites farther east in the waterway.

Rep. Lee Zeldin (R - Shirley) still thinks there's time to get the EPA to change its mind before the current permits expire at the end of this year.

"The Long Island Sound shouldn't be a dumping ground, especially when there are many viable alternatives to open-water dumping, including recycling and safe disposal on land," says Zeldin.

Currently, the Army Corps of Engineers dumps materials that are dredged in rivers in Connecticut at the four sites.

Critics say those materials include pollutants and chemicals.

The EPA says the materials are tested before they are dumped and pose no harm to the body of water. It also says dumping in the Sound is the least expensive form of disposal.