§1266 Hudson River Reclamation Demonstration Proj­ect

Summary

The Administrator may make contracts with New York to run a demonstration project to remove polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) from Hudson River bottom sediments, treat the dredged material, bury it in secure landfills, and install monitoring on those landfills. The project must test whether storing these toxic wastes long-term in safe landfills is practical and whether it helps the river recover faster. Nothing removed can be put in a landfill unless the Administrator first finds that landfill disposal gives better protection for public health and safety than other options, such as incineration or chemical destruction. The Administrator may give grants to New York from funds allotted under section 1285(a) to pay for the project. Grants may pay 75% of the project cost and non‑Federal sources must provide the rest. The authority runs until September 30, 1983. Funds may be used only if the Administrator finds they are not available under section 1265, section 1321, or a comprehensive hazardous substance cleanup fund. Any money used will be subtracted from New York’s needs estimate under section 1375(b). The Administrator may not obligate or spend more than $20,000,000 for this work.