Open house to be held for opposition to VX dumping

Tuesday, August 29, 2006

Special to the News

BRIDGETON -- The American Littoral Society has announced it will hold an open house to rally public opposition to plans to dump VX nerve gas byproduct into the Delaware River and Bay. The open house will be held at its Bridgeton location at 4 W. Commerce St. on Friday, from 6 to 9 p.m.

The Littoral Society opposes the U.S. Army's proposal to dump 4 million gallons of VX nerve poison byproduct, called hydrolysate, into the Delaware. The discharge would occur at DuPont's Chambers Works treatment facility in Deepwater, near the Delaware Memorial Bridge.

The Society will launch a campaign to organize public opposition to VX dumping at the Friday event. Matt Blake, Conservation Coordinator for the American Littoral Society said, "We invite concerned citizens, public officials, and area businesses, especially those that depend on the Bay, such as restaurants, marinas and commercial fishing companies, to come learn more about the issue and to sign letters opposing the Army's plan."

The Society will also make available sample resolutions for municipalities and towns who wish to formally oppose the plan. "A number of towns and counties have already passed resolutions opposing the U.S. Army's proposal and have been gracious enough to share them with us," Blake said.

This event will coincide with Bridgeton's last farmers market of the season and the opening of Gallery 50's regional wetlands artwork competition exhibition, of which the Society is a sponsor.

The American Littoral Society is a membership-based, coastal conservation organization headquartered on Sandy Hook in Highlands, New Jersey. Now celebrating its 45th year, the Society promotes the study and conservation of coastal marine life, defends the coast from those who would do it harm and empowers others to do the same through advocacy, education, and conservation.

This article was provided to the News by the American Littoral Society.