New Jersey P.L.1988, c.57

CHAPTER 57, LAWS OF 1988

AN ACT prohibiting the ocean disposal of sewage sludge, and supplementing P.L.1977, c.74.

BE IT ENACTED by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

C.58:10A-44 Short title.


 * 1. This act shall be known and may be cited as the "Ocean Sludge Dumping Elimination Act."

C.58:10A-45 Findings.


 * 2. The Legislature finds that 2.8 million wet tons (1 million dry pounds) of sewage sludge generated by six New Jersey municipal treatment works each day are ocean disposed at the federally designated 106-mile dump site; that these sludges are ocean rather than land disposed in recognition of the threat posed by the presence of contaminants; that the United States Environmental Protection Agency has officially affirmed a termination of ocean dumping as its adopted policy, a goal undermined by continuing at-sea disposal of sewage sludge; and that experts in deepwater ocean ecosystems have attested to the deleterious effects of waste disposal on the ocean environment.

C.58:10A-46 Ocean disposal prohibited.


 * 3. The provisions of any other law, rule or regulation to the contrary notwithstanding, municipal treatment works are prohibited from disposing of sludge in ocean waters by March 17, 1991.


 * 4. This act shall take effect immediately. Approved July 11, 1988.