Sweeney denounces the 17th, 20th and 22nd Centuries

by: Hopeful

Mon Mar 31, 2008 at 04:45:30 PM EDT

Assemblyman John Burzichelli and State Senator Steve Sweeney are calling for new negotiations with Delaware to replace the current Interstate Compact that gives New Jersey only limited rights on our side of the Delaware River.

The Supreme Court's divided decision shows that an agreement New Jersey and Delaware struck at a time when much of our modern world would be considered science fiction is showing signs of age" said Burzichelli (D-Gloucester). "Now that the Court has rendered its decision, officials from Delaware and New Jersey need to come together to produce a new, modern agreement between our two states."

"We should not be making 21st Century decisions based on a 103-year-old agreement based in-turn on a three-century-old map," said Sweeney (D-Gloucester). "Let's not push this issue off for yet another century."

You'll recall that the proposed BP LNG terminal is the cause of the dispute. Actually, I agree with Sweeney and Burzichelli.

Hopeful :: Sweeney denounces the 17th, 20th and 22nd Centuries

Tags: boundaries, LNG, Delaware, Salem County, John Burzichelli, Steve Sweeney, LD3, Gloucester County, (All Tags)

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Sweeney denounces the 17th, 20th and 22nd Centuries | 2 comments

for this particular dispute (0.00 / 0)

This disagreement between Delaware and N.J., besides the legal ramifications (hence Sweeney's point about agreement precedents), is difficult one for which to choose sides. On the one hand is the state of Delaware, which is fighting for environmental conservation of a small, low-level area of the Delaware. On the other hand, there is the state of N.J., which wants to develop the port for more efficient shipping for BP -- which would have environmental ramifications (dredging spoils), though the portion of land is extremely small here. I can see both sides of this argument as being valid, honestly.

by: Martin @ Mon Mar 31, 2008 at 21:40:15 PM UTC

Actually (4.00 / 1)

it's really an issue of law that is fairly settled. A river is a shared resource between the parties that own either side of it. I am free to develop my side without your input so long as my development doesn't impact your side. So you can't keep me from building my house on my side of the river.

However, an industrial development that would degrade the entire river obviously effects the other side of the river. I support an LNG terminal, but Delaware obviously has the right to determine if an industrial site that could potentially cause mass pollution and/or blow up and kill people is built.

It's just a matter of bringing all interested sides to the table to discuss the terminal.

by: Thurman Hart @ Mon Mar 31, 2008 at 21:41:45 PM UTC