Hudson River Cleanup: More Than 1.3 Million Cubic Yards of PCB Sediment Removed
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced major progress in the Hudson River cleanup. The third dredging season ends this week. Crews have now removed more than 1.3 million cubic yards of PCB-contaminated sediment. The project began in 2009 and continues to move forward.
This year’s efforts alone exceeded expectations. Beginning May 9, 2012, dredging crews removed approximately 650,000 cubic yards of sediment from a three-mile stretch south of Fort Edward. The EPA’s seasonal target was 350,000 cubic yards, meaning crews nearly doubled the goal.
The project has now reached almost half of its overall objective—removing 2.65 million cubic yards of toxic sediment from a 40-mile section of the upper Hudson River.
Restoring a Historic Hudson River with a Strong Dredging Cleanup
“This season marks another important step forward,” said Judith A. Enck, EPA Regional Administrator. “With each successful dredging season, we move closer to a cleaner Hudson River and the day when this historic waterway can be restored to its former glory.”
The dredging effort is about more than environmental repair. It is also bringing economic benefits to the region, including the creation of 500 jobs. The work demonstrates how environmental protection and economic revitalization can go hand in hand.
Why PCBs Matter
Between the 1940s and the late 1970s, the Hudson River became one of the most contaminated waterways in the nation. During those decades, an estimated 1.3 million pounds of PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) were discharged into the river from two General Electric capacitor manufacturing plants located in Fort Edward and Hudson Falls, New York.
The impact was profound. PCBs settled into the river’s sediment, where they persisted for generations. Even today—decades later after the discharges stopped. However, the contaminated sediment continues to pose serious risks. Especially to fish, wildlife, and people who rely on the river. Because PCBs accumulate in fatty tissue, they move up the food chain, threatening both ecological and human health.
Recognizing the scale of the crisis, the federal government stepped in. Under the terms of a 2006 legal agreement, General Electric became legally responsible for cleaning up the contamination it caused. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) oversees every stage of the dredging project, ensuring that progress is measured, impacts are controlled, and the Hudson is restored as a safe, living river.
Between the 1940s and late 1970s, an estimated 1.3 million pounds of PCBs entered the Hudson River from two General Electric capacitor plants in Fort Edward and Hudson Falls. Even, contaminated sediment remains a major risk.
Under a 2006 legal agreement, General Electric is carrying out the dredging project while the EPA oversees the work.
Keeping the Hudson River Dredging Safe During Cleanup
Dredging removes contamination. But it also stirs up sediment. The EPA responded with strict limits.
At Schuylerville, the nearest downstream monitoring station, no more than two percent of PCBs could resuspend and move downriver. At Waterford, the farthest station, the limit was even tighter—just one percent.
Crews stayed within both limits during the 2012 season. The rules worked. The river stayed safer while the cleanup advanced.
The EPA also capped some dredged areas with clean material. To limit changes to the riverbed, the agency required that capping cover no more than 11% of the project area. The 2012 season finished with less than 5% capped, excluding unavoidable areas.
Community Protections
The EPA monitored air quality and noise levels throughout the season to protect nearby communities. Operational improvements also reduced impacts. Crews covered dredged sediment with water while in barges and prioritized removing the most contaminated material first.
These measures cut odor, dust, and noise across nearby neighborhoods. Crews worked faster and cleaner because sediment stayed covered in barges filled with water. This step stopped pollutants from escaping into the air. At the same time, workers moved the most toxic material first, reducing the risk to local residents.
The improvements also streamlined operations at the Fort Edward processing facility. Sediment arrived in better condition and was handled more efficiently. Covered barges kept the material stable, while rapid scheduling meant less time stored on-site. As a result, trucks and trains could carry the dredged soil away more quickly.
Together, these strategies proved that cleanup can protect both the river and the people living beside it. They showed that large-scale environmental restoration is possible without overwhelming nearby communities.
Next Steps
Although dredging is seasonal, cleanup continues year-round. In the coming months, trains will carry processed sediment to EPA-approved out-of-state disposal facilities. This ensures that contaminated material is permanently removed from the Hudson Valley.
The EPA will also review this year’s operations and determine whether adjustments are needed before dredging resumes next spring.
Looking ahead, the work will become more challenging. Early dredging targeted compact areas running from shoreline to shoreline. Future dredging will move farther south toward Troy, with sections more spread out. Crews must also handle technically difficult areas—near dams, shallow zones behind islands, and the landlocked section between Thompson Island Dam and Fort Miller Dam.
Despite these hurdles, the EPA estimates that the cleanup can be completed in the next three to five years.
A River Worth Restoring
The Hudson River is more than a natural resource—it is a cultural landmark and an economic engine for the region. By removing toxic sediment, the EPA and its partners are investing in cleaner water, healthier communities, and stronger local economies.
The progress to date shows what is possible when science, regulation, and community commitment come together. Each dredging season brings the river one step closer to recovery.
For more information about the Hudson River dredging project, visit the EPA’s Hudson River page and Hudson Dredging Data.
Fort Edward, NY – November 13, 2012 –
