A panel of independent experts studying the dredging of PCBs from the Superfund areas of the Hudson River has released their draft recommendations for how the next phase of the project should be handled.

The EPA has vowed to provide funding to complete Dredging, even if GE backs out. (Courtesy New York Times)

According to the New York Times and Albany Times Union, the seven- expert panel determined that there need to be more accurate maps of where PCBs are located and more time given to thoroughly conduct the cleanup. Better maps, based on more river bottom sampling, will allow dredging to be done in one pass.

The panel was convened by the EPA to help settle disputes with GE. The company wanted a strict limit on how many PCBs could reach the Troy Dam and had urged more PCBs be capped over, while the EPA position of using percentage of the total amount of PCBs dredged was supported in the report.

Officials with the EPA say the project may now take 7 to 10 years, not the 6 years originally anticipated.

GE, under a 2002 agreement with EPA, can drop the project if the company feels it is not practical or effective. EPA has vowed to continue regardless of GE's involvement.

The scientific panel will submit its final report by Sept. 10. The EPA will then to issue the final rules by October, which may incorporate some, all or none of the panel's recommendations. After that, GE would have 90 days to decide whether to continue or abandon the project.