Australia Permits Coal Port Dredge Dumping Near Barrier Reef

Australia approved plans by North Queensland Bulk Ports Corp. to dump dredging waste from the expansion of the Abbot Point coal terminal near the World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef

The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority today cleared the port to deposit as much as 3 million cubic meters (680 million dry gallons) of material, according to a statement on its website. Australia’s environment minister approved the project last month, in the face of opposition from environmentalists concerned about the impact on the reef, one of Australia’s major tourist attractions.