Zalul Environmental Association calls on the leaders and directors of Israel's Port Authority: "Dredging - the method chosen by the Israel Port Authority to deepen the landing the Haifa harbor and the Kishon River pollutes the sea with poisonous sludge and endangers public health"

Zalul's Director, Yariv Abramovich, recently turned to the Director of Israel's Port Authority, Mr. Shlomo Breiman, and to the members of the Kishon River Authority warning them of the hidden dangers in the dredging project in the Haifa harbor and the Kishon River estuary. He demanded the work be ceased immediately until the matter is comprehensively and methodically checked.

The method of dredging being implemented today is using an open backhoe loader that is outdated and exposes the crew to toxic gas vapors and causes the scattering of contaminates throughout the harbor.  After the dredging is completed, the contaminated mud is placed across from the beaches of Haifa – contaminating the sea.  Dredging has presented a clear and present danger to the sea, turning the water into a toxic and turbid mess, and endangering the fishing areas and bathing beaches in Haifa and its suburbs.

After doing additional testing, it came to Zalul's attention that, in the rest of the world, based on the conditions that exist in the harbor of Haifa and in the Kishon River, it is forbidden to use an open backhoe loader. Additionally, more progressive methods of dredging are available that significantly reduce the risk of injury and the danger to the public such as the use of a hydraulic dredger. By using such methods, it is possible to lessen the concentrations of pollutants in the sludge and to use the material in its dry state without apprehension. The progressive technological alternatives use treatments such as heat, chemical and biological.