Text of the resolution introduced by Philadelphia Council member David Cohen, November 19, 1998 and passed with a unanimous vote by all Council members present:

RESOLUTION

Calling upon the Council Committee on Law and Government to conduct an investigation into the disposal of Philadelphia ash dumped by the "Khian Sea" on the shores of Haiti in 1988, and further examining all options and the development of a strategy including an overall recovery/disposal plan, and a full examination and determination of all issues, including the City's financial participation in the recovery/disposal process, identifying and contracting for a specific disposal site, and/or temporarily holding the ash at a Philadelphia location until a final site is found.

        Whereas, in December 1988, between 2,000 and 4,000 tons of Philadelphia's incinerator ash was disguised as fertilizer and dumped on a beach in Gonaives, Haiti; and

        Whereas, the ash has remained in this impoverished town in Haiti for over a decade: and

        Whereas, a company linked to the original dumping has agreed to provide $200,000 needed to finalize the removal project, but Mayor Rendell has so far agreed to provide only $50,000; and

        Whereas, the government of Haiti has offered to provide the remaining funds to finally remove Philadelphia's waste in the event Philadelphia will not provide additional funds; and

        Whereas, Philadelphia saved over $600,000 by refusing to pay anything to the company with which it contracted for the removal of the ash a decade ago; and

        Whereas, the ash is sitting at the wharf awaiting removal; and

        Whereas, the landfill in South Carolina which had agreed to accept the ash reversed its decision last week; and

        Whereas, a ship scheduled to depart for Haiti ro remove the ash has been halted upon news of the landfill's refusal to accept the material: now therefore

        Resolved by the Council of the City if Philadelphia that it hereby authorizes the Council Committee on Law and Government to conduct an investigation into the disposal of Philadelphia ash dumped by the "Khian Sea" on the shores of Haiti in 1988, and further examining all options and the development of a strategy including an overall recovery/disposal plan,
and a fill examination and determination of all issues, including the City's financial participation in the recovery/disposal process,
identifying and contracting for a specific disposal site, and/or temporarily holding the ash at a Philadelphia location until a final site is found.

Councilman David Cohen
November 19, 1998
 
 

The passed resolution was amended during Council discussions from the original resolution Council Member Cohen introduced. The original resolution contained the same "Whereas" sections but the first and last paragraphs were:

ORIGINAL RESOLUTION introduced by Council Member Cohen but amended before vote:

Calling upon the Administration to take all steps necessary to bring about the recovery and disposal of the Philadelphia ash illegally dumped by the "Khian Sea"on the shores of Haiti in 1988, including but not necessarily limited to, helping to develop an overall recovery/disposal plan, increasing the City's financial participation in the recovery/disposal process, identifying and contracting for a specific disposal site, and/or temporarily holding the ash at a Philadelphia location until a final site
is found.

Whereas.....

Resolved by the Council of the City of Philadelphia that it calls upon the Administration to take all steps necessary to bring about the recovery and disposal of the Philadelphia ash illegally dumped by the "Khian Sea" on the shores of Haiti in 1988, including, but not necessarily limited to, helping to develop an overall recovery/disposal plan, increasing the City's financial participation in the recovery/process, identifying and contracting for a specific disposal site and/or temporarily holding the ash
at a Philadelphia location until a final site is found.