Clean Ocean Preservation Act of 2003

This bill would establish a strict environmental safety standard for the Historic Area Remediation Site (HARS), an underwater location off the coast of New Jersey used to manage contaminated sediment. Specifically, it would set a maximum limit of 113 parts per billion for polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)—toxic industrial chemicals—in any material used to cover or "cap" the site.

For citizens, the bill aims to protect local marine ecosystems and public health by ensuring that the materials used to restore the ocean floor do not introduce harmful levels of pollutants into the water. By requiring the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to maintain standards at least as protective as this limit, the legislation seeks to prevent long-term toxic buildup that can affect the safety of local seafood and the overall health of the Atlantic coastal environment.