329 



MURL MILLER 



1. The near surface waters, and 



2. Sludge deposits. 



For the surface waters, the Project has 

 attempted to use the Pearl-Benson Index to establish 

 correlations in biological tests without adequately 

 recognizing its basic limitations. This has led to im- 

 practical recommendations that cannot be supported by 

 requirements and values of the waters of concern. State- 

 ments already made by highly qualified people in this 

 Conference are more than adequate to refute use of the 

 Pearl-Benson Index as a parameter indicating deleterious 

 conditions. The Project attempts to translate results 

 from laboratory bioassays directly to the waterways, 

 which is never a safe procedure when dealing with ecological 

 concepts. We contend that the pragmatic approach of 

 investigating nature itself is the surest way of establish- 

 ing the existence or absence of a problem. 



Following this approach, the Everett Mills 

 Technical Committee has sponsored studies applicable to 

 an evaluation of the various fisheries. One series of 

 these studies has been conducted by the Fisheries Research 

 Institute of the University of Washington. Dr. Salo of 

 Fisheries Research Institute has previously described 

 these studies for this Conference. These investigations 



