312 OCEANOGRAPHY IN THE UNITED STATES 



I read their report very carefully, and in it they suggest that 28 

 sites along the Atlantic and gulf coasts could be used as possible 

 dumping sites for atomic material. 



Three of those sites are located off the coast of Virginia, and one 

 of which is located only 35 miles from Little Creek, Va., wliich is ap- 

 proximately 25 miles off the coast of Virginia Beach, which is one of 

 the greatest resort areas on the eastern seaboard. 



This has created great concern among my people in this area, and 

 with some justification. 



Mr. Chainiian, this site 35 miles off Little Creek is known as Site 

 No. 4 in the report, put out by the National Research Council. 



That site is the location of a sunken ship, and it is in the middle of a 

 great fishing area in my area, sport fishing as well as commercial 

 fishing. 



The thought of having this waste material in 55 feet of water, if 

 that is correct, and with the commercial and sport fishing area which 

 exists there, it causes me great concern. 



Doctor Hargis, who is the head of our Virginia Laboratories, says 

 that his information is that the drift currents there are toward the 

 Capes. 



He is very much opposed, in behalf of the Laboratory of Virginia, 

 to this particular site. 



In addition to possible harm that this may bring not only to the 

 marine life but to other industries, it is a great psychological thing 

 down there, with the resort areas so close, with people coming down 

 by the tliousands in the summertime, so that tliere is perhaps a reluc- 

 tance, and perliaps there is a slight fear wliich would develop if this 

 material were allowed to be dumped so close to the shore. 



Speaking very frankly, I know practically nothing about the effects 

 of atomic radiation. I do not know that anybody knows the complete 

 story, but it seems to me, Mr. Chairman, that rather than take any 

 chance at all, the authorities should consider dumping this material 

 further out at sea where they can be more assured that tliere will be 

 no danger from radiation and remove any psychological danger that 

 might exist. 



I am told that the reason they are trying to get close into shore sites 

 is because they contract the hauling of this material, and the people 

 with whom they contract do not have the equipment to carry this out 

 to sea. 



I am not too impressed with that argument. With something so 

 dangerous as what we are dealing with, it seems to me that people who 

 are contracting to haul it should have the equipment necessary to take 

 it way out to sea, or if they do not it should be hauled out by one of 

 the services, the Navy or the Coast Guard. 



As to these contract haulers, I am wondering whether they dump 

 this dangerous waste material exactly where they are supposed to dump 

 it or not, and whether thei-e is any adequate clieck on where they dump. 



It is possible they could take it out beyond sight of land and dump 

 it and nobody woukl know about it. 



Mr. C^liairman, perhaps it would be wise for tliis committee to con- 

 sider criminal legislation for the mis]^lacement of atomic waste mate- 

 rial. In other words, if it is not dumped in the prescrilied area wliich 

 is deemed safe, then that would constitute some form of a crime. 



