42 



So it is very unfortunate. We think it could have been a con- 

 structive process to air a lot of these issues and have the public be 

 informed of the information and data and sort of thinking behind 

 the agencies' decisions about this permit. 



Mr. Pallone. Well, thank you very much, and thank you, Mr. 

 Chairman, for having the hearing. I thought it was very produc- 

 tive, and I appreciate it. 



Mr. Ortiz. Thank you. Does any member of the panel have any- 

 thing to add to your testimony before we move to the next panel? 

 Let me thank each of you for coming here today, and I apologize 

 for the interruptions that we have had during the day and delays. I 

 will have some further questions for you, and I believe some mem- 

 bers of the committee would also do the same and submit them to 

 you, and at your convenience please respond to those questions. 

 Thank you very much for being with us. 



At this time, I would like to request that the third and final 

 panel come forward and take your seats. Thank you very much for 

 your patience. Our third panel today consists of Dr. Fred Grassle, 

 the Director of the Institute of Marine and Coastal Sciences at Rut- 

 gers University, and Dr. Robert Engler, Director of the Center for 

 Contaminated Sediments at the U.S. Army Engineer Waterways 

 Experiment Station. Again, I would like to remind each of the wit- 

 nesses to try and limit your oral statements. However, I know that 

 it has been our fault today because of all the interruptions, and we 

 will give you, hopefully, as much time as you would need. So, Dr. 

 Grassle, please begin with your testimony. 



STATEMENT OF FRED GRASSLE, DIRECTOR, INSTITUTE OF 

 MARINE AND COASTAL SCIENCES 



Mr. Grassle. Thank you. I thank you — both to you and members 

 of the committee — for the opportunity to present information on 

 the ocean disposal contaminated dredge material. Our remarks pro- 

 vide a brief overview of the effects of this activity on the marine 

 environment, potential alternatives to ocean disposal of contami- 

 nated dredge material including the current state of technology for 

 remediating sediments, and to comment on the proposal to use in- 

 vessel storage for the dredging of contaminated sediments at the 

 Port Newark/Port Elizabeth Marine Terminal. 



It is necessary to be concerned about disposal of any contaminat- 

 ed materials in the ocean. Ocean disposal leads to changes in 

 marine ecosystems in the immediate area of the disposal site. If the 

 material from the disposal site is prevented from spreading, then 

 the effects on either biota or human health are minimal. For exam- 

 ple, at least in some instances, capping with clean sediments has 

 proven to be successful in controlling the spread of contaminated 

 sediments so that risks to marine life and human health have been 

 acceptable. 



However, major advances have been made in recent years in our 

 understanding of processes associated with transport of sediment in 

 the marine environment. Materials thought to have been contained 

 may on some occasions be moved by storms and can be transported 

 considerable distances. In these instances, material from ocean dis- 

 posal contributes to the gradual buildup of pollutants in the ocean, 



