101 



The Port Authority has not sat idly by. We have participated in 

 the federal long-term management strategy program that lasted 

 about twelve years and which discussed a range of disposal 

 options. The report was issued in December, 1989, and to date the 

 major federal follow-up has been the draft EIS on the borrow-pit 

 option . 



o We funded the Institute of Marine and Coastal Sciences at 



Rutgers University to assess remediation technology through 

 the conduct of two seminars involving world renowned 

 scientists and engineers to help us identify those approaches 

 which should be tested through the WRDA demonstration 

 program. 



o We funded a program co-chaired by Rutgers and the State 



University of New York to discuss strategies to deal with 

 non-point source pollution. 



o We retained EA Engineering to perform the only known risk 

 assessment of the effects of ocean disposal of sediments 

 having trace levels of dioxin--which has been prepared. 



o We have indicated our intent to undertake studies this year 

 which will update both the upland and containment island 

 siting studies of the early- to mid-1980s. 



o We have pledged Port Authority support to the regional 

 programs on informations sharing, seafood promotion and 

 research. We agreed to contribute to and participate 

 actively in the alternative development demonstration 

 program. 



Despite our past and planned efforts Mr. Chairman, immediately 

 after issuing the permit on January 6, 1993, the Corps suspended 

 it on January 14, 1993. After nearly three years of deliberation 

 and having written letters of concurrence with criteria and permit 

 conditions, the EPA in a matter of days reversed its position and 

 withdrew its concurrence with the permit. This action forced the 

 Corps to suspend the permit. In addition the National Marine 

 Fisheries Service (NMFS), subsequent to the permit suspension, 

 decided to raise Endangered Species Act issues. Where was NMFS 

 during the three-year federal permit review process? 



The Corps, EPA, NMFS and the Fish and Wildlife Service rely on a 

 set of complex memorandums of agreement to address their concerns. 

 They find it convenient to address the issues one at a time. This 

 linear process is drawn out. There is a need for parallel action 

 to expedite the process. Decisions have to be made promptly now. 

 What is required is a policy guidance, a clear mandate that the 

 law and regulations are to be implemented in an impartial manner, 

 and fast rule making. 



Finally, I will state unequivocally that the Port Authority has 

 answered all questions posed to us regarding the federal 



