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Questions and Answers for the Record 



Hearing Before House MM&F-OGM&OCS on 30 March 1993 



Ocean Disposal of Contaminated Dredge Material 



Questions from Mr. Weldon - You also mention in your testimony 

 that dredged material from non-federal permitted activities 

 constitutes 2 5 percent of the total volume of contaminated 

 sediment. You also state that this percentage is estimated to be 

 higher than that for federal dredging over the last five years. 

 Why is this the case? 



ANSWER Mr. Rees: Our intent was to state that 2 5 percent of the 

 total 400 million cubic yards (MCY) of dredged material generated 

 in the U.S. each year is from permitted activities, both federal 

 and non-federal. The remaining 75 percent, or 300 MCY, is 

 derived from the Army's Civil Works projects constructed or 

 maintained by the Corps of Engineers. 



Of the 300 MCY Corps of Engineers annual dredging 

 reguirement, one to four percent of this average annual volume is 

 contaminated to the extent that some level of special handling is 

 reguired. Limited review of permitted activities provides a 

 strong indication that a higher percentage of the dredged 

 material is contaminated to the extent it reguires special 

 handling. 



Is it because non-federal waters are not dredged as often 

 as federal waters? 



ANSWER Mr. Rees: A number of factors could be involved in this 

 apparent higher level of contamination. In addition to the fact 

 that the non-federal sites may not be dredged as often, they are 

 generally in closer proximity to industrial activities and a 



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