217 



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 - Does your recently released manual 

 "Evaluating Environmental Effects of Dredged Material Management 

 Alternatives - A Technical Framework" address the disposal of 

 contaminated sediments? What recommendations does it make? 



ANSWER Mr. Rees: The manual is a joint technical guidance 

 document published by EPA and the Corps, as was the "Green Book". 

 It applies to all dredged sediments, both contaminated and not, 

 regulated by either the Ocean Dumping Act or Section 4 04 of the 

 Clean Water Act and the National Environmental Policy Act. 



While it offers no specific recommendations, it encourages a 

 balanced overall management perspective for dredged material 

 disposal, particularly for contaminated sediments. It stresses 

 that no management options should be summarily dismissed or given 

 preferential treatment for other than sound technical reasons. 

 The manual also encourages maximum beneficial use of dredged 

 sediments. 



33 



