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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 - Do you feel that more federal 

 resources are needed to develop effective technologies to address 

 this problem? 



ANSWER Mr. Rees: At the direction of the Congress, the Corps has 

 had a lead responsibility for conducting research and development 

 on dredging and dredged material disposal, including technology 

 development for managing contaminated sediments. We believe 

 current funding levels are appropriate, particularly in light of 

 the budget situation and other funding priorities. 



What alternatives are being developed to ocean dumping of 

 contaminated dredged materials? 



ANSWER Dr. Engler: There are several alternatives to ocean 

 disposal currently in use that include confined disposal 

 facilities on land, near shore and on islands and capping on 

 level bottoms or in excavated pits. All of these alternatives 

 may not currently be available in all locations that we dredge. 

 As cited in my complete testimony, numerous treatment and 

 remediation alternatives are being investigated. In some cases, 

 the no-dredge or no-action alternative may be appropriate. 

 Developing wetlands with contaminated material is also being 

 investigated but must be done with great care and with an 

 environmental concern egual to that of aguatic placement. 



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