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(lb) Do you feel that there are ways that the process 

 could be improved in this regard? 



The USACE and USEPA should initiate a formal process, 

 involving the states of New Jersey and New York, 

 representatives of the scientific, environmental, and 

 business communities, and other interested parties to 

 develop scientifically based standards for the ocean 

 disposal of dioxin-contaminated dredged material. 



(2a) Is the process surrounding the Newark Bay ocean 

 dumping permit typical for contaminated dredged material 

 disposal? 



No, this was not a "typical" permit application or 

 review. The Port Newark-Port Elizabeth project was 

 the first permit application which identified the 

 presence of sediments contaminated with dioxin at 

 levels which could result in adverse environmental 

 impacts. As such, various environmental organizations 

 viewed this project as a significant precedent, not 

 only because it was the first such application, but 

 also because of the large guantity of sediment to be 

 dredged . 



Given the current lack of knowledge and conflicting 

 data concerning the effects of dioxin, it was 

 difficult (both procedurally and scientifically) to 

 evaluate the permit application. Thus, the 

 application has taken an extended period of time to 

 review, additional testing has been reguired, and 

 multiple public interests have become involved 

 appropriately in the decision-making process. 



(2b) How can the process be improved on a Federal and 

 State level? 



See response to Question (la). In addition, the 

 federal agencies, in cooperation with the state 

 agencies and other interested parties, should continue 

 to study, develop, and eventually implement 

 alternative methods to the ocean disposal of 

 contaminated dredged material. In particular, the 

 development of decontamination technologies must be 

 expedited. 



(3) What roles should States play in the regulation of 

 ocean dumping? Is New Jersey's role adeguate or should 

 changes be made to enhance States' role in the dredge 

 permit process? 



The states should be an egual partner with the federal 

 agencies in the development, evaluation and 

 designation of proposed ocean disposal sites and the 

 preparation of associated Environmental Impact 

 Statements (EIS) . Under the National Environmental 

 Policy Act (NEPA), the DEPE could serve as a 

 cooperating agency in the preparation of EISs. In 

 addition, the federal agencies should work with the 

 states to develop standards for the ocean disposal of 

 dioxin-contaminated sediments. ^ - qqs i Q7 



