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(B) What recommendations would you make to better address 

 the long-term issues involving proper harbor management? 



As noted above, many of these issues are being 

 evaluated by the New York-New Jersey Harbor Estuary 

 Program. In addition, the DEPE, in cooperation with 

 the N.J. Department of Labor, the USEPA, and the New 

 York Department of Environmental Conservation, has 

 developed a seven-point initiative to address a 

 multitude of management issues in the harbor. These 

 initiatives include cleaning up the sources of dioxin 

 in the Passaic River, reducing non-point pollution 

 inputs, promotion and development of possible 

 decontamination technologies, development of a 

 comprehensive toxics management plan, and 

 implementation of a public information and education 

 program. 



(C-l) Secondly, you also mention in your written remarks 

 that one of the benefits of the permitting process is that 

 there is a clearer understanding of the limitation imposed 

 by the present policy. Would you expand on this? What 

 changes need to be made to improve the current policy? 



Present policy is guided by too little scientific data 

 and too few disposal options. Additional scientific 

 investigations are needed to gather the data reguired 

 to fully assess the possible impacts of dioxin on the 

 environment. As previously noted, this must lead to 

 development of standards for the ocean disposal of 

 dioxin-contaminated sediments. The federal agencies 

 should also implement a monitoring and management 

 program at the Mud Dump site. This program would 

 include an assessment of impacts to marine biota, as 

 well as an evaluation of various ocean disposal and 

 management practices (capping, etc.). 



In addition, alternatives to the current use of the 

 Mud Dump site for the ocean disposal of dredged 

 material should continue to be evaluated and 

 implemented promptly. Finally, the impacts of past 

 and current disposal activities at the Mud Dump site 

 (positive and negative) should be evaluated. 



(C-2) Does it reguire more support from the federal or 

 local level? 



Yes. At the federal level, additional funding support 

 for scientific research into the possible impacts of 

 dioxin in the environment is needed. In addition, the 

 development and implementation of decontamination 

 technologies must be supported and encouraged. 

 Additional funds are also needed to ensure the proper 

 monitoring and management of dredged material disposal 

 sites. At the state and local levels, increased 

 resources are needed to address issues and problems 

 specific to the region. Depending on the type and 

 magnitude of the problem, federal support may also be 

 needed to address the local concerns. 



