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QUESTION: 



Are sediments for ocean dumping required to meet a higher standard than 

 land-based counterparts? Are the testing and standards for land-based 

 disposal comparable to that required for ocean disposal? 



ANSWER: 



Sediments proposed for ocean dumping are not required to meet a higher 

 standard than land-based counterparts. Sediments proposed for ocean 

 disposal are evaluated to determine potential effects on the ocean 

 environment. This evaluation takes into account the unique characteristics 

 of proposed dredged material and disposal site, and the pathways through 

 which impacts could occur to human health and the environment. 

 Experience with managing dredged material disposal both on land and in the 

 ocean has shown that the relationship between the characteristics of the 

 dredged material and the pathways for impacts at the disposal site is very 

 different between the two types of disposal alternatives. While the 

 standards applied to each type of alternative may be different to protect 

 against different types of impacts, the guiding principle of preventing 

 unacceptable adverse impacts is the same. 



