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QUESTION: 



Do you think that these provisions included in Title V of the Water 

 Resources Development Act will improve the permitting process; especially 

 when there is a presence of contaminated sediments? 



ANSWER: 



EPA believes the provision in Title V for developing a site management plan 

 may actually help make the ocean dumping permitting process more 

 predicable, both for the applicant and the reviewing public. Site 

 management plans will describe how the site may be used, what type of 

 material may be dumped there, what type of management actions may be 

 suitable for use, what resources are potentially at risk, and what monitoring 

 will be required. Site management plans will be developed with input from 

 the public and will be updated based on operational experience and 

 monitoring results. In addition. Title V's clarification of EPA's review role 

 may be helpful in effecting early consultation on projects which should result 

 in fewer last-minute delays. 



