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QUESTION: 



Finally, there has been considerable discussion on the overall effect of 

 improved technology on our ability to detect specific levels of toxics in 

 dredged material. Does EPA think that there is a need to develop a process 

 that will determine an acceptable level of toxics in dredged material? 

 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: 



EPA's ocean dumping criteria (40 CFR 227) describe the current process for 

 determining the acceptability of dredged material for ocean dumping. This 

 process relies heavily on the use of biological tests for determining 

 acceptable levels of toxics in dredged material. Monitoring results have 

 demonstrated that biological tests are predictive of effects at the disposal 

 site. We continue to work to develop biological test with more sensitive 

 species, more sensitive biological test (e.g., chronic end-points), and when 

 fully developed, sediment quality criteria also will be used in the ocean 

 dumping program to help assess the potential effect of toxics contained in 

 dredged material. 



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. 



