whether dumping should be continued and suggestions for alternate 

 dump sites. 



NOAA's MESA Program is directed to identifying and measuring 

 the impact of man in the marine environment. These objectives 

 require comprehensive studies of marine ecology in coastal regions 

 selected because of known environmental problems. The studies 

 focus on descriptions of the total ecosystem, both in the natural state 

 and as a result of changes caused by natural events and man's 

 activities. The information provides reference information and a 

 data base for planning and managing marine resources. The first 

 MESA field project in the New York Bight is concentrating on the 

 fate and effects of the waste materials and contaminants dumped in 

 the New York Bight as a whole. (See above]. These studies are 

 conducted by the scientists of 17 universities, other State and 

 Federal agencies, and private companies as well as NOAA 

 organizations. Work began in 1974 to characterize alternative dump 

 sites for possible use in 1976. 



Planning and preliminary studies have begun for the development 

 of a MESA project in Puget Sound. This project is concentrating on 

 the impact of treated municipal and other waste discharges in 

 southern Puget Sound. In cooperation with EPA and Canadian 

 authorities, the fate in Puget Sound of oil and refined petroleum 

 products and their potential effects on the ecosystem, are being 

 studied. 



Because of the importance of understanding near-shore circulation 

 patterns in relation to environmental problems such as those 

 associated with offshore sewer outfalls, NOAA's Atlantic 

 Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratories embarked on a 

 project to determine the residence time of the water into which nine 

 sewer outfalls presently discharge. This study is being conducted in 

 the waters lying between Miami Beach and Key Biscayne, Fla. 

 Various techniques such as current meter meter and dye studies are 

 being employed to determine the current patterns in this coastal 

 strip and to understand the mechanisms whereby these waters are 

 entrained by the Gulf Stream. Plans call for the gradual expansion of 

 these studies up and down the coast from Fort Lauderdale to Key 

 Largo. 



In support of present and future dredging requirements the Navy 

 has completed a sediment sampling and analysis program of all 

 major Navy harbors. Studies are being conducted at each major 

 harbor to determine the scope of future dredging requirements and 

 their impact on the environment. Studies are also underway to detect 

 and minimize the adverse effects of naval construction and 

 operations upon the near-shore environment. 



Vessel traffic system development is a continuing effort in the 



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