197 



Mr. Train. I believe as I pointed, out in my statement, that before 

 you ban something, you had better be sure that there is no better way, 

 or that there is a better Avay of disposal available. 



Mr. DiNGELL. I am simply taking your recommendations, and con- 

 trasting with the bill, and I am asking you for your comment. 



I would assume the Agency was dead serious when it made that 

 recommendation. 



Mr. Train. You will also find in our report, Mr. Chairman, a full 

 recognition of the need for the development of an alternative disposal 

 site and methods ; this runs through the entire report. 



It is in our view unrealistic just to ban things, when there is no sug- 

 gestion as to any alternative method of disposition. 



Mr. DiNGELL. You are bringing up another matter which I think is 

 important. 



Your report indicated the necessity for substantial research in the 

 area of ocean dumping. 



The bill provides neither authority nor funding for such research. 



Can you comment to us as to the reason for that, or whether or not 

 some consideration by this committee should be given to the establish- 

 ment and funding of a research program in this area ? 



Mr. Train. There is, as I pointed out in my statement, we believe 

 ample authority at the present time for the various agencies interested 

 in the marine environment for research, and that has a bearing on this 

 legislation. 



That is true for the Environmental Protection Agency. It is true for 

 the Coast Guard. It is true for the IS'ational Oceanic and Atmospheric 

 Administration. 



Mr. DiNGELL. This question I am certain will be asked of this com- 

 mittee when the matter comes to the floor. 



Can you outline to us, not at this particular time, but at your con- 

 venience, when you have more opportunity for an understanding, pre- 

 cisely what kind of research is going on, and the kind of research that 

 the administration contemplates will be needed to receive the answers 

 that are necessary in the field of ocean dumping. 



I would like this so we can understand precisely what you have in 

 mind with regard to the research program. 



I am sure our colleagues will ask this question when the matter comes 

 before us on the House floor. 



Mr. Train. I can certainly try to break down the prevalent research 

 programs as they exist, and as they have been proposed by the Presi- 

 dent in his 1972 budget. 



It is just a bit difficult to speculate what will be proposed subsequent 

 to that. 



I would note that it is not easy to break down the parts of the 

 research programs, as, for example, in NOAA, to define exactly those 

 portions which you would say ocean dumping related research, or 

 simply marine environment in some other, but related matter. 



You could say that practically all of the marine biological research 

 being done by the US. Government in any agency is of importance, and 

 real significant to this legislation. 



Mr. DiNGELL. Well, I am curious to find out the limit of it. 



