221 



There is no reason to relate the problems to the committee of the 

 great growth in pollution, and the fact that the ocean is becoming 

 a garbage dump. 



I think we recognize this, and we also recognize we have to do 

 something about it. 



The question in front of the committee is what are we going to do 

 about it. Are we going to just make a pass at it, or are we going to 

 put it under one roof and make it a tough law that has teeth in it. 



Very briefly, my bill has a somewhat different approach from the 

 administration's bill that has been introduced. 



To begin with, the initial thrust of the bill is to set up sanctuaries, 

 areas, where as a matter of national policy, there can be no dumping of 

 any kind under any circumstances. 



Second, it prohibits the dumping of waste materials in the ocean, 

 the coastal waters, and the estuaries, except under a permit signed 

 by the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. 



Tliird, we allow, ot we prohibit absolutely the dumping of any 

 toxic, radioactive, or chemical biological warfare material in any 

 place. 



The bill that I propose follows very closely the report to the Pres- 

 ident, prepared by the Council on Environmental Quality on ocean 

 dumping which was filed in October, 19Y0. 



The act also provides that the Coast Guard be given the funds 

 to carry out surveillance of any dumping by the shipping that may be 

 using these waters. 



It also calls for Federal preemption and uniform regulation. I 

 think we can see it in the Delaware Bay area. If we allow the States 

 themselves to act, and Delaware, for instance, does not have as strict 

 a standard as New Jersey, you will find people going over the line 

 and dumping their garbage. 



I think this is a national question. I do not think it should be one 

 that the States themselves should decide. 



The act I propose is somewhat different from the administration's 

 act, in that it is ]3roader. It prohibits, not only our flagships from 

 dumping in our territorial and contig-uous waters, but smj foreign 

 national from doing it. 



It addresses itself to one other problem, and that is the question of 

 waste disposal. 



This is extremely important. The administration's bill does not 

 say anything about waste disposal. It just ignores it. Part of the ra- 

 tional as I understand it, is that this will be handled by the Public 

 Works Committee under the Water Quality Control Act. But even 

 under that act, only the question of effluent standards is considered 

 and not other factors, such as where the dumping takes place. 



My bill calls for a gradual phaseout beginning in 1972 and ending 

 in 1976. And, of course, there is precedence for this under the Air 

 Control Act. 



It, in essence, brings everything under one head, and it gives one 

 agency, the power to carry this out. 



I am somewhat puzzled at the reluctance to follow the recommenda- 

 tions of the ocean-dumping report of Council on Environmental Qual- 

 ity, which is I think of importance in drawing this act. 



