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problem of ocean dumping. The committee comisel has asked that 

 we address our remarks to section 7(b) of H.E. 4723, "a bill to regu- 

 late the dumping of materials in the oceans, coastal, and other waters, 

 and for other purposes." 



We strongly support effective measures to protect and preserve our 

 environment. The problem of ocean dumping has been extensively 

 examined by the Council of Environmental Quality in its report, 

 "Ocean Dumping; a National Policy" October 1970. In implementa- 

 tion of the recommendation in this report, a proposal for legislation 

 dealing with ocean dumping was included in the President's message to 

 the Congress on pollution control, dated February 8, 1971, and has 

 been introduced in the House as H.R. 4723. 



Since the committee is fully familiar with the provisions of H.E. 

 4723, rather than present a summary of the bill, I shall address myself 

 directly to the caption "Eelationship to Other Laws," in the middle 

 of page 10 of the bill. Under that caption the bill provides in section 7 

 (b) that: 



Nothing in this Act shall abrogate or negate any existing responsibility or 

 authority contained in the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, and section 

 4 and subsection 7(a) of this Act shall not apply to any activity regulated by 

 that Act : Provided, the Atomic Energy Commission shall consult with the Ad- 

 ministrator prior to issuing a permit to conduct any activity which would other- 

 wise be regulated by this Act. In issuing any such permit, the Atomic Energy 

 Commission shall comply with standards set by the Administrator respecting 

 limits on radiation exposures or levels, or concentrations or quantities of radio- 

 active material. In setting such standards for application to the oceans, coastal, 

 and other waters, the Administrator shall consider the policy expressed in sub- 

 section 2(b) of this Act and the factors stated in subsections 5(a) (1) and 5(a) 

 (2) of this Act. 



Under the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, the Atomic 

 Energy Commission regailates the receipt, use and disposal of source, 

 special nuclear and byproduct material to assure the common defense 

 and security and public health and safety. AEC regulations governing 

 the disposal of radioactive materials have been established in 10 CEF 

 parts 2, 20, 30, 40, and 70. 



Because of the nature of radioactivity, the AEC has vigorously 

 exercised its authority in regulating the marine disposal of radioac- 

 tive wastes and materials. No new licenses authorizing radioactive 

 waste disposal at sea have been issued in the past 10 years. Only one 

 commercial organization (which has never conducted any sea dis- 

 posal), two Government agencies, and one university are still author- 

 ized to dispose of radioactive wastes in the ocean. The major contrac- 

 tors of the AEC have not disposed of any wastes at sea since 1962. 



We believe that the AEC has exercised and is exercising effective 

 regulation over the ocean disposal of radioactive substances to the ex- 

 tent that this type of operation poses no threat to the marine environ- 

 ment now or in the foreseeable future. In this regard, the AEC has as 

 one of its primary responsibilities the protection of the ocean and its 

 ecosystem from any harmful effects of radioactivity. 



Thus, we believe that the policy and purpose of the proposed bill, 

 that is, "to regulate the dumping of materials in the oceans, coastal, 

 and other waters and for other purposes," already is being effectively 

 carried out with respect to radioactive substances regulated by the 

 AEC. Section 7(b) recognizes this fact and continues, in effect, the 



