367 



plans for the dredging, both as to the disposal areas to be used and the method 

 of dredging. (Emphasis supplied.) 



According to the report of the district engineer, the above plans for disposal 

 of dredged si>oil have been coordinated with the proper Federal agencies and 

 concerned agencies of Virginia and Maryland. 



The total estimated cost of the Baltimore Harbor and channels improvement 

 project is about $100 million, resulting in a benefit-cost ratio of 2 to 1. 



I would like to point out, however, that if H.R. 4723 is enacted in 

 its present form, the Administrator of the EPA would then have the 

 authority and power to revise the above spoil disposal plans outlined 

 in the report of the Baltimore district engineer, as approved by the 

 Chief of Engineers, and require that some or all of the dredged spoil 

 be transported for disposal at sea or some other more costly location. 



The effect of such action would be to substantially increase the cost 

 of the project. This would adversely affect the benefit-cost ratio, and 

 ixdght endanger the economic justification of the project. This could 

 create a problem with respect to clearance of the project by the Office 

 of Management and Budget for approval by the President and Secre- 

 tary of the Army for construction. 



As I have previously stated, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is 

 making every effort, in consultation with the Environmental Protec- 

 tion Agency, Department of the Interior, Maritime Administration, 

 and other Federal, State, and local government agencies to determine 

 suitable locations for the disposal of dredged material resulting from 

 waterway improvement projects. 



In our opinion, there is nothing to be gained, and much to be risked, 

 from the standpoint of the formulation and progress of the waterway 

 improvement program if the authority to determine spoil disposal 

 sites is transferred from the Secretary of the Army and Chief of Engi- 

 neers to the Administrator of the EPA. 



We therefore strongly reaffirm our recommendation that H.E. 4722 

 be amended to provide that the authority to issue permits for transpor- 

 tation and disproval of dredged material resulting from waterway im- 

 provement projects shall be retained by the Secretary of the Army 

 and Chief of Engineers. 



In conclusion, I would say I believe the important thing is that it 

 is the Corps of Engineers which has the basic expertise with respect to 

 the needs of the waterways of this Nation, but what is of equal impor- 

 tance, on the basis of the policy and the objectives of this bill, is 

 that before they decide on any disposal area, they consult with and 

 get the advice of the Director of the Environmental Protection 

 Administration. 



I believe it is a matter of Government teamwork and consultation, 

 but the utlimate decision should reside where it has been for some 84 

 years, and where it has been exercised responsibly. 



I know full well the problems that people bring up, that spoils taken 

 from harbors that have been despoiled by the outrages of our human 

 irresponsibility and have been dropped m the seas, and have visited 

 injury to marine ecology. 



I believe that is a tiling of the past. I don't believe that the Corps of 

 Engineers, or any other agency at this moment in history, or in the 

 future, is going to do anything which is going to be inconsistent with 

 the basic obj ectives of this statute, Mr. Chairman. 



Thank you. 



Mr. DiNGELL. Thank you very much, Mr. Reynolds. 



