393 



This requirement is based on the authority of the United States 

 to control the disposition of materials transported from U.S. territory. 



Secondly, a permit would be required for tlie dumping of mate- 

 rials — whether transported from this country or not — in waters 

 covered by the bill which are within our territorial jurisdiction, in- 

 cluding the 3-mile territorial sea, or in waters of the 9-mile contingous 

 zone beyond the territorial sea where the dumping may affect our terri- 

 tory or territorial sea. 



Both requirements would apply to foreign nationals and foreign 

 governments, as well as to United States citizens and to all agencies 

 and instrumentalities of Federal, State and local government. 



Thus, the bill would utilize the regulatory authority of the United 

 States to its fullest extent consistent with the established principles of 

 international law. 



The bill would apply to any disposition of material with several ex- 

 ceptions, the most important of which is the disposition of effluents 

 from outfall structures. The bill is aimed at intermittent dumping as 

 opposed to continuous discharges from fixed sources. Tliis is an im- 

 portant distinction. 



Continuous discharges from outfall structures into territorial waters 

 covered by the Act are alreadj^ subject to regulation under the Federal 

 Water Pollution Control Act. 



Amendments to that Act proposed by the Administration would 

 extend its coverage to outfalls in the contiguous zone and also to out- 

 falls in the high seas beyond the contingiious zone which discharge 

 matter originating within U.S. territory. 



The Administrator, m issuing permits to dump materials or to 

 transport them for dumping would be required to determine that such 

 activity will not unreasonably degrade or endanger human health, wel- 

 fare or amenities, or the marine environment, ecological systems, or 

 economic potentialities. 



He would be required to establish criteria for evaluating permit ap- 

 plications, to include — 



The likely present and future impact of the dumping on human 

 health and welfare and the marine environment. 



The possible persistence or permanence of the effects of the 

 dimiping. 



The volume and concentration of the materials involved. 

 Alternative locations and methods of disposal, including land- 

 based alternatives. 



The probable impact on the public interest of either issuing or 

 denying a pennit or of requiring alternative locations or methods 

 of disposal. 



These criteria would be refined as additional knowledge is gained 

 about the environmental impact of ocean dmnping and about the 

 acceptability and feasibility of various land-based alternatives. 



The Administrator would be permitted to impose restrictions in 

 permits relating to the type and amount of materials to be dumped, the 

 place of dumping, and the period of validity of the permit. 



He would be authorized to deny the issuance of a permit where he 

 finds that the materials in question cannot be dumped consistently 



62-513—71 26 



