469 



doesn't originate from our territory. So that the provision in this 

 act that regulates transporting of material for dumping covers at the 

 present time all dumping that is involved, wherever that dumping 

 takes place. It is regulated by the provision that affects transportation 

 from our shores. 



Now as far as we know, there is no foreign dumping at all involved 

 off our shores. So that the question of what you do about foreign 

 dumping has not arisen as a practical problem. Though I think, bas- 

 ically, as you pointed out, with respect to regulating our own nationals 

 there is no problem in any event. We can do what we wish. In the con- 

 tiguous zone or beyond would only be a problem with respect to for- 

 eign nationals, and that just isn't a problem at the present time. 



Mr. DuPoNT. No further questions. 



Mr. DiNGELL. Mr. Everett. 



Mr. EvEKETT. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. 



At the bottom of page 3, Mr. Stevenson, you said that a state, of 

 course, has jurisdiction over vessels flying its flag on the high seas, ir- 

 respective of their location. The question arose this morning as to 

 whether the language in the bill would cover a situation where an 

 American-flag vessel brought material in from a foreign country to 

 be dumped, beyond the 12-mile zone, shall we say. Would we have the 

 authority under your statement to regulate an American-flag vessel 

 bringing this material back to the U.S. waters and dumping it beyond 

 12 miles from our shores ? 



Mr. Stevenson. As far as U.S. vessels are concerned, there is no 

 international law problem. The only problem is the practical problem 

 of Coast Guard or other enforcement action against U.S. vessels. 



Mr. Everett. The bill itself just says, "No person can transport 

 material from the United States", and it doesn't say about American- 

 flag vessels bringing material into these waters. 



Mr. Stevenson. I think that is more a policy than an international 

 law question. Because once you do start to regulate the U.S. vessels 

 generally, you have the problem of effectively administering those 

 provisions. The other consideration is that since we are dealing not 

 only with U.S. -flag vessels, but with others, it would be better to handle 

 this worldwide problem by international agreement, so you have uni- 

 form standards and people know what to expect, in terms of 

 regulation. 



Mr. Everett. At the top of page 4 of your statement you say : 



"A state may also determine the conditions under which, materials may be re- 

 moved from its territory, and specifically has the power to prohibit such removal 

 by its own or foreign nations and vessels." 



Now, this does not extend to the dumping of it, does it ? 



Mr. Steahenson. jSIo. This is just the initial act of removing the 

 material. 



Mr. Everett. Well, under this bill, though, if a foreign-flag vessel 

 picks up material at a U.S. port then EPA can control the dumping 

 anywhere in the world, supposedly. Is that correct ? 



Mr. Stevenson. I am sorry ? 



