It is clear that some of the provisions of the proposed legislation 

 will have a significant influence on some of the functions of the De- 

 partment of Defense but actions are already underway by the military 

 departments to exert leadership in cleaning up the oceans. 



On February 24, 1971, Secretary Laird approved the U.S. Navy 

 order to suspend deepwater dumping of obsolete, unserviceable muni- 

 tions until all alternative methods of disposal have been completely 

 studied. An intensive research and development program has also 

 been directed with the aim of seeking alternative methods of disposal 

 wliich will have minimal impact on the environment. In effect, Secre- 

 tary Laird's announcement put a freeze on ocean dumping of all mili- 

 tary munitions by the United States, since the U.S. Navy provides 

 deepwater dump services of obsolete munitions for all tlie armed 

 services. All chemical munitions disposal at sea has been terminated, 

 and biological warfare agents or munitions have never been disposed 

 of at sea. 



The Department of the Army has assessed in detail its proposed bio- 

 logical warfare agents and munitions demilitarization program and its 

 currently staffing and coordinating with other Federal, State, and local 

 authorities, its environmental statement in accordance with Public 

 Law 91-190 "The National Emdronmental Policy Act of 1969." The 

 Department of the Army also has draft environmental statements 

 under preparation which address the disposal of chemical munitions 

 by demilitarization on land. These programs are intended to protect 

 the enviromnent during disposition of these materials. 



The Department of Defense believes that H.R. 4723 embodies a 

 realistic approach by establishing a regulatory authority rather than 

 by prohibiting all ocean disposal or establishing unreasonable dead- 

 lines for such termination. It is possible that future research and study 

 may reveal that some waste materials would contribute to the rehabili- 

 tation or enhancement of the marine environment. Absolute prohibi- 

 tion of all ocean disposal could result in disposal techniques which pose 

 greater hazards to man and his environment than those which cur- 

 rently exist. In some cases there may be no current technologically 

 acceptable alternative. These facts weigh heavily against any proposal 

 which would prohibit all such ocean disposal operations. H.R. 4723 

 avoids these difficulties by providing for a balancing of interests that 

 would integrate technological or scientific knowledge with operational 

 requirements. It also envisions and accepts current standards which 

 have proven to be effective in protecting human health and the marine 

 environment. It does so by excluding the regulation of routine dis- 

 charge of effluents from facilities, discharges which are already effec- 

 tively regulated by existing laws. 



In summary, the Department of Defense supports H.R. 4723 in lieu 

 of the other bills related to marine protection which we have reviewed. 

 This proposal takes a giant stride forward in the ever expanding effort 

 to enhance the quality of our environment, a goal with which the De- 

 partment of Defense is vitally concerned in our everyday actions, 

 wherever we may be located. 



If enacted, we believe that the implementing regulations of the De- 

 partment of Defense would be a valuable addition to the more general 

 rules that are currently in effect under the National Environmental 

 Policy Act. 



