542 



nation to individual commands on November 30, 1970. By virtue of Secretary 

 Chafee's message on this subject to all ships and stations on December 3, 1970, 

 it became unnecessary for such implementing directives to be published by inter- 

 mediate commands. 



3. In paragraph III.A. of the interim summary, it was stated that the failure 

 at Naval Station, Mayport, to insure distribution of the Chief of Naval Opera- 

 tions' message of September 1970, enjoining a review of procedures to prevent 

 incidents such as this, was a breakdown in internal communications. A command 

 inspection was conducted of the Naval Station at Mayport, with particular atten- 

 tion to the message distribution practices used. It was the conclusion of the 

 inspecting officer that messages were being handled and routed in accordance 

 with standardized methods under the supervision of knowledgeable and trained 

 personnel, and that a recurrence of the unfortunate communications breakdown 

 that occurred in this instance was extremely unlikely. 



4. The method of disposal of oily waste waters outlined in paragraph IV of 

 the interim summary continues in effect. This procedure has been approved, on 

 an interim basis, by the Department of Air and Water Pollution Control of the 

 State of Florida. The Navy is developing a water separation installation as a 

 pilot project and, upon satisfactory testing, will prepare an emergency Military 

 Construction item for installation at the Naval Station, Mayport, to replace the 

 interim system. 



5. The Navy has initiated a number of positive steps to reduce to an absolute 

 minimum any future actions which could have an adverse impact on the environ- 

 ment. Deep water disposal of munitions has been halted while alternative 

 methods of disposal are being reassessed. Instructions have been issued to the 

 Fleet stressing the requirement for maximum use of in-port facilities for the 

 disposal of shipboard wastes. The Navy is in the process of investigating various 

 methods of recycling waste products to attain maximum recovery of usable 

 products. A man at each major command will be designated to act as the focal 

 point for all matters relating to the environment. 



6. The Navy is most concerned with all aspects of environmental pollution and 

 is determined to continue aggressive and, hopefully, farsighted and imaginative 

 programs, aimed at not only eliminating degradation of the environment, but 

 enhancing it as well. 



