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ronmental values are set out in Chapter III of the Federal Plan. Because of the 

 complexity of the overall ocean pollution problem, these needs and problems discus- 

 sions are presented from several perspectives: 



Effects of ocean pollution on human health, living resources, recreation and 

 aesthetics, including statements of regional needs and problems. 



Activities that cause marine pollution. 



Tools for evaluating ocean pollution, including research, monitoring, technology 

 development, measurement technology, quality assurance, and date and information 

 management. 



Tools for controlling and minimizing ocean pollution. 



The unmet, high priority needs are identified on pages 7-9 of the Federal Plan. 

 Agencies are asked to respond to those unmet needs as agency program plans are 

 formulated particularly for fiscal year 1982 but no specific assignments are made. 

 The National Marine Pollution Program Office is working with individual agencies 

 to identify specific program steps that will be responsibe to the unmet, high priority 

 needs. 



Question 11. What criteria does NOAA use to determine which high priority 

 research topics to emphasize, what degree of effort should be directed toward each, 

 and what the timing of the research products should be? 



Answer. NOAA uses several approaches towards determining research priorities, 

 level of effort, and timing of research products. The Federal Plan now serves as a 

 guide for the development of research needs and priorities. In addition to this 

 guidance, NOAA seeks the advice of academic institutions and regulatory agencies 

 such as the Corps of Engineers and EPA. Workshops have been held to solicit this 

 information. Examples are: the Estes Park Workshop on Scientific Problems Relat- 

 ing to Ocean Pollution, the Crystal Mountain Workshop on Assimilative Capacity, 

 and the Regional Workshops on the Long-Range Effects Program. Some projects 

 have advisory committees consisting of panels addressing user needs (products and 

 timing), science and technology (technical design), and citizens and industry (public 

 awareness and problems). 



The advice gained from these workshops and groups are then considered in the 

 context of NOAA goals, objectives and resources for making decisions and program 

 content. 



Question 12. When identifying research needs and agency responsibilities, what 

 role did NOAA define for herself in supporting other agencies' regulatory needs 

 (e.g., EPA, Corps of Engineers)? How does NOAA ensure that research programs 

 and results will be appropriate and timely for management decisions? Please in- 

 clude specific examples. 



Answer. There are numerous ways which NOAA can and has supported other 

 agencies' regulatory needs. These include providing at-sea research capabilities, 

 scientific assessments of particular sites or problems, and research relating to 

 pollution problems and ecosystem functions. NOAA is an active participant in the 

 national marine pollution program, and is aware of most of the time frames for 

 management decisions surrounding basic issues. Consequently, we are in a position 

 to anticipate the need for information at specific times. In addition, we seek guid- 

 ance from the regulatory agencies in order to assure that we will be responsive. The 

 workshops and advisory committees mentioned in Question 11 are examples of some 

 of our interactions in this regard. We also established formal arrangements with 

 EPA and the Corps of Engineers for the purposes of improving NOAA's responsive- 

 ness to their needs. The following list provides examples of NOAA's responsiveness 

 to important management decisions: 



1. NOAA temporarily redirected the activities of the MESA New York Bight 

 Project to assist in the selection of the alternative sewage sludge dumpsite, at the 

 request of EPA. 



2. NOAA, partially at the request of EPA, conducted research into the causes of 

 the Long Island beach pollution incident and the 1976 oxygen depletion episode off 

 the coast of New Jersey. 



3. NOAA, at the request of EPA, developed routine water quality monitoring 

 cruises in the Bight during the summer months. 



4. NOAA provided ship support in 1974 to the initial testing of the concept of 

 high-temperature incineration of organochlorides (Gulf of Mexico). 



5. NOAA participates on task teams established to investigate area problems, e.g., 

 in the case of PCB testing of dredge spoil in the New York Bight. 



Question From Mr. Hughes and Answer 



Question 1. The Federal Plan for Ocean Pollution Research, Development, and 

 Monitoring, fiscal year 1979-83 relegates sewage sludge dumping to a low priority 



