308 



The program is trying to find out whether or not by emplacing 

 the soUdified waste down there, whether there will be any effect 

 whatsoever. 



Ms. MiKULSKi. What purpose does the rock form now, or do you 

 not know? 



Mr. Meyers. When you say what purpose does it serve, I do not 

 know. 



Ms. MiKULSKi. On page 7 — see, I think you do not know a lot. 

 That is why what we are embarking on here is so dangerous, that I 

 think it is — see, I think it is — it is my own personal opinion that 

 the Earth, that the ocean is really the womb of the Earth, and by 

 putting this stuff in we totally generate the basis of life on Earth, 

 and we, and people know by philosophical indications. 



On page 7, you talk about identifying the public concerns on 

 these issues of how is that going to happen, that other people are 

 concerned about, how can they participate in these processes? 



Mr. Meyers. As our program expands and proceeds, we have a 

 rather — the subseabed disposal program is part of a larger waste 

 management program. We will be, among other things, putting out 

 a national waste management plan that encompasses all portions 

 of the program. That plan will be discussed with various groups, 

 the public in general, and other interest groups, for an extended 

 period of time. 



Additionally, when any major action with significant environ- 

 mental impact is proposed to be taken under the waste manage- 

 ment program, a specific environmental impact statement will be 

 prepared. It is the Department's policy to hold public hearings 

 when it issues such statements. But we are going to make every 

 effort to see that there is meaningful public input to the subseabed 

 disposal program. We are at a very early stage in the program that 

 seems to have merit, and, as far as I know, we would not proceed if 

 anything untoward came up. So we share your concern. 



We are not out to spoil the environment. 



Ms. MiKULSKi. What has been the role of the United Nations as 

 it relates to the analysis? 



Mr. Meyers. I believe the United Nations sponsored the London 

 Convention, as part of this activity. 



Ms. MiKULSKi. What about this work group that is so 



Mr. Meyers. That is the Nuclear Energy Agency, which is part 

 of the Organization for Economic Development. There are other 

 countries which, for one reason or another, are interested in seabed 

 disposal, and we enumerated them earlier. We have worked out a 

 cooperative program so that we can exchange information in the 

 most efficient manner possible. 



Ms. MiKULSKi. But the United Nations is not the central coordi- 

 nating body in this. 



Mr. Meyers. No, not for this subseabed program. It is the Nucle- 

 ar Energy Agency. 



Ms. MiKULSKi. My final question, Mr. Meyers, is from a charge — 

 since you are in charge of the nuclear waste management, DOE, 

 what type of containers have they used, or in consideration, were 

 being used, for this type of shipping, or are those issues also under 

 consideration? 



Mr. Meyers. Do you mean for the subseabed program? 



