437 



Dr. Mattson. Well, we said in our testimony we would probably 

 not be in a position to issue permits before 1985. 



Mr. Studds. That was a 13-year development of regulations? 



Dr. Mattson. Yes, sir. 



It is a very small program, and I am reminded by a voice behind 

 me, that we did issue regulations in 1973 and then revised them in 

 1977, in both cases stating some fundamental principles which 

 would apply to any future dumping. I covered that in my testimo- 

 ny. 



Mr. Studds. Have you had, since 1972, or do you have reason to 

 anticipate any request for such permits? 



Dr. Mattson. We have no requests. We would anticipate that 

 there may be some requests. 



Let me try to be more specific in what they might be. 



The naval reactors people have under consideration sea disposal 

 as one alternative for the ultimate disposition of the low-level 

 radioactivity from nuclear submarines. 



Mr. Studds. Has the Navy communicated that to you? 



Dr. Mattson. Yes. 



We are aware that the Navy has that consideration underway. 



Mr. Studds. Does the Navy need a permit if it conducts disposal 

 itself? 



Does the Ocean Dumping Act apply to public vessels? 



Dr. Mattson. It is my understanding that the Navy would need 

 a permit from EPA in order to conduct such dumping, yes. 



Mr. Studds. Let me repeat and partially rephrase the question. 



Were you here this morning? 



Dr. Mattson. Yes. 



Mr. Studds. You heard that the London Convention does not 

 apply to public vessels. 



Does the Ocean Dumping Act apply to U.S. public vessels, that 

 is, to vessels of the Federal Government? 



Dr. Mattson. It is our understanding that it does. 



Mr. Studds. It does? 



Dr. Mattson. Yes. 



Mr. Studds. So the Navy could not dispose of the reactor contain- 

 er or any other radioactive waste material without a permit from 

 EPA under the Ocean Dumping Act? 



Dr. Mattson. That is our understanding. 



Mr. Studds. Is it also the Navy's understanding? 



Dr. Mattson. I believe it is. 



Mr. Studds. So, then, is it really fair to say that insofar as you 

 feel pressure to proceed with the development of these regulations, 

 it is because of the anticipated request from the Navy? 



Dr. Mattson. No. 



I should have finished. We become aware from time to time of 

 renewed interest in low-level radioactive waste dumping in the 

 ocean as support fluctuates for shallow land burial. 



That is to say, from time to time people lose enthusiasm for 

 shallow land waste disposal and renew their interest in ocean 

 disposal. 



We believe we have a mandate from the Ocean Dumping Act to 

 continue the evaluation of the ocean dumping alternative. We feel 

 we have no choice but to proceed to develop our regulatory pro- 



