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medium for high-level radioactive wastes. SimilarlV/ ocean 

 disposal of low-level radioactive wastes is not considered an 

 environmentally or economicallv preferable disposal medium. 

 Moreover, while scientists disagree on the magnitude of harm that 

 has been or could be caused by ocean disposal of radioactive wastes, 

 there is agreement that very little is known about the actual 

 impact of previous low-level radioactive waste dumping on the 

 marine environment or on the food chain pathways . Absent 

 highly acceptable land-based repositories, however, the oceans 

 will receive increasing consideration as a disposal medium — 

 for both high- and low-level radioactive wastes — if for no 

 other reason than their "out of sight — out of mind" limited 

 constituency appeal. 



HIGH-LEVEL RADIOACTIVE WASTE 



A. Legal Considerations 



The legality of dumping and seabed emplacement of high-level 

 radioactive wastes is governed by two international treaties. 

 Article 25 of the 1958 High Seas Convention, to which the 

 U.S. is a party, provides that "Every state shall take 

 measures to prevent pollution of the seas from the dumping of 

 radioactive waste...." In addition, the U.S. was one of the 

 key instigating forces behind adoption of the 1972 International 

 Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Waste 

 and other Matter ("London Dumping Convention" or "LDC") , which has 

 since been ratified or acceded to by the U.S. and 45 other countries. 

 Article IV and Annex I of the Convention clearly prohibit 

 dumping of high-level waste in the ocean. While there is 

 some apparent disagreement within our government as to the 



