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in international discussions. Although the Seabed Working 

 Group ("SWG") is not a policy setting body, members do maintain 

 cognizance of policies developing within each country. It 

 would therefore seem appropriate to have some regular inter-agency 

 consultation on SWG seabed emplacement issues. 



The public interest organizations believe that an advisory 

 committee on seabed emplacement should be established 

 which would include participation of all these administrative 

 agencies, executive branch involvement, peer review by 

 scientists, and outside representation by concerned public 

 interest advocates and others. The creation of such a committee 

 is supported by the IRG recommendation that additional, more 

 effective means of public participation be required. A public 

 advisory committee would contribute toward assuring built-in 

 neutrality, alleviating potential redundancy, coordinating 

 efforts, personnel and facilities, and assessing and formulating 

 U.S. policy on this isssue. 

 LOW-LEVEL RADIOACTIVE WASTE 

 A. Legal Considerations 



The London Dumping Convention permits placement of low-level 

 wastes in the ocean upon issuance of a permit by the individual 

 country involved (Article IV and Annex II) . In issuing a permit 

 the member nation must consider certain factors enumerated in 

 Annex III, as well as recommendations of the International Atomic 

 Energy Agency ("IAEA") (see Annex 11(D)). The IAEA's latest 

 recommendation were issued in 1978 and approved at the third 

 consultative meeting of the London Dumping Convention. 



