AT 
does have a capacity to assimilate naturally occurring organic ma- 
terials such as domestic wastes and sewage. 
The ocean disposal of most dredged material has been a general- 
ly accepted practice. Over 400 million cubic yards must be disposed 
of annually and approximately 15 percent goes into the ocean. 
EPA and the Corps of Engineers have conducted extensive stud- 
ies on dredged-material disposal sites. We have compiled informa- 
tion and conducted surveys on 32 ocean dumping areas, and we are 
completing environmental impact statements. 
Our studies of these sites have generally concluded that the dis- 
posal of uncontaminated dredged material and material that is 
similar to the natural sediments at the site have minimal impact 
on the ocean. Some of the observed effects have included periodic 
smothering of benthic fauna, temporary increases in concentrations 
of suspended solids, and short-term displacement of fish during dis- 
posal operations. Such impacts are unavoidable but, with proper 
siting, pose no threat of significant environmental degradation. 
We believe these conclusions regarding domestic sewage sludge 
and dredged material are generally accepted in the environmental 
community. Groups such as the National Wildlife Federation, the 
Army Corps of Engineers, the National Advisory Committee on 
Oceans and Atmosphere are in agreement on these points. 
The National Wildlife Federation so testified before this subcom- 
mittee last June. NACOA, in its January 1981 report on ““The Role 
of the Ocean in a Waste Management Strategy,” reviewed the sci- 
entific literature and reached a similar conclusion that the ocean 
should not be precluded as an option for disposal of domestic 
sewage sludge and dredged material. 
Our research efforts over the last 10 years have also enabled us 
to better predict impacts in the field before they are allowed to 
occur. We have improved our laboratory bioassay techniques as 
well as seeing dramatic improvement in our chemical analyses to 
find low-levels of pollutants. 
Concurrent with improved laboratory techniques, EPA has devel- 
oped new techniques for in situ biological monitoring of marine 
pollution. We now have the capacity to place several kinds of test 
animals at dump sites for extended periods of time and detect 
subchronic impacts of certain pollutants such as heavy metals and 
synthetic organic compounds. We are now in a position to reduce 
some of the uncertainties of ocean disposal by utilizing these evolv- 
ing techniques to study in closely controlled and monitored situa- 
tions the impacts of waste disposal. 
The written testimony extensively discusses our research pro- 
grams and our efforts to coordinate these activities within EPA 
and with other agencies. 
I would like to take a few minutes to discuss an area of concern 
within the agency and the environmental community: contaminat- 
ed sludges and where the agency is headed to find safe disposal al- 
ternatives. 
The Agency is confident that municipal sludge composed of do- 
mestic waste can be ocean disposed with minimal impact with 
proper site selection and maintenance. We are less certain of the 
impacts; and, therefore, we are more concerned regarding the dis- 
