153 
scales’. This is due to the flushing characteristics of the Bight which transports out 
of the Bight those sludge-derived contaminants which remain in the water column. 
Bacteria and viruses from sludge which are not associated with rapidly settling par- 
ticles would be transported away from bathing beaches and therefore are not the 
cause for swimming-associated illnesses. Such illnesses are more likely caused by 
bacteria and viruses discharged with sewage effluent in rivers and estuaries. Availa- 
ble data shows that more than 99 percent of the total load of bacteria and viruses of 
human origin to the Bight are introduced through the Hudson-Raritan Estuary. 
These remain in the coastal zone. However, sludge is probably the source for most of 
whatever bacteria and viruses are found in the sediments near the 12-mile site. 
No adverse ecological impacts from sewage sludge bacteria or viruses are evident 
at present. Sewage sludge contributes in a minor way to the human bacterial and 
viral concentrations of Apex sediments, but probably contributes most significantly 
to a potential public health hazard from shellfish consumption. This has led to shell- 
fish closures by the Food and Drug Administration within a circle of radius 6 n mi 
around the sewage sludge dumpsite, and shoreward to New Jersey and Long Island. 
Question 3. With regard to your studies at the deepwater dumpsites, are you going 
to continue with studies to determine whether or not increased dumping would have 
minimal effects? 
Are there alternative strategies to dumping at just the one deepwater site? 
Answer. Projects funded in fiscal year 1982 deal specifically with the physical 
oceanography of deep water beyond the northeast continental shelf, sewage sludge 
settling behavior, and responses to sludge of open ocean organisms. This will contin- 
ue in fiscal year 1988, using long-term effects funds. 
The 106-mile site is the closest deepwater site to New York, but it is not unique 
relative to other deepwater locations off the U.S. east coast. Much of what is 
learned or projected about dumping at the 106-site is readily transferable to consid- 
eration of other sites. If a number of east coast communities do, in fact, become 
sources of sewage sludge to the deep ocean, it may be better environmentally and 
economically that they not all use the 106-site. The major argument for all deep 
ocean dumping at a single location would be that—if a benthic accumulation of 
waste is inevitable (so that some benthic life is lost)—piling all waste at the same 
place would limit the spacial extent of damage. However, if waste is dispersed so 
that benthic organisms do not suffer, then dumping at a variety of sites should en- 
hance effective dispersion. 
Question 4. You have indicated that you will continue with the critical elements 
of the ocean dumping program using funds budgeted for Section 202 and Section 6 
activities. 
What do you consider to be the “‘critical elements’? 
How much money will be diverted to cover these critical elements? 
What activities will not be funded as a result of this diversion of funds? 
With regard to your Long-Range Effects Research Program, what percentage of 
the funds will be directed toward ocean dumping-related problems? 
Answer. We consider the most critical elements to be continued characterization 
of the 106-mile dumpsite, because there are strong indications it may be proposed 
for sewage sludge disposal; accelerated study of the behavior and fate of sewage 
sludge particles; development of guidelines for disposal site selection; and develop- 
ment of useful monitoring techniques. We intend to use $1,000,000 in other funds to 
support these efforts in fiscal year 1983. As a result of this diversion of funds, we 
will be unable to continue our support for research on cycling of toxic organics in 
the Great Lakes, will suspend completion of Environmental Sensitivity Index map- 
ping of the coastlines, and eliminate planned efforts on the assessment of fate and 
risks of hazardous chemical spills and on development of new trajectory analysis for 
spill contingency planning. 
Approximately 10 percent of the Long-Range Effects Program and 70 percent of 
the Hazardous Materials Response Project budgets will be diverted to support the 
critical elements described above. In addition, a significant portion (about 20 per- 
cent) of the combined LREP/Section 6 effort will support fundamental research on 
fete and effects of contaminants which will have direct relevance to sewage sludge 
umping. 
2D EE 5. Should the oceans be considered as a disposal medium for all types of 
wastes’ 
Answer. In theory, the oceans can be considered as a disposal medium for all 
wastes. However, the extreme toxicity or persistance of certain types of wastes 
make ocean disposal environmentally unacceptable unless elaborate controls were 
to be established. Another means of disposal may then be preferable, such as incin- 
eration of concentrated organic chemicals, either on land or at sea. 
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