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Question. What chemical, biological and sedimentological testing is required for 
the issuance of an ocean disposal permit? What portion of dredged material passes 
these tests? 
Answer. The testing requirements are contained in 40 CFR Part 227. In brief, 
these require detailed chemical characterization of the material, measurements of 
toxicity and bioaccumulation potential using bioassay procedures, and assessment of 
grain size distribution where appropriate. About 95 percent of the dredged material 
tested has passed these tests. 
Question. Are there upland disposal sites in the greater New York area capable of 
receiving even a portion of the dredged material and sewage sludge generated annu- 
ally in the New York-New Jersey area? What are the special problems associated 
with disposing of such materials at upland areas, including contamination of 
groundwater, release of contaminants previously bound to the sediment, dike integ- 
rity failure, or competition for limited upland areas? 
Answer. There are some inland sites in the greater New York area that might be 
available for the disposal of some dredged material or sewage sludge. However, such 
sites are limited and competition for their use, not only for waste disposal but also 
for other purposes, is very strong. Each potential area has its own special problems 
depending on the type of material to be disposed of, the proximity to inhabited 
areas and farmland, the geological nature of the site, and other uses of the area. 
Each site would need to be carefully assessed prior to its use for disposal of a partic- 
ular waste material. 
The municipalities in the area have studied these alternatives to ocean disposal, 
and feasible sites are still being evaluated. However, the municipalities have found 
that some constraints exist on all municipal sludge disposal alternatives. The Corps 
is currently studying these potential sites, and in the near future will assess in 
detail the special problems associated with use of sites that appear to be suitable for 
dredge spoil disposal. 
QUESTIONS SUBMITTED BY Mr. ForSYTHE AND ANSWERED BY EPA 
Question. Should individual ocean dumping permittees be responsible for monitor- 
ing programs or should this be a responsibility of EPA? 
To what extent do permittees currently conduct compliance monitoring of their 
ocean dumping? 
How useful is this information? 
Answer. At the present time all permittees are required to do a limited amount of 
compliance monitoring, and to provide periodic reports to the permitting authority. 
Permittee monitoring is restricted to assessment of the characteristics of the waste 
being dumped to show that the material being dumped does not exceed the limits 
stated in the permit. This information is useful in monitoring compliance with 
permit conditions. It would be inappropriate to require permittees to conduct the 
broad scale environmental monitoring necessary to assess the overall impacts of 
many different wastes at a site. For the future, EPA plans to continue to require 
permittees to conduct monitoring, but EPA should also conduct its own monitoring 
and site characterization program, in conjunction with NOAA, and verify the re- 
sults of permittee monitoring, to assess the overall impacts of dumping, and to 
select the most environmentally acceptable sites for ocean disposal. 
Question. Can municipal sludges currently being dumped under interim permits 
pass the environmental criteria for special permits? 
If dumping procedures were changed or if dumping occurred at other sites, would 
the sludges pass the environmental tests? 
Do you expect that the environmental criteria will change in the new regulations, 
and if so, how? 
Answer. The municipal sludges that have been tested so far, except for those from 
primary treatment plants, would all meet the environmental criteria for special per- 
mits if they could be dumped at a slower rate than is permitted at the existing site. 
The data available on primary sludges suggest that some primary sludges would 
meet the environmental criteria and others would not. The environmental criteria 
are being reconsidered and there may be some changes in the interpretation of the 
results. However, we do not anticipate major changes in the criteria at this time, 
and we do not expect that the environmental criteria will change significantly in 
the new regulations insofar as they would affect sewage sludges. 
Question. What is the fiscal year 1983 budget request for processing permits? Does 
this take into account the potential increase in the number of permit applications? 
Answer. Approximately $1,000,000 of the fiscal year 1983 budget request will be 
used for processing permits, reviewing COE permits, and providing technical sup- 
