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* Dredged materials from maintenance dredging of ports 
and channels must be disposed of somewhere unless the 
nation is prepared to cause significant economic dis- 
locations in its shipping and transportation industries. 
* The ocean may in fact prove to be an attractive sink 
for some residuals after a thorough comparative study 
has been completed. 
* The argument used by opponents of ocean disposal 
is that we do not know the long-term effects of every 
chemical constituent, or its degradation products con- 
tained in a particular waste; therefore, we should not 
place those materials in the ocean where they may become 
a burden to future generations. This philosophy is 
equally applicable to disposal in other media (ie: land 
and air) 
* Where the environmental and human health risks of the 
waste disposal options are comparable in magnitude, then 
economics should play a signifanct role in the final 
decision. Even if the risk were somewhat greater for 
ocean disposal, significantly disproportionate costs could 
justify the granting of an ocean dumping permit. 
Conclusions & Recommendations: 
* The Federal Government must establish as a priority 
zoal the reuse and recycling of wastes, and increase in- 
centives to reduce the amount of toxic materials that 
must be disposed of by States, municipalities and private 
industry. 
* Congress and the Executive branch must adopt an in- 
tegrated approach to waste management. This requires 
that the EPA modify its existing medium-by-medium approach 
to waste disposal. Wastes should be disposed of in the 
manner and medium that minimizes the risk to human health 
and the environment, and at a price that this nation is 
prepared to pay. 
* The EPA policy that no ocean dumping permit will be 
issued when any land-based alternative exists should be 
reversed. 
* Congress should hold hearings with a view toward elim- 
inating confiicts resulting from the implementation of the 
present waste management legislation, as part of the pro- 
cess of developing and implementing a national waste man- 
agement strategy. 
\o 
