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NACOA 1981 RECOMMENDATIONS 
1. NACOA recommends that the Federal Government establish as a priority goal 
the reuse and recycling of wastes, and increase incentives to reduce the amount of 
toxic materials that may be disposed of by States, municipalities, and private indus- 
try. 
2. NACOA recommends that Congress and the Executive Branch adopt an inte- 
grated approach to waste management. This requires that the Environmental Pro- 
tection Agency 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. 
A. The EPA policy that no ocean dumping permit will be issued when any land- 
based alternatives exists should be reversed. 
B. The 97th Congress should amend Section 301(h) of the Federal Water Pollution 
Congtrol Act. 
3. NACOA recommends that Congress hold hearings with a view toward eliminat- 
ing the conflicts resulting from the implementation of the present waste manage- 
ment legislation, as part of the process of developing and implementing a national 
waste management strategy. 
4. NACOA recommends that the Environmental Protection Agency establish 
broadly representative regional citizen advisory committees to advise the regional 
administrators in the selection of appropriate waste management options. 
5. NACOA recommends that the Environmental Protection Agency amend its reg- 
ulations for disposing of dredged materials in the open ocean to be consistent with 
those for dumping under the Clean Water Act. Regulations for dumping in the open 
ocean should not be more stringent than those for dumping in internal waters. The 
impact of the disposition of dredged materials on the specific disposal site should be 
the primary consideration of the regulation. 
6. NACOA recommends that ocean disposal of sewage sludge either by barge or 
through properly designed outfalls should continue to be a disposal option under ap- 
propriate management conditions and with adequate monitoring safeguards in those 
areas where no unreasonable degradation of the environment results from sludge 
disposal. 
7. NACOA recommends that ocean disposal of industrial wastes should continue 
at sites where evidence indicates no unreasonable environmental degradation and 
when human health, environmental, and economic considerations indicate this is 
the preferable option. 
8. NACOA recommends that the Interagency Committee on Ocean Pollution Re- 
search, Development and Monitoring, established by Public Law 95-273, recognize 
that there is a high probability that land, deep-well, and atmospheric waste disposal 
activities will be reduced during the 1980’s in favor of ocean waste disposal. The 
Federal program for ocean pollution research, development, and monitoring must 
emphasize research and monitoring relevant to the disposal of wastes of all kinds in 
various oceanic environments. 
Dr. Knauss. I can summarize. The full set of NACOA recommen- 
dations include: 
Increased incentives for reuse, recycling, and reduction of waste 
products. 
An integrated approach to weighing different waste disposal 
options. 
one consistent environmental criteria for disposal in different 
media. 
Continuation of ocean disposal “under appropriate management 
conditions and with adequate monitoring safeguards.” 
Increased emphasis on ocean disposal research and monitoring. 
As we look at significant events of the past year, we do see in- 
creased pressure to renew ocean dumping. Judge Sofaer’s court de- 
cision has reopened the ocean dumping issue; EPA is drafting new 
regulations; and half a dozen municipalities are planning to submit 
applications for ocean dumping permits. 
