326 
(b) It is not clear that NOAA is best equipped to develop techniques and guide— 
lines for integrating "social and economic factors" affecting ocean dumping into 
Federal decisionmaking processes. The intent of this provision is unclear, as well. 
(c) The concept of regional “long-term materials disposal management plans" is 
a commendable one. “However, assuring that meaningful and properly focussed plans 
are developed, and then ensuring that they are integrated into decisionmaking across 
a wide array of waste management programs, are tasks of staggering proportions 
(which are not adequately addressed) . 
5. SUGGESTED IMPROVEMENTS AND ADDITIONS 
Findinas 
p. 2, line 18: add "and resource" after "potential commercial" to make clear 
that many ocean-dumped materials have resource value, whether or not they have 
"commercial" value in the strict sense. 
Policy 
p-_3, line 10: add "and enhance" following "to restore", to make clear that 
Congress seeks to both restore and enhance areas degraded by dumping. The goal 
should be both rehabilitation and, where possible, realization of an area's full 
environment potential. An example might be use of otherwise ocean-dumped dredged 
material for habitat enhancement purposes. 
p. 3, line 13: revise to read "to encourage the removal and recycling of 
degrading contaminants..." 
Degradation 
p. 4, line 2: Revise to read..."to have a measurable adverse effect..." 
(to make clear that trivial impacts, not distinguishable from background conditions, 
are not a criterion of "degradation". ) 
