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INTRODUCTION 
BACKGROUND FOR SUBMISSION 
This paper has been prepared and is submitted by the International Associa- 
tion of Ports and Harbors (the "IAPH") in connection with the Fifth Meeting 
of the Ad Hoc Scientific Group. on Dumping (the "Scientific Group"), a work- 
ing group of the London Dumping Convention (the "“Convention"). The IAPH is 
an international association comprised of ports in 73 countries which has 
been granted observership status at Consultative Meetings of Contracting 
Parties to the Convention. LDC II/2. 
This submission addresses technical issues relating to the ocean dumping of 
dredged material which were raised by the IAPH at the Fifth Consultative 
Meeting of the Contracting Parties to the Convention in London, England on 
22-26 September 1980. The IAPH expressed serious concern about a possible 
construction of the Convention that would categorically prohibit the ocean 
disposal of dredged material which may contain substances listed in Annex I 
to the Convention, even in cases where there may be no practicable 
alternative means of disposal. 
The IAPH emphasized the vital national and international interests which 
IAPH member ports serve for their respective States. The IAPH also stress- 
ed the need for periodic dredging to assure the maintenance of sufficient 
channel depth to accommodate waterborne commerce and trade. Without this 
work, efficient port operations cannot continue, and the closure of affect- 
ed ports could occur--with drastic, and perhaps irreparable, impacts upon 
affected States and the exercise of their sovereignty. 
The IAPH invited Contracting Parties to consider whether further study or 
action might be appropriate, or necessary, to address the need for ocean 
disposal of dredged material under such circumstances. 
The IAPH presentation at the Fifth Consultative Meeting included certain 
scientific aspects of the dredged material issue. In the Prepared Remarks 
