682 
Consequently, we have written this paper to provide an analysis of 
the problems associated with marine waste disposal as it pertains to 
sewage sludge in the New York Bight, the only area in the United States 
where sewage sludge is ocean dumped as regulated under the Ocean Dumping 
Act. Three marine waste disposal alternatives for ocean dumping sewage 
sludge are reviewed. These encompass a shallow-water site, a continental 
shelf site, and a deepwater site. Specifically these are the existing 
12-Mile site in the New York Bight apex, the 65-Mile "alternative" site, 
and the 106-Mile site, respectively. 
2. TECHNICAL CONSIDERATIONS 
The New York Bight apex (Figure 1) is one of the most severely 
degraded, open coastal areas in the world. Numerous sources of pol- 
lution contribute to this degradation, including atmospheric inputs, 
sewage treatment plant effluent, urban runoff, and ocean dumping of 
municipal waste (sewage sludge), industrial wastes, and dredged material. 
2.1 Cumulative Impacts of Society's Use of the New York Bight 
Degradation: 
Bathing beaches, particularly those bordering the apex, are 
physically degraded and frequently closed by the continuing occur- 
rence of persistent, floatable materials traced to combined sewer 
outfalls, wastewater discharges, solid waste transfer operations, 
and other sources (Swanson et al., 1978). Turbidity and surface 
slicks, caused in part by human discharges, degrdde Bight waters 
for recreational boaters, sportsfishermen, bathers, and others. 
Disease Problems: 
Estimates of the incidence of gastrointestinal symptoms among 
bathing beach users in the New York Bight and adjacent waters 
reflects the release of pathogens into these areas. For example, 
Cabelli et al. (1976) and O'Connor et al. (in press a) reported 
