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On page 5, we discuss that in addition to the technology based 

 requirements of the Clean Water Act, the Clean Water Act also au- 

 thorizes the States to develop water-quality standards. These stand- 

 ards consisting of designated uses of State waters and the neces- 

 sary criteria to protect aquatic life and human health. We explain 

 that the States of New York and New Jersey have established 

 water quality use classification and criteria for the territorial 

 waters. This only applies to the 3-mile limit. It does not apply 

 beyond that. 



We point out that these criteria and uses are utilized in deter- 

 mining what additional treatment beyond the technology mini- 

 mums are necessary to protect water quality within that 3-mile 

 area. 



Noted on page 6 are some of the improvements that have taken 

 place as a result of controlling some discharges to the Hudson Es- 

 tuary. At the bottom of page 6, are some of the sources, point and 

 nonpoint sources, of the Hudson Estuary which are among the 

 most difficult to control. These include nonpoint source runoff, 

 storm water outfalls and combined sewer outfalls. 



On page 7, we discuss some of the activities which continue to be 

 the more difficult problems. We note on the bottom of page 7 that 

 the need is to focus not merely on cleaning up the 3-mile area, and 

 the territorial seas, but on the bight apex. It is our concern that we 

 be assured that the point source and nonpoint source controls 

 being implemented will also protect the bight and the bight apex. 



On page 8, we then discuss the direct ocean dumping inputs of 

 dredged material, acid wastes, cellar dirt and sewage sludge. We 

 get into the dredged materials, and what is being done now to get a 

 better handle on the dredge material problem. The EPA is current- 

 ly working with the Corps of Engineers to develop a comprehensive 

 plan to manage the disposal of dredged material. 



Page 10 discusses sewage sludge dumping and notes that while 

 on the one hand, the quantity of sewage sludge has increased over 

 the last 10 years, the number of treatment plants that are actually 

 ocean dumping has decreased dramatically. 



We note, that even within the last year, three municipalities 

 that have traditionally ocean-dumped sewage sludge have stopped, 

 or as in the case of Glen Cove are expected to go out of the ocean 

 dumping business soon. 



On the bottom of page 10, 1 will read some parts of the testimony 

 and summarize other parts, Mr. Chairman. 



A number of questions have been raised by Members of the Con- 

 gress, by the news media, by environmental groups and others, as 

 to why EPA continues to allow the ocean dumping of sewage 

 sludge. Didn't Congress explicitly require the cessation of all 

 sewage sludge dumping in the ocean by the end of 1981? 



Yes, it did. 



However, Congress specifically defined "sewage sludge" in the 

 act as "any solid, semi-solid, or liquid waste generated by a munici- 

 pal wastewater treatment plant the ocean dumping of which may 

 unreasonably degrade or endanger human health, welfare, or 

 amenities, or the marine environment, ecological systems, and eco- 

 nomic potentialities." 



