ocean is probably the single most controvsersial issue in the implementation of the 

 Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act. 



The scheduling of this hearing is particularly timely in view of EPA's ongoing de- 

 liberations concerning site designation issues. 



My distinguished colleague, Mr. Hughes, and I have circulated a proposal drafted 

 by our staffs in response to what we perceive to be a serious degradation of the New 

 York Bight Apex— which results, at least in part, from the ocean dumping of some 

 seven and one-half (7 ¥2) million wet tons of municipal sewage sludge per year. This 

 proposal is intended to foster discussion of a number of steps which we believe are 

 reasonable measures to begin the cleanup of the New York Bight Apex. 



Part I of the concept paper would end the ocean disposal of sewage sludge at the 

 12-mile site on December 31, 1986, or such sooner date as the Administrator deter- 

 mines reasonable. In the interim period no additional sludge, over the levels 

 dumped in 1982, would be allowed. Also in the interim period, dumpers using the 

 site would be assessed an escalating fee based roughly on the cost differential be- 

 tween disposal at the 12- and 106-mile sites. The revenues from this special dumping 

 fee would be used for activities of EPA and the municipalities, sewage authorities, 

 and states which are directed towards the management of the 12-mile site and the 

 development of long-term disposal options. 



The measures described concerning ocean disposal are based on the presumption 

 that— based on the information that we will receive today and such other input as 

 we may receive— the Congress will be willing to state that the degradation which 

 has occurred at the 12-mile site is "unreasonable" in the context of the Ocean 

 Dumping Act. 



The concept paper also contains a requirement for the development of a compre- 

 hensive multi-media assessment. EPA would be required to analyze the various 

 land-based alternatives, as well as continued ocean dispoal, and assess the environ- 

 mental impacts and potential human health risks resulting from each such disposal 

 option. 



It is clear from the testimony which this Committee has received over the years, 

 concerning the degradation of the New York Bight, that no single source of pollu- 

 tion can account for the decreased environmental quality. The concept paper would 

 require the development of a "New York Bight restoration plan" which would iden- 

 tify: The water quality problems in the New York Bight; the contaminants con- 

 straining uses; the individual inputs of such contaminants; the fate and effect of pol- 

 lutants from those inputs; and the available technologies and costs for treatment, 

 along with the impediments to cleanup of those inputs. The end result of this study 

 would be implementation schedules for those sources, which will result in the resto- 

 ration of all uses — to the maximum extent possible. It is time that we look to the 

 total problem in the New York Bight instead of taking a piece-meal approach. 



The final portion of the concept paper includes a number of general provisions 

 which would apply to ocean dumping no matter where it occurred. First, pre-treat- 

 ment programs, in accordance the Clean Water Act, would be required as a prereq- 

 uisite for ocean dumping of sewage sludge after December 31, 1986. Second, EPA 

 would be required to develop a sludge quality standard applicable to sewage materi- 

 al to be disposed of in the marine environment. Third, EPA would be authorized to 

 prescribe and collect fees to recover the costs actually incurred for activities that 

 are directly associated with a permit or the dumping authorized by a permit. And 

 finally EPA would be requested to recommend to the Congress special disposal fees 

 to be applied to all materials disposed of in the ocean, or in the coastal waters of the 

 United States, to be used for implementing recommendations resulting from region- 

 al "multi-media assessments" and other water quality improvement purposes 

 deemed appropriate by the Administrator. 



This concept paper has been circulated to the witnesses who will be testifying 

 today and is contained in the Members' folders. I hope that the intended purpose of 

 fostering discussion is fruitful. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. 



Mr. FoRSYTHE. I would just comment that we certainly welcome 

 these hearings. We hope that the results of today's hearings and 

 those of following days will produce a record permitting an ulti- 

 mate solution to problems in the New York Bight with which we 

 have been struggling with so many years. 



Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for holding these hearings, and let's 

 proceed. 



