49 



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The much greater depth (6000-9000 ft.) of the 106-Mile Site 

 provides for greater dispersion and dilution of wastes. Previous 

 research by NOAA at the 106-Mile Site has indicated that sludges 

 disposed of at the Site would be dispersed relatively quickly, 

 with little probability of any permanent impact on marine 

 resources, including bottom organisms. 



° The 12-Mile Site is not located beyond the edge of the Continental 

 Shelf. 



The 106-Mile Site is located beyond the edge of the Continental 

 Shelf. The Act expresses a preference for sites located off the 

 Shelf, where feasible. 



° The 12-Mile Site is located within 12 nautical miles of coastal 

 beaches and resorts of New Jersey and Long Island. Public 

 perception and concern for degraded quality of these coastal areas 

 is evident, although monitoring by EPA of beach quality has not 

 shown any degradation directly attributable to sludge dumping. 

 However, since identifiable waste constitutents, detected above 

 normal ambient values, have been observed in bottom sediments 

 within 5 nautical miles of the Long Island coastline, the concern 

 for potential future impacts remains. 



