50 



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All technical information available indicates that any waste 

 transport from the 106-Mile Site would not have any impact on 

 coastal beaches of New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland or 

 Virginia. 



° The cumulative effects of current and previous discharge and 



dumping in the area of the 12-Mile Site have been observed by NOAA 

 to result in increased occurrence of fin rot in fish, lobster 

 die-off, decay of crustacean shells, gill fouling, and protozoan 

 parasites on gill tissue. A decrease in catches of bony fishes in 

 the area also has been observed. Increase phytoplankton blooms, 

 periods of depressed oxygen levels, and fish and shellfish kills 

 have been observed as well. 



Cumulative effects such as those observed in the Bight Apex are 

 not expected at the 106-Mile Site. Potential conflicts with 

 industrial waste dumping and possible offshore oil and gas 

 explorations are manageable. 



Thus, our preliminary finding, which I might add is supported by NOAA, 

 is that the 106-Mile Site is environmentally acceptable for the disposal of 

 sewage sludges. However, the petitioning municipalities contend that the 

 use of the 106- Mile Site would increase current disposal costs by 3-4 

 times. 



