56 



-22- 



Also, our preliminary finding regarding continued ocean dumping in the 

 Bight is that the 106-Mile Site is environmentally acceptable for the 

 receipt of sewage sludges. The administrative process has been initiated on 

 petitions to redesignate the 12-Mile Site and a proposed rule for final 

 approval of the 106-Mile Site. Decisions on these proposals will be 

 extremely difficult, but we intend to pursue them within our goal of 

 environmental improvement in the Apex. 



In addition, I wish to emphasize that site designation and permit 

 issuance are two separate and independent processes. Site designation is a 

 process by which it is determined that a given area of the ocean is 

 acceptable for the receipt of a specific waste. Pemiit issuance is a 

 process by which it is determined on a case-by-case basis that an applicant 

 has demonstrated that there is a need for ocean dumping and that such 

 dumping is environmentally acceptable. 



Thank you. That concludes my prepared remarks. Dr. Anderson and I 

 would be pleased to respond to questions. 



