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as it has been reported by the Merchant Marine Committee, because 

 it allows for a rational ocean disposal permitting process to go 

 forward without arbitrarily prejudging the desirability of any 

 disposal option. 



Your invitation to me refers to proposals such as the Staff 

 Draft dated May 16 which has been circulated for discussion by 

 Congressmen Hughes and Forsythe. This proposal would ban ocean 

 disposal at the 12-mile site after three years. We are also 

 aware that there is concern among some Members of the Committee 

 about the possibility of using the 106-mile site. I am sure that 

 there is similar concern among the public and in Congress as well 

 about any other disposal option -- whether on the land, in the air, 

 or in the ocean. 



The fact is that sewage sludge has to go somewhere ■ We feel 

 that the best way to deal with this perhaps disagreeable but 

 nonetheless unavoidable fact is not to legislatively pick out one 

 site, or another site, or one option or another option for special 

 treatment. Rather, we recommend an examination of all disposal 

 options and selection of the best one, based on the best scientific 

 information available. 



We urge a balanced, scientific approach to waste disposal 

 decisions. The oceans should not be eliminated from that assessment. 

 This does not mean V7e are simply arguing that waste disposal 

 should continue in the ocean forever. On the contrary, if at some 

 point the evidence indicates that a better option is feasible, we 

 are prepared to adopt it. Our evidence, however, indicates that 



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