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2.13 ECONOMICS 



Cost estimatas for ocean dumping New York City's sewage sludge (which 

 comprises about 50 percent of the total sewage sludge ocean dumped at the 

 12-Mile Site) at each of the three proposed New York Bight dumpsites were 

 computed in constant 1982 dollars. Estimated annual operating costs for 

 dumping at the 12-, 60- , and 106-Mile Sites were $4.09 million, $18.05 

 million, and $26.71 million, respectively (Section 17.5). These figures 

 ire based upon use of New York City's present sludge fleet (with addi- 

 tional capacity required for the more distant sites supplied by leased 

 barges) and include the costs for fuel, crew salaries, and necessary 

 additional sludge storage facilities for the more distant sites. Other 

 ocean dumping permittees would be expected to incur similar cost escala- 

 tions. 



Based on the above summary and the extensive supporting material pre- 

 sented in this report, it is apparent that the dumping of municipal 

 sewage sludges at the 12-Mile Site has not resulted in unreasonable 

 degradation of the marine environment. The technical information con- 

 tinues to support the conclusion of the 1978 FEIS (EPA 1978, p. 1) 

 that moving the sewage sludge dumping operations to the 60-Mile Site 

 is "unnecessary and potentially more damaging to the environment" than 

 continued dumping at the 12-Mile Site. There would be no significant 

 environmental or human health benefits from closing the 12-Mile Site. 

 In addition, considerable adverse economic impacts would occur and 

 environmental and human health impacts could result from the required 

 implementation of alternatives (both other ocean dumpsites and land- 

 based) to dumping of sewage sludge at the 12-Mile Site. These issues 

 will be evaluated in New York City's pending Special Permit Application. 

 The 12-Mile Site should be redesignated for dumping of sewage sludges 

 which qualify to receive a special permit to be ocean dumped at the site. 



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