216 



physical, chemical, and biological conditions at the 50-Mile Site have 

 been limited. These considerations, combined with EPA and National 

 Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (MOAA) assessments that the eli- 

 mination of sewage sludge dumping at the 12-Mile Site will not result in 



iliriauivjii ui Jcrruyc j.u^-^t;; auiiiyiiiy uu t-ini *— iiii^ Jiuc *^iii irvu iCJUiu ii 



any significant human health or environmental benefit, support the 1978 

 -EIS approach to designation of the 60-Mil9 Site. The 60-Mile Site coul 

 :e designated for sewage sludge dumping, but sewage sludge currently 



ar 



FEIS approach to designation of the 60-Mil9 Site. The 60-Mile Site could 



be ^^..3,,-.^- .... 3.- .,.-3^ .„...^.,,,, ..„,. 3 J 



dumped at the 12-Mile Site should not be transferred to the 50-Mile Site 

 unless future data indicate a critical need to reduce sewage sludge 

 dumping at the 12-Mile Site. 



In view of the lack of knowledge concerning the potential effects of 

 ocean dumping at the 50-Mile Site, any sewage sludge dumping at the site 

 should be initiated with a slow phase-in period. Such a phase-in would 

 allow adequate monitoring and assessment as prescribed in the periodic 

 site evaluation and assessment procedures mandated under 40 CFR Parts 

 228.10 and 228.11. This would ensure that any unanticipated environ- 

 mental impacts could be identified prior to the initiation of large scale 

 continuous dumping operations. 



The criteria that must be addressed by EPA for site selection ir^ found 

 at 40 CFR 223.6. These criteria, as they apply to the 50-Mile Site, are 

 addressed here and more fully in the body of this report. 



2.1 HISTORY AMD GEOGRAPHY 



The 60-Mile Site is located approximately 55 nautical miles from the 

 Sandy Hook-Rockaway Point transect in approximately 55 meters of water. 

 Concerned that the 12-Mile Site could not safely accommodate projected 

 sewage sludge volumes, EPA designated the oO-Mile Site in May 1979 for 

 use only if the existing site was found to be unable to safely accommo- 

 date any additional sewage sludge without endangering public health or 

 degrading coastal water quality (Chapter 2)*. To date, no materials have 

 ever been dumped at the site (Chapter 5). The 60-Mile Site is not 

 located near any area having natural or cultural features of historical 

 importance (Section 2.3). 



2.2 FISHERIES 



Many species of fish and some shellfish either periodically inhabit or 

 pass through the area of the 60-Mile Site, and some, including the ocean 

 quahog, sea scallop and surf clam, inhabit the area for most or all of 

 their life cycle (Section 12.4). Although moderate commercial resources 

 of ocean quahogs are thought to be present in the vicinity of the 60-Mile 

 Site, no significant fishery for quahogs or any other species has thus 

 far been established in the area (Chapter 12). 



* References in the Technical Sumary refer to sections in the main body 

 of the report. 



3-2 



