304 



- 6 - 



Delawareans are not alone in taking responsible steps to avoid 

 ocean dumping. Philadelphia has found atlernatives , too. if we can 

 do it, certainly New York and northern New Jersey communities can do 

 the same. it will become impossible to safeguard the environment, 

 if the Federal Government allows recalcitrant cities to follow 

 environmentally unsound practices that threaten ocean life and 

 adversely affect the coastal resources of neighboring states. 



Finally, I must express grave concern over the ability of the 

 Environmental Protection Agency to strictly police ocean dumping 

 regulations at the 106 mile site. First, its distance from shore 

 makes "short dumping" a very real possibility, particularly in foul 

 weather. The Environment Impact Statement admits that the 106 mile 

 site is beyond the normal range of Coast Guard patrol vessels and 

 helicopters. The E.I.S. refers to the environmental acceptability 

 of using the 106 mile site under "carefully controlled conditions... 

 and accompanied by a comprehensive monitoring program." Are the 

 funds, equipment, and manpower available to the Environmental 

 Protection Agency and the Coast Guard to monitor an entire ocean 

 disposal operation from the port to the 106 mile site? 



