332 



mary nutrients requisite for supporting ph)d;oplankton blooms to the Apex, is the 

 Hudson /Raritan estuarine discharge. The input attributable to sewage sludge is rel- 

 atively minor. 



(7) Could you comment on reports that there has been a buildup of materials asso- 

 ciated with sewage sludge in the sediments in and around the 12 mile sludge dump- 

 site. How extensive is this buildup, and how far does it extend? 



NOAA studies have indicated that while there has been no significant accumula- 

 tion (mounding) of sewage sludge at the 12-Mile Site, there is some evidence of 

 benthic impacts in an area of approximately 20 to 30 square miles adjacent to the 

 12-Mile Site. This area extends within five miles of the Long Island coastline and 

 approximately 50 miles down the Hudson Canyon. 



(8) Do you believe that sufficient scientific data exists with regard to the environ- 

 mental impacts associated with sludge dumping in the New York Bight Apex to jus- 

 tify closing the site? Are proposals for further research in this area to determine the 

 extent to which degradation has occurred necessary before a decision could be made 

 with regard to whether the 12- or 106-Mile Site is a preferable disposal location? 



EPA has received petitions from New York City and the six New Jersey sewerage 

 authorities to redesignate the 12-Mile Site for continued disposal of sewage sludge. 

 The "burden of proof is upon the petitioners to provide the data needed to demon- 

 strate compliance with EPA site designation criterial found at 40 CFR Part 228 and 

 established pursuant to Sections 102 (a) and (c) of the Marine Protection, Research, 

 and Sanctuaries Act. EPA is under court orders to take action on these petitions 

 and subsequently on special permit applications from these sludge generators. An 

 EPA/NOAA Task Team has been formed to evaluate the possible designation of the 

 12-, 60-, and 106-Mile Sites for disposal of sewage sludge. The preliminary recom- 

 mendations of the interagency Task Team concerning the 12-Mile Dump Site desig- 

 nation is scheduled to be formulated for internal Agency review by the end of 

 August 1983. 



Mr. D' Amours. The subcommittee stands adjourned. 

 [Whereupon, at 4:12 p.m., the subcommittee was adjourned, to re- 

 convene, subject to the call of the Chair.] 

 [The following was received for the record:] 



