342 



Then as the spiral turned around on itself, we put stations in the 

 bay here, and in an area right above the concentration of stations. 



We also felt that we wanted to concentrate on early drilling. So 

 we put 29 stations around station 5, which was the Mobil station, 

 in order to find out what was happening there. And we also had 

 three regional stations around the Shell station at lock 410. 



In essence, that gives you an idea of how we planned our pro- 

 gram. 



We have reached two fundamental conclusions based upon the 

 first year's work, based upon eight wells drilled, which were dry 

 wells. And let me relate what they are. 



One, relatively small increases in the amount of barium — and by 

 relatively small, I mean relative to crustal rock and other areas in 

 Georges Bank — and no increases in chromium and other metals 

 were found in the bulk sediments in two intensely studied areas 

 near where drilling occurred. 



And two, no significant changes that could be related to drilling 

 activities were detected in the structures of the benthic communi- 

 ties at the regional and site specific stations. 



Let me turn now to the fourth point, prospective changes in the 

 program. 



Sale 52, which right now, as we know, is temporarily enjoined, 

 goes into portions of Georges Bank, the southern portion, and then 

 off into the deeper water of the slope and possibly the rise. We 

 have very little information, biological information, oceanographic 

 information, about what occurs in these deep waters. 



We have set up a monitoring subcommittee which will be meet- 

 ing tomorrow to recommend a monitoring program for these 

 deeper waters, for sale 52, and for other sales that may follow. 



On the last point, costs to date, the cost for Environmental Pro- 

 tection Agency and for the Department of Commerce I believe has 

 been restricted to the infrastructure support for the meetings and 

 for transportation. 



On the other hand, the Department of Interior has already spent 

 about $4.3 million for its 3-year effort. 



That would conclude a summary of my remarks, Mr. Chairman. 



I would be pleased to answer any specific questions. 



[Statement of Mr. Beller follows:] 



