543 



16 

 establish an improved scientitic basis, the net effect of the 



amendments may be to discourage research that would be beneficial to 



answering the difficult questions regarding the potential fate and 



impact of radioactive materials in the ocean. Potential researchers 



may feel that expensive research is not warranted in light of the 

 permit requirements in the amendments, which are perceived to impose 

 conditions whereby a permit may be virtually impossible to obtain. The 

 main concern is for the provision requiring a joint resolution of 

 Congress acting within 90 days of an EPA recommendation to authorize 

 the Administrator to issue a permit. A potential permit applicant has 

 to evaluate whether the effort to meet all of the impact assessment 

 requirements, and otner provisions of domestic and international 

 criteria, is worth the cost m manpower and dollars when a decision 

 rests on Congress taking an action within 90 days. The whole effort 

 could be nullified at considerable economic loss to the applicant and 

 EPA by Congress not acting in the time required. We are not sure that 

 any permit applicant will take that chance and, therefore, we suggest 

 that the joint resolution requirement be reconsidered. 



If ocean disposal of low-level radioactive materials cannot be 

 considered a reasonable alternative for practical purposes, then only 

 land disposal options will be considered. Since we also have to be 

 concerned with environmental protection of our land and its vital water 



