546 



19 



Ocean Dumping Inventory 



To develop a sound scientific basis for permit criteria for 

 raaioactive materials, EPA has reviewed the past U.S. practices for 

 ocean disposal of these materials and has conducted surveys of the 

 major U.S. dumpsites where y7 percent of these disposal occurred. The 

 unique information derived from these studies and surveys has resulted 

 m this Agency becoming the focus of numerous inquiries from the 

 public, environmental groups, and Congress. These inquiries were 

 particularly concerned with wnat was known (or not known) about past 

 practices, the types and quantity of radioactive materials disposed of 

 in the oceans, and the locations of such disposals. To develop such 

 information, EPA has requested assistance from several Federal agencies 

 including the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) , the Department of 

 Energy (DOE), and the Department of Defense (DOD). These Agencies were 

 asked to research their archives and provide pertinent historical 

 documents to EPA. 



From the extensive records provided by these Agencies, EPA is now 

 compiling a detailed history of past U.S. practices and policies for 

 ocean disposals of radioactive materials. Part of this report will 

 incluae a quantitative inventory of past disposals which are summarized 

 m tne following table. This historical information will be available 

 in the next few months. 



