648 



The Honorable Norman D' Amours 

 December 19, 1983 



Page 5 



Question #5: If an adequately conservative model of ocean 

 dumping of radioactive waste did show that such procedures could 

 progress without harm to health and the environment, is there any 

 reason such practices should not be allowed? 



Answer: My personal view is that low-level radioactive waste 

 disposal in the oceans should be allowed if such practices can be 

 proven to be safe. It is impossible, however, in the abstract to 

 know what is meant by an "adequately conservative model" which 

 "show(s]" no "harm to health and the environment." With the 

 advice and assistance of scientists, a review of the evidence 

 needed to support those determinations would provide me with an 

 informed basis for a real world "yes" or "no" to this question. 



I hope that my replys to the above quetions are responsive 

 to the concerns raised by Reprsentative Forsythe. 



Sincerely, 



CuTK- 



Mr. D' Amours. Mr. Sunia, do you have any questions of this wit- 

 ness? 



Mr. Sunia. No questions. 



Mr. D'Amours. Mr. Tauzin? 



Mr. Tauzin. No, no. 



Mr. D'Amours. I want to thank you very much for the excellent 

 testimony you have submitted, Mr. Curtis, and for waiting to get to 

 your testimony. 



I suspect the lack of questions, I am sure you know, doesn't indi- 

 cate any lack of interest in your testimony, but perhaps general ap- 

 probation of what you had to say. We very much appreciate your 

 being here. 



The hearing stands adjourned. We thank you all very much. 



[The following was received for the record:] 



