657 



We are involved and coordinating with a cooperative study with 11 other 

 countries that are examining the North East Atlantic Dumps ite used by 

 several European Countries. This provides high quality information at 

 a small cost to the EPA. Thus, our efforts are multiplied many fold. 



EPA is current evaluating container and matrix materials as part 

 of its program to develop packaging requirements for radioactive waste 

 disposal in the oceans. 



2. Do you feel that the ultimate decision on whether low-level 

 radioactive wastes should be disposed of in the oceans should be made 

 by a Federal agency such as EPA or left to Congress to determine on the 

 basis of public policy considerations? 



ANSWER 



PuDlic policy considerations are very significant in making 

 decisions on the ocean disposal of radioactive materials which are 

 matters of great public sensitivity and concerns. EPA's goal, in 

 addition to implementing all aomestic and international requirements, 

 is to assure a careful scientific evaluation of health, safety, 

 economic, or other issues that are of main concern to the general 

 public. EPA also is concerned with protection of all parts of the 

 environment, not just the oceans. Decisions have to be made regarding 

 disposal of all types of wastes that consider not only present needs, 

 but also provide optimum protection for future generations. We believe 

 it is important, for the long range interests of the United States, 

 that no reasonable waste disposal options be foreclosed on the_basis of 

 public perceptions alone without a thorough technical evaluation. 

 Responsible decisions have to be made that provide for waste disposal 

 and optimize protection for all parts of the environment while taking 

 due account of public perceptions, scientific evaluations, and regula- 

 tory criteria. We believe EPA has the technical capability and public 

 sensitivity to make such decisions. We believe the Congress should 

 exercise a strict oversight of the EPA implementation of the basic 

 requirements of the law. Close cooperation and trust between EPA ana 

 tne Oversight Committees is essential and desireable. We recommend 

 ttiat the authority tor ocean disposal decisions regarding radioactive 

 materials be returned to EPA. 



