668 



It must be emphasized that NOAA, through its Ocean Dumping Program, 

 does not regulate waste disposal in the ocean. Our role is to pro- 

 vide scientific advice to regulatory agencies on the possible 

 impacts of various disposal options, based on the best available 

 scientific information. 



Question 



What is NCAA's level of commitment to monitoring environmental 

 impacts, if ocean disposal of radioactive waste is agreed to 

 after the present moratorium is lifted? 



Answer 



NOAA would provide assistance in the design of monitoring strate- 

 gies and/or conduct or participate in the conduct of monitoring, 

 as necessary. In the event of selection of the ocean option for 

 disposal of decommissioned nuclear submarines, NOAA would not be 

 responsible for conducting the monitoring operation itself, but 

 could provide assistance to other Federal agencies, as appro- 

 priate, in the design of monitoring programs for that specific 

 disposal activity. 



Question 



Please detail the nature of NOAA's participation in the scientific 

 meetings of the London Dumping Convention. 



A NOAA scientist is a member of the U.S. Delegation to the 

 Scientific Working Group (WG) of the London Ocean Dumping Conven- 

 tion ( LDC ) , which meets annually to consider scientific and 

 technical problems associated with dumping. Items addressed at 

 the most recent meeting of the WG (October 1983) included guide- 

 lines for the uniform interpretations of LDC annexes; allocation 

 of lead, cadmium and organosilicon compounds to appropriate 

 annexes; and similar technical matters dealing with the application 

 of LDC by the Parties. In addition, NOAA is a member of the 

 Interagency Policy Committee for the LDC, being represented by 

 the Deputy Administrator. This committee addresses legal and 

 policy issues, and develops U.S. positions for both the meetings 

 of the Scientific Working Group and the Consultative Parties. 

 The NOAA Deputy Administrator and the NOAA Director of International 

 Affairs were members of the delegation to the 1983 Annual Consul- 

 tative Meeting of the LDC, and will attend the 1984 meeting in 

 the same capacity. 



