669 



Question 



What will be NOAA's planned level of involvement in the Department 

 of Energy's Subseabed Program? Is NOAA presently involved in de- 

 signing studies that monitor environmental effects of the subsea- 

 bed program? Will NOAA be involved in coordinating environmental 

 and fisheries studies with other involved agencies? 



The Department of Energy's subseabed program is a research effort 

 examining one option for the disposal of high-level radioactive 

 wastes. No decision on this option is anticipated for many years. 

 Other than remaining cognizant of important milestones in this 

 research, NOAA has no present plans to become involved directly in 

 it. NOAA would have significant interest in, and contribute toward, 

 the design of any studies that would monitor the effects of such 

 disposal, particularly in regard to living marine resources, if this 

 option were seriously considered. It is noted, however, that at 

 point the scientific feasibility of subseabed disposal of high-level 

 radioactive wastes has not been proven. 



Question 



In NOAA's submitted testimony, reference was made to a book entitled 

 Radioactive Waste Disposal in the Ocean that will be published this 

 month. Could NOAA synthesize the scientific findings of this volume 

 for the Subcommittee? 



Answer 



The book, "Radioactive Waste Disposal in the Oceans" ,• addresses the 

 sources of radioactive wastes, radioactive substances in the oceans, 

 strategies for disposal, and the biological and chemical basis/ 

 concerns of this disposal option. It examines a broad range of 

 oceanic responses to radioactivity and identifies the information 

 needed for management decisions on the subject. 



