683 



Qu .stloi't 3 : It has been suggested that Congress consider extending the 

 2-year moratorium on low-level radwaste dumping because too 

 many questions remain unanswered about dumping radwastes In 

 the ocean, and that Federal regulatory agencies are not com- 

 plying with the moratorium's purpose of completing further 

 research. Further, it has been suggested that such an exten- 

 slon should direct EPA and other Federal agencies to: 1) 

 develop a comprehensive research and monitoring program, 

 including targeted field surveys of past dumpsltes and test 

 sites (which would be selected as part of program development), 

 and 2) submit a report on the results of that program to 

 Congress, prior to the conclusion of such extended moratorium. 



Please comment on this proposal. 



Answer ; An extension of the 2-year. moratorium on low-level waste disposal 



would not affect the Department's conclusion on the practicality 

 of ocean disposal as an option for FUSRAP. If the Department 

 were directed by Congress to participate in a comprehensive R&D 

 effort on ocean disposal, such a program would be established. 

 If the results of this RSD effort were to indicate the desirability 

 and feasibility for ocean disposal, the practicality of the ocean 

 disposal option for FUSRAP would be reconsidered. 



