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B. Summary -- Part IT 
1. Ocean pollution is the unfavorable alteration of the marine 
environment, wholly or largely as a by-product of man's actions, 
through direct or indirect effects of changes in energy patterns, 
radiation levels, chemical and physical constitution, and distri- 
bution, abundance, and quality of organisms. These changes may 
affect man directly or indirectly through his supplies of food 
and other products, his physical objects or possessions, and his 
opportunities for recreation’ and appreciation of nature. 
2. The problem of ocean pollution is part of the total problem 
of waste disposal with all its social, political, economic, and 
legal constraints. Any workable solution to controlling ocean 
pollution must consider the total problem. 
3. Controlled ocean disposal of wastes is a legitimate use of 
the sea. However, the effects of various types of ocean disposal 
must be carefully considered. 
4. The high seas have a limited capacity to assimilate certain 
biologically active waste products; coastal areas have a limited 
capacity to receive any waste material. 
5. The ultimate goal of disposal programs must be to allow into 
the ocean only that which can contribute to improving the ocean 
environment, that which is essentially inert, or that which can be 
assimilated without adverse effects. 
6. The disposal of all types of wastes into the ocean is pro- 
jected to increase substantially in this decade unless adequate 
controls are initiated. 
7. Unless reversed, this trend portends serious health hazards 
and threatens fishery resources and the marine environment in a 
number of localities. Unfortunately, the extent and magnitude of 
these dangers are not well understood nor adequately documented. 
8. The extent of specific Federal authority to enforce waste 
disposal regulations and ocean pollution beyond the territorial sea 
(generally 3 miles) needs to be clarified. 
9. At present, no Federal agency has authority to develop water 
quality standards beyond the territorial sea. 
10. Action by regional, State, and local governmental bodies to 
control ocean disposal of wastes is not generally adequate, stressing 
the need for more appropriate support and guidelines at the Federal 
level. 
