40 
New York Bight 
The following recommendations apply specifically to the New York 
Bight. The broader recommendations covering ocean disposal in general, 
beginning on page 11, are meant to apply to this area as well. 
1. A regional committee consisting of all interested agencies 
should be organized to coordinate Federal research and development 
ocean disposal programs conducted in the Bight area. Such a com- 
mittee should also establish active liaison with all appropriate 
State and interstate agencies. 
2. Existing monitoring programs should be reviewed and expanded 
where necessary and to the extent possible. It is essential to know 
a great deal about the pollution that is now taking place and to 
document changes as they occur so their effects can be evaluated. 
Effects on the environment and aquatic resources must be carefully 
described and quantified. 
3. A directory should be prepared for the New York metropolitan 
and surrounding areas listing all of the agencies and officials con- 
cerned with collecting, processing, handling, or disposing of wastes. 
There is a multiplicity of organizations involved in the discharge 
or control of waste in the New York area. Often their activities, 
responsibilities, and capabilities are not known to another agency. 
All pollution programs; i.e., disposal, R and D, enforcement, etc., 
should be listed and described. 
4. More surveillance of ocean disposal operations is required. 
Measures necessary to assure that dumping vessels observe the condi- 
tions of the permit as issued should be taken. 
5. Develop an input-out (or throughput) model of the New York 
metropolitan area. Instead of attacking the waste problem at the 
output in bits and pieces, the entire system should be examined by 
competent systems analysts. Estimates of materials shipped into 
the area, less the losses in heat and amounts going into construc- 
tion, should give an estimate of the amounts to be removed. Know- 
ing the kinds of materials entering the area, and the uses to which 
they are put, should make it possible to design a better system for 
output (such as, recycling glass bottles). 
6. The present sampling of marine organisms, including quahogs 
and surf clams, should be expanded to assess the potential health 
hazard from bacteria, viruses, toxic metals, or other toxic compounds. 
Preliminary measurements by the Sandy Hook Marine Laboratory indicate 
coliform contamination in the range of 60,000 MPN in surf clams being 
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