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made little or no progress toward abatement of pollution in the 
Potomac. 
Connecticut marine life has also been threatened, most recently by 
two oil spills in the harbor at Bridgeport. The most recent spill was 
the fifth leakage this summer into Long Island Sound or adjoining 
waters. There is increasing evidence that concentration of oil ingredi- 
ents in the food chain of life can only result in disaster and that the 
end result of these spills may do far more damage than pollution of 
beaches and killing of marine life. Unfortunately, it will be some 
time before the full effects of the Bridgeport oi] spills will be known. 
In New York, the waters of the area known as the New York Bight 
are but another example of waters polluted by the dumping of waste 
materials. For nearly 40 years various types of wastes have been 
dumped into the bight without regard for the effect on the biota of the 
surrounding waters. Millions of cubic yards of sewage, sludge, and 
dredging spoil are dumped into this area yearly. 
Control experiments at the Sandy Hook Marine Laboratory in New 
Jersey have shown that snails, lobsters, and crabs die in water not 
nearly as contaminated as the water of the New York Bight. This 
alarming report was the result of a study recently conducted by the 
Coastal Engineering Research Center of the Corps of Engineers. The 
study also shows that the presence of large amounts of human intes- 
tinal bacteria and excessive amounts of sludge from dumping in the 
bight area have resulted in high biological oxygen demands by the 
excessive wastes and the subsequent reduction of animal] life in the 
area due to the lack of oxygen available for life support. 
Of course I am sure you are aware of the recently discovered effects 
the dumping of mercury wastes into our waters has had on the fish 
which come in contact with water which has undergone chemical 
change through contact with the mercury. The fact that scientists at 
present have no way to reverse the mercury oxidation process makes 
the situation even more critica] than initial evidence would have led 
us to believe. 
The need for Federal legislation to protect our waters and marine 
wildlife has never been greater. Independent State action has proved 
inadequate. Both H.R. 17603 and H.R. 18454, will amend the Fish 
and Wildlife Coordination Act by establishing guidelines and strict 
fines concerning waste disposal in certain marine areas and providing 
additional protection to our water areas and marine wildlife. 
Mr. Chairman, it is essential that the Congress of the United States 
take positive action to preserve our water resources. I believe that the 
measures before you provide such positive action and I urge swift ac- 
ceptance of them. 
Mr. Drncett. Thank you for an excellent statement. Our next 
witness is Brig. Gen. Richard H. Groves. 
_ General Groves, we are most pleased to have you with us this morn- 
ing. The Chair observes that you probably have members of your 
staff present with you and the committee would be very happy to have 
them sit with you at the table. If you would identify them, please, for 
purposes of the record, we will be happy to receive such testimony as 
you choose to give. 
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