168 
For several years I have been personally concerned with both the procedures 
of disposal and the dangers from these particular wastes. Member of my staff 
have been meeting with the Department of Natural Resources to devise means 
of protecting the marine environment. ! ‘ 
In the near future, I will hold a conference with representatives of the 
state and federal agencies involved. A determined effort will be made to adopt 
a uniform policy on this crucial matter. 
Sincerely, 
FRANCIS W. SARGENT, Governor. 
THE WHITE HOUSE, 
Washington, February 10, 1970. 
Hon. RIcHARD L. OTTINGER, 
House of Representatives, 
Washington, D.C. 
DEAR Mr. OTrinGEeR: This will acknowledge and thank you for your telegram 
of February 9 to the President concerning disposal of dredge oil and sewage 
sludge in the New York bight under permit from the Corps of Engineers. You 
may be assured that your message will be brought to the President’s early 
attention. 
With cordial regard. 
Sincerely, 
WILLIAM H). TIMMONS, 
Assistant to the President. 
Mr. Kerru. I would like to see them. 
Mr. Orrincer. As recently as June 24th a special committee of 12 
experts from various Federal agencies convened by the Secretary 
of Interior and assisted by 16 experts from other various Federal 
agencies confirmed the seriousness of the problem and urged quick 
action to resolve it. 
Yet, today, 6 months and at least three Federal studies later, we 
know that the only change that has taken place is that the disaster 
is growing—and the Administration’s only proposal is more study. 
It is now clear that unless Congress acts, the Administration’s in- 
decision and inaction is leading us inevitably towards an environ- 
mental Pearl Harbor at New York Bight. 
Mr. Chairman, I now have and will present to this committee new 
scientific testimony collected at the U.S. Marine Laboratory at Sandy 
Hook proving that this 21-square mile “deal sea” at the mouth of 
New York Harbor has been spreading at the rate of approximately 
1 mile per year. . 
Mr. Dincett. Is that 1 square mile or 1 mile out from the center? 
Mr. Orrrincer. One mile out from the center. 
Mr. Drncett. In each direction ? 
Mr. Orrrncer. Yes. Approximately 1 mile north and 1 mile south- 
west. During the past 6 months of silence and inaction it has grown 
by at least a half a mile at each end. I will have with me and will 
present to you Dr. Jack Pearce who is the marine biologist who has 
been making this study. He will be far more qualified than I to give 
you the scientific details. 
I also have and will present to this committee scientific testimony 
from the Marine Laboratory confirming earlier fears as to the grave 
damage that this “dead sea” is doing to important marine food 
resources. 
Six months ago it was clear that contamination from the “dead 
sea” was destroying oyster beds and was causing serious—and per- 
