203 
ward halting the possibly suicidal dumping which we are now watch- 
ing destroy life. 
We must act now to prevent the dangers posed by this dredging 
operation. This Federal Government must provide greater resources 
and help to fund States adequately for advanced sewage treatment 
works, as well as paying the States the funds already owed them. 
I strongly urge that the subcommittee and the committee report this 
bill favorably in this session. 
Mr. Dinert1. Thank you very much. 
Congressman Tiernan wants to give a very brief statement at this 
time. We welcome your statement Mr. Tiernan. 
STATEMENT OF HON. ROBERT 0. TIERNAN, A REPRESENTATIVE IN 
CONGRESS FROM THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND 
Mr. Tisrnan. I am proud to be the representative of a State with 
some of the most beautiful shore area in this country. I come before 
you today, however, not only as a Congressman but also as a con- 
cerned citizen. I have witnessed the gradual deterioration of our water- 
ways for too many years and let me assure you I do not intend to 
witness it any longer. We are faced with a crisis unparalleled in our 
history. Unless affirmative action is taken and taken soon, clean 
water is going to be nothing more than a fond memory even in our 
own lifetime. Therefore, I strongly urge that action be taken as 
expeditiously as possible in sending to the floor of the House H.R. 
18454, the amendment to the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act. 
Mr. Drncetx. Thank you Congressman. 
_ Our good friend from Florida, the Honorable Claude Pepper, would 
now like to give a statement. Please go ahead Congressman. 
STATEMENT OF HON. CLAUDE PEPPER, A REPRESENTATIVE IN 
CONGRESS FROM THE STATE OF FLORIDA 
Mr. Perper. Mr. Chairman, I am here today to applaud the fine 
beginning Mr. Fascell made in introducing two bills, H.R. 18913 and 
H.R. 18914, which are now before the House Merchant Marine, and 
Fisheries Committee. 
This Congress now should go on record prohibiting the discharge 
into navigable water or international water any military material 
without the approval of the Council on Environmental Quality. This 
view is reflected by the administration in a statement of the Assistant 
Secretary to the Interior Dr. Leslie Glasgrow on September 30. I feel, 
however, that the Congress should further go on record requiring 
now a full and complete investigation and study of national policy 
with respect to the discharging of materials into the oceans as called 
for in H.R. 18914. 
Simple facts show that in 200 years with no national policy, the 
United States has irretrievably lost vast resources and set the pattern 
for possible ecological disaster. 
The dumping of nerve gas off the Florida coast is hopefully the 
closing chapter in a book of irresponsible Federal activity. 
56-788—71——_14 
