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Dr. Guascow. I appreciate this further opportunity to discuss with 
you and members of your subcommittee several bills addressed to the 
problem of ocean dumping—a resumption of the hearing on H.R. 
17603, 18454, and 15827, and consideration of three new bills. We have 
also been asked to comment on H.R. 19077, which would amend the 
National Environmental Policy Act relative to procedures for the 
filing of environmental impact statements. 
As indicated in our transmittal of the transcript from the July 27, 
1970 hearing, it has not been possible for us to provide language as 
you requested that would bring these bills into conformity with ad- 
ministration policy. As we advised you, we must await transmittal by 
the Council on Environmental Quality of its recommendations to the 
President and his acceptance of those recommendations. It is my 
understanding that the Council’s task force report will be in the Presi- 
dent’s hands within a week. 
It may be helpful at this point to advise you of our actions in this 
area since my last appearance before you. 
First, in regard to Representative Keith’s suggestion that the 
Council’s report on ocean dumping give consideration to the concept 
of marine sanctuaries as one means of preserving natural areas 
in the ocean, we wrote to Chairman Train on August 3. We have not 
yet seen the section of the report covering research needs and are 
unable to state whether Mr. Keith’s suggestion was included. 
Second, in July you requested that we specify those recommenda- 
tions in our New York Bight report that would require legislation. 
After review, we concluded that those for which Interior had the 
lead responsibility could be accomplished by clarification of Depart- 
ment policy or by changes in existing regulations. On those recom- 
mendations requiring possible legislation, we deferred to CEQ for 
consideration by its task force. 
I want to assure you that since our last report to the committee, 
representatives of the Department of the Interior have worked close- 
ly with the Council and other Federal agencies in the completion of 
a comprehensive study on ocean dumping and in the preparation of 
a final report. As requested by the President, that report and ap- 
propriate recommendations, both administrative and legislative, will 
be transmitted to him by the Council. 
After reviewing preliminary drafts of the report. we are confident 
that its findings will provide the basis for sound action to curtail the 
continued degradation of our marine environment. 
We have been advised by the Council that the final report will con- 
tain several specific legislative recommendations, and it is for this 
reason that we again suggest to the committee that it defer action 
on the bills now under consideration. From personal knowledge, I 
can assure you that the Council has labored diligently to produce the 
kind of report intended by the Congress. In my opinion, to proceed 
at this point without the benefit of the Council’s recommendations 
would be premature. I emphasize, however, that the Council is better 
equipped than I to discuss with you the scope of its study and the 
nature of itsrecommendations. _ 
When I appeared before this committee just 2 short months 
ago, I tried to indicate to you how strongly I felt about the need 
