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of Engineers? Are the areas clearly identified to the point where you 
don’t have duplication and conflict of procedures ? 
_ General Groves. We have no conflicts or duplications at this time, 
sir; we have some gaps. 
Mr. Evererr. Could you indicate the gaps at this time? 
General Groves. We sense that the only authority we have to op- 
erate beyond the traditional territorial limits are in the cases of New 
York, Baltimore, and Hampton Roads Harbor. 
Mr. Evererr. How far does the jurisdiction go with respect to the 
territorial seas and the high seas? 
General Groves. The territorial limits are 3 miles. In the case 
of the three harbors I mentioned, there is no limit. We control it 
through the ships that return to us. Of course, if a ship goes out and 
doesn’t come back, we have no jurisdiction. 
Mr. Everrrr. It has been said that the corps have gone beyond 
the authority it has with respect to control of ocean dumping. Do you 
accept this statement as being correct? 
General Groves. We are aware of those interpretations, sir, and 
they are held by reputable people. I think one very specific example 
might be in the case of Boston where several years ago we issued a 
permit to dump beyond the territorial limits. It was published in the 
Federal Register and no objections were received. It was a clear-cut 
case where we assumed jurisdiction for the public interest and we 
exercised it, although we have been unable to find any statutory au- 
thority for it. 
Mr. Everett. Quite often, General, as you have today, a depart- 
ment comes up here and asks that the committee defer action on bills, 
pending completion of a study. Suppose the committee decides not to 
wait and should report one or even several of these bills. I am thinking 
about provisions pertaining to ocean dumping once the legislation is 
enacted. Would you have any suggestions as to amendments that 
should be incorporated in these bills if they should be reported? Have 
you given thought to that ? 
General Groves. I don’t think we really have given serious thought 
to any of these specific ones, sir. If it comes to that, I think we would 
be happy to talk with you further to the extent that we can. 
Mr. Dineruu. General, I believe it would be well to talk to Mr. 
Everett about this at an early time. We intend to move some of these 
bills and we would like your views on how to achieve a workable, 
meaningful, effective bill under which you can live and which will not 
create hardship which is not necessary for effective law enforcement 
or for effective administration of the law. 
General Groves. To the limit of the constraint under which we 
operate, we certainly will do that. 
Mr. Drycett. Can you brief the committee as to the policy of the 
Corps with regard to dumping? As I understand the Refuse Act of 
1899, it imposes certain requirements on your agency with regard to 
- dumping without a permit. I understand it is being rather widely dis- 
regarded. I wondered what you or the Attorney General were doing 
to halt dumping of pollutants in violation of that statute? _ 
General Groves. Sir, to state it very briefly, the situation today is 
about this: The 1899 act, as you know, requires that the placement of 
