294 
To meet the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act, we will 
Submit a review of our policies and programs to the Council on Environmental 
Quality by September 1, 1970. Our purpose is to determine if any of our diverse 
responsibilities are in conflict with the purposes of the Act. In addition to this 
review, we are developing procedures for reviewing and forwarding environ- 
mental statements to the Council on Environmental Quality. We are developing 
capabilities to aid other agencies such as the Corps of Engineers in evaluating 
the environmental water quality effects of their actions. It is through these 
actions under the Act that the Department can and is taking steps to abate the 
dumping of wastes in our rivers and harbors. 
In his April 15 message to Congress, President Nixon stressed the commitment 
of this Administration to deal effectively with the disposal of dredged materials 
into the Great Lakes and the 48 million tons of dredgings, sludge and other 
materials that are annually dumped off the coastlands of the United States. 
President Nixon directed the Chairman of the Council on Environmental Quality 
to undertake a comprehensive study of ocean dumping and submit a report to him 
by September 1, 1970. Recommendations for corrective legislation and admin- 
istrative actions are expected at that time. The Department of the Interior is 
actively participating in this study. In addition, this Department has proposed 
legislation to provide for better control of ocean pollution. H.R. 15905 would 
amend Section 10 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act and authorize the 
Secretary to establish water quality standards for the contiguous zone to the 
twelve-mile limit. If enacted, this legislation would provide substantial control 
over location of disposal sites and acceptable dumping practices. 
I trust that my remarks will be useful to you and your Committee in evaluating 
the various legislative proposals developed to deal with the problems of ocean 
disposal. Your interest and continued support of our water quality enhancement 
programs are greatly appreciated. 
Sincerely yours, 
CARL L. KLEIN, 
Assistant Secretary of the Interior. 
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ADMINISTRATION, 
DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES, 
New York, N.Y., September 30, 1970. 
Re Hearing—Marine Sludge Disposal, New York City. 
Hon. EDWARD GARMETZ, 5 : 
Chairman, House Committee of Merchant Marine and Fisheries, House of 
Representatives, Washington, D.C. 
Dear Sir: I understand that your Committee has under consideration various 
proposals relating to sludge disposal in New York City. I hope that the follow- 
ing information will assist you in your deliberations. 
The means now used to dispose of approximately 200,000 cubic feet per day 
of sludge (almost all of which has been fully digested so that most of the volatile 
elements have been removed) from New York City’s Water Pollution Control 
_ facilities are outlined in the accompanying documents (see Attachment No. 3). 
We have found these procedures to be the most economic method of disposal. 
Alternatives to marine disposal are far more expensive and have other serious 
drawbacks which are discussed below. 
It was natural in the history of waste water treatment for cities on tide water 
to resort to ocean disposal of their sludge as the most dependable and economical 
method when compared with elaborate, undependable and more expensive alter- 
natives involving dewatering and incineration. New York City began its ocean 
disposal program in 1937, first by contract and then in early 1988 by the first of 
a line of tankers specifically designed for the function. Some months after 
dumping started, in grounds 12 miles off shore designated by the harbor super- 
visor in about 80 feet of water, a six-day observation test was run at 21 sampling 
points in and surrounding the grounds. Results indicated that outside of the 
immediate path of the dumping there were virtually no discernible effects on 
biochemical oxygen demand, dissolved oxygen, or coliform bacterial count even 
' during the dumping operation. Within 13 hours after dumping no change in these 
conditions was observed. Retesting in 1949 and 1950 confirmed these findings. 
Recent tests indicate that digestion reduces the biochemical oxygen demand of 
the sludge by about 80%, a significant figure when considering its effect on the 
