In 1975 the MESA project also assisted EPA in 
assessing alternative sewage sludge dumpsites in the 
Bight. 
Since 1971, NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries 
Service laboratory at Milford, Conn., has conducted 
research on the behavior of heavy metals in seawater. 
Objectives are to determine how heavy metals affect 
several different organisms at various life stages, 
and under varying exposure times and environmental 
conditions. 
In addition, NOAA’s Office of Sea Grant spon- 
sors a very limited amount of marine research re- 
lated to ocean dumping and disposal of dredge 
material. (See Chapter VII, Marine Science and 
Technology. ) 
In support of the mandates of the Dumping Act, 
EPA conducts research on ecological effects and 
alternative methods of disposal and is a participant 
with NOAA in baseline and monitoring surveys of 
dumpsites. Research on ecological effects is focused 
on improving bioassay techniques and methods of 
predicting and assessing impacts. In fiscal year 1976, 
Congress allocated additional money to EPA for 
research in the area of ocean disposal; as a result, 
new studies were initiated and the level of in-house 
support increased. In 1976, the agency was engaged 
either directly or by contracts in 13 separate projects 
on ocean waste management research. 
EPA conducts research on alternative disposal 
methods under legislative authorities other than the 
Dumping Act. Information on the effects of all vari- 
able waste disposal alternatives is necessary to deter- 
mine the optimum disposal method. Research on 
alternative disposal methods sponsored by EPA in- 
cludes impact of alternative methods, resource reuse 
or recovery, detoxification, and ocean incineration. 
Some of the alternative methods being considered 
are sludge use, composting, and pyrolysis. 
Since 1974, EPA’s Office of Radiation Programs 
has surveyed three of the four radioactive waste 
dumpsites used from 1946 to 1970 in the Pacific 
and Atlantic, although the United States no longer 
disposes of these wastes in the ocean. The United 
States is now evaluating all alternatives, including 
ocean disposal, for disposal of radioactive wastes. 
Survey data from the old sites are therefore quite 
valuable.** 
EPA requires baseline survey data and evaluations 
of existing and proposed disposal sites for assessing 
and predicting environmental effects of ocean dis- 
posal, and for preparing Environmental Impact 
Statements under NEPA. In response to this need, 
an EPA/NOAA Interagency Agreement dealing 
with the conduct of dumpsite evaluations is now in 
* U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, op. cit. note 49. 
effect. Signed in March 1975, it delineates agency 
responsibilities for the necessary evaluations.°° 
Surveys are currently being made in 12 municipal 
and industrial dumpsites; 8 in the Atlantic; 1 off 
Puerto Rico; and 3 in the Gulf of Mexico.*® Aside 
from a few cooperative studies and one formal inter- 
agency agreement dealing with dumpsite surveys and 
monitoring, both EPA and NOAA pursue dumping 
research independently within their own agencies’ 
objectives. The management coordination for re- 
search under the lead agency concept put forth in 
Title II has not been achieved or even attempted. 
Progress and Issues 
EPA has been criticized by some as being too 
lenient and by others as being too stringent in admin- 
istering the Ocean Dumping Act. Progress has been 
made toward alleviating ocean dumping, but prob- 
lems still remain in the implementation of almost 
every aspect of the Act. The initial problem is with 
the misunderstanding about the intent of the Act. 
Are we to phase out and discontinue ocean dumping, 
or do we continue it as a viable alternative under 
adequate supervision and regulation? The uncertain- 
ties of this unanswered question are reflected 
throughout the program, both in regulation and re- 
search. 
There are those in the scientific community who 
feel that from the standpoint of eutrophication the 
use of ocean outfalls for sewage discharge may be 
preferable to secondary treatment.°’ 
The Officer and Ryther study concludes that the 
eutrophication potential may be enhanced with sec- 
ondary treatment, since organic nutrients will be 
more readily available to phytoplankton than would 
be the case with natural decomposition from sewage 
outfalls. Even so, use of outfalls would necessitate 
close attention to pathogens and trace contaminants. 
Major revisions to the Ocean Dumping Regula- 
tions and criteria were promulgated in 1977. 
Dredged materials are now governed by the same cri- 
teria as other substances, and an assessment of alter- 
native disposal methods is a part of the permit ap- 
plication evaluation. 
Environmental impact statements are now being 
prepared for ocean dumping with the Gulf Ocean 
Incineration Site as the first formally designated 
ocean dumping site.°* 
One of the controversies surrounding the pro- 
gram involve EPA’s use of interim permits that allow 
the temporary dumping of harmful wastes that ex- 
5% EPA/NOAA Interagency Agreement concerning baseline 
surveys and evaluations of ocean disposal sites, under the 
MPRSA. 
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, op. cit. note 49. 
7C. B. Officer and J. H. Ryther. “Secondary Sewage Treat- 
ment Versus Ocean Outfalls: An Assessment,” Science 197: 
1056-1060, 1977. 
583U.S. Environmental Protection Ag nv. 
op. cit. note 49. 
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