Corps with management decisions for regulating and monitoring effectively 

 the disposal of wastes in the coastal waters of the Bight. 



c. The acquisition and scientific interpretation of data that would 

 permit the writing of an accurate Environmental Impact Statement on the 

 effects of waste disposal on the marine environment of the Bight. 



Topics that requred investigation were too numerous and complex for 

 a short-term study. It was realized that to properly assess the long- 

 term effects, long-term interdisciplinary investigations would be requir- 

 ed. However, it was judged that interim studies would provide a more 

 detailed and accurate environmental description of the ocean dumping 

 grounds than had been available, and would assist in determining the 

 lateral and vertical distribution of waste materials. Additionally, it 

 was anticipated that these studies would identify, and possibly quantify, 

 the environmental and ecological effects of ocean dumping, and separate 

 and assess the effects and impact of other, land-based, pollutant sources 

 on the coastal environment of the Bight (sources such as municipal sewer 

 outfalls and industrial discharge pipes). To regulate ocean dumping 

 operations, it was decided that investigations should be made to identify 

 from off-the-shelf items, a remote-controlled sensing system that could 

 assist regulating agencies in detecting the location and dump status of 

 waste-disposal vessels operating in the Bight. 



4. Chronology of Events 



The following is a summary of major events related to the develop- 

 ment of CERC- funded studies of waste disposal operations in the Bight. 



Date Event 



1967 The Public Health Service studied the dumping grounds of the 

 New York Harbor. Their report is dated January 1968. The 

 study recommended that a more detailed investigation be made 

 of the effects of sludge dumping in the disposal grounds. 



25 May 67 The Director of Civil Works, OCE, in a letter to the Com- 

 missioner, then FWPCA, called his attention to the waste 

 disposal operations of the Bight and offered to consult with 

 FWPCA on what studies should be made on the effect on the 

 local ecology. 



27 Nov 67 The Director of Civil Works, Corps of Engineers, by letter 

 requested the Coastal Engineering Research Center (CERC) to 

 undertake a study of the effects of these disposal operations 

 on water quality, water chemistry, safety, water use, ecology, 

 fish and wildlife, conservation and recreation in the sur- 

 rounding area. 



21 Feb 68 The Smithsonian Institution (SI) entered into a contract with 

 CERC agreeing to prepare a plan of study of the Bight 



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