Sec. 1443. Research program respecting ocean dumping and other methods of waste disposal
- (a)
Cooperation with public authorities, agencies, and
institutions, private agencies and institutions, and
individuals
The Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency shall -
- (1)
conduct research, investigations, experiments, training,
demonstrations, surveys, and studies for the purpose of -
- (A)
determining means of minimizing or ending, as soon as
possible after October 6, 1980, the dumping into ocean waters,
or waters described in section 1411(b) of this title, of
material which may unreasonably degrade or endanger human
health, welfare, or amenities, or the marine environment,
ecological systems, or economic potentialities, and
- (B)
developing disposal methods as alternatives to the
dumping described in subparagraph (A); and
- (2)
encourage, cooperate with, promote the coordination of, and
render financial and other assistance to appropriate public
authorities, agencies, and institutions (whether Federal, State,
interstate, or local) and appropriate private agencies,
institutions, and individuals in the conduct of research and
other activities described in paragraph (1).
- (b)
Termination date for ocean dumping of sewage sludge not
affected
Nothing in this section shall be construed to affect in any way
the December 31, 1981, termination date, established in section
1412a of this title, for the ocean dumping of sewage sludge.
- (c)
Regional management plans for waste disposal
The Administrator, in cooperation with the Secretary, the
Secretary of Commerce, and other officials of appropriate Federal,
State, and local agencies, shall assess the feasibility in coastal
areas of regional management plans for the disposal of waste
materials. Such plans should integrate where appropriate Federal,
State, regional, and local waste disposal activities into a
comprehensive regional disposal strategy. These plans should
address, among other things -
- (1)
the sources, quantities, and types of materials that
require and will require disposal;
- (2)
the environmental, economic, social, and human health
factors (and the methods used to assess these factors) associated
with disposal alternatives;
- (3)
the improvements in production processes, methods of
disposal, and recycling to reduce the adverse effects associated
with such disposal alternatives;
- (4)
the applicable laws and regulations governing waste
disposal; and
- (5)
improvements in permitting processes to reduce
administrative burdens.
- (d)
Report on sewage disposal in New York metropolitan area
The Administrator, in cooperation with the Secretary of Commerce,
shall submit to the Congress and the President, not later than one
year after April 7, 1986, a report on sewage sludge disposal in the
New York City metropolitan region. The report shall -
- (1)
consider the factors listed in subsection (c) of this
section as they relate to landfilling, incineration, ocean
dumping, or any other feasible disposal or reuse/recycling
option;
- (2)
include an assessment of the cost of these alternatives;
and
- (3)
recommend such regulatory or legislative changes as may be
necessary to reduce the adverse impacts associated with sewage
sludge disposal.
