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Ocean dumping: Progress toward a rational policy of dredged waste disposal

Journal Article · · Environ. Law; (United States)
OSTI ID:5682350
Mankind has only recently recognized that there are limits to the capacity of marine ecosystems to assimilate ever-increasing amounts of waste materials without serious debilitation or permanent damage. Those wastes that are intentionally dumped into ocean waters are regulated by the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act (MPRSA) of 1972 under which the Environmental Protection Agency regulates ocean dumping of non-dredged materials and the Corps of Engineers regulates dredged materials. This bifurcated system has been a major factor in lax enforcement and litigation. The author reviews three recent lawsuits that help to define regulatory responsibilities in the permit system. Regulation will remain inadequate, however, until Congress divests the Corps of its regulatory authority over dredged material.
OSTI ID:
5682350
Journal Information:
Environ. Law; (United States), Journal Name: Environ. Law; (United States) Vol. 12:3; ISSN EVLWA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English