Ocean Disposal in the Mid-Atlantic Bight

With the passage of the Marine Protection, Research, amd Sanctuaries Act of 1972, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has been given the lead role in the protection of the nation´s oceans from the disposal of toxic pollutants. Through the establishment of a permit program, the U.S. EPA´s Middle Atlantic Region III has brought the indiscriminate disposal of municipal and industrial wastes under control. The goal is to eliminate ocean disposal of harmful waste by January, 1981 through the development of sound, reasonable and environmentally acceptable land based alternatives. Until that goal is attained, an intensive monitoring program has been established to assess the fate and effects of all pollutants dumped into the Region´s waters.