First, the area where the waste disposal sites are not, and have never been “dead zones”, these sites are far enough off the coast to not experience the flux of nutrients from the mainland coast that cause the low dissolved oxygen environments that do not support aquatic life, or “dead zones”. Different scientific studies are performed to monitor and address the “dead zone” issue. In fact, there is plenty of aquatic life present around the waste disposal sites, EPA wants to make sure that a common, commercially used fish species hasn’t moved into the area. If EPA found such fishable species in the area, we would consider halting waste disposal. In other words, these waste disposal locations were chosen because they were areas that were relatively clear of aquatic life to begin with, not because of pollution from the mainland or waste disposal, but natural phenomena such as the area’s ocean currents, proximity to the Gulf Stream, etc.

Monitoring and maintaining these sites is important to the American people because they allow for safe disposal of dredge material and fish waste, without harming ocean aquatic life. In fact, only material from navigational channels is permitted to be placed in the ocean sites and that is only after the material has gone through a series of tests prior to being placed there. It is not as if any and all waste can be put at these locations, or any other site. EPA has strict guidelines and regulations for waste disposal and works hard to find the right balance between protecting the environment and human health of the United States, setting an example to the rest of the world on proper environmental stewardship, and encouraging environmentally friendly economic growth. If you would like more information about the tests we performed, please refer to the joint EPA/Corps Ocean Testing Manual http://www.epa.gov/owow/oceans/gbook/. Note that both agencies also encourage the beneficial use of dredge material through beach nourishment and coastal buffering to be considered before placing the material in the ocean.

I hope this clears up any misunderstanding about the waste disposal sites. Again, thank you for your comments and enthusiastic concern for the environment of our country and planet.