United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Office Of Water
(WH-556-F)
EPA-503/4-9t/OOt
December 1990
Monitoring, Research,
And  Surveillance Plan For
The 106-Mile Deepwater
Municipal Sludge Dump Site
And Environs

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                    FINAL
     Monitoring, Research, and Surveillance
             Plan for the 106-MSIe
             Deepwater Municipal
        Sludge Dump Site and Environs
             Developed Jointly by

       Environmental Protection Agency
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
        The United States Coast Guard
               December 1990
 xvEPA
    United Stales
    Environmental Protection
    Afleney
                                  200,

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                        TABLE OF CONTENTS


                                                               Page

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ... .........................................   ix

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS .... ........... . .............................   xi

UST OF ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS .............. . ............  xffi

1.0 INTRODUCTION .................. .... ..........................   1

   1.1 HISTORY OF WASTE DISPOSAL AT THE 106-MILE SITE  ...........   2
   12 THE REGULATORY BASIS FOR MONITORING ................      3
   13 PREVIOUS MONITORING OF THE 106-MILE SITE:
     DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF EPA'S
     MONITORING PLAN ..........................................   5
   1.4 DEVELOPMENT OF A NEW STRATEGY FOR MONITORING,
     RESEARCH, AND SURVEILLANCE  .............................   6

2.0 PAST MONITORING OF THE 106-MILE SHE:  RESULTS FROM
   EPA'S MONITORING PLAN .......................................  10

   2.1 BACKGROUND INFORMATION AND BASELINE STUDIES .........  10

     2.1.1  Dissolved Oxygen ........................................  H
     2.1.2  Trace Metals  ............................................  12
     2.13  Organic Compounds ......................................  12
     2.1.4  Benthic Organisms ........................................  12
     2.L5  Plankton and Pelagic Organisms .............................  13
     2,1.6  Endangered Species .................................... ...  14

   22 TIER 1: WASTE CHARACTERISTICS AND DISPOSAL OPERATIONS  .  14
          Waste Characteristics ...................... ................   14
     222  Disposal Operations . ......................................   17

  23 TIER 2: NEARFTFT.D FATE AND SHORT-TERM EFFECTS ..........   18

     23.1  Nearfield Fate ____ . ....................................     18
     232  Shprt-Term Effects ................... . ........ '.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.   26

  2.4 TIER 3: FARFIELD FATE  ................. . ............ .......   27

  2^ TIER 4: LONG-TERM EFFECTS ................................   31
                                m

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                     TABLE OF CONTENTS (continued)
3.0 CONTINUING MONITORING, RESEARCH, AND SURVEILLANCE OF
   THE 106-MILE SHE  	    34

   3.1 BACKGROUND INFORMATION AND BASELINE STUDIES  	    34
   32 TIER 1:  WASTE CHARACTERISTICS AND DISPOSAL OPERATIONS .    34
      3.2.1  Waste Characteristics	    34
      322.  Disposal Operations	    38

   33 TIER 2:  NEARFffiLD FATE AND SHORT-TERM EFFECTS	    39

   3.4 TIER 3:  FARFIELDFATE	    41

      3.4.1  Water-Mass Studies	    42
      3.4.2  Settling Studies	    47
           3.4.2.1 Mooring Locations and Design	    47
           3A22 Recommended Analysis of Trapped Material  	    53
      3.43  Sediment Studies  	    55
           3.43.1 Studies by the NOAA National Undersea Research Program ..    54
           3.43.2 NMFS Sediment Studies	    56
      3.4.4  Modeling	    58

   3.5 TIER 4:  LONG-TERM EFFECTS	    59

      3.5.1  Bioaccumulation Studies	    60
      3.5.2  Chitinoclastic Disease in Macrobenthic Crustaceans	    66
      3.53  Benthic Studies	    67
      3.5.4  Fish Distribution and Abundance 	    67
      3.5.5  Sensitive Life Stage Studies	    68
      3.5.6  Pathogen and Biological Tracers of Sewage Sludge	    68
      3.5.7  Endangered Species Studies		    69

4.0 SCHEDULE, COMMUNICATIONS, AND DATA USE FOR THE 106-MILE
   SITE MONITORING PLAN	    70

   4.1 MASTER SCHEDULE FOR THE PROGRAM	    70
   42 COMMUNICATIONS AND DATA EXCHANGE	    75

      4.2.1  Quality Assurance Requirements	    75
      422  Reports and Information Exchange	    76
      423  Data Management and Archival	    81
      4.2.4  Expert Review of Plans and Results	    82
      425  Public Awareness	    83
                                    IV

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                    TABLE OF CONTENTS (continued)
   43 USES OF MONITORING, RESEARCH, AND SURVEILLANCE DATA ..    83

      43.1  Enforcement Actions	    84
      43.2  Changes in Permit Conditions	    84
      433  Changes in Monitoring Activities	    84

5.0 REFERENCES	    85


Appendix A  STRATEGY FOR MONITORING, RESEARCH, AND SURVEILLANCE
           OF THE 106-MILE DEEPWATER MUNICIPAL SLUDGE SITE

Appendix B  MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING

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                         LIST OF TABLES
                                                           Page
TABLE 3-1.  ANALYTICAL PARAMETERS INCLUDED IN ONGOING
          TIER 1 MONITORING  	   36
TABLE 3-2.  DEPTHS OF INSTRUMENTATION ON MOORED ARRAYS  	

TABLE 3-3.  SUGGESTED PARAMETERS FOR LABORATORY ANALYSIS OF
          THE MATERIAL CAPTURED BY THE SEDIMENT TRAPS	

TABLE 3-4.  PARAMETERS THAT WELL BE DETERMINED BY NOAA IN
          SF.PTMF.NT ORGANISMS COLLECTED AT THE 106-MILE SITE .

TABLE 4-1.  RESPONSIBILITIES FOR MONITORING, RESEARCH,
          AND SURVEILLANCE DURING 1990-1992	
TABLE 4-2.  SUMMARY OF REPORTS THAT WILL BE DEVELOPED
          UNDER THE 106-MILE SITE MONITORING, RESEARCH,
          AND SURVEILLANCE PLAN	
50
53
57
71
79
                               VI

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                         LIST OF FIGURES
 FIGURE 1-1. LOCATION OF THE 106-MILE DEEPWATER MUNICIPAL
          SLUDGE DUMP SHE	    4

 FIGURE 1-2. PREDICTIONS INCLUDED IN THE 1988 EPA
          MONITORING PROGRAM	    7

 FIGURE 1-3. MONITORING TIERS ADDRESS PERMIT COMPLIANCE
          AND IMPACT ASSESSMENT	    8

 FIGURE 2-1. SIGHTINGS OF ENDANGERED SPECIES DURING
          BASELINE MONITORING	   15

 FIGURE 2-2. CURRENT METER RESULTS BETWEEN JANUARY 1989
          AND SEPTEMBER 1989 FROM EPA REAL-TIME CURRENT
          METER MOORING AT THE 106-MILE SITE 	   21

 FIGURE 2-3. WIDTH OF SLUDGE PLUMES VERSUS TIME
          AFTER DUMPING 	   23

 FIGURE 2-4. COPPER CONCENTRATIONS IN SLUDGE PLUMES VERSUS TIME
          FOR PLUMES SAMPLED IN OCTOBER 1988	   24

 FIGURE 2-5. CONCEPTUAL DIAGRAM OF DILUTION OF SLUDGE
          PARCELS UNDER TWO MIXING CONDITIONS	   25

 FIGURE 2-6. TRAJECTORIES OF DRIFTERS RELEASED AT THE SITE	   30

 FIGURE 3-1. POSSIBLE STATIONS FOR CTD AND
          DRIFTER DEPLOYMENTS  	   45

 FIGURE 3-2.106-MILE SITE SEDIMENT TRAP MOORING LOCATIONS	   48

 FIGURE 3-3. MOORING DESIGN CURRENT METERS AND
          SEDIMENT TRAP LOCATIONS	   51

 FIGURE 3-4. PROPOSED LOCATIONS FOR NOAA SEDIMENT AND TRAWL
          STATIONS	   62

FIGURE 3-5. PROPOSED LOCATIONS FOR NOAA MYCTOPHID
          SURVEYS	   65

FIGURE 4-1. MASTER SCHEDULE CONDUCTED AS OF OCTOBER 1990
          FOR THE MONITORING, RESEARCH,
          AND SURVEILLANCE PROGRAM	   74
                              vii

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                     LIST OF FIGURES (continued)


                                                             Page

FIGURE 4-2. TIER 2 AND TIER 3 MONITORING AND RESEARCH
          ACTIVITIES, DATA SOURCES, DATA
          PROCESSING REPORTS, AND SYNTHESIS	   77

FIGURE 4-3. NOAA NMFS ODEA-FUNDED RESEARCH AND
          MONITORING ACTIVITIES, DATA SOURCES,
          REPORTS, AND DATA SYNTHESIS	   78
                               viii

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                              EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

 In 1972, the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act of 1972 (MPRSA, Pub.L. 92-
 532) was passed to regulate the disposal of wastes in the ocean. As amended, MPRSA is the
 primary legislative authority directly related to ocean dumping. In 1988, Congress passed the
 Ocean Dumping Ban Act of 1988 (ODBA) to end the practice of ocean dumping of sewage
 sludge and industrial waste by December 31,1991. OBDA also required that the
 Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in cooperation with the National Oceanic and
 Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the United States Coast Guard (USCG), design a
 monitoring program for the 106-Mile Site and the environs that may be impacted by the
 dumping of sewage sludge. In addition to requiring increased monitoring of the area, the joint
 Monitoring Plan required by ODBA was to include (1) sampling of an appropriate number of
 fish and shellfish species and  other organisms to assess the effects of environmental conditions
 on living marine organisms in the areas of interest and (2) use of satellite and other advanced
 technologies in conducting the program.

 In responding to the ODBA requirements, EPA, NOAA, and the USCG convened a
 workshop in Ocean City, New Jersey, March 28 - 30,1989, to address concerns about the
 potential impact on fisheries and about the human health risks of disposing sewage sludge at
 the 106-Mile Site, to assist in  the process of identifying critical monitoring, research, and
 surveillance needs relative to the 106-Mile Site, and to develop recommendations for future
 research, monitoring, and surveillance activities at the 106-Mile Site.

 Building on the previous EPA Monitoring Plan for the 106-Mile Site plus input from the 106-
 Mile Site Workshop, EPA/NOAA/USCG prepared the ODBA-required Monitoring Plan.
 This document summarizes the activities, hypotheses, and implementation schedule that the
 agencies have developed.

 A key feature of the plan is the retention of the tiered monitoring approach of the previous
 EPA Monitoring Plan for the 106-Mile Site.  In addition, many of the activities being
 conducted under the EPA Monitoring Plan have been retained. However,  an expanded
 program to determine the transport and fate of sludge is presented. This expanded program
 will use state-of-the-art physical oceanographic techniques such as satellite-tracked surface
 drifters, satellite imagery of sea-surface temperature, expendable current profilers, and an
 extensive sediment-trap program to evaluate the movement of sludge away from the dump
 site.  Also, a series of studies has been conceived to determine if sludge can be detected in
 sediments located both near the site and at potential depositional areas away from the site.
 Several studies of the potential effects of sludge disposal at the 106-Mile Site are also planned.
 These will include measurement of sludge-related contaminants hi benthic organisms,
 assessment of shellfish populations for the prevalence of shell disease, and evaluation of
 midwater fish species for contaminants, plus other more specific studies.

 Many of the activities to be  conducted under this plan will be funded by fees and penalties
generated under ODBA. However, EPA and the NOAA National Underseas Research
Program (NURP) are supplying additional funds to support many of the planned activities.
                                         IX

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Section 1 of this plan summarizes the history of disposal at the 106-Mile Site, establishes the
regulatory basis for monitoring the site, reviews the hypotheses and monitoring activities
proposed under the EPA Monitoring Plan that preceded this plan, and discusses activities
occurring since the passage of ODBA that have resulted in the this joint EPA/NOAA/ USCG
Monitoring, Research, and Surveillance Plan for the 106-Mile Site and Environs. Results of
monitoring under the original EPA plan are summarized in Section 2 to provide a perspective
on the activities that will be conducted as part of the joint Monitoring Plan (discussed in
Section 3). Schedules for planned activities, communication and reports, and planned data
usage are given in Section 4.

Prior to finalizing the plan, a Federal Blue Ribbon Panel was convened by EPA/NOAA/
USCG to receive comments from a peer review of the draft plan. The comments received by
the panel have been incorporated in to this final plan.

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                               ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

 This joint Monitoring Plan was prepared under the guidance of a working group composed of
 scientists from the Environmental Protection Agency, National Oceanic and Atmospheric
 Administration, and United States Coast Guard. Working group participants included

     Mr. David Redford, EPA OMEP
     Mr. Darrell Brown, EPA OMEP
     Mr. Doug Pabst, EPA Region IE
     Dr. Joel O'Connor, EPA Region H
     Mr. Hal Walker, EPA ERLN
     Dr. Andrew Robertson, NOAA OAD
     Dr. Hank Frey, NOAA NOS
     Dr. Frank Aikman, NOAA NOS
     Dr. Kurt Hess, NOAA NOS
     Dr. Hal Stanford, NOAA NOS
     Mr. Stan Chanesman, NOAA NMFS
     Dr. Jack Pearce, NOAA NMFS
     Mr. Richard Lyons, USCG
     Dr. Carlton Hunt, Battelle
     Dr. Scott McDowell, Battelle
     Dr. Van Waddell, SAIC

Additional technical input and information concerning planned research program
were provided by

    Dr. Robert Murchelano, NOAA NMFS
    Mr. Jay O'Reilly, NOAA NMFS
    Dr. Merton Ingham, NOAA NMFS
    Dr. Carl Sinderman, NOAA NMFS
    Dr. Harris White, NOAA NOS
    Mr. David Duane, NOAA NURP
    Dr. Richard Cooper, University of Connecticut
    Dr. Fred Grassle, Rutgers University

Drs. Christine Werme and Carlton Hunt of Battelle Ocean Sciences drafted the original text
and addressed comments of the working group.  An intensive review of the joint Monitoring
Plan was conducted by

    Dr. Pierre Biscaye, Lament Daugherty Geological Observatory
    Dr. Paul Boehm, Arthur D. Little, Inc.
    Dr. Judith Cappuzzo McDowell, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
    Dr. Richard Cooper, The University of Connecticut
    Dr. Fredrick Grassle, Rutgers University
    Dr. Malcolm Spaulding, The University of Rhode Island
    Dr. Larry Swanson, State University of New York, Stony Brook
                                        XI

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The comments from these reviewers were received by a Federal Blue Ribbon Panel of
Experts convened by EPA, NOAA, and USCG. Members of the Federal Blue Ribbon Panel
include

    Mr. David Redford, EPA
    Mr. Bill Muir, EPA
    Mr. Doug Pabst, EPA
    Mr. Hal Walker, EPA
    Dr. Andrew Robertson, NOAA
    Ms. Nancy Foster, NOAA
    Dr. Tom O'Connor, NOAA
    Dr. Jack Pearce, NOAA
    Mr. Richard Lyons, USCG
                                      XII

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                    LIST OF ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS

 AVHRR     advanced very high resolution radiometer
 CPUE        catch per unit effort
 CTD         conductivity/temperature/depth
 DDT         dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane
 EIS          Environmental Impact Statement
 EPA         Environmental Protection Agency
 FY90         fiscal year 1990
 FY91         fiscal year 1991
 LC50         lethal concentration for 50 percent of test organisms
 LFM         limited-area, fine-mesh
 LPC         limiting permissible concentration
 MARMAP    Marine Resources Monitoring, Assessment, and Prediction [program]
 MASAR      Middle Atlantic Slope and Rise [program]
 MPRSA      Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act of 1972
 MOU         memorandum of understanding
 NESDIS      National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service
 NIST         National Institute of Standards and Technology
 NMFS        National Marine Fisheries Service
 NOAA        National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
 NODC        National Ocean Data Center
 NOS        National Ocean Service
 NRC        National Research Council of Canada
 NS&T       National Status and Trends
 NURP       National Undersea Research Program
 NWS        National Weather Service
 ODBA       Ocean Dumping Ban Act of 1988
 ODES       Ocean Data Evaluation System
 ODNF       Ocean Dumping Notification Form
 ODSS        Ocean Dumping Surveillance System
 PAH        polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbon
 PC          personal computer
 PCB         polychlorinated biphenyl
 SEEP        Shelf Edge Exchange Processes [program]
 SST         sea-surface temperature
 USCG        United States Coast Guard
 UV          ultraviolet
WQC        water quality criteria
XBT         expendable bathythermograph
XCP         expendable current profiler

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                                 1.0 INTRODUCTION

       The only ocean disposal site in the United States designated for dumping of sewage
 sludge is the 106-Mile Deepwater Municipal Sludge Dump Site (106-Mile Site). In 1984, the
 Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) designated the 106-Mile Site to receive municipal
 sewage sludge. The site designation expires in March 1991.  Currently, sludge from the New
 York/New Jersey Metropolitan area is dumped at the site. Disposal operations were
 transferred from the 12-Mile Site, located in the New York Bight, beginning in 1986.  By late
 1987, all authorities permitted to conduct ocean disposal of sewage sludge were using the 106-
 Mile Site.
       During 1986 and 1987, EPA developed a draft Monitoring Plan for the 106-Mile Site
 (Battelle 1988a,b). This joint Monitoring Plan was designed to develop information on
 potential adverse  effects of sludge on marine life and human health and to gain information
 regarding continued site management and permitting. Under this plan, EPA conducted
 baseline studies plus several surveys designed to evaluate nearfield fate and short-term effects.

       In  November 1988, Congress passed the Ocean Dumping Ban Act of 1988 (ODBA)
 that ends ocean dumping of sewage sludge and industrial waste by 1991, or as soon after as
 possible. One of. the requirements of ODBA is that EPA, the National Oceanic and
 Atmospheric Administration  (NOAA), and the United States Coast Guard (USCG) design  a
 monitoring program for the 12-Mile Site, the 106-Mile Site, the industrial-waste sites, and
 other areas that might be impacted by dumping. The required monitoring program is to
 include (1) sampling an appropriate number of fish and shellfish species and other organisms
 to assess the effects of environmental conditions on living marine organisms in these areas
 and (2) use of satellite and other advanced technologies in conducting the program. ODBA
 also requires the payment of fees and  penalties by those holding permits to dispose of sludge
 at the 106-Mile Site. A portion of these fees goes to EPA and NOAA to conduct monitoring
 and research, and to the USCG to conduct surveillance operations.
       This document responds to the ODBA requirement for increased monitoring by
 presenting a joint  EPA, NOAA, and USCG Monitoring, Research, and Surveillance Plan for
 the 106-Mile Site (joint  Monitoring Plan). Activities to be conducted under this plan will be
funded in part by  fees and penalties generated under ODBA.  However, the EPA and NOAA

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National Underseas Research Program (NURP) are supplying additional funds to support
many of the activities proposed in this plan.
       The plan is presented in four sections.  Section 1 develops the history of disposal at
the 106-Mile Site, establishes the  regulatory basis for monitoring the site, reviews the previous
EPA Monitoring Plan, and discusses activities since the passage of ODBA that have resulted
in the joint Monitoring Plan for the 106-Mile Site. A summary of results gathered under the
EPA 106-Mile Site Monitoring Plan is presented in Section 2 to provide a perspective on the
activities that will be conducted as part of the joint Monitoring Plan, discussed in Section 3.
Schedules for planned activities, communication, reports, and planned data usage are
presented in Section 4.

             1.1 HISTORY OF  WASTE DISPOSAL AT THE 106-MILE SITE

       Designation of the 106-Mile Site resulted from the EPA decision to end municipal
sludge disposal at the 12-Mile Site, located within the apex of the New York Bight. The 12-
Mile Site had been used for disposal of municipal sludges since 1924. From 1981 until the
106-Mile Site was designated in 1984, sludge was dumped at the 12-Mile Site under a court
order resulting from City of New  York v. EPA, 543  Supp. 1084 (S.D.N.Y. 1981).
       When the 106-Mile Site was designated, the sewerage authorities involved negotiated a
court-ordered  schedule to shift operations offshore.  Phasing out the use of the 12-Mile Site
and phasing in the use of the  106-Mile Site took place during 1986-1987. The nine sewerage
authorities that use the site are
          Westchester County Department of Environmental Facilities, New York
          Bergen County Utilities Authority, New Jersey
          Joint Meeting of Essex and Union County, New Jersey
          Linden Roselle Sewerage Authority, New Jersey
          Rahway Valley Sewerage Authority, New Jersey
          Middlesex County Utilities Authority, New Jersey
          Passaic Valley Sewerage Authority, New Jersey
          Nassau County Department of Public Works, New York
          New York City Department of Environmental Protection, New York
Although the 106-Mile Site was not designated until 1984, it had been used for past disposal.
Originally, it was part of a larger disposal site.  Approximately 500 nmi2 (al715 km7') in area,
that site had been used since  1961 for disposal of chemical wastes and other materials. The
original large site came under EPA regulation in 1978, and in 1982 EPA published its

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 intention of formal designation.  However, concern that mixed dumping of municipal sludges
 and industrial wastes would complicate monitoring efforts led to a decision to designate two
 smaller sites within the larger one. The resulting 106-Mile Site is approximately 100 nmi2
 («343 km2), with boundaries at 38°40'00* to 39°00'00" north latitude and 72°00'00" to
 72°05'00" west longitude.  Its location is approximately 120 nmi southeast of Ambrose Light,
 New York, and 115 nmi (w213 km) from Atlantic City, New Jersey (Figure 1-1).
       The Deepwater Industrial Waste Site was also designated within the original larger site
 in 1984.  The Deepwater Industrial Waste Site is circular, with a radius of 3 nmi and a center
 at 38°40'00* north latitude and 72°20'00" west longitude. The area of the site is
 approximately 28 nmi2.  It is located 120 nmi southeast from Ambrose Light and 105 nmi
 from Atlantic City, New Jersey.  Although the site was used during the late 1970s and early
 1980s, no dumping now occurs at the Deepwater Industrial Waste Site. Any effects of waste
 disposal  at the site are thought to have been transient and short-lived, because concentrations
 of wastes disposed at the site were reduced to very low levels within 2 h after dumping,  and
 waste plumes were small (O'Connor and Park, 1982).
       Sludge disposal at the  106-Mile Site now proceeds according to permits issued in 1989.
 An estimated 8 to  9 million wet tons of sewage sludge is dumped at the site annually.
 Although the general characteristics of the sludge will vary from plant to plant, the material
 being dumped at the site is primarily biological sludge.  Biological sludge may contain small
 amounts of debris, such as grit, paper, and fibers. The sludges disposed at the site are
 somewhat buoyant, comprising 2 to 4 percent solid material. The sludge contains trace levels
 of organic contaminants, such as aldrin,  dieldrin, chlordane, heptachlor epoxide, DDT and its
 degradation products, and  polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB). Metals, including cadmium,
 copper, chromium, and mercury, are also present at trace levels.  The sludges are not
 permitted to contain  any floatable materials. EPA is requiring the permittees to sample
 quarterly for floatables.

                  12 THE REGULATORY BASIS FOR MONITORING

      The Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act (MPRSA) of 1972 presents the
U.S. policy to regulate the dumping of all types of materials into ocean waters and to prevent

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  77 '90'   78 °00'    75 °00'   74 °00'   73 °0(T    72 °00'   71-°00'    70 °00'   69 °00'
41800'
40s 00' -
39'00' -
33s 00
37«00' -
35"
     °00'    76 °00'   75 °00'   74 "00'    73 °00'   72 °00'   71 °00'    70 °0()'   69
ifOO
 FIGURE 1-1.    LOCATION OF THE 106-MILE DEEPWATER MUNICIPAL SLUDGE
                DUMP SHE

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or strictly limit the dumping of any material that would adversely affect human health,
welfare, or amenities, or the marine environment, ecological systems, or economic
potentialities. Acting under the MPRSA, EPA has published regulations and criteria for
ocean dumping.  The most recent revisions to these regulations were published in 1977 (40
CFR Parts  220-229).
       Under the MPRSA, EPA is responsible for (1) site designation—conducting disposal
site evaluation and designation studies and recommending modifications in site use or
designation; (2) permits—regulating times, rates, and methods of disposal and quantities and
types of materials that can be disposed; and (3) monitoring—developing and maintaining
effective monitoring programs. These three functions are interrelated and are intended to
prevent unreasonable degradation of the environment.  The MPRSA also directs NOAA to
conduct monitoring and long-range research on the effects of ocean dumping. The MPRSA
assigns the  USCG responsibility for surveillance of ocean dumping activities in conjunction
with EPA.

                13 PREVIOUS MONITORING OF THE 106-MILE SITE:
     DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF EPA'S MONITORING PLAN

       Acting under the MPRSA and the ocean dumping regulations, EPA developed and
initiated implementation of a Monitoring Plan [most recently updated in March  1988
(Battelle, 1988a,b)] to determine whether (1) conditions of permits to dump sludge were met
and (2) sludge dumping at the site adversely affected the environment or human health.
Although permit conditions are set to protect the  environment, EPA's monitoring efforts have
assessed not only whether those conditions are being met, but also whether the conditions  are
sufficiently  protective.
       EPA's Monitoring Plan considered characteristics of the site and the sludge to predict
possible impacts of sludge disposal and to formulate the null hypotheses  that these predictions
suggest. The following impact  categories itemized in the ocean dumping regulations were
used to develop predictions of possible impacts:
         Impingement of sludge onto shorelines
         Movement of sludge into marine sanctuaries or shellfishery or fishery areas
         Effects of sludge on commercial fisheries
         Accumulation of sludge constituents in biota
         Progressive changes  in water quality related to sludge disposal

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      •  Progressive changes in sediment composition related to sludge disposal,
      •  Impacts on pollution-sensitive species or life-cycle stages as a result of sludge
         disposal
      •  Impacts on endangered species as a result of sludge disposal
      •  Progressive changes in pelagic, demersal, or benthic biological communities as a
         result of sludge disposal
The predictions developed for each of these impact categories are summarized in Figure 1-2.
These predictions served as the conceptual foundation for formulating testable null
hypotheses. The  hypotheses addressed assessment of permit compliance as well as assessment
of potential impacts.
      EPA's Monitoring Plan presented an overview of the implementation of the
monitoring program, including a description of how questions about the impacts of
monitoring were  organized into  a framework of tiers. The tiered approach organized the null
hypotheses into a hierarchy, whereby data collected in each tier were used as the foundation
for the design and extent of monitoring activities in the next tier.  Such an approach ensured
that only information needed for making decisions would  be collected (Zeller ami Wastler,
1986).
      The four tiers included in the 106-Mile Site monitoring program were as follows:
      •  Tier 1: Sludge Characteristics and Disposal Operations
      •  Tier 2: Nearfield Fate and  Short-Term Effects
      •  Tier 3: Farfield Fate
      •  Tier 4: Long-Term Effects
Activities planned under these tiers assessed permit compliance and impacts (Figure 1-3).

                     1.4 DEVELOPMENT OF A NEW STRATEGY
              FOR MONITORING, RESEARCH, AMD SURVEILLANCE

      In 1988, the Congress passed the Ocean Dumping Ban Act (ODBA), legislation that
amended the MPRSA and was aimed  at ending ocean dumping of municipal sludges and
industrial wastes  by December 31, 1991. One requirement of ODBA was to develop a
monitoring program for the  106-Mile Site and the region that could be affected by sludge
disposal at the site.
      In response to the ODBA requirements, EPA, NOAA, and the USCG held a
workshop in March 1989 to solicit recommendations for monitoring, research, and surveillance
of the 106-Mile Site. Discussions at the workshop focused on four questions:

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        Impingement of sludge onto shorelines.

        P-l:  Sewage sludges dumped at the 186-Uile
        Site  will  probably not  inpact any shoreline
        in detectable quantities.

        UoveMAt of sludge  into mtrinc sanctuaries
        or shel(fishery  or fishery *r«as.

        P-2:  Uarine sanctuaries and  she!(fishery
        areas will probably not be  impacted by
        shoreward movements of  sludge.

        P-3:  Sewage sludge aay  be transported to the
        continental slope and shelf  where fisheries
        activities exist.

        Effects of sludge on commercial  fisheries.

        P-4:  The  iipact of  sludge dumping on
        commercial fisheries,  expressed  as  direct
        decrease  in  fish stocks or decrease in  eggs
        or larvae, will  probably not be  detected,
        and the use  of any  area for fishing will not
        be reduced.

        Accumulation of sludge constituents in
        biota.

        P-S: Bioaccumulation of  low levels  of
        contaeinants associated with sewage sludge
        froa the  186-Mile site will occur,  from tiie
        to tiie,  at the site or directly adjacent  to
        the site, by migrating fishes or
        invertebrates, but may be difficult to
        distinguish froe other potential sources.

        P-fl: Bioaccueulation of  low levels of
        contaminants by  resident continental
        shelf/slope fishes or  invertebrates eay
        occur,  depending on direction and extent of
        transport of sludge to these areas, but eay
        be difficult to distinguish free
        bioaccusulation  froe other potential
        sources.

        Progressive changes in  water quality.

        P-7: Sewage sludge movement and transport
        beyond the site  boundaries eay result  in
        significant iepact on  the water quality
        beyond the site.

        P-8: Sludge constituents may be found  in
        significant quantities  within the site at
        all  tiees and eay persist beyond four hours
         after  disposal.  Chronic effects on marine
        biota  are possible.
P-9:  Though certain sludge constituents aay
be detectable well outside the site, these
levels are not expected  to have significant
effect on marine biota.

Progressivo changes  in sadiment composition.

P-1B: Sludge particles may settle outside
the disposal site boundaries.  However, this
settling will occur  over a very  large  and  as
yet undefined area.   The resultant changes
in sedieent composition, the destruction of
habitat, and/or the  accumulation  of sludge
constituents  in surficial sediments will
probably be nil to minimal.

Impacts on pollution-sensitive species.

P-ll: The disposal of sewage sludge probably
will  not cause  long-term impacts on
pollution-sensitive species or life-cycle
stages  in  the water column or the sedieents
of the  106-Uila Site  region.  Effects may  be
detectable,  but  local and short-lived.

P-12: The  sea-surface microlayer  in the
disposal  site and in  an  undefined area
adjacent to  the site  and the sensitive life
stages  of  marine biota  within may be
affected by  the surface-active components
and  nonpolar pollutant  compounds  present  in
sludges.

 Impacts on endangered species.

 P-13: Endangered species of mammals or
 reptiles will probably  not  be impacted by
 sewage  sludge disposal  at the 106-Uile Site.

 Progressive changes in  biological
 coemunitios.

 P-14: Due to nutrient enrichment in the
 upper water column,  there may be a  localized
 increase in primary productivity related  to
 individual sewage plumes.

 P-15: There will  probably be no  long-ten or
 large-scale  impact  on the plankton community
 as a result of sludge disposal at the 106-
 Uile Site.

 P-16: Due to the expected absence of  sewage
 sludge particles in the demersal or benthic
 environment, no effects on  the benthic or
 demersal community  structures are likely.
FIGURE 1-2.   PREDICTIONS INCLUDED IN THE 1988 EPA MONITORING PLAN
                   (Battelle, 1988a)

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00
       ASSESSMENT OF PERMIT COMPLIANCE
        - Methods o!  Disposal
        — Sludge Constituents
        — Disposal Rales
        — Limiting Permissible Concentrations
        - Water Quality Criteria
ASSESSMENT OF POTENTIAL IMPACTS
— Shoreline Impingement
— Movement into Marine Sanctuaries
— Eflecl on Commercial Fisheries
— Accumulation in  Biota
— Changes in Water Quality
— Changes in Sediment Composition
— Absence o! Sensitive Species
— Absence ol Endangered Species
— Changes in Biological Communities
                                                                            TIER 1
                                                          WASTE CHARACTERISTICS/DISPOSAL OPERATIONS
                                                          Assessing information on the characteristics of
                                                          the sludge and on the disposal  operations.
                                                                           TIER 2
                                                            NEARFIELD FATE 4 SHORT-TERM EFFECTS
                                                          Assessing late and ellecl ol sludge within and
                                                          in the vicinity ol (he site.
                                                                                   TIER 3
                                                                                FARFIELD FATE
                                                                 Assessing direction and areal exlenl ol transport
                                                                 ol sludge beyond the site and over the long term.
                                                                                   TIER 4
                                                                            LONG-TERM EFFECTS
                                                                 Assessing long-term eiiects Ihat are a result o5
                                                                 sludge disposal at the site.
         FIGURE 1-3. MONITORING TIERS ADDRESS PERMIT COMPLIANCE AND IMPACT ASSESSMENT

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       (1)   What is the physical and chemical fate of the sewage sludge dumped at the
            106-Mile Site?
       (2)   What is the effect of sludge dumping at the 106-Mile Site on living marine
            resources?
       (3)   What is the effect of sludge dumping at the 106-Mile Site on human
            health?
       (4)   Are there changes in site designation, permits, or surveillance that can
            provide better protection of the environment, living marine resources, or
            human health?
       During the workshop, participants assessed available information concerning the 106-
Mile Site and the dumping activities. Because EPA's monitoring program already focused on
the issues described in ODBA, EPA's Monitoring Plan provided the focus for many of the
discussions.  Participants examined the potential effects on marine life and the risks to human
health associated with sludge dumping at the site. They discussed whether changes in the
existing monitoring, research, and surveillance efforts were needed, and they provided
recommendations for refining EPA's Monitoring Plan. The workshop also identified research
needs. The proceedings of the workshop are detailed in EPA (1989).
       NOAA, EPA, and USCG used the recommendations and findings from the workshop
to develop a joint strategy (attached as Appendix A) for monitoring, research, and
surveillance (EPA, NOAA, and USCG, 1989). The agencies considered priorities and
available resources as well as recommendations from the workshop in developing the strategy.
       Implementation of the strategy is being accomplished through close cooperation
among NOAA, EPA, and USCG. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) defines the
roles of each agency (attached as Appendk B), and an interagency agreement administers the
MOU. Interagency coordination will include conducting joint ocean surveys, planning, and
data interpretation.  The joint monitoring, research, and surveillance plan described in
Section 3 is based on the strategy developed by the agencies.  The joint Monitoring Plan
supersedes all previous plans, including EPA's Monitoring Plan. However, because many of
the monitoring needs for the 106-Mile Site have already been provided by EPA's monitoring
program, Section 2 of this plan describes those results.

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                  2.0 PAST MONITORING OF THE 106-MILE SITE:
                    RESULTS FROM EPA'S MONITORING PLAN

      Several programs conducted in the vicinity of the 106-Mile Site have already provided
information to meet the requirement of ODBA to monitor the effects of dumping at the site.
EPA's 106-Mile Site monitoring program, already in place when ODBA was passed, provided
much of the necessary information. Therefore, the results from that program are summarized
in this section.
      Other relevant monitoring and research programs include NOAA's Northeast
Monitoring Program and Marine Resources Monitoring, Assessment, and Prediction Program
(MARMAP) and EPA's baseline evaluation of a  potential ocean incineration site that would
have been contiguous to the southern border of the site. Results from these programs were
used in EPA's monitoring program and are included in this section's discussion of baseline
studies.  Complete reviews of these and other programs have been prepared by Battelle (1986,
1988c, 1989a).
      EPA's plan is now superseded by the joint EPA/NOAA/USCG monitoring, research,
and surveillance plan that is presented in Section 3.  The remainder of Section 2 presents the
framework of EPA's plan  and results that have been obtained from baseline studies and
monitoring.

           2.1 BACKGROUND INFORMATION AND BASELINE STUDIES

      A wealth of information on chemical and physical characteristics and baseline
biological conditions at the 106-Mile Site is available from studies performed during the past
decade. This information was used to develop the framework of EPA's 106-Mile Site
Monitoring Plan (Battelle, 1988a). It will also be used as the baseline information against
which monitoring results are being compared.
      Information available on the physiography, physical oceanography, and baseline
chemical and biological characteristics of the 106-Mile Site and surrounding regions was
summarized in EPA's Monitoring Plan. An extensive review is also found in NOAA (1983),
which updated information summarized in the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
prepared as part of the process to designate the site.

                                         10

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                                 2.1.1 Dissolved Oxygen

       Atmospheric gases such as oxygen dissolve in seawater. At a given temperature and
salinity and in the absence of biological activity, the concentration of dissolved gases in
seawater in contact  with the atmosphere will reach an equilibrium value.  This value is known
as the saturation value.  Because the amount of oxygen that can dissolve in seawater varies
inversely with temperature, the saturation value of oxygen for wanner surface waters is lower
than for colder water. Thus, during the winter months, oxygen concentrations are expected to
be higher than during the summer months.  Saturation values for  oxygen in seawater with
salinity near 32 °/oo are 73, 6.4, 5.9, and 5.1 mL/L for temperatures of 4°, 10°, 15°, and 20°C.
       In addition to the dependence on  temperature, oxygen concentration in seawater is
affected by biological processes that can either produce or consume oxygen.  The former may
increase the oxygen concentration; the later will decrease the oxygen concentration, especially
in water that is isolated from atmospheric exchange processes. Thus, biological processes may
cause the oxygen content of the seawater  in the open ocean to be above or below the
saturation value expected from equilibration with the atmosphere.  Generally, these processes
result in a gradual lowering of dissolved-oxygen concentrations with depth within the upper
500 m of water.
       At the 106-Mile Site, the average monthly dissolved-oxygen levels in the surface water
range from 4.9 mL/L in August to 7.5 mL/L in April (Warsh, 1975). These values reflect
typical saturation values for surface waters.  Similar dissolved-oxygen concentrations were
observed in surface  waters during 1986 and 1988 surveys of the site (Battelle, 1988d, 1989b).
The oxygen-minimum zone is located between 200 and 300 m, with oxygen values ranging
from 3.0 mL/L in  February to 3.5 mL/L in September. These values reflect oxygen
consumption typically occurring at these depths in the ocean.  An oxygen-maximum zone
develops over several months, ranging from 7.0 mL/L at 30 m during August to 8.2 mL/L at
10 m during February.
                                          11

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                                   2.1.2 Trace Metals

       Results of studies of trace elements in the water column at the 106-Mile Site
(Hausknecht, 1977; EPA, 1980; Battelle, 1987a) indicated that levels of mercury and zinc were
comparable to those found in the open ocean and on the continental shelf.  Badqjround
concentrations of cadmium, copper, and lead in the water column at the site were considered
comparable to other oceanic regions (Battelle 1988c-e, 1989b).
       Concentrations of trace metals in the sediments in the vicinity of the site vary
considerably, depending on local topography, depth, and sediment grain size. Baseline
sediment samples collected by NOAA in the vicinity of the site contained higher levels of
trace elements than sediments on the adjacent continental shelf (Pearce et al., 1975).  These
concentrations may be higher than values found in other studies because of the proximity of
sampling stations to the Hudson Canyon. NOAA (1977) analyzed five trace  elements at the
site, EPA analyzed eight trace elements at the site (Battelle, 1987a), and Bothner et al.
(1987a,b) analyzed 12 trace elements southwest and northeast of the site.  The metal
concentrations in the surface sediments from these baseline studies were found comparable
and are characteristic of uncontaminated natural sediments of similar  mineral composition.

                               2.13 Organic Compounds

       Concentrations of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), pesticides, and
polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) in sediments collected in the vicinity of the site are low (low
parts per billion) and appear  comparable to those found in sediments from remote
continental slope areas.  In addition, baseline hydrocarbon levels in sediments at  the site were
lower than those found at other dumpsites in shallower waters (Greig and Wenzloff, 1977).

                                2.1.4  Benthic Organisms

       Benthic invertebrate samples collected and analyzed by Pearce et al. (1975, 1977)
showed no significant differences in numbers of individuals, numbers and types of species
present, or diversity between stations at similar depths inside and outside the site,,  More
recently, Battelle found infaunal densities and species compositions at the site similar to slope

                                          12

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areas of similar depths north and south of the site (Maciolek, 1987). The latter studies
recorded densities of 3567 to 5361 individuals per square meter at depths of 2000 to 2500 m.

                          2.1.5 Plankton and Pelagic Organisms

       Although there is considerable information about the plankton and pelagic organisms
that inhabit the continental slope and shelf waters directly inshore from the site, little
information is available on the flora and fauna that inhabit the immediate vicinity of the 106-
Mile Site.  Most of the information available indicates a patchy and highly variable
community of plankton and higher organisms.  The annual cycle of phytoplankton biomass in
the area of the 106-Mile Site tends to be bimodal, with peaks occurring in March and
November/December (NOAA, 1983). The spring bloom is dominated by netplankton (size
greater than 20 ^m) at depths of 60 to 2000 m.  The fall bloom tends to be dominated equally
by netplankton and nanoplankton (size less than 20 pm).  During cooler months of the year,
standing stocks of zooplankton in the site region are as high as at inshore areas (NOAA,
1983). However, peaks are reached earlier in the year at offshore regions than at inshore
regions. Larval fishes collected at and surrounding the 106-Mile Site by MARMAP include
209 taxa representing 73 families (NOAA,  1983). Most of these are slope-water and oceanic
species, along with some shelf species that  are transported offshore via the Gulf Stream from
the Mid-Atlantic Bight and south of Cape  Hatteras.
       Midwater finfishes found within the 106-Mile Site are mainly slope-water species and
species transported to the area by Gulf Stream eddies.  Many of these fishes, such as lantern
and hatchet fishes (Families Myctophidae and Sternopychidae) migrate vertically in the area,
from depths of several hundred meters in the daytime to 0 to 200 m at night (NOAA, 1977).
       Two species of squid, long-finned (Loligo pealei) and short-finned (Illex illecebrosus),
are found in the vicinity of the site.  Thirty-one species of open-ocean predators have been
observed and  identified as they moved through the site, including sharks, swordfish,  and
tunas; however, these predators do not appear to be long-term residents of the site.
       Cohen and Pawson (1977) observed 55 species of bottom fishes near the site.  Most of
these were rarely encountered and included the eel Synaphobranchus kaupi, the morid
Antimora rostrata, the rattails Nematonurus  armatus and Lionurus carapinus, the halosaur
Halosauropsis  macrochir, and the lizard fish Bathysaurus ferox. Tilefish, Lopholatilus

                                           13

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chamaeleonticeps, are fished commercially in continental shelf areas inshore of the site.
Tilefish and the red crab, Geryon quinquedens, have been identified as relatively nonmobile
and commercial species that may be suitable for bioaccumulation studies (Battelle, 1987b).
Although the two species are not resident within the 106-Mile Site or in deep water south of
the site, they are resident in shallow areas of the slope immediately north and west of the site
and are suitable for study.

                               2.1.6 Endangered Species

       The potential effect of dumping operations on the distributions of endangered species
at the 106-Mile Site is of public concern.  Endangered species that occur in the 106-Mile Site
or within a broadly defined area that could be influenced by dumping include the; right whale,
Eubalena gladalis, humpback whale, Megaptera novaenangliae, sei whale, Balaenopiera borealis,
fin whale, Balaenoptera phasalus, sperm whale, Physeter macrocephalus, loggerhead turtle,
Caretta caretta, leatherback turtle, Dermochetys coriacea, and Kemp's ridley turtle, Lepidochefys
kempii (NOAA, 1988).  Sitings of endangered species during baseline monitoring are depicted
in Figure 2-1.

                                      22 TffiRl;
             WASTE CHARACTERISTICS AND DISPOSAL OPERATIONS

       The objectives of Tier 1 were to assess sludge characteristics  and disposal operations
to determine whether the assumptions made in setting permit conditions continued to be true
throughout the period that the 106-Mile Site was used. Monitoring and surveillance of sludge
characteristics and disposal operations were necessary for assessing the characteristics of
individual sludge plumes and total loading of sludge to the site.

                               22,1 Waste Characteristics

       Sewage sludge disposed at the 106-Mile Site has varying physical, chemical, and
microbial characteristics, because sewage treatment plants receive wastes from a variety of
sources.  Sludges from  each plant may also vary significantly over time.  Permit conditions
                                          14

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76'°00'      75 °00'
                                                           71 °00'
70 °00'
    4TOO'
                                                                           40°00'
                                                 • Signtmgs en EPA Nov«rno«r

                                                   1985 NAIS Survey
                                                   Sightings on OOI/MHS Nov»mo«r

                                                   198S Hid—Atlantic Surv«y
                                                   Sightings on EPA August/
                                                   S«ot«mo«r 198S Survey
35'QQ'
 HGURE 2-1.  SIGHTINGS OF ENDANGERED SPECIES DURING BASELINE
               MONITORING
                                        15

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depend on the sludge characteristics, and the design of the EPA monitoring program was
linked to the expected behavior and fate of the sludge after disposal in the ocean.
Monitoring of sludge compositions and characteristics must be related directly to
specifications in the permit that are based on an initial, thorough sludge characteiization. The
following null hypothesis was presented in EPA's Monitoring Plan:
           : The physical and chemical characteristics of sludge are consistent with waste
            characterization information supplied with the permit applications.
       The activities for testing Tier 1 hypothesis HQ! in conducting the 106-Mile Site
monitoring included
       •  Defining the variability in characteristics of sludges to be disposed of si the 106-
          Mile Site
       •  Conducting regular monitoring of sludge characteristics
       Defining the variability in sludge characteristics was necessary before EPA could
establish regular, ongoing monitoring.  EPA therefore reviewed available data from the
sewerage authorities to determine relevance, representativeness, accuracy, and precision. Data
reviewed included information from permit applications, data from quarterly reports
submitted under court order during use of the 12-Mile Site as well as the 106-Mile Site, and
the published literature (e.g., Santoro and Suszkowski, 1986; Santoro and Fikslin, 1987). This
evaluation determined that the analytical quality control and quality assurance procedures
were inadequate to determine the reliability of data from some of the sewerage authorities.
The available data were insufficient to  establish statistically valid measures of variability
(SAIC and Battelle,  1989).
       Because of uncertainty in the reliability of available data, EPA independently  sampled
and characterized sludge from the nine sewerage authorities (Battelle, 1988f). Parameters
measured included toxicity to representative marine species (Menidia beryllina and Mysidopsis
bahia), organic priority pollutants, metals (copper, lead, cadmium, and  mercury), and other
characteristics— settleable matter, total suspended solids, total solids, wet-to-dry-weight ratio,
density of solid matter, and specific gravity.  Although data from this independent study did
not provide a statistical representation of the characteristics of sludges  through time,  they
were used to evaluate the representativeness and accuracy of data submitted by the sewerage
authorities.
       The  data generated by the EPA study were generally comparable to those provided by
the sewerage authorities (Battelle, 1988f). Organic compounds were found at notably low
                                            16

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 concentrations.  Concentrations of metals were generally lower than those reported by the
 sewerage authorities.
       However, the available data were found insufficient to either accept or reject Hgl.
 Therefore, further characterization was determined to be necessary and EPA developed new
 requirements for routine monitoring of the sludge by the sewerage authorities.  The
 requirements that were developed are designed to provide better statistical evaluation of the
 changes in sludge characteristics.  These requirements are being implemented under the
 permits issued for sewage sludge disposal at the 106-Mile Site and will be part of the
 EPA/NOAA/USCG joint Monitoring Plan for the 106-Mile Site described in Section 3.2.
 Information collected by EPA was also used as a basis for calculating allowable rates for
 sludge dumping under the permits issued for the 106-Mile Site (Section 43.2).

                                222. Disposal Operations

       The permits for dumping at the 106-Mile Site specify the locations at which  sludge
 disposal may occur (i.e., sectors within the 106-Mile Site) and maximum allowable dumping
 rates. The EPA Monitoring Plan included the following null hypothesis for monitoring
 disposal operations:
       H02: Disposal rates and operations are consistent with the requirements of the  ocean
            dumping permits.
Activities included in the EPA Monitoring Plan for testing hypothesis H^ included
       •  Defining the range of disposal operations to be used at the 106-Mile Site
       •  Prescribing and conducting regular surveillance of disposal operations
The disposal operations used at the 106-Mile Site were defined by evaluating the range of
disposal methods and conditions used by the permittees (Battelle, 1989c). Among the
parameters evaluated were (1)  onboard combining of sludges from different sources, (2)
conditions during transport, and (3) methods of discharge from the barge.
       Under the EPA Monitoring Plan, ongoing surveillance of dumping operations was the
responsibility of the USCG in cooperation with EPA.  To conduct surveillance of disposal
operations, the USCG developed the  Ocean Dumping Surveillance System (ODSS), which
electronically observes barge location and dumping rate.  In addition, EPA instituted a sludge
manifest system to control in-port transfers of sludge.  This program also utilizes ship riders
                                          17

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to monitor the at-sea disposal operations.  This continuing, regular surveillance program is
described in Section 3.2.
       Based on results from 106-Mile Site nearfield surveys (Battelle, 1988e, 1989b) EPA
found that disposal rates were often too high to allow sludge concentrations to reach limiting
permissible concentrations 4 h after disposal.  These results were sufficient to determine that
Ho2 was false. Therefore, new dumping rates (Battelle, 1989d) were established based on the
results of the nearfield studies and sludge characterization studies discussed under Section
22.1.

                                      23 TIER 2:
                   NEARFIELD FATE AND SHORT-TERM EFFECTS

       The overall objective of Tier 2 monitoring was to assess the short-term behavior,
transport, and impact of sludge within the 106-Mile Site and in the immediate area
surrounding the site.  Short-term biological effects were defined as those effects occurring
within  1 day of sludge disposal.

                                   23.1 Nearfield Fate

       Measurements of nearfield fate of sludge disposed at the site have focused on issues
related to compliance with permit conditions and possible effects from sludge dis]x>sal.
EPA's Monitoring Plan presented the following hypotheses about nearfield fate.

Permit Compliance
           : Concentrations of sludge and sludge constituents are below the permitted
            limiting permissible concentrations (LPC), including water quality criteria
            (WQC), outside the site at all times.
       H04: Concentrations of sludge and sludge constituents are below the permitted LPC
            and WQC within the site 4 h after disposal.
           : Pathogen levels do not exceed ambient levels 4 h after disposal.
                                           18

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Impact Assessment
          : Sludge particles do not settle in significant quantities beneath the seasonal
            pycnocline (50 m) or to the 50-m depth at any time, within the site boundaries
            or in an area adjacent to the site.
          : The concentration of sludge constituents within the site does not exceed the LPC
            or WQC 4 h after disposal and is not detectable in the site 1 day after disposal.
       Hg8: The concentrations of sludge constituents at the site boundary or in the area
            adjacent to the site do not exceed the LPC or WQC at any time and is not
            detectable 1 day after disposal.
       H()9: The disposal of sludge does not cause a significant depletion in the dissolved
            oxygen content of the water nor a significant change in the pH of the seawater
            in the area.
       Beginning in 1987, EPA tested these hypotheses by studying the short-term, nearfield
 fate of sludges disposed at  the site.  These activities included direct studies of sludge
 plumes under varied oceanographic and meteorological conditions.  Specifically, Tier 2
 activities included
       •  Measuring sludge constituents in the water column in and near the 106-Mile Site
          to determine fate of sludge constituents with respect to permit conditions and
          ambient conditions.
       •  Conducting sludge-plume  observations to define dilution characteristics of the
          sludge and any seasonal patterns of sludge dispersion at the 106-Mile Site.
       •  Studying rapid settling of sludge particles from plumes.
       •  Measuring surface currents and water-column structure to allow estimation of
          sludge dispersion and transport.
       Measuring various sludge constituents  in the sludge plumes provided the only direct
 measurement of regulatory parameters in Tier 2. Because the physical characteristics of the
 106-Mile Site are different  in the summer from  those in the winter,  these measurements
 were made during both seasons. During the summer, a seasonal pycnocline is formed in
 the surface waters.  The shallow depth of the summer pycnocline was hypothesized to be a
 barrier to sludge settling and was thought to limit dispersion of the sludge plumes. In the
 winter, the surface mixed layer extends down to the more diffuse main pycnocline at about
 300 m. Thus, the volume of water available for mixing and dilution of sludge plumes was
 expected to be much greater in the winter than  in the summer.  Parameters measured in
 Tier 2 included chemicals that (1) occurred in municipal sludges, (2) were readily
 measurable in the receiving water, and (3) for which there are water quality criteria.  Spores
 of the microbe Clostridiwn  perfringens, a tracer of pathogens, were also enumerated.
                                           19

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      Plume-tracking measurements provided direct measurements of the fate of sludge
plumes, thereby guiding sampling efforts and also providing some information on transport,
dispersion, and settling. Plume-tracking exercises included .deployment of surface drogues
directly into sludge plumes; marking of the surface  expression of the plume with dyes; use
of in situ transmissometry, acoustics, and/or ultraviolet/fluorescence; measurement of
physical, chemical, and biological tracers; and monitoring the plume with visual
observations from the survey vessel and an aircraft. These  methods are described in
Battelle (1987c, 1988e).
      Because all sludge plumes cannot be directly monitored for all ocean dispasal
activities at the 106-Mile Site, the information gathered during the seasonal exercises has
been used in conjunction with continuous measurements of surface currents and
temperature at the site to estimate behavior and fate of sludge plumes. A mooring with
current meters located at 25 and 100 m was deployed at the site in January 1989.  Data
from the surface current meter is transmitted via the ARGOS satellite data-collection
system to the National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service (I"JESDIS).
Information from this mooring describes the speed  and direction of surface currents within
the site (Figure 2-2). The mooring will be deployed for at  least 2 years,  and may be used
in Tier 3 as well as in Tier 2 studies (see  Section 2.4).
      Information on the structure of the water column has been obtained by deploying
expendable bathythermograph (XBT) probes to determine  the depth of the thennocline.
The vertical structure of current shear at the site  has also been evaluated using expendable
current profilers (XCP). Together, results from the mooring, the XBTs,  and the XCPs have
provided information to estimate sludge plume movement throughout the year.

Results of Nearfield Fate Monitoring
      Results from nearfield fate monitoring demonstrated that under the conditions
originally set for sludge disposal [i.e., the  original court-ordered dumping rate of 15,500
gal/min (w58,660 L/min)] H03 and Hg4 were false. Concentrations of sludge constituents
frequently did not meet the regulatory requirements for concentrations of sludge
constituents within the site after 4 h and outside the site at all times. WQC for  
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dumping at 15,500 gal/min also resulted in exceeding the toxicity-based LPC 4 h after
disposal.
      Based on these results and the measurements of plume width as function of time
(Figure 2-3), plume depth, and chemical concentrations in the plume core as a function of
lime (Figure 2-4), the rate at which sludge plumes dilute after disposal was determined.  A
conceptual diagram of the dilution of sludge parcels based on the monitoring results is
presented in Figure 2-5.  Using this concept and the field data, a formulation for relating
dumping rates to barge speed was  developed and implemented to regulate allowable
disposal rates.
      Results also  indicated that H05 was false: sludge dumping at 15,500 gal/min resulted
in pathogen indicators  exceeding ambient levels 4 h after  dumping.
      Initial observations of sludge plumes provided no data to indicate that Hg6 was false.
Observations during the 1987 and 1988 surveys indicated that sludge particles did not settle
and did not appear to  penetrate  the seasonal pycnocline in significant quantities 'within the
first 8 to 12 h following dumping.  Settling of sludge was similar in winter and summer.
However, the rate of settling was found to depend  upon dumping rate.  Settling appeared
to be controlled by flocculation of suspended particles. Because laboratory studies (Lavelle
et al,, 1988) suggested  that as much as 10 to 20 percent of sludge may settle at relatively
high rates (>03 cm/s), EPA conducted special studies in 1989 to evaluate settling in the
field. Rapidly descending settling  traps were deployed directly within sludge plumes
immediately behind emptying barges. The  direct measurements of settling particles showed
that a small component of sludge can settle rapidly (on the order of meters per hour),
indicating that further  studies of particle settling should be undertaken (Section  3.4).
      Roughly 90 percent of the  time, currents were strong enough to transport sludge out
of the site within 1 day. Monitoring indicated  that concentrations of metals, organic
compounds, and pathogens within  the plumes would probably reach background levels
within 1 day, i.e., that HO? and H^8 have not been proven false.  However, other data
suggested that concentrations of selected contaminants in surface waters within and outside
the site may become elevated when surface currents at the site are sluggish, and that mixing
and transport away from the site are slow.  Concentrations of plume constituents were
evaluated further in Tier 3 (Section 2.4).
                                          22

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S 250-
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                                              Spring Creek
                                              Tibbetts Brook
                                              Morris Berman
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                                              Lemon Creek
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                                              Lemon Creek
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£  150-
  45

Time, minutes
                                            75
             90
                                                           105
         FIGURE 2-3. WIDTH OF SLUDGE PLUMES VERSUS TIME AFTER DUMPING

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 •5
en
                                                                  DB21
                               s
                        I             s             *         •
    0             2             4             6             S             10
                                TIME AFTER DISPOSAL, h
 15
 to
  5 •-
                                                                  DB22
    0             2              4             6             3             10
                                TIME AFTER DISPOSAL, h
  'S
 10 - •
                                          DB23
•
          8
                                4             6             3             10
                                TIME AFTER DISPOSAL, h
   FIGURE 2-4.    COPPER CONCENTRATIONS IN SLUDGE PLUMES VERSUS TIME
                 FOR PLUMES SAMPLED IN OCTOBER 1988

                                  24

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        10.000
K)
C/l
    z
-J
Q
_J

O  5,000 -
or
<
Q_

UJ
O
Q
    If)
                                                 /      MIXING AFTER
                                                /     PLUME BREAK-UP
                                                PLUME BREAK-UP
                     INITIAL WAKE MIXING
                                                     OCEANIC MIXING (Dn)
                                                 WEAK MIXING CONDITIONS

                                                 ACTIVE MIXING  CONDITIONS
              0
                                                                               a
                                          TIME (hours)
 FIGURE 2-5.    CONCEPTUAL DIAGRAM OF DILUTION OF SLUDGE PARCELS UNDER TWO MIXING CONDITIONS

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      No data indicated that 1^9 could be proven false.  Dissolved oxygen depression was
not found to be biologically significant, nor did significant changes in pH occur from sludge
dumping.

                               232 Short-Term Effects

      EPA's Monitoring Plan presented the following null hypotheses related to short-term
effects of sludge disposal.
      HfllO: No significant biological effects in the water column are measurable within the
            site within 1 day after disposal.
      H011: No increase in primary productivity or any changes in planktonic biomass or
            species composition occurs.
      Hol2: Sludge constituents do not accumulate in the surface microlayer in the vicinity
            of the site.
          : No evidence of short-term bioaccumulation  of sludge constituents by
            commercially important species or important prey species found at or adjacent
            to the site will be found within 1 day after disposal.
      Prior to conducting studies to test these hypotheses, EPA reviewed available test
methods to determine what measurements were feasible for inclusion in the monitoring
program (Battelle, 1988g).  Methods finally incorporated  into the program were selected for
their utility in making management decisions, biological relevance, degree of difficulty for
performing at sea, sensitivity, and presence of an existing database for comparison. The
following tests were conducted during summer 1988.
      •  Onboard, rapid-chronic tests using sea-urchin sperm and eggs.  Tests used hourly
         samples of the plume, beginning with initial sampling immediately behind the
         barge.
      •  Onboard, acute-toxicity tests using the mysid shrimp Mysidopsis bahia.  Tests used
         plume samples taken 4 h after dumping.
      •  Onboard, acute-toxicity tests using indigenous zooplankton (copepods).  Tests
         used plume samples taken 4 h after dumping.
      •  Examination of fish eggs for genetic mutations  and other abnormalities. Samples
         were taken in hourly tows from 0 to 4 h  following dumping.
      •  Measurement of chlorophyll a in seawater.  Measurements were made at hourly
         intervals.
Tests were conducted in background conditions as well as in sludge plumes.
                                         26

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      Examination of the sea-surface microlayer within sludge plumes was also planned.
However, attempts to collect microlayer samples in sludge plumes severely hampered
abilities of EPA's survey vessel to maneuver within sludge plumes while collecting samples
to evaluate plume dilution rates. Measurements outside plumes were not anticipated to
yield detectable variation from background conditions. Because the logistics of performing
microlayer sampling are difficult and surface slicks dispersed quickly, further testing of
Hgl2 was discontinued.
      Measurements of short-term bioaccumulation were also abandoned because of
logistical difficulties.  Sampling for organisms within sludge plumes would risk
contamination from constituents within the water column. Random sampling in the vicinity
of the site was not expected to yield useful results.
      Monitoring results indicated that HolO could not be proven false.  The results showed
that sludge constituents may be toxic to sea urchin gametes from 0  to 3 h after dumping.
However, sludge plumes were not observed to be toxic to zooplankton collected from near
the 106-Mile Site or to mysid shrimp or sea urchin gametes 4 h  after dumping.
      Hypothesis H011 was only partially tested. This testing did not identify any
significant changes in phytoplankton biomass within sludge plumes  up to 8 h after disposal.
Changes in productivity or species composition were not evaluated.
      Sampling for zooplankton and fish eggs for these studies also yielded an unexpected
result: floatable debris collected in the samples included paper mulch, plastic pieces,
pellets, spherules, plastic filaments, and tar balls.  Such debris is not permitted to be
dumped at sea and had not been expected in the samples. Upon evaluation of the
characteristics of the material and information on the water masses in the area, EPA could
not determine whether these materials originated from the sewage sludge. However, these
results provided feedback to Tier 1  monitoring, indicating that comprehensive monitoring
for floatable debris should be a part of the ongoing monitoring  described in Section 3.2.

                                    2.4 TIER 3:
                                 FARHELD FATE

      Before a comprehensive estimate of long-term effects of sludge dumping at the 106-
Mile Site can be made, it is necessary to estimate where the sludge goes, the area of the
                                         27

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seafloor that may be influenced by sludge particles, and the cumulative concentrations that
may be expected in the water column and sediments after many years of dumping.
Therefore, Tier 3 of the monitoring program was designed to estimate the transport and
fate of the sludge dumped at the 106-Mile Site in the long term and the farfield.,
      Farfield fate of sludge dumped at the 106-Mile Site depends upon dispersion of
sludge plumes in several space and time scales.  The principal components of estimating
fate of sludges are (1) advection, (2) mixing, and (3) sinking and coagulation.  A.dvection is
the transport of sludge particles by the movement of water, that is, in a current field. All
but the largest sludge particles are expected to spend weeks to months in the waiter column.
They are likely to encounter many current fields and travel long distances (100 - 1000 km)
before deposition on the bottom.  Mixing is the dilution of sludge particles in  a parcel of
water by small-scale turbulent processes that depend on the density and velocity of the
water. Turbulent energy due to wind waves, internal waves, vertical current shear, and
modified by stratification in the water column determines mixing.  Sinking is dependent on
particle size and density. Coagulation, the sticking together of sludge particles, may alter
the distribution of particle sizes in a sludge plume and affect sinking.
      Estimation of dispersion in  the region of the 106-Mile Site involves evaluation of the
complex transport and mixing processes on the sludge.  These processes vary and can be
influenced by stochastic events. Therefore, estimates can be made only in terms of
statistical probabilities, and interpretation of results must be aided by use  of models.
      Also, a wide range of time and space scales is involved in estimation of  farfield fate
of the sludge, from just over 1 day after dumping to many weeks and months,  and from the
immediate vicinity of the 106-Mile Site to many kilometers from it. Consequently, several
measurement techniques are required to evaluate the various processes involved in
dispersion of sludge.
      Null hypotheses concerning farfield fate addressed issues that pertained  to potential
movement toward and subsequent impact to shorelines, marine sanctuaries, and fisheries
areas, and toward the continental shelf and slope.  The hypotheses related to  this category
were concerned with the fate of sludges over the long term. Hypotheses were
      H014:  Sludge constituents do not settle beneath the pycnocline outside  the disposal
             site.
          :  Ocean currents do not transport sludge to any adjacent shoreline, beach,
             marine sanctuary, fishery, or shellfishery.
                                          28

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      Hgl6:  Sludge recirculation through the site is not significant.
      HfllT:  Sludge particles do not settle to the sea floor in the vicinity of the site or in
             the region predicted as a plausible settling region.
      These hypotheses required direct estimates of probabilities of specific fates of sludge
particles. Assessing the fate of the particles would require monitoring of currents,
temperature, salinity, and deposition rates for particles. Unfortunately, there is no direct
technique for following the fate of a typical sludge particle as it sinks through the water
column and is acted upon by currents and turbulence. Thus, several types of measurements
are required  to estimate the possible results of  all the physical processes acting on the
particles.
      The farfield monitoring activities described in EPA's Monitoring Plan included
      •  Studying water-mass movement from  the 106-Mile Site
      •  Studying surface currents and water structure in the areas expected to be
         impacted by dumping
      •  Using remote-sensing information to evaluate large-scale water movements and
         structure
      •  Measuring settling of sludge particles in the field
      •  Using appropriate models to estimate fate of sludge constituents and to identify
         possible depositional areas
      Only some of these activities were completed before the new monitoring, research,
and surveillance plan presented in Section 3 was prepared. Study of water-mass
movements was initiated through the release of satellite-tracked surface drifters during
October 1988 (4 drifters), October 1989 (4 drifters), December 1989 (2 drifters), January
1990 (2 drifters), and February 1990 (2 drifters). Trajectories of these releases, illustrated
in Figure 2-6, indicated that recirculation through the site  could occur.  None of the surface
drifters has crossed onto the continental shelf.  These results along with other studies are
being used to evaluate water mass movement at the 106-Mile Site.
      Also during 1988 and 1989, EPA monitored water-mass structure and particle
concentrations at distances up to 40 nmi from the site (Battelle 1989e, 1990).  These
measurements were not associated with specific plumes, so they effectively bridged  neariield
and farfield monitoring.  Vertical profiles were made to determine the depth  of the particle
maximum, and water samples were collected and analyzed for sludge tracers:  trace  metals,
selected organic compounds, Clostridium perfiingens spores, Salmonella spp., other
                                          29

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                                                           released 1800 24-oci
                                                          	i	1
                 released 0800 24-oci
                                             -74    -72    -70    -68    -66
2
GO
 (D
42


41

40


39

38


37

36
                 released 2200 27-oc1
      -76    -74    -72    -70   -68    -66

               Longitude (deg W)
                                                           released 1900 29-od
                                                Longitude (deg W)
  FIGURE 2-6.   TRAJECTORIES OF DRIFTERS RELEASED AT THE SITE
                                 30

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 pathogens, chlorophyll a, and xylem tracheids. Preliminary results suggested that sludge
 tracers could be identified at many stations downcurrent from the site and that further
 farfield studies were warranted.
      Results of these farfield fate studies suggest that
      •  The seasonal pycnocline, where particles concentrate naturally, is a region of the
         water column where sludge particles also concentrate.
      •  Warm-core eddies are a viable but poorly understood mechanism for potential
         northward transport of sludge constituents to the edge of the continental shelf.
      •  On average, sludge particles are likely to remain in the water column, become
         entrained in the Gulf Stream, and be subject to great dispersion, which would not
         result in identifiable impacts to the environment.
      «  Under some oceanographic conditions,  diluted sludge components may be
         recirculated through the site.
      In a later survey, EPA deployed sediment traps designed to collect any particles that
 settle rapidly following disposal (Battelle, 1989f).  Preliminary results indicate that a
 component of the sludge resembling grit (sand, other inorganic materials) may settle rapidly
 after disposal.  Thus, a small, as yet unquantified, fraction of the sludge may settle rapidly
 beneath the plumes. Further studies of the sludge settling rates are being initiated to better
 define this material and quantify associated settling rates.
      Further study of water mass movements and currents, coupled with remote sensing
 techniques to evaluate large-scale water movements  and structure  are currently being
 implemented by EPA and NOAA  These activities are presented  in Section 3.4.

                                      2JITER4:
                               LONG-TERM EFFHC1S

      The objective of Tier 4 studies was to assess whether there are long-term impacts
from sludge disposal at the 106-Mile Site. Tier 4  included plans for studies of impacts on
fish species, biological communities that are prey for fish species, and other marine
resources.
      Long-term effects must be assessed within or outside the site. Long-term effects in
the site might occur if, for example, there is a progressive decline in water
quality—although such a decline is not predicted—or if significant quantities of sludge
particles settle to the seafloor within the site.  Effects outside the site, such as

                                         31

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bioaccumulation of sludge constituents, may occur if sludge particles are regularly
transported in the direction of marine resource areas.
      Because the 106-Mile Site was specifically located in an area that would minimize the
likelihood of effects on the marine environment, long-term effects were not predicted when
EPA's Monitoring Plan was developed. Although results from earlier tiers have not
indicated that predictions were incorrect, concern for human health, resources, and the
marine environment dictated that studies of long-term effects be conducted.
      EPA's Monitoring Plan listed the following null hypotheses for assessing long-term
effects of sludge disposal at the site.
      Hol8: Sludge constituents have no significant long-term effect on the distribution of
            endangered species in the vicinity of the site.
      Hgl9: Sludge constituents do not accumulate in the tissues of commercially
            important species resident in the shelf and slope areas adjacent to the site.
      H^O: Benthic community structure does not change significantly due to sludge
            disposal.
      Ho21: Sludge disposal has no effect on sensitive eggs and larval stages of indigenous
            animals.
      Ho22: Sludge disposal has no measurable long-term impact  on offshore plankton
            communities.
      H^23: Pathogen levels do not increase in the water column or biota as a result of
            sludge disposal.
      The plan stated that other and more specific hypotheses could be developed.
Testing the hypotheses listed in the plan would require a diverse set of measurement
activities:
         Conducting endangered species studies
         Conducting bioaccumulation studies
         Conducting benthic studies
         Conducting studies of sensitive life stages
         Conducting plankton community studies
      Few long-term effects studies had been initiated when the joint EPA/NOAA/USCG
plan superseded EPA's plan.  Studies that have been conducted are discussed below.
Studies to be conducted are described in Section 3.5.
      From the onset of monitoring, EPA included trained observers of marine mammals,
reptiles, and birds on all surveys related to the 106-Mile Site.  The observers recorded the
presence, number, and behavior of all species of mammals, reptiles, and birds in 15-min
                                          32

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intervals along the survey track (Payne et al., 1984).  Each observation period represented a
transect, and several transects are performed each day during the survey. Data from each
survey conducted while dumping took place could be compared to data from predumping
surveys.  Such observations are expected to continue throughout the use of the site.  Results
to date have not indicated that endangered species have been affected.  However, results
are not yet sufficient to test H018 completely.
      NOAA and EPA have also conducted a preliminary evaluation of the use of
midwater fishes inside and outside the 106-Mile Site for bioaccumulation studies.  Results
have indicated that body burdens of PCB and pesticides were detectable but low in fishes
from stations within the  site, to the northeast of the site, to the southwest of the site, and in
the Sargasso Sea (Battelle, 1989g). Concentrations of metals suggested that one species of
myctophid collected within  the 106-Mile Site accumulated several metals that  are found in
sludge (Zdanowicz et al., 1990).  This study showed that sampling and analysis of midwater
fishes is feasible and that further monitoring is warranted. Bioaccumulation studies to be
conducted as part of the EPA/NOAA/USCG monitoring, research, and surveillance plan
are described in Section 3.5.
                                         33

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       3.0 CONTINUING MONITORING, RESEARCH, AND SURVEILLANCE
                             OF THE 106-MILE SHE
     This section presents the monitoring, research, and surveillance activities that will
result from EPA, NOAA, and USCG development of a joint strategy for meeting ODBA
requirements. This new plan builds on EPA's monitoring program, which was presented in
Section 2.  It also uses the findings and recommendations of the workshop that the agencies
held in 1989 to evaluate past research, monitoring, and surveillance and recommend future
studies (EPA, NOAA, and USCG, 1989).

          3.1 BACKGROUND INFORMATION AND BASELINE STUDIES

     The monitoring, research, and surveillance program will use the same set of baseline
data used and developed by EPA's monitoring program. No new baseline studies can be
conducted. However, EPA is currently preparing an updated summary of information that
is known about the site. This summary will draw upon research and monitoring conducted
since 1982 by NOAA, EPA, other Federal agencies, private firms, and academic institutions.

                                   32 TIER 1;
           WASTE CHARACTERISTICS AND DISPOSAL OPERATIONS

                            3.2.1 Waste Characteristics

     Ongoing monitoring of sludge characteristics was originally specified in 1984. New
requirements were established in 1989 after EPA evaluations indicated some shortcomings
of the original requirements. For this joint Monitoring Plan, the working hypothesis is
changed to
     Hgl:  The physical and chemical characteristics of sludge are consistent with waste
           characterization information available at the  time permits for the 106-Mile Site
           were issued.
     Permits issued in August 1989 for the 106-Mile Site  have specified the physical,
chemical, biological, and toxicological parameters to be  measured and requirements for
sampling and analysis of these parameters. To ensure that the data quality, sample
                                       34

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collection and analysis are being conducted under quality assurance plans developed by the
permittees and approved by EPA.
      For all characterization studies, representative sludge samples are taken during vessel
loading.  Samples are collected from a point on the discharge side of the pump delivering
sludge from a digester or holding tank to the vessel being loaded. A flow-weighted
composite sample, collected during the entire loading procedure, is required.
      Permittees using an individual vessel to dispose of sludge from more than one
treatment plant are required to characterize a composite sample from samples drawn from
each compartment of the barge. If the  permittee chooses to request EPA approval to
calculate allowable disposal rates based on the weighted average of sludges entering the
vessel, analysis of individual compartments is required to demonstrate the homogeneity of
the sludge in the vessel.
      Required parameters are listed in Table 3-1.  Specific organic compounds for which
analyses are required are listed in Battelle (1989h). Samples are collected and analyzed at
the following frequencies.
      •  Monthly for parameters required to evaluate and; if necessary, revise dumping
         rates. These include (1) conventional parameters; (2) copper, lead, cadmium, and
         mercury in the suspended and liquid phases; and (3) 96-h acute toxicity tests
         (these tests may be performed quarterly). Chemical analysis of settleable solids
         and solid-phase toxicity tests may be required if settleable solids are present.
         Toxicity tests are used to revise dumping  rates quarterly.
      •  Quarterly for parameters required to evaluate loading at the 106-Mile Site. These
         include (1) organic compounds  for which there are marine water quality criteria;
         (2) conventional and nonconventional pollutants; and (3) floatable materials
         (which are not permitted to be in the sludge).  Both the suspended-particulate
         and liquid phases must be analyzed.  Volume of sludge generated and transported
         to the site must also be reported.
      •  Semiannually for organic priority pollutants and compounds excluded from
         dumping by the London Dumping Convention.  Measurements include
         determination of radioactivity and a full organic priority-pollutant scan.  These
         tests need be conducted only on the suspended-particulate phase unless settleable
         solids are present.  Analysis of settleable solids may  also be required if they are
         present.
      All toxicity testing, physical characterization, and chemical analysis must be
performed on the same sample.  All tests must be completed within the limits of EPA-
approved holding times. Toxicity tests, which are conducted monthly, use the test
organisms Menidia menidia and Mysidopsis bahia and/or a substitute organism designated by
                                         35

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TABLE 3-1.  ANALYTICAL PARAMETERS INCLUDED IN ONGOING
             TIER 1 MONITORING
Parameter
                        Frequency
Conventional Parameters
Biological oxygen demand
Chemical oxygen demand
Total residue
Total filterable residue
Total nonfilterable residue
Total organic carbon
Specific gravity
Settleable solids
pH
Total Cd, Pb, Hg, Cu

Acute 96-h Tenacity Testing

Conventional and Nonconventional
Total coliform bacteria
Fecal coliform bacteria
Ctostridium perfringens spores
Fecal streptococcus
Total phosphate
Total Kjeldahl nitrogen
Ammonia
Nitrate
Oil and grease
Total PAHs
Cyanide
Phenols
                        Monthly
Pollutants
 Arsenic
 Cadmium
 Chromium
 Copper
 Lead
 Mercury
 Nickel
 Selenium
 Vanadium
 Zinc
Monthly3

Quarterly
Full Organic Priority Pollutant Scan

Radioactivity
Gross alpha
Gross beta
Radium 226
Radium 228

Floatable Debris
                        Semiannually

                        Semiannually
                         Quarterly
aMay be conducted quarterly.
                                        36

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EPA as more appropriate.  Tests are conducted under the guidance and procedures
established by APHA (1985), EPA (1985,1987), and other documents specified by EPA.
LC50 and 95 percent confidence intervals are calculated by using the binomial, trimmed
Spearman-Karber, moving-average, or probit method, and justification of the method must
be provided. The LC$o is reported in milligrams per liter (mg/L) of sludge and as a
percentage of the whole sludge.
      Analysis of conventional parameters and conventional pollutants is conducted
according to procedures recommended by Battelle (1989h) or by substitute methods
selected by the permittee and approved by EPA. Method detection limits are as specified
by APHA (1985) and EPA (1979,1986).  Specific detection limits are summarized by
Battelle (1989h).  Reporting units for all physical and chemical parameters are in milligrams
per liter (mg/L).  Replicate analyses are required for the quarterly analyses and for at least
two of the 12 monthly analyses. All methods and data quality requirements are
documented in quality assurance plans for sludge characterization submitted by the
permittees for EPA approval. Approved quality assurance plans are required  for all
analyses to be conducted.
      The sludge  characteristics data will be entered into a sludge characteristics data
management system in place at EPA Region II. Selected statistical analysis will be
performed by EPA, using the data management system. This analysis will be used to
identify significant deviations in sludge characteristics from the information supplied in the
permit applications, identify significant changes in the sludge characteristics for each
sewerage authority, and allow quarterly revisions to be made in the sludge dumping rates as
defined in the permits issued for the 106-Mile Site. In addition, the data can be used to
estimate the total  loading of contaminants into the 106-Mile  Site environs, an essential
component of the farfield fate evaluation conducted  under Tier 3 of the joint Monitoring
Plan.
      In the event that the permittee-generated sludge characterization data are found to
be insufficient for evaluating the transport and fate of sludge disposed at the 106-Mile Site,
EPA will consider conducting additional analyses.  These analyses would be conducted for
the following reasons: (1) to lower detection limits, (2) to identify unique tracers of sludge
or (3) to expand the available database on contaminants identified from the farfield fates
studies being conducted by EPA.

                                         37

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                              322 Disposal Operations

      Ongoing surveillance of disposal operations has also been specified in permits to
dump sludge at the site. The permits provide allowable dumping rates and designated
tracklines along which dumping must take place. The working hypothesis for disposal
operations remains unchanged from the EPA program.
      H()2:   Disposal rates and operations are consistent with the requirements of the
            ocean dumping permits.
      Under the joint Monitoring Plan,  EPA will continue the use of shipriders to monitor
sludge transfers and disposal operations as defined in Condition 27  of the permits for the
106-Mile Site.  Under Condition 27, the permittees are required to have one or more
inspectors present before any sludge is loaded onto a transfer (feeder) vessel or ocean-
going barge. These shipriders observe and record all operations involving transfer of sludge
onto or between vessels designated to carry sludge. In addition, all feeder vessels
designated to carry sludge must have all discharge valves permanently sealed with EPA-
approved seals. Valves used for transfer operations are sealed by the shipriders
immediately upon completion of transfers (unloading or loading).  Ocean-going vessels
must have all discharge valves sealed prior to departure for the 106-Mile Site.  All transfers
are recorded on Waste Manifest Forms  each time a transfer is completed. Forms must be
submitted to EPA and the USCG within three business days after completion of loading.
Shipriders are required on all vessels unless EPA waives that requirement. Shipriders
report to EPA on disposal operations within 72 h of return to shore.
      In addition to the shiprider requirement, the waste transporter must provide to the
USCG,  at the onset of a trip to the 106-Mile Site, information about the estimated time of
arrival at and departure from the site. For each voyage, waste transporters prepare and
submit Ocean Dumping Notification Forms (ODNF) that describe the location and rate of
dumping. Monthly reports from waste transporters are also submitted to EPA. These
reports  include
      •   Name of each vessel that departed port for the site
      •   Date of departure for each vessel
      •   Reference number for each vessel mission
      •   Quantity of waste from each permittee dumped by each vessel
                                         38

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      •  Type of waste dumped by each vessel
      •  Date upon which each vessel began dumping operations
      •  Date upon which each ODNF was mailed
      Remote surveillance of dumping operations will continue to be conducted with the
Ocean Dumping Surveillance System (ODSS). The ODSS comprises three main
components: (1) the electronics package or "black box" that is installed on vessels
authorized to dump at the site; (2) the transducers, or pressure sensors, that measure
changes in the vessel's draft,  allowing calculation of dumping rate; and (3) the base and
relay stations, located onshore. Each permittee must allow the USCG to install on each
vessel to be used for dumping a black box and the transducers required by the ODSS. The
ODSS provides independent measurements of vessel location during dumping and dumping
rate.
                                    33 TIER 2:
                 NEARFffiLD FATE AND SHORT-TERM EFFECTS
      Continued monitoring under Tier 2 is being conducted by EPA and the permittees.
Monitoring will provide additional measurements related to the hypotheses concerning
nearfield fate that were presented in the EPA Monitoring Plan.  Some hypotheses have
been revised from those included in the EPA Monitoring Plan to provide a clearer
statement of the hypotheses. The joint Monitoring Plan includes the following hypotheses.
      Hg3:   Concentrations of sludge and sludge constituents are below the permitted
            LPC and WQC outside the site at all times.
            Concentrations of sludge and sludge constituents are below the permitted
            LPC and WQC within the site 4 h after disposal.
            Pathogens or biological tracers of sewage sludge do not exceed  ambient levels
            4 h after disposal.
            Sludge particles do not settle in significant quantities beneath the seasonal
            pycnocline (50 m) or to the 50-m depth at any time, within the site boundaries
            or in an area adjacent to the site.
      HQ?:   The concentration of sludge constituents within the site does not exceed the
            LPC or WQC 4 h after disposal and is not detectable in the site 1 day after
            disposal.
      H08:   The concentration of sludge constituents at the site boundary or in the area
            adjacent to the site does not exceed the LPC or WQC at any time and is not
            detectable 1  day after disposal.

                                        39

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      Although EPA monitoring has already provided information relevant to all of these
hypotheses, additional measurements will provide information to evaluate variability and
trends.
      Testing of 1^9 through 11^13 of the EPA Monitoring Plan (Sections 23.1 and 232)
either did not show evidence of an adverse impact (1^9 - HQ!!) or are now believed to be
untestable (H013). Hypothesis Hgll was found to be logistically difficult to test due to the
transient nature of the surface slick observed in the wake of the barge and the difficulty in
sampling the slick properly.  In addition, the management decision to reduce the sludge
disposal rates to ensure that water quality criteria are met at all times further reduces the
risk of any short-term or nearfield effects resulting from the disposal of sludge at the site.
Furthermore, the observed consistent, rapid transport of sludge from the disposal site and
public concern  for potential effects on marine resources in the vicinity of the site caused
the monitoring  program focus to shift to Tiers 3 and 4 activities. Therefore, no  additional
testing of Ho9 through KglS listed in the previous EPA Monitoring Plan is planned. If
information developed under this joint Monitoring Plan indicates that additional testing
should be undertaken, the joint plan will be appropriately modified to conduct these
actions.  Permittees may be required to perform additional Tier 2 studies if EPA decides
that the measurements are necessary.
      One monitoring activity that is continued from Tier 2 of the EPA Monitoring Plan is
the acquisition  of continuous measurements of surface currents using the EPA-sponsored
current meter mooring (Section 23). This mooring will continue to gather data on currents
in surface waters at the site. In addition, the permittees  are required to conducl: the
following activities:
      •  Purchase and deploy satellite-tracked surface drifters
      •  Purchase and deploy expendable current profilers (XCP)
The data from  these devices will be used by the agencies to
      •  Determine water column movement in the vicinity of 106-Mile Site
      •  Determine current shear and water temperature to a  depth of «1,500 m at the
         106-Mile Site
                                          40

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                                     3.4 TIER 3:
                                 FARPTFIJ) FATE
      Farfield fate studies will address following the hypotheses:

      Hgl4:   Significant amounts of sludge do not settle below the surface mixed layer
              outside the disposal site.

      HglSa:  Ocean currents do not transport sludge to any adjacent shoreline, beach,
              marine sanctuary, fishery, or shellfishery.

      HglSb:  Ocean currents do not transport sludge onto the continental shelf.

      Hglda:  Recirculation of slope water through the 106-Mile Site is not significant.

      Hol6b:  Concentrations of sludge constituents dumped at the 106-Mile Site that are
              associated with any recirculating slope water do not exceed EPA chronic
              Marine Water Quality Standards.

      Hgl7a:  Significant amounts of sludge particles do not settle to the sea floor in the
              vicinity of the site or in the region predicted as a plausible settling region.

      HglTb:  Organic, inorganic, and bacterial contaminants that are present in sewage
              sludge discharged at the 106-Mile Site do not measurably increase
              concentrations of contaminants in the sediment within the expected
              dispersion area or reference areas.

      The wording of some of these hypotheses has changed from the EPA Monitoring

Plan and others have been added to ensure greater clarity and testability of the hypotheses.
Testing these hypotheses is being accomplished through the following activities (responsible

agencies are shown in parentheses):

      •  Studying water temperature of oceanographic sections through the 106-Mfle Site.
         The temperature structure of the water masses in  the vicinity of the site from the
         continental shelf to the north wall of the  Gulf Stream will be determined with
         expendable bathythermographs (XBT). (NOAA and EPA)

      •  Studying water-mass movement from the 106-Mile Site.  Study of movements of
         surface water masses (i.e., Lagrangian measurements) involves deploying satellite-
         tracked drifters at the site. (Permittees, EPA and NOAA)

      •  Studying currents and water structure throughout the water column in the areas
         expected to be impacted by dumping. These Eulerian, moored measurements
         include temperature and current measurements in surface, middepth, and near-
         bottom waters. (EPA)

      •  Using remote sensing information to evaluate large-scale water movements and
         structure. These measurements include use of advanced very high resolution
         radiometer (AVHRR) on polar-orbiting satellites for mapping surface
         temperature throughout the study area. These measurements will be used in
         tandem with the drifter studies. (EPA and NOAA)


                                         41

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      •  Studying settling of sludge particles in the field. These studies include
         deployment of moored sediment traps at several locations and depths in
         conjunction with current measurements. (EPA)
      •  Performing laboratory settling studies.  These studies will be conducted under
         conditions that simulate those in the field. They will measure the rapidly settling
         component of sludges. (EPA)
      •  Evaluating appropriate .models to determine fate of sludge constituents, and to
         identify possible depositional areas. This effort requires identifying models for
         prediction of the three-dimensional movement of sludge particles released  from
         the site (NOAA) and application of simple transport models to assist in the
         interpretation results from the sediment trap program  (EPA).

      »  Determining the concentration and distribution of sludge constituents Jind
         indicators of sewage sludge in sediment.  These studies will include collection of
         sediments from the outer continental shelf, submarine  canyons in the vicinity of
         the 106-Mile Site, and continental shelf areas in and near the  106-Mile Site.
         (NOAA)
      The studies that will be conducted are described in Sections 3.4.1, 3.4.2, arid 3.4.3.
The outcome of each study will be integrated through the exchange of data and results,
combining data sets as appropriate, and producing a syntheses report for the farfield fate
studies. The data exchange and expected reports from this monitoring tier are discussed in

Section 4.


                               3.4.1 Water-Mass Studies
      In addition to the monitoring objectives presented in the EPA Monitoring Plan, the

water mass studies will provide information to assess
      •  Large-scale southwest drift over the Mid-Atlantic Bight continental shelf and
         slope and the hypothesized recirculation of the slope-sea gyre

      *  Existence and role of convergence at the shelf break
      •  Entrainment of sludge constituents into the Gulf Stream at Cape Hatteras versus
         possible transport to the South Atlantic Bight

Continued collection of information on specific water mass movements will also provide the

evidence of sludge movement towards shorelines.
      EPA requires the permittees to deploy an average of one expendable, satellite-
tracked drifter per week  at the site. Starting March 1990, the drifters will be deployed from
sludge barges, near the center of the site. The drifters will be tethered and ballasted so


                                          42

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 that the drogue centers remain at a depth of 10 m for the life of deployment. The drifters
 will be tracked three to four times daily for 4 months by ARGOS satellite.  Analysis of
 drifter tracks will be supported by an AVHRR imaging program and the XBT program.
 Service ARGOS, an agency specializing in satellite data collection, will be contracted to
 provide all aspects of satellite telemetry and data acquisition over the duration of the
 measurement program. From the drifters and via direct access of the computer data center
 maintained by Service ARGOS, EPA will receive information on drifter positions and
 surface-water temperature in near real-time.
      EPA will be responsible for evaluating these data; The drifter studies will also aid in
 estimating the effects of features such as wind events, warm-core eddies, and Gulf Stream
 meanders. Launching one drifter per week  for approximately 18 to 24 months should be
 adequate to characterize water-mass movements.  In  addition to the permittee deployed
 drifters, EPA Region n plans a near-synoptic deployment of several undrogued surface
 drifters to evaluate the movement of any material that may remain at the air/sea interface
 and whose transport will be affected more by wind than by surface currents in the area.
 These drifter data will be  coupled with an analysis of wind data from the National Weather
 Service (NWS) buoy located near the  106-Mile Site to define the frequency and directions
 of potential floatable debris transport at the 106-Mile Site.
      Satellite imagery will be used to identify surface water masses, interpret drifter tracks,
 and follow significant physical features.  Satellite imagery may also be used as input to a
 modeling effort. Data from an AVHRR satellite-imagery program can be used to depict
 the surface-temperature structure of the entire region that could be impacted by the 106-
 Mile Site.  EPA will  acquire daily AVHRR data from the NOAA TIROS polar-orbiting
 satellites (NOAA-10  or NOAA-11). The data will be corrected for water vapor in the
 atmosphere, remapped to  a mercator projection, and displayed as color-enhanced images.
 Meteorological data may be scanned for cloud cover over the region, so that only clear
 passes will be used for sea-surface temperature (SST) mapping.  At least one clear image
 per week will be selected for overlay of the satellite-tracked drifter data.
      An oceanographic section of temperature versus depth from the shelf break to  the
north wall of the Gulf stream will be acquired by the NOAA/Atlantic Regional Group.
These data will be available as part of the ship-of-opportunity program routinely conducted
between New York City and Bermuda. The data will be routinely supplied to EPA for use

                                          43

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in the interpretation of water mass and drifter movement.  The data will also be used in
association with the moored current (Eulerian) studies discussed below.
      NOAA will contribute to the water mass studies through seasonal deployments of
expendable,  satellite-tracked drifters, an AVHRR satellite-imagery program, and conducting
hydrographic surveys. Approximately seven satellite-tracked near-surface drifters; (the same
type of drifter as deployed by the permittees for EPA) will be deployed twice (summer
1990 and winter 1991) across the site from the outer shelf to the outer slope. These
seasonal studies are meant to examine the behavior of drifters deployed
quasisimultaneously across the site in different water masses and to supplement the EPA
studies by providing statistics on dispersion of multiple drifters deployed simultaneously at
the same place and in the same water mass.
      The summer 1990 drifter deployment will be done during the  NOAA midwater
fish/hydrographic survey. Hydrography will consist of conductivity/temperature/depth
(CTD) measurements with a transmissometer  sensor to examine particle concentrations in
the water column. CTD stations will be  taken in support of bioaccumulation studies (see
Section 3.5.1) at each midwater fish station [see Figure 3-5 for the proposed midwater fish
(myctophid) survey map], and a more closely spaced grid of CTD stations will  be taken
near the dumpsite.  A nominal near-site sampling and drifter deployment plan is illustrated
in Figure 3-1. The actual location of CTD stations and deployment locations will depend
upon the relationship of surface-water masses across the site (determined from satellite-
derived sea-surface temperature data) and the three-dimensional distribution of particle
concentrations and water masses determined at the time of the cruise.
      The winter 1991 drifter deployment is currently planned for February 1991.  There
will be additional hydrographic surveys in support of bioaccumulation studies and midwater
fish surveys (Section 3.5).
      NOAA will access daily advanced very high resolution radiometer (AVHRR) data
from NOAA's TIROS polar-orbiting satellites (NOAA-10 and/or  NOAA-11) using NESDIS
in-house software for image processing.  Using NOAA's Ocean Products  Center as a
conduit for data, sea-surface temperature  (SST) fields for the western North Atlantic will
be produced, focusing attention on the Mid-Atlantic Bight, the dumpsite, and  the region
occupied by the drifters. The SST field will be monitored by using the NOAA SST display
                                          44

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   74 "00'
40*30'
73 °00'
72  °00'
71  °30l
   40°30
40°00' -
                                        -  40°00'
         •Drifter/  CTD

         oCTD
                                                                    - 39°00'
     FIGURE 3-1.  POSSIBLE STATION LOCATIONS FOR CTD AND DRIFTER
                 DEPLOYMENTS
                                   45

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and analysis system. Each image will be examined for cloud cover, allowing selection of
clear passes that are useful for SST mapping.
      The NOAA SST imagery will be used to
      *  Provide near realtime data to decide where to deploy drifters and to
         locate CTD/transmissometer stations during the hydrographic/fisheries
         surveys in the vicinity of the 106-Mile Site.  Daily SST images will be
         analyzed  for location of water-mass boundaries, and the results transferred
         via facsimile to the F/V Delaware II during the hydrographic survey to
         ensure the selection of appropriate surface water masses for drifter
         deployments.
      •  Analyze drifter tracks.  The data will be used to identify the surface waiter
         mass that the drifter is in, as well as help to explain the relationship
         between surface  features (e.g., fronts, warm-core rings) and the tracks of the
         drifters.
      •  Examine relationships between SST, drifter tracks, and surface wind-drift
         information  from the output of the NWS Limited-area Fine-mesh Model
         (LFM).
      Data generated  by the drifter studies, the XBT program, and the sea surface
temperature (surface water mass) study will be used to test hypotheses HglSa, H015b, and
Hol6a.  The NOAA hydrographic studies will also contribute to the examination of
hypotheses 1^6, HQ?, and  UQ& of Tier 2 and ^14 of Tier 3 of this joint Monitoring Plan.
      Although Lagrangian measurements, such as those obtained from drifters, provide
direct evidence of where sludge may move in the farfield, such programs provide
information only on spatial patterns of surface-water movement. Statistical estimates of
sludge movement from the 106-Mile Site as well as site interactions with oceanic features
(fronts, eddies, etc.) require that  the Lagrangian measurements be supplemented by
Eulerian (fixed-point) measurements.  Measurements from the surface-current mooring
deployed by EPA for  Tier 2 studies provide this type of data. Ideally, data from the
mooring will continue to be obtained over the same time period that drogues are being
released at the site. EPA will supplement data from the fixed current meters v/ith data
from expendable current profilers (XCP) deployed under Tier 2.  Additionally, current
meters will be placed  on the moorings deployed for the sediment trap program described
in Section 3.42. These Eularian data will be used to support testing of hypothecs HfllSb,
       and Hol7a.
                                          46

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                                 3.4.2 Settling Studies

 3.4.2.1 Mooring Locations and Design
      Hypotheses Hgl4 and H^lTa will be tested by an array of moored sediment traps.
 Sludge settling will be determined through measurement of material captured in these
 sediment traps for sludge indicators.  Based on preliminary calculations of the flux of
 rapidly settling (>03 cm/s) sludge (Fry and Butman, 1990), an array of 10 moorings with
 sediment traps and current meters will be placed in the vicinity of the 106-Mile Site.
 Details on the sediment trap design have been described by Battelle and SAIC (1990).
      The mooring array is designed to evaluate transport towards the shelf and along
 continental slope isobaths by deploying moorings along two principal transects (Figure 3-
 2). The transect comprising moorings A, B, C, and D is located about 25 km southwest of
 the western edge of the dumpsite, (Le., at mooring H) and spans the region of predicted
 sludge flux.  Mooring A is also likely to be influenced by particle fluxes originating from
 the shelf.  The along-isobath transect (H, C, E, F, and G) monitors the likely center line of
 sludge moving to the southwest from the site. Moorings E and F are 60 km apart;
 moorings F and G are 80 km apart; E is about 25 km southwest of C. Moorings F and G
 are not expected to capture many sludge particles at the bottom, but traps located in the
 upper layer may collect smaller particles that are expected to remain in the upper layers for
 several months and thus be an  important farfield influence.
      Mooring I, on the 2600-m isobath, is upstream of the affected area (about 50 km
 northeast of mooring H) and therefore will used as a background station for the potentially
 impacted area near the 106-Mile Site.  Mooring J is in the lower Hudson canyon. This
 mooring will monitor particle flux in the canyon region because fluxes in this area may be
 substantially different from sites located away from canyons (e.g., mooring A).
      The proposed array is designed to resolve the expected horizontal gradients in sludge
 deposition near the ocean bottom. However, a gradient in particle sizes that results in
differential sinking rates between the smaller organic particles and larger, more dense
particles is anticipated.  Thus, sediment traps will be positioned to confirm this gradient
and capture slower sinking particles in the water column before dispersion results in
concentrations too dilute to detect
                                         47

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                                                              0 °00'
                                                   :ooo
                                                   :300
                                                   2600
                                                   :soo
                                                   2600
                                                   2600
                                                   2600
                                                   2600
                                                   2600
                                                   1500
HGURE 3-2. 106-MILE SITE SEDIMENT TRAP MOORING LOCATIONS
                             48

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      Sediment traps will be placed at three depths on each mooring: the top of each
mooring (at about 100 m depth), at 1000 m depth, and at a position 250 m above the
bottom.  Placing the bottom traps 250 m above the bottom should locate them well above
the influence of bottom-sediment resuspension events, minimizing the influence from
resuspended bottom sediment on any sludge signals.  The 1000-m level is approximately
midway between the upper and lower traps and is in  the region of transition from the
upper-layer Slope Sea Gyre and Gulf Stream eddy currents to the deeper current regions
that are usually considered to be part of the Deep Western Boundary Current System.
      The recommended depths for the traps and current meters for each mooring are
given in Table 3-2.  The placement of the current meters is based on the requirement that
the currents be measured throughout the water column so that interpretation of particle
fluxes at the sediment trap levels can be based upon well-resolved current information.
Current meter placement on the moorings is chosen to enable evaluation of variability over
the region of maximum particle flux and also to enable evaluation of effects from Gulf
Stream eddies passing over the 106-Mile Site.  The placement of  instrumentation on
mooring transect A through D is diagrammed in Figure 3-3.  To resolve the current shear
on this transect adequately, the moorings have been more heavily instrumented.  Mooring C
has the most instruments.  This will help to resolve the vertical current shears along the
isobath extending from  mooring H. In general, current meters have been placed roughly 5
m below the sediment traps so that the flow field near the trap is monitored.  Because the
upper layers (100 to 500 m) are likely to have the largest current shear, particularly during
the passage of warm-core eddies, current meters have been concentrated in this region of
the water column.
      Sediment-trap samples will represent a 3- to 9-month integration of particulate  input
to the ocean in the vicinity of the 106-Mile Site.  The trap design  does not facilitate the
collection of time-series data that may be useful for interpreting the influence of specific
events that may affect sludge transport (phytoplankton blooms, shelf intrusions, warm-core
rings, etc.).  Sediment traps modified to collect discrete samples representing shorter
periods of time may be added to the mooring array if it is determined that they are
necessary to meet the program objectives.
      The initial  deployment of the moorings will be  from early summer to the fall of 1990.
All moorings will be recovered and redeployed in the fall of 1990. The moorings will be

                                         49

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TABLE 3-2.  DEPTHS OF INSTRUMENTATION ON MOORED ARRAYS
Mooring
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
Water Depth
(m)
2000
2300
2600
2800
2600
2600
2600
2600
2600
1500
Trap
Depths
(m)
100
1000, 1750
100,1000
2550
100
1000
2350
100,1000
2500
100,1000
2350
100,1000
2350
100,1000
100,1000
2350
100,1000
2350
100,1000
Current Misters
Depths
(m)
100, 200, 500
1000, 1750

100, 150, 200, 500
1000, 1750
2350
100, 1000

100,1000
100
25,a 100a


aThese current meters are installed on EPA's realtime mooring that is adjacent to the proposed
 Mooring H.
                                    50

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       A       B
         j 1 5 km ^ >• 15 km
                                        C        D
                                          -1 5 km  >
            100 m
            I50m
            200 m
            500 m
            1000 m
            1750 m
            2000 m
                          2050m
                                1
                       2300m
                                  2350 m M
                                         If
                                            ^2550 m
                                                   c=a.
                                2600 m
                                                               Current
                                                               Meter

                                                               Sediment
                                                               Trap
                                         2800 m
FIGURE 3-3.
MOORING DESIGN: CURRENT METERS AND SEDIMENT-TRAP
LOCATIONS
                                     51

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recovered again in July of 1991 after a deployment period of 7 to 9 months. Deployment
after July 1991 will be determined from the results of the summer 1990 deployment.
      To prevent biological degradation of the trapped material and zooplankton from
consuming the material, each trap has been equipped with a poison dispenser. Mercuric
chloride or formalin have been selected as the poison of choice. Two types of poison were
selected because the ability to measure certain parameters is limited by the type of poison
used.

3A22. Recommended Analysis of Trapped Material
      Detection and quantification of sewage sludge  material in the sediment traps will be
accomplished through physical, chemical, and biological analysis of the trapped material.
These parameters will be measured to
      •   Determine if sewage sludge can be detected at various depths
      •   Identify the types and quantify the amount  of natural particles settling through the
         water column
      •   Determine the flux of sludge and its spatial distribution in the water column
      •   Evaluate the most likely areas for sludge deposition on the seafloor.
Because the total mass of material that will be captured by the traps is anticipated to be
small, parameters selected for detecting the presence of sludge and for any quantification of
its transport have been carefully chosen (Table 3-3).  Sample analysis priority, based on the
likelihood of detecting sludge or anticipated mass of material recovered, is also indicated in
Table 3-3.  The proposed physical parameters were selected to determine if there is a
change in the type of particles settling through the water column and if this material can be
consistently related to the sludge disposal. The total flux of material will provide
quantitative estimates of how much material settles through the water column. Changes in
flux will be used to indicate where sludge is moving  in the vicinity of the site.
      The material in the sediment traps will also be examined for the type of coarse-
grained material (e.g., sand and grit) detected in sediment traps deployed immediately
behind barges disposing sludge in October 1989 (BatteUe, 1989f).  For these studies,
sediment traps were deployed at a depth of 40 m in  a sludge plume immediately behind a
barge dumping sludge.  The traps were recovered after 1 h and the material captured
examined for any evidence of settling sludge.  The material observed in these traps

                                         52

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TABLE 3-3.  SUGGESTED PARAMETERS FOR LABORATORY ANALYSIS OF THE
             MATERIAL CAPTURED BY THE SEDIMENT TRAPS
      Physical Parameters
              Total mass and flux                                     Primary
              Xyleme tracheids                                       Primary
              Fecal pellet (general observation)                         Secondary
              Particle characteristics (descriptive)                        Priority

      Chemical Parameters
              Trace metals (Ag, Fe, Al, Cu, Pb, Cd, Cr, Ni, Zn, Mn)        Primary
              ^C1                                                   Primary

              Selected organic compounds (depending on the amount      Secondary
              of material recovered)
              Cyclic alkenes
                 Tricyclic diterpenoids (from CJQ to C^)
                 Triterpenoids (hopanes, C^ to CJQ)
                 Triterpenoids (hopanes, > C^)
              Sterols
                 Cholesterol
                 ^-Sitrsterol
                 Stigmasterol
                 Campesterol
                 0-Coprostanol
              PAH-Priority pollutant PAH (40 CFR 122)
              Linear Alkylbenzenes
              Lignin phenols
                 Syringyl phenols
                 Vanillze phenols
                 Conmanicphenols
              Other tracers*                                          Secondary

      Biological parameters
              Clostridiwn perfringensb                                  Primary
              Biogenic silica                                          Secondary
              CaC03                                                 Secondary
aWill be determined only if tracers unique to sludge are identified.
bWill be determined only if the HgCl2 preservative does not effect the spores.
                                       53

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included sand particles, a coarse granular black material, and flocculent organic. The
maximum settling rate of this material is estimated to be 40 m/h (1.1 cm/s).
      Capture of fecal pellets from marine zooplankton by the traps is expected. The
general abundance and size of the pellets will be noted.  However, specific measurements
or enumeration of fecal pellets are not planned. Other parameters listed in Table 3-3 may
be determined if it becomes evident that the information is necessary for interpreting the
primary data. Additional rationale for selecting these parameters will be discussed in a
Quality Assurance Project Plan developed specifically for the analysis of the sediment-trap
samples.

                                3.43 Sediment Studies

Several studies are planned to determine if sludge is reaching the sediments of the outer
continental shelf, submarine canyons, or the continental  slope near the 106-Mile Site.
These studies will be conducted by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) and the
National Undersea Research Program (NURP). NURP is planning to conduct two studies.
One program will be conducted in the continental slope and rise environment in the
vicinity of the 106-Mile Site; the other program will focus on the outer continental shelf and
submarine canyons near the site. Each program has components that relate to the Tier 3
monitoring, but the primary focus of the studies will be on long-term effects (Tier 4). The
planned activities are summarized in the following sections and Section 3.5.

3.43.1 Studies by the NOAA National Undersea Research Program
      The continental slope and rise study will be conducted by Rutgers University through
the NOAA NURP office.  The outer shelf/canyon study will be conducted by the University
,of Connecticut NURP office. These activities are not being supported by the ODBA funds,
but the data from both programs will be made available to the joint Monitoring Program.
      The continental slope and rise study will conduct research to measure contaminants
from sludge that may reach the sediments in the vicinity of the 106-Mile Site and to
determine possible areas on the seafloor where sludge may accumulate.  This study will  also
determine the fate of material settling to the seafloor (HglTa), especially the pattern of
accumulation of particles and particle mixing with respect to sediment resuspension,

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 microtopography, and the activities of deepsea animal populations. Features that will be
 studied include depressions and burrows that act as natural sediment traps.
      Under the continental slope and rise study, the following tasks will be conducted (the
 relevant Tier 3 hypothesis for each task is indicated in parentheses):
      •   Recover current meters and sediment-trap moorings deployed just west of the
          106-Mile Site in September 1989 and deploy two similar moorings designed to
          complement the EPA sediment-trap program (Hgl7a)
      •   Analyze and interpret current-meter and sediment-trap data from the September
          1989 deployment
          Conduct chemical analyses in short sediment cores collected with a spade box
          corer for tracers of sewage sludge and the precise ARGO-JASON navigation
          system (H017b) (planned for FY91)
          Survey the seafloor, using the ARGO-JASON system and a deep-towed, side-
          scan sonar unit (planned for FY91)
          Analyze sediments from inside and outside the 106-Mile Site and sediment-trap
          samples for selected human pathogens
The continental slope and rise study will also examine potential effects of sludge disposal
on benthic populations and ichthyoplankton.  Those studies are discussed in Section 3.5.
      The shelf/canyon study is designed as a long-term research  program (3 to 5 years) to
be conducted on the outer continental shelf adjacent to the 106-Mile Site and to a depth of
«700 m in the major submarine canyons in this area.  The major objective of this program
is
      •   To determine if gradients in sludge associated contaminants exist in sediments
      \   and edible tissue and organs of commercial benthic species on the outer
          continental shelf and upper slope outside the potential area of impact defined by
          Bisagni (1983).
Because this study is a long-term research effort, several other objectives relating to station
selection,  variability in the concentrations of contaminants within  stations, and visual
documentation (video and still camera) procedures for evaluating species abundance and
megabenthic community status are also being addressed by the program.
      Under the shelf/canyon study specific regions where there are commercial fisheries
will be studied.  The planned activities are relevant to both the farfield fate (Tier 3) and
long-term effects (Tier 4) studies to be conducted under this joint Monitoring Plan. The
study will  focus primarily on commercial species such as tilefish (Lopholatilus
chamaeleonticeps), red crab (Chaceon quinquedens), ocean quahog (Arctica islandica), and
                                         55

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four-spot flounder (Paralichthys oblongus), and the sediments within the habitat of each of

these species.  The following tasks will be conducted:


     •  Red crab study: Red crabs from w650 m depth at 11 stations located in and
         adjacent to submarine canyons are being assessed for shell disease, bacterial and
         faunal species associated with the shell disease, and trace-metal and organic
         compound concentrations  in edible tissue and hepatopancreas.

     *  Ocean quahog study:  Samples of ocean quahogs and sediments are being
         collected from 27 middle and outer continental shelf locations in association with
         the NMFS shellfish surveys.  Tissues and sediments will be analyzed for trace-
         metal and organic compounds plus heart tumors and other pathological
         conditions.
     *  Four-spot flounder study:  Samples collected during NMFS groundfish surveys
         will be analyzed for (1) trace-metal and organic compounds, (2) disease status,
         and (3)  bacterial flora from fins and the intestinal tract of the organisms.

     *  Manned submersible studies: Submersible dives will be conducted at stations
         located  in w200 and «650 m of water within the eight major submarine canyons
         located  between Veatch and Baltimore  Canyons. These dives will (1) use laser
         scaled video to examine the megabenthic communities and (2) collect sediment
         samples from topographic  highs and lows at each site and from within red crab
         and tilefish borrows for analysis of chemical contaminants and bacterial indicators
         of sewage sludge.

     The sediment samples collected during these studies will contribute to the

information necessary to  test HglTb. The other studies will contribute to the testing of

several Tier 4 hypotheses that are discussed in Section 3.5.


3.43.2  NMFS Sediment Studies

     NMFS will  also collect and analyze sediments  from the vicinity of the 106-Mile Site

for chemical and  bacterial indicators of sludge. Parameters included in the NOAA

National Status and Trends Program will be measured (Table 3-4).  These samples will be

collected as part of the long-term effects studies discussed in Section 3.5. Metals,

pesticides, PAHs, PCBs, coprostanol, and bacterial indicators (Clostridium perfringens

spores) will be analyzed in  sediments from Sites 1 through 31 (see Section 3.5.1 for station

locations).  These sediment samples will be collected with a box core. Replicated box cores
                                          56

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 TABLE 3-4.  PARAMETERS THAT WILL BE DETERMINED BY NOAA IN
              SEDIMENT ORGANISMS COLLECTED AT THE 106-MILE SITE.
              These parameters are the same as those determined in the NOAA National
              Status and Trends Program.
 Pofynuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbons
 Naphthalene
 2-Methylnaphthalene
 1-Methylnaphthalene
 Biphenyl
 2,6-Dimethylnaphthalene
 Acenaphthylene
 Acenaphthene
 2,3,5-Trimethylnaphthalene
 Fluorene
 Phenanthrene
 Anthracene
 1-Methylphenanthrene
 Fluoranthene
 Pyrene
 Benz(a)anthracene
 Chyrsene
 Benzo(6)fluoranthene
 Benzo(&)Fluoranthene
 Benzo(e)pyrene
 Benzo(a)pyrene
 Perylene
 Indeno(l,2,3-c,rf)pyrene
 Dibenz(a,/z)anthracene
 Benzo^/z^perylene

 Pesticides
 Hexachlorobenzene
 Lindane
 Heptachlor
 Aldrin
 Heptachlorepoxide
 alpha-Chlordane
 /ra/w-Nonachlor
 Dieldrin
 Mirex
 o,p'-DDD
 p,p'-DDD
 o,p'-DDE
 o,p'-DDE
 o,p'-DDT
 p,p'-DDT

Butyltins
Tributyltin
Dibutyltin
 Monobutyltin
Tetrabutyltin
 Pofyctdorinated Biphenyls
 2,4,-C12(8)
 2,2'5-C13(18)
 2,4,4'-CI3(28)
 2,2'3,5'-C14(44)
 2,2',5,5'-CI4(52)
 2,3',4,4'-C14(66)
 2,2'4,5,5'-C15(101)
 2,3,3'4,4'-C15(105)
 2,3'4,4',5-C15(118)
 2,2'3,3',4,4'-C16(128)
 2,2'3,4,4',5'-C16(138)
 2,2',4,4'5,5'-C16(153)
 2,2',3,3',4,4',5-C17(170)
 2,2',3,4,4',5,5'-C17(180)
 2,2',3,4,5,5',6-C17(187)
 2,2',3,3',4,4',5,6-C18(195)
 2,2',3,3'4,4',5,5',6-C19(206)
 Decachlorobiphenyl-C110(209)

 Trace Metals
 Aluminum (Al)
 Silver (Ag)
 Arsenic (As)
 Cadmium (Cd)
 Chromium (Cr)
 Copper (Cu)
 Iron (Fe)
 Mercury (Hg)
 Nickel (Ni)
 Lead (Pb)
 Selenium (Se)
 Tin (Sn)
 Zinc (Zn)

Auxiliary Parameters
 Total organic carbon/total carbonate
 (TOC/TIC) (sediment)
 Clostridium perfringens (sediment)
 Sediment grain size (sediment
                                            57

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will be collected at only 12 stations. These stations will be selected to coincide with the
Stations sampled previously during baseline surveys or previous studies in the area.  Single
box cores will be collected at the remaining 19 stations. Multiple undisturbed subsamples
will be taken from each sample.  Cores for contaminant analysis will be frozen; those for
bacterial analysis will be refrigerated at 2° to 4°C.  Cores will be subsectioned in horizontal
strata at shore-based laboratories for analysis.
      The results of the analyses v/ill be used in interpreting any observed effects in
organisms collect at the same time under these programs. In addition, the results will used
to identify possible linkages with sludge disposal at the 106-Mile  Site.

                                    3.4.4 Modeling

      NOAA will continue to evaluate possible models that can be used to determine the
fate of sludge and to identify possible deposition areas. An appropriate sludge transport
model should include three components:  a water-circulation component, an advection-
diffusion component, and a particle-deposition component. Potential  circulation models
include a Dynalysis, Inc., model of the Middle Atlantic Bight (Mellor  and Ezer, 1990) and
Harvard Gulf Stream model (Robinson and Walstad, 1987).
      During FY90, NOAA will assess the suitability of historical data sets that could be
used to initialize a circulation model or to compare with results from  a model of the
farfield fate of sludge constituents. Viable historical data include measurements of
temperature and salinity (CTD and XBT data) and data from  moored current meters taken
during the Shelf Edge Exchange Processes (SEEP I and E) programs  and the Middle
Atlantic Slope and Rise (MASAR) experiment.
      During FY91, NOAA will evaluate the utility of using output from available
circulation models as input to the circulation component of a transport model for the
environs of the 106-Mile Dumpsite. NOAA will also assess existing advection-diffusion and
particle transport models for suitability of application.  Potential advection-diffusion models
include those of O'Connor et al. (1983) and Walker et al. (1987). Potential deposition
models include those of Partch (1985) and Nocito-Gobel et al. (1989).
      EPA modeling studies will be used primarily to help to interpret the sediment-trap
data. Models will form the primary link between the Lagrangian and Eulerian field

                                          58

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observations and data results from the sediment traps.  Specific model requirements will be
refined during the planning phase for the data syntheses designed to evaluate the farfield
fate of the sludge (Section 4.2.1).
                                     3.5 TIER 4:
                               LONG-TERM EFFECTS

      The continuing monitoring, research, and surveillance plan will test some of the same
hypotheses that were included in Tier 4 of EPA's Monitoring Plan.  Other hypotheses listed
in the EPA Monitoring Plan have been modified; still other hypotheses are added to this
tier of the joint Monitoring Plan.  Hypotheses that are carried over from the EPA
Monitoring Plan include
      Hgl8: Sludge constituents have no significant long-term effect on the distribution of
            endangered species in the vicinity of the site.
      HglP  Sludge constituents do not accumulate in the tissues of commercially
            important species resident in the shelf and slope areas  adjacent to the site.
      Hg21: Sludge disposal has no effect on eggs and larval stages of indigenous animals.
      Hg23: Pathogens or biological tracers of sewage  sludge do not increase in the water
            column or biota as a result of sludge disposal.
Hypothesis Hgl8 is intended to ensure that endangered species are considered in the plan.
The emphasis for testing Hgl8 will be shipboard observations to identify and enumerate
marine mammals (to include endangered species) occurrence and distribution near the 106-
Mile Site. Testing of contaminant levels in endangered species is not planned. H£2 of the
EPA Monitoring Plan is not included because lack of baseline data makes a definitive test
difficult. This new plan modifies H^O of the EPA Monitoring Plan to test effects on
benthic organisms and populations as well as communities. The revised hypothesis is
      Hg20: Benthic metabolism, populations, and/or communities do not change
            significantly because of sludge disposal.
The new plan also  includes the following new hypotheses.
      Ho24: There are no detectable differences in the body burdens of sludge
            contaminants in midwater fishes in the immediate vicinity of the 106-Mile Site
            compared to a broad area surrounding the dumpsite.
      Ho25: The prevalence of shell disease exhibited by commercially important
            crustaceans is not significantly different in collections of commercially valuable
            American lobsters and red crabs, off New Jersey, adjacent to  and downstream
            from the 106-Mile Site, from those in collections off Georges  Bank and
            southern New England.
                                         59

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   77 900
4taeo
76 'CO'     75 300'     74 °00'      73 °00'      72 300'      7]i°00'      70 °00'
40°00' -
39900' -
38900'
      '00
76 °00'      75 °00'      74 °00'      73 °00'     72 °00
 HGURE 3-4.     PROPOSED LOCATIONS FOR NOAA SEDIMENT AND TRA.\^L STATIONS.
                                             62

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       Bioaccumulation by macrobenthic organisms (K^lPand H^ZS).  A wide variety of
 benthic fish and shellfish occurs on the continental shelf and on the slope to depths of
 500 m (NOAA, 1983; Maciolek et aL, 1987). Lobsters, red crabs, and tilefish are the most
 abundant resource species, although their ranges do not extend much deeper than 500 m.
 They are not found within the 106-Mile Site. Below 1000 m, brittle stars, sea urchins, and
 rattails are  the predominant species.  Densities of organisms are very low at those depths,
 generally less than 0.1 to 1 animal per square meter.
       An Isaacs-Kidd trawl will be used to collect benthic fishes and crustaceans at depths
 between 200 and 3500 m.  Because tilefish, American lobsters, and red crabs cannot always
 be collected with this gear or  at the stations specified for the benthic samplings, separate
 collections will be made through the commercial fishery. These collections will be
 undertaken at several continental slope areas which may include Lydonia, Atlantis, Hudson-
 Toms, Baltimore, and Norfolk Canyons, depending on the fishery. Traps will be set for
 lobsters; long lines or hand lines will be used for tilefish.
      Whenever the otter trawl catch permits, as many as 30, but  no fewer than 12,
 individuals of as many as five  benthic species will be collected, identified, and sorted for
 chemical analysis.  For the lobsters, at least 20 adult individuals, half with and half without
 evidence of substantial shell disease, will be collected at each station.  At least 10 tile fish
 will be sampled at each site.  One to as many as five species from each site will be analyzed
 for metals, pesticides, PAHs, and PCBs.  Resource species will be preferred.
      The shelf/canyon study will also measure bioaccumulation of metals and organic
 compounds in several commercial  species (see Section 3.43.1 for details). The results of
 these studies can be applied to hypotheses 1^19, Ho23, H£6, and H^ZS.
      Measurement of chemical contamination in American lobsters and red crab (1^19,
 Ho27, and Ho28).   Given the uncertainty that sludge-derived contaminants might reach the
 continental slope of New Jersey and the Delmarva peninsula, specimens of American
 lobsters and red crabs will be obtained to determine the prevalence of shell disease
 (Section 3.43.1 and 3.5.2).  The chemical contaminants in organisms recovered during the
 shellfish disease study will be determined. Approximately 20 adult American lobsters, half
with and half without substantial evidence of shell disease, will be collected the five
previously indicted continental slope area stations for chemical analysis.  Both the muscle
                                          63

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and the hepatopancreas will be analyzed for the same metal and organic compounds
measured in benthic organisms and midwater fish collected under this Monitoring Plan.
      Contaminants will also be measured in the red crabs sampled under the shelf/canyon
study (Section 3.43.1). These results will help in the evaluation of hypotheses H^55 and
      Bioaccumulation by midwater fishes (Ho24). The lantern fishes (Myctophidae) and
hatchet fishes (Sternopychidae) are relatively abundant throughout the slope water of the
Middle Atlantic. Trawls in the vicinity of the 106-Mile Site indicate that they are the most
abundant of the midwater fishes, comprising 95 percent of the nighttime catch in the upper
200 m and 90 percent of the daytime catch in the upper 800 m. Lantern and hatchet fishes
migrate vertically, moving to the surface to feed (on zooplankton and micronekton) at  night
and returning to depths of 200-700 m before daylight.  They are weak swimmers, and except
for their vertical migrations are essentially planktonic.
      These midwater fishes have been selected as the primary organisms for detecting and
studying the presence of sludge associated contaminants surface waters in the vicinity of the
106-Mile Site.  Samples will be collected from the vicinity of the 106-Mile Site and in a
pattern over a broad area around the site (Figure 3-5).  A stepwise double-oblique towing
profile focused on the expected capture depth for the time of day of sampling and water
mass present will be used to recover the organisms. An Isaacs-Kidd or other midwater
trawl will be used for sampling.
      Captured fishes will be sorted, identified, measured, counted, and frozen for
transport to the analytical laboratories.  Twenty individual specimens of each of the seven
most abundant species will  be collected from each trawl. Samples of zooplankton and
micronekton will also be recovered for contaminant analysis. The strategy will be to
oversample, so that  similarity of species among sites can be maximized.  At the end of each
sampling survey, the three species at each station that give the best area coverage will be
selected for analysis. Organisms will be analyzed for the same metals and organic;
compounds determined in the benthic organisms. Where possible, 10 samples (individuals
or composites of two organisms) of each species selected will be analyzed.
                                          64

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   /6  °00'
41*00'
75 °00'      74- °00'      73 °00'
72 °00'      71 °00'
        r
70  °00'      69 °00'
40°00' -
39°00' -
38° 00' -
         FIGURE 3-5.    PROPOSED LOCATIONS FOR NOAA NfYCTOPHID SURVEYS
                                        65

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                3.5.2 Chitinoclastic Disease in Macrobenthic Crustaceans


      Chitinoclastic shell disease of lobsters and red crabs has received media attention

because fishermen have reported prevalence of the disease and concurrent declines in

catches.  Although there is no evidence of increased disease or of an association with

sludge disposal (NOAA and EPA, 1989), data from offshore populations are scarce.

Therefore, the occurrence of Chitinoclastic shell disease will be examined. Hypotheses

H()25 will be tested under this activity.  Samples will be taken from inshore and offshore

populations of American lobster.  Samples will also be taken from polluted and unpolluted

sites. The sampling will consider seasonal, behavioral, and physiological changes in each

species.  Samples will be obtained from four sources.

      •  Megabenthic trawls. American lobsters and red crabs collected during the
         megabenthic trawls at the inshore stations of the cross-slope  transects (Figure 3-4)
         will be examined for prevalence of the disease.

      *  The commercial fishery.  Beginning in July 1990, samples of  the American
         lobsters and red crabs will be obtained from commercial catches of offshore shelf
         populations covering fisheries from Veatch to Norfolk Canyons.  Inspections will
         be opportunistic, either onboard the commercial vessel or at the point of landing.
         Observers will be placed aboard commercial vessels to verify the locations where
         animals were caught.
      •  12-Mile Site.  Inshore lobster populations in and around the vicinity of the 12-
         Mile Site will  be sampled monthly using otter  trawl.  The data from the 1986-
         1989 12-Mile Site surveys on shell disease prevalence will provide reference
         information.
      *  NEC - Manomet Fishery Observer Program. Catch logs and disease prevalence
         of the American lobster and red crab will be acquired through the NEC -
         Manomet Fishery Observer Program. These surveys will cover the Block Island,
         Nantucket Shoals, Montauk, and Point Pleasant areas.  Routine coverage of the
         spring and fall NEC resources cruises will be arranged.  Trained observers will
         detect and record  the severity of the shell disease during these surveys.

      Each  animal will be examined for prevalence and  intensity of shell disease. The sex,

size, molting stage, and  any gill abnormalities will be noted.
      The shelf/canyon  study also plans to examine red crabs for shell disease as described

in Section 3.43.1.  These results may also be applied to evaluating hypothesis
                                          66

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                                  3.5.3 Benthic Studies

       The continental slope and rise study will, in conjunction with studies of transport and
 fate, study possible effects on benthic organisms, populations, and communities.  Activities
 to be conducted will include
       •  Determining the possible effects of carbon additions on benthic metabolism,
          macrofaunal activity, and redox zonation (H^O). These studies will determine
          whether (1) sludge disposal affects benthic metabolism; (2) sludge deposition
          influences macrofaunal activity (by changes in rates, population densities, or
          community composition) as evidenced by depth and rate of particle mixing as
          well as bioirrigation; (3) sludge  deposition influences the depth zonation of
          natural redox boundaries; and (4) breakdown of organic matter occurs primarily
          on the sediment surface or within the sediment, and sludge deposition affects this
          process.
       •  Determining whether sludge enters the benthic food web. These studies will be
          conducted separately from the bioaccumulation studies described in Section 3.5.1.
       •  Evaluating the effects of natural and anthropogenic inputs on population density
          and community structure (Hg20).
       •  Determining whether benthic communities in the vicinity of the 106-Mile Site
          differ from  those described from baseline surveys (Hg20).
       •  Conducting in situ experiments to determine whether sludge inhibits feeding by
          benthic animals.
       •   Analyzing the biochemistry and pathology of benthic-feeding fishes as indicators
          of exposure to and effects of sludge.
Precise locations for these activities have not been specified.
      The shelf/canyon study will also conduct benthic studies along the outer shelf and in
selected submarine canyons. The general studies that will be conducted are described in
Section 3.4.3.1.  The submersible studies of megabenthic communities in the submarine
canyons will also relate to hypothesis Hg20.

                         3 .5.4 Fish Distribution and Abundance
      Studies to test the null hypothesis H^P will be supported under NMFS funded
programs rather than fees collected under ODBA.  These studies will assess the possible
influence of dumping on the temporal and spatial differences in fish distribution and
abundance as determined through analysis of catch per unit effort (CPUE) data.
                                         67

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                           3.5.5 Sensitive life Stage Studies

      Under the continental shelf and rise program, ichthyoplankton samples will be
collected using surface-deployed nets. The results from these samples will be compared
with previous studies in the region (hypothesis Hg21). Methods used in the studies will
follow those used in the NOAA MARMAP program. Double-oblique tows using a frame
fitted with a 0.05-mm-mesh net will be performed.  The net will be lowered to a maximum
depth of 200 m at 50 m/min and retrieved at 20 m/min. Ship speed will be maintained at 1
to 2 kn. Information on distribution of fish eggs and larvae will be compared with similar
information from reference stations.  These activities are not expected to provide definitive
evidence of effects on sensitive life stages of fishes. However, they will provide ongoing
measurements that can be assessed in conjunction with additional studies, should Tier 3
results indicate that degradation of water quality in the vicinity of the site may occur.

                 3.5.6 Pathogen and Biological Tracers of Sewage Sludge

      Enumeration of Clostridium perfiingens spores will be made on samples from  the EPA
sediment-trap study and on samples collected in conjunction with the various sediment
studies planned by NOAA.  The results will be used to test hypothesis H^lTb in Tier 3.
      The NURP studies will also look for selected human pathogens and biological  tracers
of sewage sludge in sediment samples from the vicinity of the site, various submarine
canyons, and outer continental shelf areas.  The pathogen Acanthamoeba will be
determined in sediment collected  as part of the shelf/canyon study.  As part  of the
continental shelf and rise program, sediment samples will  be tested for total microbial
nucleic acids to detect enteropathogenic bacteria using pathogen-specific hybridization
probes and microbial community structure using DNA-DNA reassociation kinetics.  One
organism that the sediments will be tested for is Salmonella. Other tests may be used as
they are developed. The DNA-DNA reassociation studies will be used to examine  the
complexity of the microbial population in sediments in and near the 106-Mile Site and will
compare the results against control stations.
                                          68

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                           3.5.7 Endangered Species Studies

      EPA and NOAA will continue to include trained observers of marine mammals,
reptiles, and birds on all surveys related to the 106-Mile Site with available space. The data
will be used to evaluate Hgl8.  The observers will record the presence, number, and
behavior of all species of mammals, reptiles,  and birds in 15-min intervals along the survey
track (Payne et ah, 1984).  Each observation  period represents a transect, and several
transects are to be performed each day during the survey. Data from each  survey
conducted while dumping is taking place will be compared to data from predumping
surveys.  Such observations are expected to continue throughout the use of the site.
                                         69

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         4.0 SCHEDULE, COMMUNICATIONS, AND DATA USE FOR THE
                       106-MDLE SITE MONITORING PLAN

     This section integrates the findings of EPA's past monitoring efforts with the plans
for continued monitoring, research, and surveillance by EPA, NOAA, and the USCG. It
presents an overall schedule  for the program; describes the plans for communications
among the agencies, with members of the scientific community, and with the public; and
shows how results of the program have been and will continue to be used.

                 4.1 MASTER SCHEDULE FOR THE PROGRAM

     Responsibilities for activities conducted as part of the monitoring, research, and
surveillance plan are summarized in Table 4-1.  Responsibilities are divided among EPA,
NOAA, and the USCG. The schedule of activities already completed by the EPA.
monitoring program and for implementing those new activities planned by EPA, NOAA,
and the USCG is presented in Figure 4-1.
     Monitoring at the 106-Mile Site began in 1984 with surveys for collection of baseline
information in support of the site designation process.  Additional baseline  data were
collected during 1985 and 1986. Dumping at the site had already begun when 1986 data
were collected.  However, stations were selected to avoid contamination from  sludge
plumes.
     Initial evaluations of variability for Tier 1 monitoring of sludge characteristics and
disposal operations were completed during 1988. Permits for continued use of the site,
which were issued in 1989, have specified continued monitoring and surveillance. Tier 2
monitoring was initiated with preliminary observations of sludge plumes in the summer of
1986 and with collection of water samples in the plume in conjunction with  plume-tracking
exercises in the summer of 1987.  Winter and summer measurements were made in 1988,
and winter measurements were repeated in 1989.  Also, during 1989 a surface-current
mooring was deployed. Short-term biological assessments were made during the summer
1988 survey.
                                        70

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TABLE 4-1.  RESPONSIBILITIES FOR MONITORING, RESEARCH, AND SURVEILLANCE DURING 1990-1992.
             (T: Tables.  E: Electronic Format. R: Reports.  G: Graphics.)
Activity
Data Collection     Data Archive*
                                    Data Availability and
                                    Frequency of Distribution
                                Data Format
Sludge Characteristics

Ongoing Monitoring       Permittees         EPA
Disposal Operations

Ongoing
Surveillance
Permittees
                  USCG/EPA
                                    Monthly
                                                                    E,T
                                                            Monthly
                                E,T
Nearfield Fate


Current Meter            EPA
                  EPA
                                    Monthly; 2 months for internally
                                    recording units
                                                                                            E,G,R
XCP Deployment
Permittees
                  EPA
Monthly
                                                                                           E,G,R

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TABLE 4-1. RESPONSIBILITIES FOR MONITORING, RESEARCH, AND SURVEILLANCE DURING 1990-1992.
          (T: Tables. E: Electronic Format. R: Reports. G: Graphics.) (CONTINUED)
Activity
Farfield Fate
Drifters
Seasonal Drifter Study
SST Imagery
XBT Deployment
MWDASb Station
Sediment Traps
Current Meters
Hydrographic Studies
Sediment Studies
Data Collection

EPA
NOAA
NOAA
NOAA
EPA
EPA
NOAA (NURP)C
EPA
NOAA (NURP)C
NOAA
NOAA
NOAA (NUR?)
Data Archive*

EPA
NOAA
EPA/NOAA NOS
EPA/NOAA NOS
EPA
EPA
NOAA
EPA
NOAA
NOAA
NOAA
NOAA
Data Availability and
Frequency of Distmbution

Monthly
Monthly
Monthly
Monthly
Monthly
Wilhin 4 months of recovery
Within 6 months of recovery
Within 4 months of recovery
Within 6 months of recovery
Wilhin 6 months of survey
Within 6 to 12 months of survey
Within 6 to 12 months of survey-
Data Format

E,G,R
E,R
E.G.R
E,G,R
E.G.R
E,R
E,R
E,R
E,R
E,R
E,R
E,R

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TABLE 4-1.  RESPONSIBILITIES FOR MONITORING, RESEARCH, AND SURVEILLANCE DURING 1990-1992.
            (T: Tables.  E: Electronic Format. R: Reports. G: Graphics.) (CONTINUED)
Activity
Long-Term Effects
Endangered Species
Observations
Bioaccumulation Studies
Chitinoclasia Studies
Benthic Studies
Sensitive Life-Stage
Studies
Selected Pathogen Studies
Data Collection

EPA and
NOAA
NOAA
NOAA
NOAA (NURP)C
NOAA (NURP)C
NOAA/
NOAA (NURP)C
Data Archive*

EPA
NOAA
NOAA
NOAA
NOAA
NOAA
Data Availability and
Frequency of Distribution

Within 4 months of survey
Wilhin 10 to 12 months of survey
Within 10 to 12 months of survey
Within 10 to 12 months of survey
Within 10 to 12 months of survey
Within 6 to 12 months of survey
Data Format

E,R
E.G.R
E,R
E.R
E,R
E,R
"Indexing system.

bMeteorological/Wave Data Acquisition System.

CNURP is participating in this program under separate source of research funds.

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   Public Awareness

   Blue Ribbon Panel

   Sludgo Characteristics
      Ongoing Monitoring

   Disposal Operations
      Ongoing Surveillance

   Nearfield Fate
      Water Column Measurements
      Plume Studies
      Current Meter Deployment
      XCP Deployment
      MWDAS Station
   Short-Term Effects
      Short-Term Effects Studies

   Farfield Fate
      Drifter Studies
      SST Imagery
      XBT Deployment
      Sediment Trap Deployment
      Modeling
      Hydrographlc Studies
      Seasonal Drifter Deployment
      Sediment Studies

   Long-Term Effects
      Endangered Species Studies
      Bloaccumulation Studies
      Chitinoclasia Studies
      Benthlc Studies
      Ichthyoplankton Studies
                                              _LL
                                                                    i  ' I  ' '  I i i
                                                                      '  ' I i  i I  I I
i I  i i  I i i  I i  i
                           OCT JAN APR  JUL OCT JAN APR JUL OCT JAN APR JUL OCT JAN  APR JUL  OCT JAN APR JUL OCT JAN APR JUL
                           1986 19871987198719871988198819881988198919891989198919901990 1990199019911991 19911991 1992 19921992
                                     Activity conducted
                                              Activity planned
FIGURE 4-1.
MASTER SCHEDULE AND ACTIVITIES CONDUCTED AS OF OCTOBER 1990 FOR THE MONITORING,
RESEARCH, AND SURVEILLANCE PROGRAM

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       Many Tier 2 studies were completed in 1989; others will extend through 1991. In
  March 1990, weekly XCP deployments from sludge barges began and will extend through
  1991. Data from these will be used to determine the vertical shear in horizontal currents
  and water temperature.
       Tier 3 monitoring was initiated in 1988. Use of drifters and remote sensing to
  estimate farfield fate of sludge disposed at the site was initiated in 1988. Weekly drifter
  deployments will begin in March 1990. Also, the surface-current mooring deployed for Tier
  2 is being used for Tier 3 studies. Further Tier 3 studies, including sediment studies, will
  be conducted during 1990 and 1991.
       Long-term effects, Tier 4, studies were initiated in 1989 and will continue for the
 duration of the program. Effects on endangered species have been assessed since  dumping
 began and will continue throughout the life of the program.  During 1989, NOAA  and EPA
 conducted preliminary studies of contaminants in lantern and hatchet fishes.  Other
 bioaccumulation studies, studies of chitinoclasia, benthic studies, assessment of
 ichthyoplankton,  and measurements of pathogens in sediments will proceed during 1990
 and 1991.
      Monitoring and research activities to be  conducted in 1992 will be determined based
 on results from the 1990 and 1991 monitoring. These may include continuing the program
 discussed previously or modifying certain aspects based on the results of the monitoring
 and research program and ongoing sludge disposal activities.

                 42 COMMUNICATIONS AND DATA EXCHANGE

      Communications and data exchange are integral parts  of the monitoring, research,
 and surveillance program. This section describes (1) data quality and data exchange;  (2)
 expert reviews of plans and results; and (3) public awareness.

                         4.2.1 Quality Assurance Requirements

      All activities under the joint Monitoring Plan will be conducted under well defined
Quality Assurance programs.  Specific quality assurance activities conducted under the joint
Monitoring Plan will be the responsibility of each agency conducting the activity. All

                                         75

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activities will be conducted under project-specific plans (e.g., survey, laboratory, or other
work plan) that specify at a minimum the project goals, the relationship of the specific
project to the overall joint Monitoring Plan, the hypotheses from the joint Monitoring Plan
that are being tested, schedules of activities, data quality requirements, sample or data
collection procedures, analytical methods and quality control measures, and data
documentation  and validation procedures. Analytical laboratories performing chemical
analysis must participate in the  quality assurance program used in  the National Status and
Trends (NS&T) program. This will ensure accuracy, precision, and comparability of
sediment and tissues results being generated by the various laboratories. The NOAA
NS&T quality assurance program includes the National Institute of Standards and
Technology (NIST)/NOAA NS&T program for organic contaminants  and the National
Research Council (NRC) of Canada/NOAA NS&T program for metals.
      Data interpretation and synthesis will be the responsibility of all three agencies
issuing the joint Monitoring Plan. Because of the complex interactions required to evaluate
the sludge fate, an organization chart showing the interrelationships of research activities in
Tiers 2 and 3 are shown in Figure 4-2.  Synthesis of data will take place as reports are
being written. EPA has established a specific project to synthesize the data obtained under
the EPA Tier 3 Farfield Fate studies. The overall synthesis of the physical oceanographic
data will include application of simple transport models designed  to bridge the sediment-
trap observations and the physical oceanographic data. The model will form a framework
for evaluating sludge transport  and  fate information derived from the sediment-trap
program. The interrelationship of the long-term effects studies has been similarly  organized
(Figure 4-3).

                        423.  Reports and Information Exchange

      Several reports have been and will continue to be prepared by EPA and NOAA to
document the plans and results of the program.  Descriptions of those reports that will be
developed under the program are presented in Table 4-2.
      Records  of work to be performed, including details about sampling locations and
methods for sampling and analysis are currently documented in work plans or work/quality
                                          76

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          Hearfield Studies
          Farfield Studies
FIGURE 4-2.
TIER 2 AND TIER 3 MONITORING AND RESEARCH ACTIVITIES
DATA SOURCES, DATA PROCESSING REPORTS, AND SYNTHESIS
                                   77

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     LONG-TERM EFFECTS
        Sediment
        Chemistry
            MMFS
            Core Samples
        Bioaccumulation
        Midwater Fish
            NMFS
            Trawl Survey
                 Data Repository
                 NMFS/NODC
                                                                     NOS Hydrographic
                                                                     Survey Results
                 Data Repository
                 NMFS/NODC
  -4
  OO

Bioaccumulation
Macrobenthos





Offshore
Fishery

NMFS
Trawl Survey -
                                               Data Repository
                                               NMFS/NODC
      Chitinoclasia
                         NMFS
                         Trawl Survey
            Offshore
            Fishery
NMFS Data
and Chemical
Analyses
Data Repository
NMFS/NODC
FIGURE 4-3.
NOAA NMFS ODBA-FUNDED RESEARCH AND MONITORING ACTIVITIES, DATA SOURCES, REPORTS, AND
DATA SYNTHESIS. RESEARCH ACTIVITIES PLANNED BY THE NURP PROGRAMS ARE DISCUSSED IN THE
TEXT OF THE JOINT MONITORING PLAN

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 TABLE 4-2.  SUMMARY OF REPORTS THAT WILL BE DEVELOPED UNDER THE
              106-MILE SITE MONITORING, RESEARCH, AND SURVEILLANCE
              PLAN
 Report Type
 Content of Report
Survey Plans
Survey Reports
Data Reports
Project Reports
Joint Reports
Peer-Reviewed Papers
Public Information
Detailed description of survey objectives, survey activities,
station locations, measurements techniques, schedules,
measurements  that will be made onboard. Quality-
assurance goals and quality-control techniques, data formats,
and products to be developed for each survey or research
activity.

Summary descriptions of activities accomplished during a
survey, including a brief summary of data generated
onboard the survey vessel and the success in meeting the
survey objectives.

Data reports may be the only reports required for some
projects. Data will,  however, be used in other reports to
synthesis data that cross project lines.

Reports discussing the objectives, methods, results, data
discussions, conclusions and recommendations for
continuing work, prepared for each project.  Data tables,
graphics, and other information necessary to support
discussions, conclusions, and recommendations. May be
included in ongoing agency report series or as standalone
documents.

Data gathered such that interagency preparation of a  report
is necessary.

Papers prepared for delivery at scientific meetings,
symposiums, or  for publication in professional journals.

Publications prepared for release to the public. These may
in the form of press  releases or briefing reports  for rapid
release of information to the public.
                                         79

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TABLE 4-2.    SUMMARY OF REPORTS THAT WILL BE DEVELOPED UNDER
               THE 106-MILE SITE MONITORING, RESEARCH, AND
               SURVEILLANCE PLAN (CONTINUED).
Report Type
Content of Report
Reports to the Congress
ODBA-required reports on the progress towards ending
ocean dumping and on monitoring results.
Ocean-Dumping Symposium
Final Compendium
During FY91 or FY92, a conference to review the status of
the 106-Mile Site Monitoring activities is planned. The
symposium will include international activities related to
sewage sludge disposal and synthesize existing data on ihe
106-Mile Site, proceedings volume will be published.

At the conclusions of all research, monitoring, and
surveillance activities involving sewage sludge disposal at the
106-Mile Site a final compendium of results will be
prepared. The compendium will summarize the findings of
the research plus consider regulatory issues, management
actions, scientific results.  This will provide a volume upon
which scientists and policy makers can draw for information
on the use of the ocean for waste disposal should such
options be considered in the future.
                                        80

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  assurance project plans and survey plans. These types of documents are required for all
  projects and surveys.  Results are documented in survey, data, and final project reports.
  Other reports may also be issued as necessary.
       So that information will be shared between NOAA and EPA, regular meetings will
  be held to plan activities and discuss results. As required by the ODBA,  an annual report
  to the Congress, prepared by EPA with NOAA and USCG review, will summarize results of
  the monitoring, research, and surveillance program.

                          423 Data Management and Archival

       So that other participating scientists may use the information gathered during the
 joint monitoring program, a data management plan will be developed and implemented.
 The data management plan will allow ready access to the information generated during the
 various monitoring and research efforts.  However, a single centralized data management
 system containing all data generated under the joint Monitoring Plan will not be developed.
 Initially, each agency or investigator participating in the joint program will be responsible
 for maintaining data in readily accessible formats and locations. These data will be made
 available to the data management system when it is implemented. When possible, data will
 be maintained within data management systems presently available within each agency.
       For long-term data archival, Federal data systems currently available for storage of
 environmental or oceanographic data may be used.  Such systems as the NOAA National
• Ocean Data Center (NODC) or the EPA STORET or Ocean Data Evaluation System
 (ODES) will be employed when possible.  Final disposition of all data will be determined
 before the joint monitoring  program is closed.  All projects conducted under the joint
 monitoring program will be  encouraged to provide data to the database management
 systems in a  timely manner and  will be required to submit data sets to the final data
 archival systems.
       To facilitate information exchange, development of a centralized data management
 index  system will be assessed and implemented as necessary  to ensure accessibility of the
 data for other data users. This indexing system will direct current and future data users to
 the relevant information sources or data archival locations. The system will include
 information such as the type of data, the data storage  format, storage location, the

                                          81

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appropriate agencies or offices to contact to access the data, and directions for retrieving
the information. Placement of the data index on a readily available computer system and
publication of a brochure containing the relevant information will be evaluated.
      Data submission requirements will be defined as the program progresses, but will
include at a minimum
         Final quality-assured and approved data
         Supporting quality control information
         A brief assessment of the data quality
         Supporting information such as sample depth, location, replicate number, etc.
         A brief narrative describing the sample-collection methods and analytical
         procedures
      •  Citations of reports or other publications containing the data
Processed satellite-tracked drifter and sea surface imagery data will also be archived with
appropriate indications of the national archival locations for the raw data.
      Information and data will be exchanged among the various studies as necessary to
complete data interpretation and to prepare reports. Every effort will be made to complete
data generation and data exchange in a timely manner. However, only approved
independently quality-assured final data will be  exchanged. Data interchange will be in
formats that expedite the data transfer.
      Cooperating agencies and individuals will also work together to ensure appropriate
recognition of data sources. Investigators will work together to provide interpretive reports
in a timely manner.  Investigators may also be requested to provide preliminary information
to the Blue Ribbon Panel of Federal Experts (Section 42.4) or to annual reports as
required by the program managers.

                        4.2.4 Expert Review of Plans and Results

      The information generated through implementation of the research, monitoring, and
surveillance plan shall  also be reviewed formally. A Blue Ribbon Panel of Federal Experts
will aid the agencies in making  decisions about  site management issues and future research,
monitoring, and surveillance needs. EPA, NOAA, and USCG are convening this panel. It
will include a core group of representatives of Federal agencies. Representatives from
outside the Federal Government will provide  specific expertise as needed.
                                          82

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      Expert review of the results of the program will also take place at a symposium to be
 conducted in 1991 or 1992.  EPA, NOAA, and the USCG will convene the symposium.
 Representatives from Federal, State, and local governments, scientific institutions,
 fishermen's groups, and environmental groups will be invited to review results of
 monitoring, research, and surveillance activities.

                                4.2J5 Public Awareness

      Participants at the joint EPA/NOAA/USCG workshop held in 1989 recommended
 that Federal efforts in public awareness of monitoring activities and findings should be
 improved.
      EPA has the lead responsibility for informing the public of 106-Mile Site research,
 monitoring, and surveillance activities and their findings. NOAA, USCG, and EPA will
 collaborate to summarize up-to-date, technical information on sludge dumping and its
 implications. This information will address particularly  the stated concerns of public-
 interest groups.  Information will be distributed in short, newspaper-style format to (1)
 newspapers and news magazines, (2) radio and television stations, and (3) groups that have
 expressed interest in site management issues.  EPA Region n will continue to publish the
 ODBA Advocate, a semiannual newsletter updating relevant ODBA activities. Aggressive
 efforts will be sustained to inform all groups expressing  interest.

      43 USES OF MONITORING. RESEARCH. AND STTRVFTTT ANCE DATA

      Results of monitoring at the 106-Mile Site have been and will continue to be used as
 a basis for initiating enforcement actions when court orders or permit conditions have been
violated; setting or revising permit requirements; modifying or revising the monitoring
program itself; and ultimately determining whether the site should continue to be used
according to the restrictions of the site designation process and the ODBA.
                                         83

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                                5.0 REFERENCES
APHA. 1985. Standard Methods for the Examination of Waste and Wastewater. 16th
    edition. American Public Health Association, Washington, DC.

Battelle. 1986. Studies Conducted in the Vicinity of the 106-Mile Deepwater Municipal
    Sludge Site. A report submitted to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under
    Contract No. 68-01-6986. Work Assignment 55.

Battelle. 1987a. Analysis of Baseline Seawater and Sediment Samples from the 106-Mile
    Deepwater Municipal Sludge Site. A report submitted to the U.S. Environmental
    Protection Agency under Contract No. 68-03-3319. Work Assignment 21.

Battelle. 1987b. Evaluation of and Recommendations for Bioaccumulation Studies for the
    106-Mile Deepwater Municipal Sludge Site Monitoring Program. A report submitted to
    the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under Contract No. 68-03-3319. Work
    Assignment 47.

Battelle. 1987c. Plume-Tracking Survey of the 106-Mile Deepwater Municipal Sludge Site.
    A report submitted to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under Contract No.
    68-03-3319. Work Assignment 63.

Battelle. 1988a. Monitoring Plan for the 106-Mile Deepwater Municipal Sludge Site.  A
    report submitted to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under Contract No. 68-
    03-3319. Work Assignment 1-22.

Battelle. 1988b. Implementation Plan for the 106-Mile Deepwater Municipal Sludge Site
    Monitoring Program. A report submitted to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
    under Contract No. 68-03-3319. Work Assignment 1-22.

Battelle. 1988c.  Results of Studies  Conducted in the Vicinity of the 106-Mile Deepwater
    Municipal Sludge Site.  A report submitted to the U.S. Environmental Protection
    Agency under Contract No. 68-03-3319. Work Assignment 1-22.

Battelle. 1988d.  Analytical Results of the 106-Mile Deepwater Municipal Sludge Site
    Survey—Summer 1986. A report submitted to the U.S. Environmental Protecition
    Agency under Contract No. 68-03-3319. Work Assignment 1-31.

Battelle. 1988e. Nearfield Monitoring of Sludge Plumes at the 106-Mile Site: Results of a
    Survey Conducted August 31 through September 5,1987. A report submitted to the
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under Contract No. 68-03-3319. Work
    Assignment 1-63.

Battelle. 1988f. Characteristics of Sewage Sludge from the Northern New Jersey-New York
    City Area.  A report submitted to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under
    Contract No. 68-03-3319.  Work Assignment 1-111.
                                        85

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 Battelle. 1988g. Review and Evaluation of Available Methods for Assessing Short-Term
     Biological Effects at the 106-Mile Deepwater Municipal Sludge Site. A report
     submitted to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under Contract No.
     68-03-3319. Work Assignment 1-22.

 Battelle. 1989a. Report to Congress on Monitoring Programs in the Middle Atlantic Bight
     in Response to Section 104B(j)(4)(A) of the Ocean Dumping Ban Act. A report
     submitted to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under Contract No.
     68-C8-0105. Work Assignment 1-33.

 Battelle. 1989b. Nearfield Fate Monitoring at the 106-Mile Deepwater Municipal Sludge
     Site: Winter 1988 Oceanographic Survey.  A report submitted to the U.S.
     Environmental Protection Agency under Contract No. 68-03-3319. Work Assignment
     1-105.

 Battelle. 1989c.  Review of Disposal Operations at the  106-Mile Deepwater Municipal
     Sludge Site. A report submitted to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under
     Contract No. 68-03-3319. Work Assignment 1-111.

 Battelle. 1989d. Determination of Sludge Dumping Rates for the 106-Mile Site. A report
     submitted to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under Contract  No.
     68-03-3319. Work Assignment 1-111.

 Battelle. 1989e.  Draft Site Condition Report for Farfield Survey of the 106-Mile
     Site—October 1989. A report submitted to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
     under Contract No. 68-C8-0105. Work Assignment 1-43.

 Battelle. 1989f.  Draft Initial Survey Report for the Farfield Survey of the 106-Mile Site-
     October 1989. A report submitted to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under
     Contract No. 68-C8-0105. Work Assignment 1-43.

 Battelle. 1989g.  Contaminant Body Burdens in Mesopelagic Fish (Myctophidae) Collected
     Near the 106-Mile Site.  A report submitted to the U.S. Environmental Protection
     Agency under Contract No. 68-C8-0105. Work Assignment 38.

 Battelle. 1989h.  Permittee Monitoring Requirements: 106-Mile Deepwater Municipal
     Sludge Site Monitoring Program. A report submitted to the U.S. Environmental
     Protection Agency under Contract No. 68-C8-0105. Work Assignment 7.

Battelle. 1990.  Draft Final Report for Summer 1988 106-Mile Site Survey. A report to be
     submitted to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under Contract No. 68-C8-
     0105. Work Assignment 1-4.

Battelle and SAIC  1990. Field Plan for the Sediment Trap Program of the 106-Mile Site
     Monitoring Program.  A report submitted to the U.S. Environmental Protection
     Agency under Contract No. 68-C8-0105. Work Assignment 1-110.
                                        86

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Bolhner, M.H., E.Y. Campbell, G.P. DiLisio, CM. Parmenter, R.R. Rendigs, J.R. Gillison,
    W. Dangelo, and J. A. Commeau. 1987a. Analysis of Trace Metals in Bottom
    Sediments in Support of Deepwater Biological Processes Studies on the U.S.
    Mid-Atlantic Continental Slope and Rise. Final Report to the U.S. Department of the
    Interior Minerals Management Service. OCS Study MMS 86-0102.

Bothner, M.H., E.Y. Campbell, CM. Parmenter, W. Dangelo, G.P. DiLisio, R.R. Rendigs,
    and J.R. Gillison. 1987b. Analysis of Trace Metals in Bottom Sediments in Support of
    Deepwater Biological Processes Studies on the U.S. North Atlantic Continental Slope
    and Rise. Final Report to the U.S. Department of the Interior Minerals Management
    Service. OCS Study MMS 87-0079.

Cohen, D.M. and D. L. Pawson. 1977. Observations from SDKVAlvin on Populations of
    Benthie Fishes and Selected Larger Invertebrates in and near Deepwater Dumpsite
    106. In NOAA, Baseline Report of Environmental Conditions in Deepwater Dumpsite
    106. Volume II: Biological Characteristics. National Oceanic and Atmospheric
    Administration Dumpsite Evaluation Report 77-1.

EPA. 1979. Handbook for Analytical Quality Control in Water and Wastewater
    Laboratories. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency EPA-600/4-79-019.

EPA. 1980. Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the 106-Mile  Ocean Waste Disposal
    Site Designation. Final. Oil and Special Materials Control Division, Marine Protection
    Branch, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC.

EPA. 1985. Methods for Measuring the Acute Toxicity of Effluents to Freshwater and
    Marine Organisms. 3rd ed. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency  EPA/600/4-85-013.

EPA. 1986. Test Methods for Solid Waste. 3rd ed. SW-846.

EPA. 1987. Bioassay Procedures for the Ocean Disposal Permit Program.  EPA-600/9-78-
    010.

EPA. 1989. Proceedings of the Ocean Dumping Workshop-106-Mile Site. EPA-503/9-
    89/009.

EPA, NOAA, and USCG. 1989. Strategy for Monitoring, Research,  and Surveillance of the
    106-Mile Deepwater Municipal Sludge Site. In: Report to Congress on Ocean
    Disposal Monitoring Programs in Response to the Ocean Dumping Ban Act. (To be
    published.)

Fry, V., and B. Butman.  1990. Personal communication.  March 1990.
                                        87

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 Greig, R., and D. Wenzloff. 1977. Final Report on Heavy Metals in Small Pelagic Finfish,
     Euphausid Crustaceans, and Apex Predators, Including Sharks, As Well As on Heavy
     Metals and Hydrocarbons (C15 + ) in Sediments Collected at Stations in and near
     Deepwater Dumpsite 106. In: Baseline Report of Environmental Conditions in
     Deepwater Dumpsite 106. Vol 3: Contaminant Inputs and Chemical Characteristics.
     NOAA Dumpsite Evaluation Report 77-1.

 Hauslcnecht, KA. 1977. Results of Studies on the Distribution of Some Transition and
     Heavy Metals at Deepwater Dumpsite 106. In: Baseline Report of Environmental
     Conditions in Deepwater Dumpsite 106. Vol. 3: Contaminant Inputs and Chemical
     Characteristics. NOAA Dumpsite Evaluation Report 77-1.

 Lavelle, J.W., E. Ozturgut, E.T. Baker, D.A. Tennant, and S.L. Walker. 1988. Settling
     Speeds of Sewage Sludge in Seawater. Environ. Sci. Technol. 22: 1201-1207.

 Maciolek, N., J.F. Grassle, B. Hecker, P.D. Boehm, B. Brown, B. Dade, W. Steinhauer, E.
     Baptiste, R.E. Ruff, and R. Petrecca. 1987. Study of the Biological Processes on the
     U.S. Mid-Atlantic Slope and Rise. Final Report to the Department of the Interior
     Minerals Management Service. Vols. 1,2.

 Mellor, G.L., and T. Ezer, 1990. Data Assimilation with a Realistic North Atlantic
     Regional Model. EOS 71(2):187.

 Nocito-Gobel, J.A., H.A. Walker, J.F. Paul, and CA. Menzie. 1989. Application of a risk
     assessment framework for marine disposal of sewage sludge at midshelf and offshelf
     sites. In: G.W. Suter H and M.A. Lewis (Eds.). Aquatic Toxicology and Environmental
     Fate. Vol. 11.  ASTM STP 1007, American Society for Testing and Materials,
     Philadelphia, PA. Pp. 101-201.

 NOAA. 1977. Baseline Report on Environmental Conditions in Deepwater Dumpsite 106.
     Vols. 1-3. NOAA Dumpsite Evaluation Report 77-1.

 NOAA. 1983. 106-Mile Site Characterization Update. National Oceanic and Atmospheric
     Administration NOAA Tech. Mem. NMFS-F/NEC-26.

NOAA. 1988. Characterization of the Middle Atlantic Water Management Unit of the
     Northeast Regional Action Plan. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
     NOAA Tech. Mem. NMFS-F/NEC-56.

NOAA and EPA. 1989. Shell Disease of Crustaceans in the New York Bight. A Report
     Prepared by a Working Group on Shell Disease for the U.S. Environmental Protection
     Agency and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in April 1989.

O'Connor, J.M., and PJL Park. 1982.  Consequences of Industrial Waste Disposal at the
     106-Mile Ocean Waste Disposal Site. In: G. Mayer (Ed.), Ecological Stress and the
    New York Bight: Science and Management. Estuarine  Research Federation,
    Columbia, SC.

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O'Connor, TJ»., A. Okubo, MA. Champ, and P.K. Park. 1983.  Projected Consequences of
    Dumping Sewage at a Deep Ocean Site near New York Bight. Can. J. Fish. Aquat. Sci.
    40 (suppl. 2): 229-241.

Partch, E.N., 1985. Estimation of the Dispersal of Sinking Particles from Deep Water
    Dumpsite 106 Using Site D Current Meter Records. (Unpublished.)

Payne, M.Pn LA. Selzer, and A.R. Knowton. 1984. Distribution and Density of Cetaceans,
    Marine Turtles,  and Seabirds in Shelf Waters of the Northeastern United States, June
    1980-December  1983, Based on Shipboard Observations. NOAA/NMFS Contract No.
    NA-81-FA-C-00023.

Pearce, JJB., J. Thomas, and R. Grieg. 1975. Preliminary Investigation of Benthic Resources
    at Deepwater Dumpsite 106. In: May 1974 Baseline Investigation of Deepwater
    Dumpsite 106. NOAA Dumpsite Evaluation Report 75-1.

Robinson, A.R., and LJ. Walstad, 1987.  The Harvard Open Ocean Model: Calibration
    and Application to Dynamical  Processes, Forecasting and Data Assimilation Studies.
    Appl. Num. Math. 3:89-131.

SAIC and Battelle. 1989. Data Management and  Reporting for Ocean Dumping of
    Municipal Sludge.  A report submitted to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
    under Contract No. 68-03-3319. Work Assignment 1-111.

Santoro, E.D., and JJ. Fikslin. 1987. Chemical and Toxicological Characteristics of Sewage
    Sludge Ocean Dumped in New York Bight.  Mar. Pollut. Bull. 18:394-399.

Santoro, E.D., and D J. Suszkowski. 1986. Current Status: Phase-Out of Ocean Dumping of
    Sewage Sludge in the New York Bight Apex. 6th International Ocean Disposal
    Symposium, Asilomar Conference Center, Pacific Grove, CA, April 21-25, 1986.

Walker, HA^ JJ7. Paul, and VJ. Bierman,  Jr.  1987.  Methods for waste load allocation of
    municipal sewage sludge at the 106-Mile Site Ocean Disposal Site. Environ. Toricol.
    Chem. 6:475-489.

Warsh, CJE. 1975. Physical Oceanographic Observations at Deepwater Dumpsite 106-May
    1974. In: May 1974 Baseline Investigation of Deepwater Dumpsite 106. NOAA
    Dumpsite Evaluation Report 75-1.

Zdanowicz, V.S., M. Ingham, and S. Leftwich,  1990.  Monitoring Effects of Sewage Sludge
    Disposal at the 106-Mile Dumpsite Using Mid-Water Fish as Sentinels of Contaminant
    Metal Uptake. Northeast Fisheries Center Reference Document  90-02.

Zeller, R.W., and TA. Wastler. 1986. Tiered Ocean Disposal Monitoring  Will Minimize
    Data Requirements. Pp. 1004-1009 in Oceans 86, Vol. 3:  Monitoring Strategies
    Symposium.  Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, New York, NY.
                                        89

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                     Appendix A

STRATEGY FOR MONITORING, RESEARCH, AND SURVEILLANCE
   OF THE 106-MILE DEEPWATER MUNICIPAL SLUDGE SITE

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                   APPENDIX 3
Strategy for Monitoring, Research, and Surveillance of
    the 106-Mile Deepwater Municipal Sludge Site
                                                A-9

                      A-l

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                             STRATEGY FOR
                      MONITORING, RESEARCH, AND
                          SURVEILLANCE OF THE
                          106-MILE DEEPWATER
                         MUNICIPAL SLUDGE SITE
                 U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
                    Office of Marine and Estuarine Protection
                             Washington, DC
            NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION
                             Washington, DC
                           U.S. COAST GUARD
                             Washington, DC
A-10

                                 A-2

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                           TABLE OF CONTENTS


EXECUTIVE SUMMARY  	  13

1.0 INTRODUCTION	• • •  u
   1.1 PREVIOUS STUDIES CONDUCTED AT THE 106-MILE SITE	  14
      1.1.1 Research and Monitoring	  14
      1.1J2 Surveillance	  15
   1.2 DEVELOPMENT OFTHIS STRATEGY AND PLANS	  15

2.0 STRATEGY FOR MONITORING, RESEARCH, AND SURVEILLANCE		  16
   2.1 GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS	  16
   £2 MANAGEMENT QUESTION 1: WHAT IS THE PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL FATE
      OF SEWAGE SLUDGE DUMPED ATTHE 106-MILE SITE?  	  	  17
      2J2.1 Water Mass Movement Studies	  17
      2J2J2 Fixed Point Measurements	  18
      22.3 Remote Sensing	•	  18
      2JL4 Model Evaluation and Use	•	  18
      2J2.5 Settling Measurements	•	  19
      25.6 Data Interpretation	  19
   2.3 MANAGEMENT QUESTION 2: WHAT IS THE EFFECT OF SLUDGE DUMPING AT
      THE 106-MILE SITE ON LIVING MARINE RESOURCES?	  19
          Studies of Nonmigratory Commercial Species Inhabiting Areas Inshore from
            jj0	  20
      •SLJ3J2 Studies of Midwater Species Inhabiting the Middle Atlantic Bight	  21
      233 Studies of Resident, Noncommercial Species	  21
      2J3A Analyses and Data Interpretation  	  21
   2.4 MANAGEMENT QUESTION 3: WHAT IS THE EFFECT OF SLUDGE DUMPING AT
      THE 106-MILE SITE ON HUMAN HEALTH?  	 22
   2.5 MANAGEMENT QUESTION 4: ARE THERE CHANGES IN SITE DESIGNATION,
      PERMITS, AND SURVEILLANCE THAT CAN PROVIDE BETTER PROTECTION OF
      THE ENVIRONMENT, LIVING MARINE RESOURCES, OR HUMAN HEALTH?	 22
      2.5.1 Permit Conditions 	•	 22
      2.5.2 Surveillance	 23
      2.5.3 Site Designation and Management	 23

3.0 SUMMARY OF RESPONSIBILITIES AND IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE .	 23
                                                                     A-11

                                A-3

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                             LIST OF TABLES

TABLE 1.    RESPONSIBILITIES FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF THE 106-MILE
           SITE MONITORING, RESEARCH, AND SURVEILLANCE PLAN	A-24
                            LIST OF RGURES

RGURE1.   SCHEDULE FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF THE 106-MILE SITE
           MONITORING, RESEARCH, AND SURVEILLANCE PLAN	A-25
A-12

                                A-4

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                               EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This document is based on the major recommendations from participants of a workshop on
research, monitoring, and surveillance of the 106-Mile Deepwater Municipal Sludge Site (106-
Mile Site), held in March  1989. The document uses the recommendations of the workshop
to formulate a cohesive plan that can be implemented by the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the U.S.
Coast Guard  (USCG) to continue research, monitoring, and surveillance of sludge disposal at
the site.

The workshop brought together scientists, fishermen, policy experts, and environmentalists to
discuss available information on the fate and effects of sludge disposal at the 106-Mile Site
and to develop a strategy for future research, monitoring, and surveillance.  Discussions at
the workshop focused on four questions:

    1.  What is the physical and chemical fate of the sewage sludge dumped at the 106-
       Mile Site?

    2.  What  is the effect of sludge dumping at the 106-Mile Site on living marine
       resources?

    3.  What  is the effect of sludge  dumping at the 106-Mile Site on human health?

    4.  Are there changes in  site designation, permits, or surveillance that can provide
       better protection  of the environment, living marine resources, or human health?

 NOAA, EPA, and USCG have used the recommendations and findings from the workshop to
 develop this  strategy. The agencies have considered priorities and available resources as
 well as recommendations from the workshop in developing the strategy. The strategy does
 not include every activity that may take place.  It provides a framework for developing a
 complete NOAA/EPA/USCG research, monitoring, and surveillance plan. A complete plan,
 based on this strategy document, will assign responsibilities to each agency, the activities to
 be conducted, and present a schedule for implementation.

 Implementation of the strategy will  be accomplished through close cooperation among
 NOAA, EPA, and USCG. A  Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is being developed to
 define the roles of each agency.  Interagency coordination will include conduct of joint   .
 EPA/NOAA surveys as well as sharing of planning and data interpretation.
                                                                                A-13

                                      A-5

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                                 1.0 INTRODUCTION

In 1988, Congress passed the Ocean Dumping Ban Act (ODBA), legislation aimed at ending
ocean dumping of municipal sludges and industrial wastes by December 31,  1991.  In
response to ODBA's requirement for monitoring and to consumer concerns about the safety
of seafood caught in the Middle Atlantic Bight, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the U.S. Coast
Guard (USCG) held a workshop to solicit recommendations for increased monitoring,
research, and surveillance of the 106-Mile Deepwater Municipal Sludge Site (106-Mile Site).
The 106-Mile Site is the only dumpsite designated by EPA to receive municipal sewage
sludges.

              1.1 PREVIOUS STUDIES CONDUCTED AT THE 106-MILE SITE

                            1.1.1 Research and Monitoring

Since EPA designated the 106-Mile Site for disposal of municipal sewage sludges in 1984,
various monitoring, research,  and  surveillance activities have been conducted there and in
the region that could be affected by sludge disposal. The studies have been conducted by a
variety of Federal agencies, contractor groups, and others. Most of the studies have been
conducted by EPA and NOAA.

EPA has developed and begun implementation of a monitoring plan (most  recently updated
in March  1988) to determine (1) whether permit conditions are met and (2)  whether sludge
dumping  at the site affects the environment or human health.  Although permit conditions are
set to protect the environment, EPA and NOAA are refining monitoring efforts not only to
ensure that these permit conditions are met, but also to ensure that the conditions protect
the marine environment and public health now and into the future.  Results of the monitoring
program are  being used to modify dumping procedures and to direct the continuing
monitoring activities.
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EPA Region II, in consultation with NOAA, has taken primary responsibility for an interagency
workgroup which reviewed published and unpublished data on shell disease (chitinoclasia) in
the New York Bight. The  review focused on lobsters and crabs.  Fishermen had reported
increased incidence of disease in catches in the Middle Atlantic Bight.  Rshermen postulated
that the disease resulted from dumping at the 106-Mile Site.

NOAA conducts a variety  of research near the 106-Mile Site.  NOAA also surveys groundfish
on the continental shelf, directly inshore from the site.  If sludge is transported to the
continental shelf, these areas may be affected. Groundfish surveys are not conducted within
the site, because those waters are beyond the edge of the continental shelf and are not
fished commercially.

                                   1.1.2 Surveillance

 USCG has developed and implemented the Ocean Dumping Surveillance System (ODSS),
 which uses "black boxes" to track location and dumping rates of barges using  the 106-Mile
 Site.  This system  allows  evaluation of compliance with ocean dumping permit  conditions.
 Currently, the systems are accurate but the reliability is less than required in the original
 system specifications.  The ODSS system is discussed in a Report to Congress developed
 by EPA Region II and the USCG.

                  1.2 DEVELOPMENT OF THIS STRATEGY AND PLANS

 In March 1989, NOAA, EPA, and USCG sponsored a 3-day workshop, which brought
 together scientists, fishermen, policy experts, and environmentalists to discuss available
 information on the fate and effects of sludge disposal at the 106-Mile Site and  to develop a
 strategy for future research, monitoring, and surveillance.  Discussions at the workshop
 focused on four questions:

     1. What is the physical and chemical fate of the sewage sludge dumped at the 106-Mile
        Site?
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   2. What is the effect of sludge dumping at the 106-Mile Site on living marine resources?
   3. What is the effect of sludge dumping at the 106-Mile Site on human health?
   4. Are there changes in site designation, permits, or surveillance that can provide better
      protection of the environment, living marine resources, or human health?

NOAA, EPA, and USCG have used the recommendations and findings from the workshop to
develop this strategy.  The agencies have considered priorities and available resources as
well as recommendations from the workshop in developing the strategy.  The strategy does
not include every activity that may take place, but provides a framework for developing a
comprehensive NOAA/EPA/USCG research, monitoring, and surveillance plan. Results of
monitoring will be described in annual reports to Congress.

Implementation of the strategy will be accomplished through close cooperation among
NOAA, EPA, and USCG.  A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is being  developed to
define the roles of each agency, and an interagency agreement will be set up to administer
the MOU. Interagency coordination is expected to include joint ocean surveys.  The
agencies will also coordinate planning and data interpretation.

          2.0 STRATEGY FOR MONITORING, RESEARCH, AND SURVEILLANCE

                          2.1  GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS

Information presented at the workshop showed that research, monitoring, and surveillance of
ocean dumping at the 106-Mile Site has already proved useful for understanding issues
needed to answer the four management questions. Participants felt, however, that Federal
efforts should  be continued and increased so the management questions can be answered
more definitively.  The workshop endorsed the existing plans for work related to the site and
recommended additional studies.

Workshop participants also recommended that Federal efforts to keep the public informed
should be improved. EPA will coordinate implementation of this recommendation. EPA,

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NOAA, and USCG will be responsible for specific actions. Periodic reports and press
releases will form the primary source of such information. Other sources may include widely
distributed fact sheets and public service announcements.  In addition, representatives from
the public and the news media may be invited to participate in research and monitoring
efforts at the site.  So that scientists and others may use the information gathered through
monitoring, all data will be archived under one data management system.  EPA will manage
the system.

Finally, workshop  participants recommended that the information generated through
implementation of the research, monitoring, and surveillance plan be reviewed. A "blue
ribbon" panel of experts will aid the agencies, decisions regarding site management and
future research, monitoring, and surveillance needs.  EPA will convene the panel which will
include representatives of Federal agencies.  Representatives from outside the government
will provide specific expertise as needed.
                              MANAGEMENT QUESTION 1:
                    WHAT IS THE PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL FATE
                OF SEWAGE SLUDGE DUMPED AT THE 10&MIUE SITE?

 To date, studies of the fate of sludge dumped at the site have focused on nearfieicl transport
 and dispersion.  The workshop recommended implementation of plans to study farfield fate,
 including conducting studies of water mass movements and currents and using remote
 sensing techniques to evaluate large-scale water movements and structure. The workshop
 also endorsed conduct of field studies to determine the settling behavior of sludge particles.
 Participants recommended evaluation and use of models to assist in data interpretation.
 These studies, in conjunction with the model predictions, will be used to determine the
 likelihood of sludge constituents reaching ecologically or environmentally important areas.

                          22.1 Water Mass Movement Studies -

 Information on movements of specific water masses will provide the most direct information
 on, for example, the possible movement of sludge constituents into fisheries areas or toward
 shorelines. These  studies will employ drifters deployed from sludge barges and may also
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use other methods, such as drift cards or bottles. The depth at which drifters are deployed
will be based on findings from the nearfieid studies already conducted at the site. Because
sludge particles eventually sink, drifters that travel in deeper waters, at or below the
thermocline, may be used  for some measurements. EPA, in cooperation with the municipal
authorities that dump sludge at the site, will be responsible for deployment of drifters.  NOAA
will be responsible for other measurements of water mass movements.

                            222. Fixed Point Measurements

Although studies of water masses provide the most direct evidence of where sludge particles
may move, such studies collect only discrete points of information. Continuous data are
necessary to estimate the  percent of time that sludge may move in a particular direction.
Fixed point measurements of currents can provide these continuous data. These
measurements will be made from a surface current meter already deployed at the site  by
EPA. They will be  supplemented by data from expendable current profilers (XCPs).  The
XCPs will be deployed at intervals to assess current shear through the water column in the
site and in areas through which sludge may be transported.

                                2.2.3 Remote Sensing

Satellite imagery will be used to depict the temperature structure of the entire region that
could be affected by sludge disposal at the 106-Mile Site. Although such analysis of sea
surface temperature images is not enough to determine where sludge particles go, it will
provide regional  coverage  to aid in interpretation of the data from direct measurements.
NOAA will develop and implement the remote sensing studies with support from EPA.

                            2.2.4 Model Evaluation and Use

Farfield fate studies will provide information for a statistical evaluation of where sludge
constituents go when  they leave the 106-Mile Site. Models will be necessary to conduct the
statistical evaluation. Available models will be evaluated to determine their usefulness  in
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determining the fate of sludge dumped at the site, including the ability to predict dispersion
and to define possible areas of deposition. Ability of the available models to assess transport
from the continental slope to  the shelf will also be evaluated. NOAA and EPA will coordinate
evaluation of models.

When an appropriate model is identified, NOAA and EPA will use it to determine the type and
location of studies of effects of sludge disposal on living marine resources.  They will also
determine appropriate locations for studies of settling of sludge particles.

                              JL2.5 Setting Measurements

The likelihood of sludge particles settling in significant amounts in any one  region is not
known. Settling studies will include field sampling, conducted by EPA, for sludge particles in
the pycnocline. Sampling within the pycriocline will be guided by information from the real-
time current meter already deployed at the site and from the drifter studies. Sediment trap
studies will  be conducted to detect settling of particles through the pycnocline and to the
bottom, if such movements occur. NOAA and EPA will coordinate deployment of sediment
traps along the continental shelf and in other locations identified by the modeling efforts.

                                22.6 Data interpretation

 The results of studies of fate of sludge dumped at the 106-Mile Site will be used to determine
 (1) the potential for sludge constituents to move into commercially important areas or onto
 shorelines, and (2) the geographic areas, if any, where effects on marine resources or public
 health  may occur.

                            2.3 MANAGEMENT QUESTION 2:
            WHAT IS THE EFFECT OF SLUDGE DUMPING AT THE 106-MILE SITE
                           QN LIVING MARiNE RESOURCES?

 The workshop addressed possible effects of sludge dumping on any marine organism,
 population, or community.  Monitoring for effects on the marine environment, including

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endangered species, is expected to continue. However, most discussion centered on
possible bioaccumulation of sludge constituents and other effects on commercial and
recreational fisheries species.

Ideally, a study of bioaccumulation of sludge constituents from the 106-Mile Site would
measure sludge-related contaminants in nonmigratory, commercially important species
resident within the site. No such commercial or recreational species are known to  inhabit the
site permanently.  Therefore, a suite of studies will be conducted.
                   2.3.1 Studies of Nonmigratory Commercial Species
                          Inhabiting Areas Inshore from the Site
Tilefish, which inhabit the seafloor directly inshore from the site, do not migrate and live for
many years.  Other species living inshore from the site are also relatively nonmigratory.
Information from studies of these organisms can be used to infer effects from the 106-Mile
Site. A program to study these organisms will be coordinated by EPA and NOAA.  (Although
lobsters migrate between inshore and offshore waters, they will be included in the studies.
Data on lobsters will be more difficult to interpret than those on other species.  However,
concerns voiced by fishermen suggest that their inclusion in the program is warranted.)

The studies will include measurements of contaminants in animals throughout the area north,
west, and southwest of the site.  The studies will determine whether there is a gradient with
increasing concentrations nearest to areas most likely influenced by the sludge disposal at
site.  Any evidence of contamination will be examined to determine whether the 106-Mile Site
or another source is implicated.  Such findings would indicate that further studies and actions
should be implemented immediately.

The program of studies will also include an assessment of chitinoclasia, a shell disease
affecting shellfish such  as lobster and red crab. Animals will be collected form the mid-
Atlantic shelf in an effort to determine the prevalence and severity of this disease in the area
of the 106-Mile Site.
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                           2.32 Studies of Midwater Species
                           Inhabiting the Middle Atlantic Bight

Some fisheries species, such as squids, migrate through the area of the 106-Mile Site and
remain within the Middle Atlantic Bight throughout their life cycles. Studies of contaminants
in these species will not provide information  on the effects of sludges on the species.
However, if the  results of such studies indicate that the organisms are not contaminated, then
the 106-Mile Site probably is not affecting the organisms.  Such studies will have ssecond
priority and will  be conducted by NOAA if resources allow.

                    2.3.3 Studies of Resident. Noncommercial Species

A third priority for study will be resident species, such as lantern fish and hatchet fish, which
move through the pycnocline. These small  fishes have no commercial value.  However,
presence of sludge-related contaminants in  these species can be compared to control
populations from the other side of the Gulf Stream. Contaminants in fishes from the site
could suggest sludge as a source.  Further study would be necessary to show that
contamination resulted from municipal sewage sludge.  Initial studies of these small fishes
will be the responsibility of NOAA.  Further study will be coordinated between NOAA and
EPA.

                          2.3.4 Analyses and Data interpretation

 Each of these studies will include analysis of tissues and samples from the water column or
 sediments inhabited by the  organisms. The samples will  be analyzed for the  same suite of
 chemical and microbial contaminants and tracers found in sludge samples and in field
 studies of sludge plumes. Other indicators of effects of contaminants, e.g., presence of
 disease, chitinoclasia, and liver condition, will also be examined.

 Results of these studies may indicate that (1) the fisheries organisms of the Middle Atlantic
 Bight are not contaminated, and sludge disposal at the 106-Mile Site does not affect fisheries
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species; (2) the fisheries organisms of the Middle Atlantic Bight are contaminated, but sludge
disposal at the site does not appear to be a cause of the problem; or (3) the fisheries
organisms of the Middle Atlantic Bight are contaminated, and sludge disposal at the site may
contribute to the problem.  These results would guide the type and extent of future studies,
as well as govern any actions to be taken. Results that either strongly implicated sludge
disposal at the site or dissociated the effects from sludge disposal would be used to make
decisions about continued use of the site and could prompt changes in  permit conditions.
                          2.4 MANAGEMENT QUESTION 3:
          WHAT IS THE EFFECT OF SLUDGE DUMPING AT THE 106-MILE SITE
                               ON HUMAN HEALTH?
Workshop discussions centered on possible direct and indirect effects of sludge disposal at
the 106-Mile Site.  Direct effects included the possibility that sludge constituents could reach
the beaches of New York and New Jersey.  Possible indirect effects included ingestion of
fisheries organisms that come from the continental shelf region and may have
bioaccumulated contaminants from the sludges. These potential effects will be addressed by
the studies to be conducted in response to Management Questions 1 and 2.

                          2.5 MANAGEMENT QUESTION 4:
     ARE THERE CHANGES IN SITE DESIGNATION, PERMITS. AND SURVEILLANCE
          THAT CAN PROVIDE BETTER PROTECTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT.
                  LIVING MARINE RESOURCES. OR HUMAN HEALTH?

Workshop participants recommended (1) reduction in dumping rates used at the site; (2)
improvements to the USCG surveillance system, ODSS; and (3) use of research and
monitoring results to reevaluate the location and configuration of the site.
                                                                              *
                               2.5.1 Permit Conditions

Permits to dump sludges at the 106-Mile Site are being issued with significantly lower
dumping rates than had been required.  Additionally, the permits will specify a monitoring
program to be carried out by the permittees.

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                                  2.5.2 Surveillance

Several plans for upgrading the ODSS to provide near real-time coverage of all or most of
the operational area are currently being evaluated by EPA and the Coast Guard.  E:PA is
encouraging the Coast Guard to implement and test one of these plans, as well as to
increase efforts to improve the overall reliability of the system. In the interin, EPA-approved
shipriders, supplied by the permittee, will be required on all vessels transporting sludge to the
dump site.  Use of a manifest system and seals on the valves of feeder barges, barges which
transport sludges to the ocean-going vessels, is also being implemented to ensure that no
sludge is dumped in inland waters.

                        2.5.3 Site Designation and Management

All research, monitoring, and surveillance results will be reviewed by NOAA, EPA, and  USCG,
as well as by the independent blue  ribbon panel.  Results will be used to determine whether
(1) monitoring should be continued or modified; (2) surveillance should be increased;  (3)
permits should be changed; and/or (4) the  site should be redesignated, dedesignated,
moved, or reconfigured. (The time  required to modify the site and redesignate it preclude
that option at this time.)
                       3.0 SUMMARY OF RESPONSIBILITIES AND
                            IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE
 Responsibilities for activities described in this document are summarized in Table 1, and the
 schedule for implementation is included in Rgure 1. Activities will be coordinated by EPA,
 NOAA, and USCG.
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     TABLE 1.  RESPONSIBILITIES FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF THE 106-MILE SITE
              MONITORING, RESEARCH, AND SURVEILLANCE PLAN
Activity
Public awareness
Blue ribbon panel
Water mass movements
(drifters)
Current measurements
Remote sensing
Model evaluation
Settling measurements
Near-/farfield fate/effects
Nonmigratory species from
continental shelf
Midwater species
Resident, nonmigratory species
Permits
Surveillance
Site designation and
Primary
EPA
EPA
EPA
EPA
NOAA
EPA
EPA
EPA
NOAA
NOAA
NOAA
EPA
USCG
EPA
Secondary
NOAA
NOAA
NOAA
NOAA
EPA
NOAA
NOAA
NOAA
EPA
EPA
EPA
—
EPA
NOAA
Tertiary
USCG
USCG
--
-
•-
~
-
--
—
-•
-
-
-
USCG
management
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t-1
Public Awareness

Blue Ribbon Panel

Water Mass Movement
(Drifter Studies)

Current Measurements

Remote Sensing
(Satellites)

Model Evaluation Workshop

Particle Settling Studies
(Sediment Traps)

 Nearfield/Farfield Fate
 and Effects

 Nonmigralory Species from
 Continental Shelf

 Midwater Species

 Resident Nonmigratory
 Species

 Permits

 Surveillance

 Site Designation and
 Management
                                                     Rgure 1. Schedule lor Implementation ol Iho 106-MWe Silo
                                                             Monitoring, RosBarch, and Survelllanco Plan
     to
     01
                                              i Activity conducted
                                                                • Aeiiviiy planned    » • • • Review and revision as necessary

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           Appendix B



MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING

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                                                  October  11,  1989
                   MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING
                             BETWEEN
        THE UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
                               AND
                  THE UNITED STATES COAST GUARD
                               AND
       THE NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION
                                ON
         THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE OCEAN DUMPING BAN ACT


I.   PURPOSE:

     The United States Environmental Protection Agency
     (EPA),  the United States Coast Guard (USCG), and the
     National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
     agree to join efforts to implement vigorously the
     provisions of the Ocean Dumping Ban Act of 1988 (ODBA)
     in a timely, complementary and environmentally sound
     manner.  The three agencies further agree that a
     coordinated Federal response to ODBA will enhance the
     protection of human health and the marine environment
     and ensure consistent compliance with ODBA.


II.   BACKGROUND AND SCOPE:

     Nine New York and New Jersey municipalities dispose of
     sewage  sludge at the Deepwater Municipal Sludge Dump
     Site (106 Mile Site), located 120 nautical miles
     southeast of Ambrose Light, New York and 115 nautical
     miles from the nearest coastline.  ODBA mandates that
     to continue dumping after August 14,  1989,  these nine
     municipalities must have both permits and enforceable
     agreements with EPA and the respective States.   After
     December 31, 1991,  it is unlawful to dump sewage sludge
     in the  ocean.

     For every dry ton of sewage sludge disposed in  the ocean
     (currently 400,000  dry tons per year),  dumpers  will be
     assessed fees (starting August 15,  1989)  that increase over
     time.   Until the end of 1991,  these fees range  from $100-
     $200 per dry ton; should dumping continue after 1991,
     dumpers will be subject to penalties  of $600 per dry ton;
     the penalties increase each year.   Of these fees and
     penalties,  $15 per  dry ton is directed to EPA to be
     allocated evenly among EPA,  USCG,  and NOAA to implement the
     activities specified in ODBA and addressed in this MOU.
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     This Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)  pertains to federal
     activities related to management and oversight of ODBA.
     Included in ODBA are requirements for permit compliance,
     monitoring and surveillance of the 106-Mile Site and
     environmental monitoring of the New York Bight.

     Also covered under this MOU are the attached Joint
     Monitoring, Research, and Surveillance Strategy and its
     implementation.  This strategy outlines further research,
     monitoring, and surveillance needed to answer remaining
     technical questions associated with management of the 106
     Mile Site,, and indicates responsibilities of the respective
     agencies.  In general, the strategy calls for enhanced
     coordination in planning, conducting field surveys, sharing
     data, and analyzing and interpreting results.


III. AUTHORITIES;

     The Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act of  1972
     (MPRSA, PL 92-532) is the primary legislative authority
     regulating the disposal of wastes in the ocean.  It is the
     implementing legislation for the International Convention on
     the Prevention of Marine Pollution by the Dumping of Wastes
     and Other Matter, commonly called the London Dumping
     Convention (LDC).  The MPRSA prohibits dumping into ocean
     waters any material that would unreasonably degrade or
     endanger human health or the marine environment..

     Under the MPRSA, EPA is responsible for issuing permits for
     sewage sludge disposal and for designating, managing and
     monitoring ocean disposal sites.  Surveillance and
     enforcement of permit conditions is a joint responsibility
     of EPA and USCG.  Title I of the MPRSA requires the USCG to
     conduct surveillance of ocean dumping activities.  Title II
     of the MPRSA assigns to NOAA the responsibilities of
     monitoring the effects of dumping wastes in the ocean and
     conducting continuing programs of research on  long-range
     effects of pollution to the marine environment.

     ODBA amends the MPRSA and directs EPA, USCG, and NOAA to
     conduct specific activities that are to be covered by the
     ocean dumping  fees and penalties.


IV.  EPA'S RESPONSIBILITIES

     1.   Establishing and managing a permit program  for
          transportation  and dumping of sewage  sludge under ODBA

     2.   Overseeing enforcement agreements

     3.   Overseeing fee  collections and managing  fees  and
          penalties
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V •
     4.   Approving and overseeing trust accounts

     5.   Implementing EPA portion of the Joint Monitoring,
          Research, and Surveillance Strategy, which includes:

          o  Monitoring disposal operations and short-term
               effects of sludges within and in the vicinity of
               the 106 Mile Site
          o  Monitoring farfield fate and long-term effects of
               dumped waste

     6.   Overseeing ODBA Clean Ocean Fund management and
          procedures for accounting and reporting

     7.   Providing technical assistance on alternatives to ocean
          dumping under ODBA

     8.   Preparing reports, including:

          o  Reports to Congress on monitoring of the 106 Mile
               Site
          o  Annual Report to Congress on progress towards
               stopping dumping
"    USCG'S RESPONSIBILITIES
     1.   Implementing USCG portion of the Joint Monitoring,
          Research, and Surveillance Strategy, which includes
          conducting surveillance of transportation of wastes
          under the MPRSA Permit Program and reporting violations
          to EPA

     2.   Spot-checking of feeder vessels and ocean-going
          vessels, within New York Harbor, while they are being
          used for transporting sludge


VI.  NOAA'S RESPONSIBILITIES

     1.   Implementing NOAA portion of the Joint Monitoring,
          Research, and Surveillance Strategy, which includes
          monitoring the farfield fate and long-term effects of
          dumped wastes on living marine resources and the marine
          environment

     2.   Continuing programs of research on long-term effects of
          pollution and human-induced changes to the marine
          environment
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VII. QUALIFICATIONS AND LIMITATIONS

     1.   Together, EPA, NOAA, and USCG, will ensure effective
          implementation of ODBA by the headquarters and regional
          offices.  The three Agencies will establish a standing
          committee to develop plans for implementing provisions
          of this MOU, report progress, identify and resolve
          problems, and share information.

     2.   Period of Agreement:

          This agreement shall continue in effect until modified
          or amended by the assent of all parties.
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AUTHENTICATION
     This agreement will become effective upon signature by all
     three parties.
                                          m^i
          Administrator,
          Environmental Frotect/on Agency
     'Date
                      P. A. YOST
3/±3/rt
          Commandant,
          Un^te/i States Coast Guard
 /
          'Administrator,
          National Oceanic and Atmospheric
          Administration
      Date
                            B-5

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