PROCEEDINGS
                VOLUME 1
                              PENNSYLVANIA
  '
               OHIO
                        Buffalo—August 10-11, 1965
Conference
In the matter of Pollution of
Lake Erie and its Tributaries
FEDERAL WATER POLLUTION CONTROL ADMINISTRATION

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FEDERAL WATER POLLUTION CONTROL ADMINISTRATION


 *****************
 _                              *
 In re:
                                *
 ENFORCEMENT CONFERENCE  ON THE   *
                                *
 INTERSTATE  AND  OHIO  INTRASTATE  *
                                *
 WATERS  OF LAKE  ERIE  AND ITS     *
                                *
 TRIBUTARIES                    *
 *****************
                                     Statler-Hilton Hotel
                                     Buffalo, New York
                                     Tuesday, August 10, 1965

          The above-entitled matter, pursuant to notice, at

 9:30 a.m.

          MURRAY STEIN, Chairman

 CONFEREES:

          Loring F.  Oeming, Executive Secretary, Michigan Water
                Resources Commission, Lansing, Michigan
          Blucher A. Poole, Technical Secretary, Indiana Stream
                Pollution Control Board, Indianapolis, Indiana
          Emmett W.  Arnold, M.D,, Chairman, Ohio Water Pollution
                Control  Board, Ohio Department of Health, Columbus,
                Ohio
          Fred  E. Morr, Director of Natural Resources, State of
                Ohio, Columbus, Ohio
          Charles L. Wilbar, Jr., M.D., Chairman, Pennsylvania
                Sanitary Water Board, Pennsylvania Department of
                Health,  Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
          Richard M. Boardman, Chief, Stream Quality Section,
                Pennsylvania Department of Health, Harrisburg,
                Pennsylvania
          Hollis S.  Ingraham, M.D., Commissioner of Health,
                New York State Department of Health, Albany,
                New York
          Robert D.  Hennigan, Director, Bureau of Water Resource
                Services, New York State Department of Health,
                Albany,  New York
          H. W. Poston, United States Department of Health,
                Education, and Welfare, Regional Program Director,
                Region V, Chicago, Illinois

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                        INDEX

STATEMENT BY;

Honorable Robert F. Kennedy
   United States Senate

Dr. Charles L. Wilbar, Jr.                                    30
   Secretary of Health
   Pennsylvania Department  of Health
   Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

Honorable Richard D. McCarthy                                52
   U.S. House of Representatives

Mr. Mark Abelson                                             64
   Regional Coordinator
   U.S. Department of the Interior
   Boston, Massachusetts

Mr. Ernest D. Premetz                                        71
   Deputy Regional Director                                  &
   U.S. Department of the Interior                          104
   Bureau of Commercial Fisheries
   Ann Arbor, Michigan

Honorable Nelson A. Rockefeller                              75
   Governor of New York

Dr. Hollis S. Ingraham                                       91
   Commissioner of Health
   New York State Department of Health
   Albany, New York

Dr. Harold G. Wilm                                           97
   Conservation Commissioner
   New York State Water Resources Commission
   Albany, New York

Dr. Charles L. Wilbar, Jr.                                   116
   Secretary of Health
   Pennsylvania Department  of Health
   Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

Mr. Lawrence R. Moriarty                                    142
   Sanitary Engineer
   Erie County Health Department
   Erie, Pennsylvania

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                                                              2A
                        INDEX

STATEMENT BY;                                              PAGE

Dr. Clarence M. Tarzwell                                    210
   Chief of Aquatic Biology
   U.S. Public Health Service
   Kingston, Rhode Island

Mr. James B. Coulter                                        233
   Chief, Technical Services Branch
   Division of Water Supply and Pollution Control
   Department of Health, Education, and Welfare
   Washington, D. C.

Mr. Grover Cook                                             235
   Chief, Enforcement Program
   Division of Water Supply and Pollution Control
   Chicago, Illinois

Mr. Stephen Megregian                                       249
   Deputy Project Director
   Great Lakes-Illinois River Basin  Project
   Chicago, Illinois

Mr. Victor L. Casper                                        269
   Aquatic Biologist
   Great Lakes-Illinois River Basin Project
   Lake Erie Field Station
   Cleveland, Ohio

Colonel R. W. Neff                                          304
   District Engineer
   U.S. Army Engineering District
   Buffalo, New York

Mr. Robert D. Hennigan                                      313
   Director, Bureau of Water Resource Services
   New York State Department of Health
   Albany, New York

Mr. Jerome Wilkenfeld                                       353
   Associated Industries of New York State
   Niagara Falls, New York

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                                                              2B

                        INDEX

STATEMENT BY;                                              PAGE

Mr. Raymond J. Cochran                                      367
   Executive Director
   New York State Conference of Mayors
   Albany, New York

Honorable Chester Kowal                                     377
   Mayor of Buffalo, New York

Mr. Robert P. Schermerhorn                                  385
   Director, Empire State Chamber of  Commerce
   Buffalo, New York

Mr. Stanley P. Spisiak                                      391
   Chairman, Water Resources Committee
   New York State Conservation Council
   Buffalo, New York

Honorable John H. Doerr                                     405
   State Senator from New York

Dr. William E. Mosher                                       411
   Commissioner, Erie County Department  of Health
   Buffalo, New York

Mrs. Robert North, Jr.                                      425
   Vice President
   League of Women Voters of New  York State
   Buffalo, New York

Mrs. Stanley D. Higgins                                     429
   Lake Erie Basin Committee
   League of Women Voters
   Orchard Park, New York

Honorable John Pillion                                      435
   Former Congressman
   Hamburg, New York

Mr. Lee Adams                                               450
   Silver Creek, New York

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THOSE IN ATTENDANCE:




          Seth A. Abbott, Supervisor,  Town  of Hamburg,




Hamburg, New York




          Mark Abelson, Regional Coordinator, U. S.




Department of the Interior,  Boston, Massachusetts




          Edward G. Airey, Hamburg, New York




          George R. Amery, Sr.  Engineer, E. !„ duPont




deNemours & Co., Niagara Falls, New York




          Earl J. Anderson,  Regional Program Director,




Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, New York,




New York




          Mrs. James Ballard, Vice President, League of




Women Voters, Clarence, Williamsville  21, New York




          Charles L.  Barber, Chemist,  Wanakah Water Co.,




Wanakan, New York




          Rachel G. Barre, Reporter, Dunkirk Observer,




Silver Creek, New York




          William J0  Barrett, Citizen, Buffalo 14, New York




          Walter Baumgart, Buffalo, New York




          Edward D. Baxter,  Commission of Public Works, City




of Buffalo, Buffalo,  New York  14202




          Edwin To Bean, Jr., Vice President, Wanakah Water




Company, Hamburg, New York




          Mrs. Edward Becker, Christian Family Movement,




Buffalo, New York

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                                                                3-A
          Dr. Theda Bennett, Professor, NYS University Coll.




League of Women Voters, Buffalo,  New York




          Honorable Roland R. Benzow, Councilman, Minority




Leader, City of Buffalo, Buffalo, New York




          Carl J. Bernhardt, Regional Director - Eng., N.Y.




State Department of Health, Buffalo 2, New York




          L. F. Birkel, Engr., Republic Steel Corp.,




Cleveland, Ohio




          Mrs. Folmar Bjerre, President, League of Women




Voters, Hamburg, New York




          Hayse H. Black, U. S. Department of Health,




Education, and Welfare, Cincinnati 26, Ohio




          Mrs. Peter J. Boldenow, League of Women Voters of




Hamburg, New York, North Boston,  New York




          George To Booth, Jr., President, Buffalo Waste Oil




Service, North Tonawanda, New York




          Edmund M. Borowski, Chemist, Water Department, City




of Dunkirk, Dunkirk, New York 14048




          A. D. Boswell, Project  Engineer, Union Carbide Corp.,




Niagara Falls, New York




          James J.  Bowen,  Sanitary Engineer, Erie County




Department of Public Works, Buffalo, New York




          Allan P.  Bradley, Executive Assistant to Commissioner




of Education,  New York State Education Department, Albany 1, N.Y0

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          Bill Branche,  Reporter, Niagara Falls Gazette,




Niagara Falls , New York




          A. D. Brandt,  Manager, Industrial Health Engineering,




Bethlehem Steel Co.,  Bethlehem, Pennsylvania




          John D.  Bridge, Attorney, Niagara Mohawk Power Corp.,




Buffalo, New York




          Dave Brigham,  National Director, New York State




Jaycees, Buffalo,  New York




          Lewis Brooke,  Oper.  Supt., Mobil Oil Co., Baffalo,




New York




          Earl W.  Brydges,  Minority Leader N.Y. S. Senate,




Niagara Falls, New York




          Charles  G.  Bueztman, Technical Director, Soap &




Detergent Association, New  York City 17, New York




          Paul G.  Bulger, President, State University College,




Buffalo, New York




          John Henry  Bunz,  Chairman, Clean Streams Comm.,




Tonawanda Sportsmans  Club Inc., N. Tonawanda, New York




          Frank A. Butrico, Dir. Envir. Health Science




Programs, Battelle Memorial Institute, Washington, D. C. 20036




          W. R. Cady, Technical Assistant, Allied Chemical -




Solvay Process, Detroit, Michigan




          Donald J. Casey,  Oceanographer, U.S. Department of




Health, Education, and Welfare, Rochester, New York

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                                                                3-C
          Victor L.  Casper,  Aquatic Biologist, U.S. Department




of Health, Education,  and Welfare, Cleveland, Ohio




          A. L. Chamberlain, Executive Director, N.Y. State




County Officers Assn., Albany, New York




          Mrs. Roy H.  Clark, Conservation Chairman, 8th




District Federated Garden Clubs,  and YWCA and AAUW, Kenmore, N.Y,




          Theodore P.  Clista, Sanitary Engineer, Pennsylvania




Department of Health,  Meadville,  Pennsylvania




          Nicholas So  Colello, Director of Development, City




of Lackawanna , Lackawanna, New York




          William F. Cooke,  Supervisor of Laboratories, Mobil




Oil Co«, Inc., Buffalo, New  York




          Robert E.  Copeland, Project Devel. Eng. , O'Brien &




Gere Consulting Eg., Syracuse, New York




          Mrs. Edward  K. Crook, Member of Lake Erie Basin Cornm.,




League of Women Voters, Holland,  New York




          Edward Cuddy. Assoc. Prof., Tonawanda, New York




          Paul Cygan,  Chief, Bureau of Sewers, Erie, Pennsylvania




          Mrs. Ormus W. Davenport, President, Buffalo Federation




of Women's Clubs, Buffalo, New York




          Kernan W.  Davis, Geologist, West Falls, New York 14170




          Stanley C. Davis,  Western Region Director, New York




State Petroleum Council, Buffalo, New York




          Robert V.  Day; Chief, Planning & Reports, Department




of Health, Education,  and Welfare, Cleveland, Ohio

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          Lee Dickinson,  Fuel Engineer, Bethlehem Steel Co.,




Lackawanna, New York




          Walter R. Dobay,  Guard,  State University College,




Buffalo, New York




          John H. Doerr,  Senator  - State New York, Buffalo,




New York




          Albert W. Dold, Mgr - Ind. Rel. & Bus. Serv., Buffalo




Area Chamber of Commerce, Buffalo,  New York




          H. E. Dosbert,  Buffalo  2, New York




          Carol Ann Dros, Student,  Bishop Colton, Buffalo,




New York




          John Duren, Waste Treatment Sales Engineer, Dow




Chemical Co., Buffalo, New  York




          Miss Dorothea C.  Duttweiler, Conservation Consultant,




Federated Garden Club of  N.Y. State, Holland, New York 14080




          Leonard B0 Dworsky, Director, Cornell University




Water Resources Center, Ithaca, New York




          George H. Eagle,  Chief Engineer, Ohio Department of




Health, Columbus, Ohio 43216




          Harold B. Ehrlich, Executive Director, Niagara




Frontier Port Authority,  Buffalo,  New York




          William R. Elsea, M.D.,  Deputy Commissioner, Erie




County Health Department, Buffalo,  New York




          William T. Evans, Executive Vice President, Wanakah




Water Co., Hamburg, New York

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          Leonard J.  Facciani,  Director of Environmental




Health, Chautauqua County Health Department, Mayville, New York




          Richard Farnham, Plant Foreman, Town of Tonawanda




Sewerage Department,  Tonawanda, New York




          Marvin B. Fast, Prog. Operations Officer, Department




of Health, Education, and Welfare, Ann Arbor, Michigan




          Mrs. Fred H. Federlein, League of Women Voters,




Lewiston, New York




          Marilyn Fiegel, Educator, Conservation Forum,




Buffalo 15, New York




          Robert B. Filbert,  Jr., Assoc. Mgr,, Chem. Engrg.,




Battelle Memorial Inst., Columbus, Ohio 43201




          Edward J. Fox, Director, Locksley Park Taxpayers




Association Inc., Hamburg, New  York




          Wm. M. Friedman, Chief, Bur. Special Services, Erie




County Health Department, Buffalo 2, New York




          Carolyn A.  Gazdik,  Department of Health, Education,




and Welfare, Cleveland, Ohio  44130




          Edward V. Geisman,  Chief Enforcement Officer,




Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, New York, N. Y.




          Edwin E. Geldreich, Bacteriologist, Taft Center,




Cincinnati, Ohio 45226




          Col. L. J.  Goodsell,  Executive Director, Great




Lakes Commission, Ann Arbor,  Michigan




          Helen Gordon, Citizen, Buffalo, New York 14213

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                                                                3-F







          J. A. Gouck, Supervisor - Effluent Control, National




Aniline Div., Buffalo, New York




          Mrs. J. Barrie Graham,  Citizen, Hamburg, New York 14075




          Keith Graham, Wellesley College, Wellesley, Massachusetts




          M. E. Graham, Vice President-General Counsel, Hammermill




Paper Co., Erie, Pennsylvania




          Leo Grandy, Sr., Citizen, Buffalo, New York




          Larry W. Griffis, Jr.,  Asst. R.D. McCarthy, M.C.,




Buffalo, New York 14213




          Alvin Grossman, Rochester, New York




          Ben J. Gryctko, Federal Water Pollution Control Advisory




Board, Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, Washington, B.C.




          T. L. Haberkorn, Manager, Quality Control & Prof., F & M




Schaefer Brewing Co., Buffalo,  New York 14213




          M. H. Abrams, Walton  League, Buffalo, New York




          Chester Halgas, Public  Health Engr., Cattaraugus Co.,




Olean, New York




          Fred T. Hall, Director, Buffalo Museum of Science,




Buffalo, New York 14211




          Arthur Handley, Assoc.  San. Eng., NYS Dept. Health,




Albany, New York




          John E. Harney, Wildlife Biologist, Bur. of Sport




Fisheries & Wildlife, Concord,  New Hampshire 03301




          Robert P.  Hartley, Oceanographer, Department of




Health, Education, and Welfare, Cleveland 30, Ohio

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          Richard R. Harvey, Electro-Refracturies , Buffalo,




 New York




          Charles-J. Hauser, Treasurer,  Niagara Frontier Port




 Authority, Buffalo, New York




          Paul Hawkins, Student, West Seneca  Central School,




 Buffalo, New York




          William Henrich, Citizen, Buffalo,  New York  14226




          Gene A. Heuser, Diver, Erie, Pennsylvania




          Rand Hickey, Business Consultant, New York State




 Department of Commerce, Buffalo, New York




          Mrs. Stanley Higgins, Citizen, Lake Erie Basin




 Committee, League of Women Voters, Orchard Park, New York 14127




          William 0. Hill, Jr., County Commissioner, Erie




 County, Erie, Pennsylvania




          Lt. C. R. Hinrichs,  Group Commander Buffalo, United




 States Coast Guard, Buffalo, New York




          Benjamin J. Hoey IV, Campaign  Manager, Ben Hoey,




 Cheektowaya, New York




          Mrs. J. H. Hollands, Taxpayer, Buffalo, New York




          J.  B. Holleyman, Liaison Meteorologist, GLIRBP -




 Weather Bureau, Department of  Health, Education, and Welfare,




 Chicago, Illinois




          Vincent H. Hourigan, Chief Operations Div. , U.S. Army




 Corps of Engineers,  Buffalo, New York




          Daniel Idzik,  Counsel - Senator Glinski, Buffalo 23,




New York

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                                                                3-H
          Hollis Ingraham,  M.D. ,  State Health Commissioner, New




York State Department of Health,  Albany, New York




          Burr C. Jackson,  Citizen, Buffalo, New York




          Richard M.  Jordan, District Manager, Calgon Corp.,




Tonawanda, New York




          Paul H. Joslin, Research Assistant, University of




Rochester, Rochester, New York 14627




          Felix L. Katzmarck,  President, Forest District Civic




Association, Buffalo 7, New York




          John A. Kehoe, Engineer, Kimberly Clark Corp.,




Niagara Falls, New York




          Henry W. Keitzel, Forum Chairman, Buffalo Sewer




Authority, Izaak Walton League, Buffalo, New York




          Thomas F. Kelleher,  Program Planning Officer, Department




of Health, Education, and Welfare, Washington, D. C.




          Honorable Robert  F.  Kennedy, United States Senate,




Washington, D. C.




          James L. Kerwin,  Reporter, Detroit News, Detroit 31,




Michigan




          Robert L. Ketter, Head, Dept. of Civil Engng., St.




Univ. of N.Y. Buffalo, Buffalo, New York




          E. H. Killheffer, Gen.  Sales Mgr., The Dow Chemical




Co., Buffalo, New York




          Mrs. Margie King, Secretary, Citizen's Committee,




Silver Creek, New York

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                                                                3-1
          Roy King, President, Citizen's Committee,  Silver




 Creek, New York




          Norbert H. Kirchgessner,  Production Supt. , Hooker




 Chemical Corp., N. Tonawanda, New York




          F. W. Kittrell, Chief, Pollution Evaluation,. Department




 of Health, Education, and Welfare,  Cincinnati,  Ohio




          Betty Klaric, Cleveland Press Reporter, Cleveland, Ohio




          K. L. Kollar, Director, Water Industries & Engineering




 Services, Department of Commerce, Silver Spring, Maryland




          Mrs. Stanley Kresses, Operation Petticoat Progress,




 Niagara Falls, New York




          Richard A. Kressin, Associate Chemist, Buffalo Sewer




 Authority, Buffalo, New York




          Victor Kupenas, Citizen,  Buffalo, New York




          Albert M. LaSala, Jr., Geologist, U.S. Geological




 Survey, Hamburg, New York




          John J. Lauchert, President, Hamburg  Jaycees,




 Hamburg, New York




          Mrs. Joseph Laufer, League of Women Voters, Buffalo,




 New York 14222




          James J. Linosey, Regional Supvr. of  Fish & Game,




 N. Y. S. Cons.  Dept, Olean, New York




          Mrs. George F.  Little, CFM, Buffalo 15, New York




          Vincent P.  Locey, Chemist - Sewage Dept., City of




Niagara Falls, Niagara Falls,  New York

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          Mary Ann Lucki,  Student,  D'Youville College, Buffalo,




New York




          Kenneth M. Mackenthun,  Aquatic Biologist, U.S. PHS,




Cincinnati, Ohio




          Gloria A. Mahoney,  Operation  Petticoat Progress,




Niagara Falls, New York




          Cdr. Francis J.  Mann, USCG, Captain of The Port,




Buffalo, U.S. Coast Guard, Buffalo, New York 14203




          Joseph A. Marino, President,  Lockslay Park Taxpayers




Assn. Inc., Hamburg, New York




          Frank J. Mathews, City  Engineer, City of Lackawanna,




New York State




          James 0. McDonald,  U.S.P.H.S. , Chicago, Illinois




          John C. McMahon, Regional Engineer, NYS Conservation




Dept., Div- of Water Resources, West Seneca, New York 14224




          William S. Meeks, Asst. News  Director, WBEN-TV,




Buffalo, New York 14207




          Claude H. Messengis, Refinery Superintendent, Ashland




Oil (Buffalo Plant), Tonawanda, New York




          Mrs. John Meyers, Member  - Citizen, Bertie Boat Club,




Point Ahino, Ontario, Canada




          Howard W. Michaelis, Chemist  (Retired), Conservation




of Natural Resources, Buffalo, New  York 14207




          Raymond W. Michaels, Grand Island, New York 14072

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                                                               3-K
          Harold D. Mitchell, Director, Izaak Walton League,




 Williamsville, New York




          R. W. Montonari, Asst. Commissioner, Albany, New York




          Mrs. Howard T. Moore, Chm.,  Lake Erie Basin Committee,




 League  of Women Voters, Chardon, Ohio  44024




          Lawrence R. Moriarty, Director,  Division  of San«




 Health, Erie Co. Dept., Erie, Pennsylvania




          Fred E. Morr, Director, Ohio Dept.  Natural Resources,




 State of Ohio, Columbus, Ohio




          Louise L. Morris, Buffalo, New York




          William E. Mosher, Erie Co,  Health  Dept., Buffalo,




 New York




          H. S. Mount, Asst. Mgr. Genl. Marketing Order Dept.,




 Sun Oil Co., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania




          Frank Mrozak, Foreman, Town  of Tonawanda, Kenmore,




 New York




          Thomas A. Mulhern, U.S. Public Health Service,




 Cleveland 30, Ohio




          Henry Nagel, Eggertsville , New York




          Colonel R. W. Neff, District Engineer, USA Engr. Dist.,




Buffalo, New York




          Hugh Nevins, Chief Chemist,  Town of Tonawanda Water




Plant, Tonawanda, New York




          Mrs.  Robert North, Jr., League of Women Voters, Buffalo,




New York 14222

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          C. Northington, Director,  Lake Erie Project, U. S.




Public Health Service, Cleveland,  Ohio




          Loring F. Oeming,  Executive Secretary, Water Resources




Commission, Lansing, Michigan




          Kevin O'Gorman, Cornell  U. , Hamburg, New York




          Col. Loren W. Olmstead,  Chief Engineer, Niagara




Frontier Port Authority, Buffalo,  New York




          Dorothy K. O'Neil, Sen.  Jacob K. Javits




          C. R. Ownbey, Chief,  Planning & Reports, GLIRB Project




          J. C. Parry, New York City, New York




          Mrs. Daniel C. Paul,  Publication Director, League of




Women Voters, Lewiston, New  York




          E. G. Paulson, Mgr. Process & Waste Water Engr., Hall




Lab. Div. , Calgor Corp., Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15230




          Ted Pieczonka, Jr., STP  Operator, Lackawanna, New York




          Thaddeus J. Pieczonka, Supt., Sewage Treatment,




Lackawanna, New York 14218




          Chris Potos , Chief Chemist, Erie County Laboratory,




Buffalo 2, New York




          Ernest D. Premetz, Deputy  Regional Director, U.S.




Department of Interior, Bureau  of  Commercial Fisheries, Ann




Arbor, Michigan




          Brainard E. Prescott, Senator Earl Brydges, E. Aurora,




New York

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                                                                3-M







          Robert L. Protzman, Reporter,  Erie,  Pennsylvania




Morning News, Erie, Pennsylvania




          Sharon Quackenbush, UPI Reporter,  United  Press




International, Buffalo, New York




          S. A. Radi, Plant Engineer,  American Standard Corp.,




Buffalo, New York




          Raymond J. Cochran, Executive  Director, New York State




Conference of Mayors, Albany, New York




          Frank J. Reddy, Tonawanda, New York




          Peter F,, Regan, Vice President for Health Affairs,




Buffalo, New York 14209




          Roger D. Repp, Public Information  Officer, Army




Engineers, Buffalo, New York




          Allan M. Reppenhagen, Treasurer, Citizens Committee,




Silver Creek, New York




          Mrs. Margaret Reppenhagen, Chairman,  Citizens Committee,




Silver Creek, New York




          Alfred M. Roberts, Director, Wanakah Water Co., Hamburg,




New York




          Governor Nelson A. Rockefeller, State of  New York, State




Capital, Albany, New York




          Mr. Ronald Rine, Teacher, West Seneca Central School,




Buffalo 24,  New York




          Mrs. Dorothy H. Rose, State Assemblyman, Angola, New York

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          Mrs. Melvin Rudov, Water Resources Chairman,




Atnherst League of Women Voters, Amherst, New York




          Joseph W.  Ryan,  Jr., President of Below Assn.,




Grandview Bay Comm.  Assn., Angola, New York




          William K. Sanford, Executive Secretary, Association




of Towns of the State of New York, Albany, New York




          Robert P.  Schermerhorn, Director, Empire State C of C,




Buffalo, New York 14222




          Edward J.  Schleicher, Adm. Asst. to Congressman




Vigorito, Erie, Pennsylvania




          Joseph T.  Schmidle, Director of M.D.T., Buffalo Board




of Education, Buffalo, New York




          Bernard Schwab,  Chief Bacteriologist, Erie County




Lab, Buffalo, New York




          Francis X. Schwab, Executive Secretary, City Planning




Division, City Planning, Buffalo, New York




          Eugene F.  Seebald, Asst. Commissioner for Env. Health,




Niagara Co. Health Department, Lockport, New York




          Robert L.  Seitz, Agent, Infilco, Inc., Tucson, Arizona




          Roger Semerad, Coordinator of Federal Aid, State




University College,  Buffalo, New York




          Dr. Howard Sengbusch, Dean, Arts & Sciences, State




University College,  Buffalo, New York 14222




          Allan M. Shapiro, Chief, Data Processing, LEPO, U.S.




P.H.S., Cleveland 30, Ohio

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                                                                3-0







          P. N. Shellenberger, Superintendent, General Chemical,




Buffalo, New York




          William Shepherd, Reg.  Fisheries Mgr., N.Y.S. Cons.




Dept., Olean, New York




          Lewis W. Shafer, Director,  Allied  Sportsman, Buffalo 26,




New York




          Mrs. Stanley Siembieda, Chairman,  Water Resources Comm.,




League of Women Voters, Erie Co.




          Robert C. Singer, Public Relations Director, Soap and




Detergent Assoc. , New York, New York




          William H. Sipprell, Sr., Secretary, Niagara Frontier




Port Authority, Buffalo, New York




          F. A. Sluntoyser, Erie  County, Pennsylvania




          John M.  A. Sorrentino,  Buffalo, New York 14205




          Mrs. Ellis R. Spaulding, Clarence  League of Women Voters,




Williamsville, New York




          C. C. Spencer, Buffalo, New York




          Stanley P. Spisiak, Chairman, Water Resources Comm.,




N.Y.S. Conservation Council, Buffalo  6, New  York




          W. E. Stahlka, Hydraulic Engineer, N.M. Power Corp.,




Buffalo 3, New York




          Michael  J. Stankewich,  Director, Env. Health, Erie Co.




Health Dept., Buffalo,  New York




          William  Steinfeldt, Rochester, New York

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          John V. Stampien,  CFM, AID, USW, Buffalo 15, New York




          Earl B. Strowger,  Kenmore, New York 14217




          Peter M. Sturtevant,  Jr., Account Executive, Darcy




Associates, Buffalo, New York




          Bernard D. Suitor, President, Niagara Front Chptr -




Izaak Walton League, Kenmore, New York




          M. C. Sumpter, Buffalo, New York




          Clark C. Suor, General Manager, Buffalo Sewer




Authority, Buffalo, New York




          Clarence M. Tarzwell, Chief of Aquatic Biology, U.S.




Public Health Service, Kingston, Rhode Island




          William J. Tatu,  Superintendent, Buffalo Waste Oil




Service, No. Tuna, New York




          W. H. Taylor, Buffalo, New York




          Robert W. Teater,  Assistant Director, Ohio Department




of Natural Resources, Columbus, Ohio




          Mrs. Dorothy Teryl, Buffalo 21, New York




          J. E. Tisdel, President, Stimm Associates, Buffalo,




New York 14203




          Mrs. William Tourot,  C.F.M. , Buffalo, New York




          William C. Treon,  Metro Government Report, The Plain




Dealer - Cleveland, Cleveland,  Ohio




          F. E. Tucker, National Steel, Weirton, West Virginia




          John S. Tygert, Sanitary Engineer, N.Y.S. Dept. of




Health, Buffalo, New York

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                                                                3-Q
          Dunton F. Tynan, Assistant  Solicitor General, N.Y.S.




Attorney General, Albany, New York




          Edward C. Ulrich, Buffalo,  New York




          Dr. John Urban, Professor of Science, State University




College, Buffalo, New York 14222




          Dr. John Urban, Professor of Biology, State University




College, Buffalo, New York 14222




          Mrs. Lawrence Vagnozzi,  Operation Petticoat Progress,




Niagara Falls, New York




          George G. Valgora, Director, Izaak Walton League,




Hamburg, New York




          Mr. & Mrs. Paul R. Van Dooser, Buffalo, New York




          Harry L. Vanderworp, Technical Director, Peerless




Cement Co., Detroit 26, Michigan




          A. J. Von Frank, Allied  Chemical Corp., Philadelphia 37,




Pennsylvania




          Phyllis M. Wagner, Conservation Forum, Buffalo, New York




          Edgar W. Wagoner, Ant. Pollution Chairman, Town of




Wilson, New York




          C. R. Walbridge, Manager, Process Wastes Control,




Allied Chemical Corp., Morristown, New Jersey




          Mrs. Kent J. Ward, Amherst, Buffalo, New York




          Mrs. A. Edward Warner, Operation Petticoat Progress,




Lewiston, New York




          Charles R. Waters, Ex -  DPWKS Dist. Engr., Buffalo,




New York

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                                                                3-R
          A. H. Watkins ,  Executive Director, Lake Erie Watershed




Conservation, Cleveland,  Ohio 44114




          Gertrude G. Webster, Chairman, Water Pollution Comm.,




Kenmore, New York 14223




          F. W. Wessel, Chief, River Basin  Office, U.S. Bureau




of Mines, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania




          Richard L. Whitford, Assistant to President, State




University College, Buffalo, New York 14214




          R. A. Wiener, Socony Mobil Oil Co., New York, N.Y. 10017




          Dr. Charles L.  Wilbar, Jr., Secretary of Health,




Pennsylvania, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania




          Jerome Wilkenfeld, Associated Industries of New York,




Niagara Falls, New York




          P. M. Wilkins,  Technical Manager, Mobil Oil Company,




Trenton, Michigan 48183




          Harold G. Wilm, Conservation Commissioner, New York




State Water Resources Comm., Albany, New York




          Mrs. Howard Wyranch, Operation Petticoat for Progress,




Niagara Falls, New York




          N. D. Yale, Assistant to Mgr. Production Carbide,




Union Carbide Corp., Niagara Falls, New York




          Thomas A. Young, Director, Health and Safety, Buffalo 8,




New York




          Everett F. Zurn, Water Pollution  Control Advisory Board,




Fairview, Pennsylvania

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               Opening Statement - Mr. Stein







                   PROCEEDI_NGS_







                     OPENING STATEMENT




                             BY




                      MR. MURRAY STEIN









          CHAIRMAN STEIN:  The conference is open.




          This conference in the matter of pollution of the




interstate and Ohio intrastate waters of Lake Erie  and its




tributaries, involving the states of Indiana, Michigan, Ohio,




Pennsylvania and New York and the U. S. Department  of Health,




Education, and Welfare, is being held under the provisions  of




section 8 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act.




          Under the provisions of the Act, the Secretary is au-




thorized to call a conference of this type when requested to do




so by the Governor of a State, and when on the basis of reports,




surveys or studies, he has reason to believe that pollution of




interstate waters subject to abatement under the Federal Act is




occurring.




          In a letter dated June 11, 1965, to the Honorable




Anthony J. Celebrezze, Secretary of the Department  of Health,




Education, and Welfare, Governor James A. Rhodes of Ohio re-




quested that a conference be called to consider pollution of




Lake Erie.  Governor Rhodes'  letter to Secretary Celebrezze




is as follows:

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"Dear Secretary Celebrezze:




          The recent Governors'  Conference on Great Lakes




Pollution held at Cleveland, Ohio, at my invitation, provided




evidence that there are widespread contributions to the pollu-




tion problems of Lake Erie.




          It is true that state and local agencies  are making




definite progress toward pollution abatement in Lake Erie.




However, because of the numerous pollution sources, both




within and outside the State, and because of the national




significance of this fresh water resource, it is apparent




that the Federal Government has a responsibility in this




matter.




          Under these circumstances,  it appears that any




effective pollution abatement program regarding Lake Erie




should involve local, state, Federal  and even international




cooperation, and such is our desire.   I am therefore requesting




that you call a Federal Pollution Conference as soon as possible




to institute a plan of action to improve Lake Erie  water quality.




          You may count on the complete cooperation of this




Office and our various State agencies in conducting such a




conference.




                                   Sincerely,




                                   JAMES A.  RHODES, Governor."

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          In accordance with that request and also on the  basis




of reports, surveys and studies, a notice of the conference was




sent to the official State water pollution control agencies of




Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York.




          The purpose of the conference is to bring together




the State water pollution control agencies, the  representatives




of the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare,  and other




interested parties to review the existing situation,  the progress




which has been made, to lay a basis for future action by all




parties concerned, and to give the States, localities,  and in-




dustries an opportunity to take any indicated remedial  action




under State and local law.




          This is a conference between the official  State  water




pollution control agencies of those five States, Indiana,




Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York and the Federal




Government.  These agencies are the Indiana Stream Pollution




Control Board, the Michigan Water Resources Commission, the Ohio




Department of Health, the Pennsylvania Sanitary  Water Board,




and the New York State Department of Health and  for  the Federal




Government, the Department of Health, Education, and  Welfare.




          Under the Federal law, we in the Federal Government




may only invite other Federal agencies and other Federal rep-




resentatives , and the States.  All industries, municipalities,




citizen's groups and citizens in the States wishing  to partici-




pate in the conference, must be invited by their respective




State agency.

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          I want to make it clear that we are here as long as




necessary.  We are here to get the full story and hear everybody




that the State will invite, but under the Federal law, it should




also be made clear that the State governs its own time and




governs the participants from that State.  Anyone who wants to




participate will have to talk to his State agency and have it




put him on the program.  Our function is to invite the States




here, provide the forum, which we have done, and I can assure




you that we will be here and listen and take account of,  and




give due consideration to all relative views expressed at the




conference.




          The State of Indiana has designated as its conferee




for this conference Mr. Blucher Poole.  Michigan will be repre-




sented by Mr. Loring Oeming.   Ohio will be represented by Mr.




George Eagle and I have a letter from Dr. Arnold of Ohio, who




writes as follows:




          "I regret I am unable to continue my participation in




the conference of Pollution of Lake Erie and its Tributaries,




the second phase of which is  to be held this week in Buffalo,




New York.




          Illness in my family compels me to remain in Columbus.




                                   Sincerely yours,




                                   E. W. Arnold, M.D.




                                   Director of Health, State of Ohio"

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                                                                 8




          To the Ohio conferees I want to say that I hope that




the news is good for Dr. Arnold and that he was indeed most




helpful as a conferee in Cleveland last week and contributed




in large measure to what I consider to be the success of our




conference.  Pennsylvania will be represented by Charles




Wilbar.  New York will be represented by Mr. Robert Hennigan.




Mr. H. W. Poston of the Department of Health, Education, and




Welfare, with headquarters in Chicago, Illinois, has been




designated as conferee for the Federal Government.  My name




is Murray Stein.  I am from Washington, D.  C., headquarters




of the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare and am




the representative of the Secretary of the  Department.




          The Federal Water Pollution Control Act declares




that the States have primary rights and responsibilities for




taking action to abate and control pollution.  It has long been




our policy to recognize this traditional role of the States.




However, the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare also




is charged by law with specific responsibilities in the field




of water pollution control, in connection with pollution of




navigable and interstate waters which endangers the health




or welfare of any persons.  The Act provides that pollution of




such waters, whether the matter causing or  contributing to




such pollution is discharged directly into  such waters, or




reaches such waters after discharge into a  tributary of such




waters which endangers the health or welfare of a person in a

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                                                                8A




State other than that in which the discharge originates is




subject to abatement.  The Act also states that the Secretary




shall call a conference at the request of the Governor of any




State if it involves pollution of intrastate or navigable




waters which is endangering the health or welfare of persons.

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          We have had two previous conferences dealing with the




Great Lakes - one at the lower end of Lake Michigan between




Indiana and Illinois where I think the conference came to a very




successful conclusion and we have developed an action program




which, I believe, and most others believe that if put into ef-




fect, and I'm pretty sure it will be put into effect because




it's in the process of being put into effect now, will save




Lake Michigan and the pure, clean water quality of Lake Michigan




for further uses - almost all uses.




          On December 6, 1961, Governor Swainson, then Governor




of Michigan, asked for a conference on the Detroit River.  We




have concluded that conference with recommendations in the State




of Michigan at the present time, under the direction of Mr.




Oeming, who is to my left and who is carrying forth these recom-




mendations and I think Michigan is well on its way to putting in




an action program for the control of pollution in the Detroit




River.




          Mr, Oeming last week at Cleveland gave us the en-




couraging news that Michigan, in embarking on this program, was




about six months ahead of the schedule that we had adopted at




the conference, which is good news indeed, considering the




schedule for this first phase involved a year, and Mr. Oeming




expects to complete that job within six months.  So, I think




we're well on our way.




          Just last week we had a conference in Cleveland.

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                                                                10




The conferees came up with recommendations  and conclusions.




I think several things should be said about these  recommenda-




tions and conclusions.




          One, while we dealt with the problems of Lake Erie as




a whole, the emphasis at the Cleveland conference  was  on  de-




tailed presentations by the three western States - Michigan,




Indiana and Ohio - not New York and Pennsylvania which a  few of




us believe will be handled more fully here.




          Also, in the Executive Session deliberations, we had




representatives of Ohio, Michigan, Indiana  and the Federal




Government that came up with these.  These  were neither partici-




pated in, developed, nor endorsed necessarily but  they may be




later, by the representatives of New Tork and Pennsylvania.




          Now, the recommendations that we  came up with in




Cleveland last week were as follows:




          1.  The waters of Lake Erie within the United States




are interstate waters within the meaning of Section  8  of  the




Federal Water Pollution Control Act.   The waters of  Lake  Erie




and its tributaries within the United States are navigable




waters within the meaning of Section 8 of the Federal  Water




Pollution Control Act.




          2.  Lake Erie and its tributaries are polluted. The




main body of the Lake has deteriorated in quality  at a rate




many times greater than its normal aging processes,  due to the




inputs of wastes resulting from the activities of  man.

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                                                                11




          3.  Identified pollutants contributing to damages  to




water uses in Lake Erie are sewage and industrial wastes,  oils,




silts, sediment, floating solids and nutrients (phosphates and




nitrates),  Enrichment of Lake Erie, caused by man-made contri-




butions of nutrient materials, is proceeding at an alarming




rate.  Pollution in Lake Erie and its tributaries causes sig-




nificant damage to recreation, commercial fishing, sport




fishing, navigation, water supply and esthetic values.




          4.  Eutrophication or over-fertilization of Lake Erie




and the Maumee River is of major concern.  (This is in  Indiana




and Ohio).  Problems are occurring along the lake shoreline  and




at some water intakes from algal growths stimulated by




nutrients.  Algal growths can be controlled, and eutrophication




of Lake Erie can be retarded and perhaps even reversed  by




reducing one or more nutrients below the level required for




extensive growth.




          5.  Many sources of waste discharge in the area  still




have inadequate waste treatment facilities.  The delays in con-




trolling the pollution problem in the area covered by the




Cleveland Session of the conference are caused by the lack of




such adequate facilities and the complex municipal, industrial




and biological nature of the problem.




          6.  Interstate pollution of Lake Erie exists.  Dis-




charges into Lake Erie and its tributaries from various sources




are endangering the health or welfare of persons in States

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                                                                12




 other than those  In which  such discharges originate and in a




 large measure,  this pollution is caused by nutrients which




 over-fertilige  the Lake.   This pollution is subject to abate-




 ment  under the  Federal Water Pollution Control Act.




           7-  Pollution of navigable waters subject to abatement




 under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act is occurring in




 the Ohio waters of Lake Erie and its tributaries.  The dis-




 charges  causing and contributing to the pollution come from




 various  municipal and industrial sources, from garbage, debris




 and land runoff.




           8.  Pollution of the Ohio waters of Lake Erie and its




 tributaries within the State of Ohio endangers health and welfare.




           9.  Municipal wastes are to be given secondary treat-




 ment,  or treatment of such nature as to effectuate the maximum




 reduction of BOD (which is biochemical oxygen demand)  and phos-




 phates,  as well as other deleterious substances.




           10,   Secondary treatment plants be so designed and




 operated  as to maximize the removal of phosphates.




          11.  Disinfection of municipal waste effluents be




 practiced in a manner that will maintain coliform densities not




 to exceed 5,000 organisms per 100 ml at public water supply




 intakes and not to exceed 1,000 organisms per 100 ml where and




when the receiving waters in proximity to the discharge point




are used for recreational purposes involving bodily contact.




          12.  All new sewerage facilities are to be designed

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                                                                13




to prevent the necessity of bypassing untreated waters.




          13.  Combined storm and sanitary sewers  are to  be




prohibited in all newly-developed urban areas,  and eliminated




in existing areas wherever feasible.   Existing  combined sewer




systems are to be patrolled and flow-regulating structures




adjusted to convey the maximum practicable amount  of  combined




flows to and through treatment plants.




          14.  Programs are to be developed to  prevent acci-




dental spills of waste materials to Lake Erie and  its tribu-




taries.  In-plant surveys with the purpose of preventing




accidents are recommended.




          15.  Unusual increases in waste output and  accidental




spills are to be reported immediately to the appropriate  State




agency.




          16.  Disposal of garbage, trash and other deleterious




refuse in Lake Erie or its tributaries is to be prohibited and




existing dumps along river banks and  shores of  the Lake are  to




be removed.




          17.  Industrial plants are  to improve practices for




the segregation and treatment of waste to the effect  the  maximum




reductions of the following:




          Acids and alkalies; oils and tarry substances;  phenolic




compounds and organic chemicals that  contribute to taste  and




odor problems; ammonia and other nitrogenous compounds; phos-




phorous compounds; suspended material; toxic and highly-colored

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                                                                14





wastes;  oxygen-demanding substances; excessive heat; foam-pro-




ducing discharges; other wastes which detract from recreational




uses, esthetic enjoyment, or other beneficial uses of the waters.




           18.  The Michigan Water Resources Commission, the




Indiana  Stream Pollution Control Board, and the Ohio Water




Pollution  Control Board are to undertake action to insure that




industrial plants discharging wastes into waters of Lake Erie




and  its  tributaries within their respective jurisdictions




institute  programs of sampling their effluents to provide




necessary  information about waste outputs.  Such sampling shall




be conducted at  such locations and with such frequency as to




yield statistically reliable values of all waste outputs and




to show  their variations.  Analyses to be so reported are to




include  where applicable:  pH, oil, tarry residues, phenolics,




ammonia, total nitrogen, cyanide, toxic materials, total bio-




chemical oxygen demand, and all other substances listed in the




preceding  paragraphs.




           19.  Waste results are to be reported in terms of




both concentrations and load rates.  Such information will be




maintained  in open files by the State agencies for all those




having a legitimate interest in the information.




          20.  The U.S.  Department of Health, Education, and




Welfare is to establish water pollution surveillance stations




at appropriate locations on Lake Erie.  Surveillance of the




tributaries will be the primary responsibility of the States.

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                                                                15




The Department of Health, Education, and Welfare will assist




the States at such times as requested.




          21.  Within six months after the issuance of this




Summary, the State water pollution control agencies concerned




are to present a schedule of remedial action to the conferees




for their consideration and evaluation.




          22.  The Federal conferee recommends the following for




the consideration of the State agencies:




          a.  Recommended municipal treatment:  Completion of




plans and specifications, August 1966; completion of financing,




February 1967; construction started August 1967; construction




completed January 1, 1969; chlorination of effluents May 15,




1966; provision of stand-by and emergency equipment to prevent




interruptions of operation in municipal treatment plants,




August 1966; patrolling of combined sewer systems, immediately.




          b.  Discontinuance of garbage and trash dumping into




waters, immediately.




          c.  Industrial waste treatment facilities to be com-




pleted and  in operation by January 1, 1969.




          23.  Federal installations:  Waste treatment facili-




ties are to be completed and in operation by August 1966.




          24.  Representatives of the U.S. Army Corps of




Engineers are to meet with the Conferees, develop and put into




action a program for disposal of dredged material into Lake Erie




and its tributaries which will satisfactorily protect water




quality.  Such a program is to be developed within six months

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                                                                16

 after the issuance  of  this Summary and effectuated as soon as
 possible thereafter.
           25.   The  conference may be reconvened on the call of
 the Chairman.
           26.   These conclusions will be re-evaluated after the
 material at  the Buffalo  Session of the Conference is presented.
           Now,  this is what was determined at Cleveland and
 should be kept  in mind by all those participating in this con-
 ference.
           Now a brief word about the procedure.  We will call
 upon participants to make statements.  We suggest, for the most
 part, that they identify themselves for the record.
           At the conclusion of that the conferees may make com-
 ments or ask questions.  There will be no comments or questions
 from the audience.  Hold your comments or questions, or your
 statement, or get them up to your State or Federal conferees,
 and,  if appropriate, he will ask the question for you.
          We are making a verbatim transcript of this conference,
 which will be made  available to the State agencies for distribu-
 tion.   It  is suggested that if you want a verbatim transcript
 you get  in touch with your State agencies.  This should be
 printed within a couple of months.
          With that, we will proceed to call upon, as is our
 custom, the Congressional and State-elected officials who wish
 to participate in the conference.
          First, I would like to have the honor to call on a
distinguished member of the United States Senate, and a dis-
tinguished New Yorker and one who has had a tremendous interest

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                                                                17
 in  clean water  and a clean environment all the time, and has




 certainly made  his influence felt in the Senate since he's been




 there,  Senator  Robert Kennedy of New York.




          SENATOR KENNEDY:  Mr. Stein and members of the panel,




 I want  to first welcome all of you here to Buffalo and to say




 how grateful we are for Secretary Celebrezze's calling this




 conference—how grateful we are to all of you for the effort




 that you are making in this field.




          I might say that I'm sure everybody in this room and




 people  all over the State watched the conference which was held




 in  Cleveland with great care and with great interest.  We hope




 that out of that conference and out of the conference that will




 be  held here, we can develop a program for Lake Erie and this




 part of the State of New York as well as the other states in-




 volved, which will go a long way toward dealing with the prob-




 lem of pollution.  It affects all of our lives and will continue




 to  affect us.   I think the best opportunity for taking a step




 which will be meaningful and which will be effective is this




 conference and  the recommendations and suggestions that you




 make after this conference is finished.




          I was delighted to hear the Chairman say that you




 would be willing to listen to any of those who have information




 and knowledge about this problem and that you'd be willing to




 continue the conference to hear them.  Of course, they have to




be  invited through the States, but I understand there are a

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                                                                18
 number of people who have requested  to appear before this com-




 mittee and you were told by the  State that you were rushed and




 you are unable to hear them.   I  understood the Chairman to say




 that you would be willing to  hear  any of those who have infor-




 mation to present at this conference, is that correct?




           CHAIRMAN STEIN:   That  is correct.  We will be here




 as long as there is anyone who is  legally invited, and who




 feels he has anything relative to  say.




           SENATOR KENNEDY:  I  know that the people of New York




 State and the Buffalo Metropolitan Area are very pleased to




 see this conference convene in Buffalo.




           Both Congressman Richard McCarthy and I appreciate




 the response of Secretary Celebrezze to our request this




 Spring for a Federal water pollution conference for Lake Erie.




 In light of the many water pollution hearings that the United




 States Public Health Service has been called upon to hold this




 year,  I think we are fortunate to have Chairman Stein and his




 associates hold this  hearing here.




           I know that  everyone in this room is aware of the




 urgency of this problem.   The  continuing contamination of Lake




 Erie  is  evident to  anyone  who  is familiar with water pollution




 problems.




           I  am  not  sure, however, that the more than 1,000,000




 citizens  living  in  the Buffalo area and along the shores of Lake




Erie in New York State are  fully aware of the need for this con-




 ference.

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                                                                19
          Lake Erie is in danger of becoming polluted to the




point where cities can no longer draw drinking water from this




tremendous reservoir, where commerce on its shores is en-




dangered and where the growth of algae and other aquatic plants




threatens those who wish to enjoy the Lake for boating,




swimming or just the magnificent scenery.




          The Public Health Service has said in its report




dated July 1965:




          Lake Erie and its tributaries are polluted.  The main




          body of the Lake had deteriorated in quality at a rate




          manjr times greater than its normal aging processes,




          due to ... pollution resulting from the activities of




          man.




          If this pollution worsens, the 835,000 people in New




York State and the almost 2,442,000 people in other states who




draw their drinking water directly from Lake Erie will have to




turn to other sources for their water supplies.  They may be




faced with a report on Lake Erie from the New York State




Department of Health stating that the Lake is not suitable




from a sanitary point of view as a permanent source of public




water and should only be used as a source of water during grave




water shortages.




          If this sounds unlikelj", I might point out that the




New York State Department of Health issued a report of this




nature for the Hudson River in 1950.  As a result, the citizens




of New York City who use about a billion and a quarter gallons

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                                                                 20
 of water every day do not draw any water from the  20  billion




 gallons of fresh water that the Hudson pours  into  the Atlantic




 Ocean every day.




           The industries in the five states that currently use




 4.7 billion gallons of Lake Erie's water daily will be  forced




 to look elsewhere for water.  If Lake Erie becomes clogged with




 algae and the pollution level  rises,  New York  State industry,




 using 1.6 billion gallons a day for power generation  and 350




 million gallons a day for cooling or  other processes, would be




 severely crippled.   The costs  of removing pollution after the




 fact are much higher than those of preventing  a source  of water




 from becoming polluted in the  first place.




           The New York State Legislature  has passed during this




 last session a program which can make  some difference,  particu-




 larly in relation to municipal  sewage.  Under  this program New




 York State will provide one  third of  the  funds required by mu-




 nicipalities  to construct  sewage treatment plants.  The Federal




 Government is  being  asked  to provide  the  next  third,  and local




 communities will  be  required to  contribute the remaining 40%.




           The  voters  of New York State have been asked  to ap-




 prove  the  first part  of this program  in a referendum  that will




 be on  the ballot  this November.   I hope the voters will approve




 the proposed bond issue.




          In legislation shortly  to be enacted in Congress, the




Federal part of this program is being completed.  Project size

-------
                                                                21







limitations that have hindered use of Federal funds for con-




struction of municipal sewage plants are being increased to as-




sist communities in meeting the sewage treatment plant needs.




In addition to the increases in project size limitations, $50




million is being added to the funds already authorized, and




there are no project size restrictions on this sum.




          Thus as a result of the efforts of Congressman




McCarthy, in particular, and many others, a total of $150 mil-




lion in Federal funds is expected to be available this year.




New York State will be able to qualify for a major share of




these sums.




          There are, however, other immediate local, state and




Federal steps that can and must be taken now if we are to have




any success in combatting water pollution over the long run.




          We need more political innovation at the state and




local levels, particularly in relation to industrial pollution.




Of course, no town or state government likes to tell an industry




that it must eliminate pollution.  The economics of plant in-




vestment often lead a firm to reply that it will relocate its




plant in another state if local pollution controls are enforced.




Because there are major differences in state regulations and




enforcement of pollution laws, industry can play one municipality




or state off against another.




          One of the barriers to effective local and state en-




forcement is the fact that communities using water from rivers

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                                                                22
 and lakes crossing state  boundaries are currently faced with




 different pollution standards  on each side of a state line.




 One city cannot reasonably be  asked to treat its waste if the




 next does not.   If New York  and Pennsylvania, or Massachusetts




 and Rhode Island,  or any  two or more states are to effectively




 reduce pollution,  common  pollution standards and enforcement




 for the communities sharing  a  waterway must be established on




 both sides of  their common borders.




           Control  of pollution in Lake Erie is a good example




 of this problem.   Michigan,  Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania and New




 York as well as Canada are each individually responsible for




 the control of  pollution  flowing into Lake Erie.  It has been




 shown clearly  that pollution from each of the states affects




 the quality of  the water  used  by the other states and by Canada




 as well.   Yet  there is no  common standard of pollution control




 between the states  and Canada.  Communities and industry along




 the Lake  are being  asked  to take steps to clean up pollution,




 with no assurance  that other locations will be required to do




 the same  thing.  Unless common standards are applied, it is




 difficult  to require action from communities and industry.




          Yet New York, Massachusetts, Vermont, Maine and many




 other states opposed the establishment of Federal interstate




water quality standards recommended in the water pollution legis-




 lation brought before Congress in this session,,




          The water quality standards passed by the Senate this




year but rejected by the House should be adopted by Congress.

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                                                                23
I have urged the House conferees to join the Senate in adopting




these interstate water quality standards.  They are a critical




underpinning for state and local anti-pollution efforts.




          We must go beyond the establishment of standards




however, that apply only to interstate waters, and establish




and enforce quality standards for all waterways.




          I do not believe that continued Federal aid to fight




the contamination of water will be available until the states




are willing to enforce pollution regulations.  There would be




no sense in spending large amounts of money to remove municipal




pollution in one area only to have a river or stream polluted




by the neighboring community, industry or state.




          There are a number of ways in which better pollution




control can be exercised.




          In Germany and England, for example, which are




countries that have already faced the water shortage that we




are now experiencing, each source of pollution is licensed by




the appropriate river or water basin commission so that there




is full knowledge of the pollution that is going into the water-




way.  And certain kinds of pollution are completely prohibited.




          We could well do the same here in the United States.




At least it deserves a major study.  We might, for instance,




have a Federally established licensing or permit system, with




enforcement generally to be accomplished by states and munici-




palities.  The control agency could be given a right of entry




and inspection for all licensed sources of pollution.  Such a

-------
                                                                24
 system of  licensing would ensure that competing firms with pol-




 lution problems would  all be treated alike.




           Another  source of control might be a user fee applied




 to each source of  pollution on the basis of cost to the govern-




 ment of removing the pollutants that are discharged.  Since




 collective treatment of waste is less costly, this user fee




 might cost the polluter less than installing his own purifica-




 tion unit  would cost,




           I  also believe that Federal economic assistance to




 industry in  meeting new pollution standards can be provided




 through rapid Federal  tax write-offs of the cost of acquiring




 and installing adequate pollution control equipment„  Assistance




 of this type could be  useful if coupled with a broad attack on




 water pollution.




           Turning  specifically to the current conference:




           In the first session of the Water Pollution Conference




 for Lake Erie held in Cleveland, a number of recommendations




 were discussed by the conferees and, in most cases, agreed to




 by  the  conferees from Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio.  We do not




 know whether New York State or Pennsylvania agreed to those




 recommendations.   I hope that with the appearance of Governor




Rockefeller  today,  we will  learn that New York will adhere to




 the recommendations of the  conferees, and that they will follow




this program, which I think has been so ably set up by the con-




ference.

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                                                                25
          CHAIRMAN STEIN:  Senator, I might indicate that all




the recommendations and conclusions arrived at in Cleveland




were arrived at unanimously.  Michigan, Indiana, Ohio and the




Federal Government have absolutely no differences.  We are all




in complete and unanimous agreement„




          SENATOR KENNEDY:  Did New York take any position




during that period of time?




          CHAIRMAN STEIN:  New York was not present during the




deliberations.




          SENATOR KENNEDY:  Is that the time New York had left -




before the final day?




          CHAIRMAN STEIN:  Yes, Senator.




          SENATOR KENNEDY:  I think that the potential results




of this conference are important enough to the 11.2 million




people living on the shores of Lake Erie to warrant the partici-




pation of New York State.  I hope that New York State will now




endorse the recommendations of the conference so that the five




states and Canada can move ahead with a program to eliminate




pollution in Lake Erie.




          Of particular importance are the recommendations that




the communities along the Lake provide at least secondary treat-




ment of their municipal wastes.  New York State has at least




50,000 people who discharge waste into Lake Erie with absolutely




no treatment at all.  It has an additional 1,160,779 residents




whose sewage receives only primary treatment before being dis-




charged into the Lake,

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                                                                 26







           I have these figures rising  out  of  your  conference,




 which I think are a serious  indictment of  the State  of New York,




 in connection with the amount  of  secondary treatment that is




 provided by other states - pollution treatment provided by other




 states in contrast to the State of New York.




           For instance, in Ohio,  we see that  sewage  from 3,613,850




 people receiving secondary treatment and when we go  down to New




 York, we find it's only 285,000.  I think  that these reports




 that you have in your record,  contained on  page 37,  38 and 39




 are of great significance.




           Only 285,000 residents  are serviced by secondary sewage




 treatment here in New York,  a  necessity for all municipal waste




 if we are to prevent  the contamination of the Lake.




           Of great importance  in  the Buffalo  area  is the need




 for interception and  treatment  plants  to handle the municipal




 sewage that  normally  is  washed  out into  the Lake during rain-




 storms .




           Third,  and  perhaps the most  important recommendation




 from the  standpoint of  industrial pollution is the recommendation




 that  specific  pollution  information from industry  and municipali-




 ties  be reported  and maintained in open  files by the State




 agencies controlling pollution.




          As I understand it, Mr.  Chairman, that was agreed to




 at the conference in Cleveland, was it not?




          CHAIRMAN STEIN:  Yes, it was agreed to.  The problem




we have in several of the States,  notably Ohio and New York, is

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                                                                27
that the statutes--the water pollution control statutes—in




those states gives some color to the notion that industrial




waste information may be withheld from the public, and of




course, we cannot ask that any state official not comply fully




with the requirements of his state laws.




          However, the Ohio statute read that this information




could not be divulged without the permission of the industry




involved.




          At the Cleveland conference  industry after industry,




including some of the largest such as Sun Oil, Republic Steel,




duPont, Jones & Laughlin,came up and they all indicated that




their company policy was to make such information available to




interested Federal-state agencies  and other agencies which




might be interested in the problem.  We looked on this as a




very encouraging sign  because previously, while we had almost




unanimity among industry wanting to make this information




available, there were some difficult spots.




          As far as I can see now, there are very few companies




which have not publicly announced that this is their policy--




that the public has a right to know what the volume or strength




of the material that they put into public waters is.




          SENATOR KENNEDY:   I congratulate them.  I saw a re-




port on that in the paper and I also saw some of the pictures




outside this conference, so I congratulate the interest by




business and by industry in developing and supporting this kind

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                                                                28
 of  a  program,  in  the public interest.  I think it's not only




 worthwhile  for them, but it's also worthwhile for all of the




 people  who  live at  this Lake, and who want to enjoy Lake Erie




 and need  the water  from Lake Erie.  I think it is going to be




 absolutely  essential.  I would hope also as this conference goes




 along that  Governor Rockefeller, when he appears here, will say




 that  either they  would develop the same kind of a program here




 in  the  State of New York, or ask that this law be repealed.  I




 am  sure that the  Legislature would be willing to follow his di-




 rection on  it,  if he asks that this law be repealed.  That is




 the great problem here in this State of New York.  Then we can




 move  on and publish that kind of information, which I think is




 in  the  interest of all of the people of the State of New York.




 It  is certainly in  the interest of those who want to deal with




 the pollution problem.




          In a major step taken in Cleveland, referring to your




 statement,  a number of industry representatives agreed to make




 this information available.   State representatives from Indiana,




Michigan and Ohio also agreed to the recommendation that this




 information be collected and made available in open files.  As




I say, I hope that the State of New York, through Governor




Rockefeller, will  announce  that that will be done here in the




State.  And if  he  feels that the law, which I am going to make




reference  to in a  moment—is an impediment, that he will ask




for  repeal of  that law.

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                                                                29
          I would think that industry and government in New York




State would want to fully endorse this principle.




          At the present time, referring to the Code that you




mentioned, a section of New York State penal code passed last




year is used to prevent the State government from releasing




specific information to either the public or Federal agencies.




I find it incredible that the basic pollution information




telling us about the nature of our industrial pollution is not




available to either the Federal Government or to the public.




          The United States Public Health Service spent over




$1,000,000 in making a detailed study of pollution in the




Detroit River waters of Lake Erie because the specific informa-




tion on pollution was not available.  I would hope that a simi-




lar study would not be required for the Buffalo-Niagara area.




Yet if the basic pollution information is not made available,




I would urge that a study of this type be conducted.




          Four, the Federal conferee in Cleveland also recom-




mended a schedule for the elimination of pollution.  State rep-




resentatives should either endorse this schedule or set a date




at which a more acceptable schedule can be agreed to.




          Five - Dredging,  I also urge the State conferees to




agree to the recommendation that the Corps of Engineers work




out a plan by which material dredged from Lake Erie and its




tributaries, such as the Buffalo River, be disposed of in a




manner which will protect the quality of Lake Erie's water.

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                                                                30
           The  control  of water pollution is a complex subject




 of  critical  importance to New York State and to the rest of the




 nation.   The question  is not so much whether we will have water,




 but what  price we  pay  for water.  New York State and the other




 states  on the  Great Lakes have been magnificently endowed with




 clear fresh  water.  It is up to us to keep from fouling it to




 the point where  it cannot be used without expensive treatment.




 To  do this we  must act now.




           New  York State has been a leader in many areas; in




 education, in  industrial development, and in transportation for




 example.   Yet  when foreign visitors ask where they can see ef-




 fective water  pollution control, they are sent to Indiana or




 Michigan  and not to New York State.  New York State can be a




 leader in  this critical area.  I urge that we take the steps




 to  regain  that leadership„   (applause)




           CHAIRMAN STEIN:   Thank you, Senator.




          Are  there any questions or comments for the Senator,




 please?




          DR. WILBAR:   Senator Kennedy is a very distinguished




 lawyer and was  Attorney General of the United States.  Is it




usual in a court procedure  for the judge or jury to make de-




cisions before  all of the  facts are heard before the court?




          CHAIRMAN STEIN:   I don't think it is.




          DR. WILBAR:   Well, I participated in several of these




conferences and previously  no conclusions have been made at the




conference until  the  conference was ovei.

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                                                                31
          There was some implied criticism that Pennsylvania




and New York did not concur or take part in the conclusions




made in Cleveland.  The time for conclusions, I would say,  is




at the conclusion of the conference, and not in the middle  of




the conference.




          To my knowledge, no other conference held on inter-




state water pollution has put out conclusions before the con-




ference was completed.




          SENATOR KENNEDY:  Of course, that's up to the com-




mittee itself to make such determination.  I would think that




the jury has long come in on the question of whether Lake Erie




is polluted.  I don't think you need another study or another




conference to make that decision.  I think that the jury has




been out and that it came in years ago, and Lake Erie is




polluted, and now it's a question of doing something about  it.




          Let me say this.  I think that all of the States  and




those of us in Congress, and those of us who are Federal of-




ficials or State officials or local officials, had the responsi-




bility that perhaps should have been met a long time ago, for




dealing with the pollution of Lake Erie,




          Now as I understand it, there were certain recommenda-




tions that were made and several of the States said that they




thought that these recommendations should be put into effect--




that they made some sense.  I think that it is time to start




to develop a program,  and again, this is up to your group — it

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                                                                 32
 wasn't up to me as I was not  in Cleveland—but  I  think  that  to




 say you are going to have a specific  and particular program  to




 deal with the problem of pollution  of Lake Erie makes a great




 deal of sense, and I think we should  get on with  it.  (applause)




           CHAIRMAN STEIN:   Are there  any further  comments?




           SENATOR KENNEDY:  May I ask a question?  I wrote




 Governor Rockefeller a while  ago, July 15th, and  I received  a




 letter back from him dated July 30th, in which  he makes a number




 of points regarding the involvement of the Federal Government




 in this matter.




           One, on the question of how much money  is going to be




 made available at the Federal  level.  Governor  Rockefeller calls




 for a figure of  $250,000,000.  As I said, I would hope that




 $150,000,000 will be made  available--$100,000,000 has been al-




 located now.  We are trying to get another $50,000,000.  It




 would appear that this $50,000,000 will be available.




           That $50,000,000  that I'm referring to, over and above




 the $100,000,000,  will be  free to be  used by the Federal




 agencies  and departments in any part  of the United States.  It




 is  my judgment that  if a program is developed here in New York,




 that  a  substantial amount of that can be used here in the State




 of New York.




          The billion, six hundred million dollars over a six




year period which has been suggested by the legislature and by




Governor Rockefeller will have to be passed on by the State and

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                                                                33
voted on, and of course that can't take place until November,




and then each of the communities is going to have to develop




their own program.  So I would say that I think that the $150




million made available by Congress will be enough at least for




the first year, for the operation here in the State of New




York.  I think that they can work closely together as they de-




velop their programs, but the important thing is to get on




with it.




          More important criticism however, of the Federal in-




volvement by Governor Rockefeller is contained in the last




page of his letter and I ask that this letter and my letter




be made part of the record, if that meets with the approval.




          CHAIRMAN STEIN:  If there is no objection that will




be done.




(The letters referred to by Senator Kennedy are as follows:)
                                        "July 15, 1965




Dear Governor Rockefeller:




          The people of Western New York have a tremendous




stake in the success of the Federal Conference which convenes




next month to consider the multiple pollution problems which




beset their greatest natural resource -- the waters of Lake




Erie.




          The Conference, to convene at Cleveland on August 3




and which re-convenes at Buffalo on August 10, was called by

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                                                                34







 the  Secretary  of Health Education and Welfare under the enforce-




 ment authority of the Federal Water Pollution Act.




          If that Conference is to be of optimum benefit to the




 State of New York, the State should give full support to the




 Conference.  We regret that you have not requested that the




 scope of the Conference include the pollution of the New York




 waters of Lake Erie which originates within the State of New




 York.




          In a recent statement, Dr. Hollis Ingraham, Commissioner




 of Health, stated that the lake pollution from which our State




 is suffering comes 'almost entirely from New York.1  Under the




 law,  the Federal enforcement authority can be invoked with re-




 spect  to intrastate pollution only on the request of the Governor




 of the State.  Thus, New York will not receive full benefit from




 this Conference unless you decide to request Federal enforcement.




          Governor Rhodes of Ohio did make this request for




Federal assistance and as a result there will be available to




Ohio,  legal, technical and financial resources which will not




be available to New York.




          It is our belief that a state does not relinquish its




rights and responsibilities through the use of the Federal en-




forcement machinery.   The  enormity of the task demands the em-




ployment,  on the basis of  full  cooperation, of the resources of




government  at  all  levels.   We share Lake Erie with three other




states and  Canada.

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                                                                35
          Because of the complexities involved in demonstrating




that pollution originating in one State has in fact crossed a




State line and is endangering the health or welfare of persons




in another State, we regret that an intrastate action involving




New York has not been taken in connection with the Lake Erie




water pollution control conference.




          The Conference gives great promise of success.  The




groundwork for the Buffalo session is now being laid.  Therefore,




even if you will not request Federal enforcement, we urge you to




exert the powers of your office to encourage officials of the




State of New York to put forth maximum effort to make the




Conference on August 10 an effective instrument for restoring




Lake Erie's waters.




          Specifically, we urge the State Department of Health




to invite to the Conference those persons -- representing munici-




pal, industrial, conservationist, civic and other interests --




whose presence and participation can add singificantly to the




information of the conferees, can put the problem in focus, and




can present constructive ideas for the control of lake pollution.




          Further, we urge that the State Department of Health




work closely with the Department of Health, Education and Welfare




to develop for the Conference the fullest information possible on




wastes entering Lake Erie and its tributary streams.  The leaders




of industry, through an appeal to their civil responsibility,




should be urged to cooperate and to make available such data as

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                                                                36
would be requisite or helpful to an accurate evaluation of the

pollution problems of the basin and the extent and prospective

cost of the measures necessary to their solution.

          We are hopeful that you will act soon to assure the

residents of the Niagara Frontier that you are interested in

developing the full set of facts on the pollution  problem on

Lake Erie.  We know that with the cooperation  of State agencies

this Conference can be a resounding success  and a  boost towards

cleanup of our lakes and streams.

                                   Sincerely yours,
    Robert F.  Kennedy             Richard D. McCarthy
    United States  Senator          Member of Congress'1

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                                                                37
                                        "July 30, 1965




Dear Senator Kennedy:




          This is in response to your letter of July fifteenth




regarding the Federal water pollution control conference on




Lake Erie.




          As you indicate, the conference is being held on the




problem of interstate pollution but on intrastate pollution only




as it relates to the state of Ohio.  Also, as you indicate, in-




trastate pollution in New York may only be considered at my re-




quest.




          As you know, New York State has just completed the




following steps to permit a rapid cleanup and purification of




the waters of the State:




          (1)  By the end of this year all of the involved New




          York waters will have been classified as to their best




          usage and pollution abatement plans for all surface




          waters will have been completed.




          (2)  Unanimous passage by both Houses of the




          Legislature at my request of the Pure Waters Act.




          This Act involves the issuance of one billion dollars




          of State bonds in order to:




          (a)  Provide money for the State to contribute five




               hundred million dollars to localities as its




               thirty percent share of the cost of cleaning up




               the pollution of our waters, and

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                                                      38







 (b)  Provide monies for the State to advance to the




     localities five hundred million dollars to cover




     the Federal government's full thirty percent




     share of the cost.  The State advance of the




     Federal money is necessary, as I explained at




     the meeting which I called of our New York State




     Congressional delegation, because at the present




     time Federal funds are woefully insufficient to




     meet the needs.




 (3)  As you are further aware, I have gone to Washington




 to  appear before both the Blatnik Committee in the House




 and the Muskie Committee in the Senate to urge them to




 recommend to the Congress an increase in the annual




Federal appropriation for water pollution control from




 the present one hundred million dollar level to a two




 hundred and fifty million dollar annual appropriation




 and to remove the provisions in the present law which




 discriminate against the urban areas and industrial




 states.




     Under the present law and level of Congressional




appropriations,  New York State only gets five million




dollars a year.   This  is but a drop in the bucket in




the face of  the  one billion seven hundred million




dollar  expenditure which we must make to clean up




our waters.   The Federal thirty percent share of this

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                                                                39







          total program for New York is five hundred million




          dollars.  On the basis of the present Federal  five




          million dollars a year assistance, it would take New




          York State more than one hundred years to clean up




          its waterso  Of course this would be intolerable and




          that is why the State is moving ahead on its own.




          (4)  The State at the last session of the Legislature




          also at my request, greatly strengthened the enforce-




          ment provisions of the law with the result that we




          are now in a position to take action through the courts




          requiring community and private owners to stop the




          pollution of our waters.




          As a result of the above, New York State, with voter




approval of the Pure Waters Bond Issue this fall, should be able




to clean up its waters in the next six years.




          In light of the above I can see no useful purpose for




requesting a Federal study of New York State's intrastate needs




nor of Federal enforcement.  The time for study has passed.  The




time for action is at hand.  A Federal study now would simply




involve delay, duplication and confusion.




          What would be helpful, however, would be if you




personally would appear before the Joint Conference Committee




of the Senate and the House and urge the Committee to recommend




amendments to the present Federal law to eliminate the provi-




sions that discriminate against New York and to increase Federal

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                                                                40







appropriations from the present level of one hundred million a




year, to at least two hundred and fifty million dollars a year,




and further, to urge that a provision be written into the law




similar to the provision in the Interstate Highway Act permitting




the States to advance monies against future Federal appropria-




tions so that all States can get on with the program without




future delay.




          In summary, the answer to our pollution problem in our




State is not more outside studies nor Federal enforcement efforts.




The answer is money - money to enable the local communities to




do the job of construction of pollution abatement facilities.




The Federal government can really help by paying its full thirty




percent share of the cost of these local facilities.  It can




help by ending the discrimination against urban states like New




York in its aid formulas.




          With regard to the August tenth conference in Buffalo,




the New York State Health Department will certainly cooperate in




every appropriate way both in presenting information and in in-




viting a broad representation of views.




                                        Sincerely,




                                        NELSON ROCKEFELLER"



                         * *  #  * *

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                                                                41
          SENATOR KENNEDY:  He talks about whether it is neces-




sary to have a study and have the Federal Government involved




and he said:




          "The time for study has passed.  The time for action




     is at hand.  A Federal study now would simply involve de-




     lay, duplication and confusion."




          I would like to refer to this Committee's efforts in




this field, and I would like to ask you what you are doing at




the present time, and what is coming out of it—arising out of




this conference that is going to involve delays, duplication




and confusion?  Would you make a comment about each one of




those--delay first?




          CHAIRMAN STEIN:  Well, I don't think there is any de-




lay.  As a matter of fact, perhaps, that's what Dr. Wilbar was




referring to.




          I think at Cleveland  an action program was developed;




many things were to take place immediately.  As far as I can




see,  the pollution program was arranged so industrial and mu-




nicipal pollution could be cleaned up in an operation by




January 1, 1969, which seems to me a reasonably rapid rate.




Pollution from Federal installations would be cleaned up by




August 1966.  I don't know that there is any delay contemplated.




          As a matter of fact, I think the complaints come from




the notion that when the Federal enforcement activity gets




rolling, there is a noticeable lack of delay.

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                                                                 42
           I should like to point  out  to  the  Senator,  too,  that




 we attempt to operate the conferences  in the same manner  that I




 think is roughly analogous to  a Senate Hearing — that  is, we  give




 someone an opportunity to appear.  When  they don't  appear, or




 if they're not there, we just, as  you  said many times  in your




 little talk today, have to get on  with it.




           The pollution problem is so  great  that it just can't




 wait, because if we do have to wait, a State representative,




 merely by absenting himself from  a conference, could  exercise




 his veto power over pollution  clean-ups  at the Federal  level.




 I don't think that is what the Congress  anticipated as  we  in-




 terpret and administer the law.  If we're mistaken  in  that,  of




 course, I think the Congress should so indicate.  I think  that




 this question has come up before,  and  we had the unqualified




 endorsement of both sides of the Congress on that kind  of




 interpretation.




           Also,  we have  had many,  many conferences where we




 have had one,  two,  three  and four  sessions and at the  conclusion




 of  every one  of  these  sessions, we always come up with  con-




 clusions  and  recommendations.




          Again, I don't  think this is a novel operation.  I




 should point out that the conclusions  and recommendations are




 subject to your evaluation here,  and,  in large measure, deal




with the three Western States.   The names Pennsylvania  and New




York were not mentioned.

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                                                                43
          But to answer your question, rather than delay, I




think we've got this program off to a tremendous start on the




western end of the Nation, and we're moving as rapidly as




prudent engineering, construction and evaluation can permit.




          SENATOR KENNEDY:  Let me ask you specifically if the




Federal-State program agreed to by the other states - if that




went into effect - if it were agreed to by Governor Rockefeller




here in the State of New York, could that go into operation




immediately?




          CHAIRMAN STEIN:  Absolutely.




          SENATOR KENNEDY:  Would there be any delay at all?




          CHAIRMAN STEIN:  As a matter of fact, I think that




other than a delay, I think that this would be a tremendous




speed-up.




          MR. OEMING:  I think, Senator Kennedy, that there is




one aspect of this that should be recognized, and that is that




many of these recommendations are still subject, even with the




best efforts that the State or the Federal Government can make,




are still subject to determination by the courts, should there




be issues raised by the voters that they wish to have their day




in court.




          So, when we're talking about delays, I think we should




recognize that enforcement procedures do involve delays and




should some of these recommendations--there are interesting




possibilities, I think, in some cases.

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                                                                44
          SENATOR KENNEDY:  I suppose that would be true if the




State or the local community put in these kinds of steps them-




selves.  They could also have court cases to delay that.  In




any  case, any kind of pollution enforcement that you put into




effect is subject to that.




          CHAIRMAN STEIN:  Yes.




          SENATOR KENNEDY:  But what I'm talking about is the




Federal Government's role in it, other than the fact that it




might be taken to court and tested.  Actually, if the Federal




Government's putting its program into effect, could it go into




effect immediately?  What you have suggested or recommended is




not  really a further study, but rather an action program, as I




understand it.




          CHAIRMAN STEIN:  Exactly, and I should point out that




what Mr. Oeming says is entirely correct, of course.  We have




had  enforcement cases against over a thousand cities and a




thousand industries by now-over two thousand in all.  We have




only gone to court once, with one city, so I don't look for




these spectres of delays, Mr. Oeming, and I'm sure in your




Michigan program you, yourself, indicated that you are beating




our program that we set in Detroit, by six months.




          SENATOR KENNEDY:  I agree.




          CHAIRMAN STEIN:   While we're on Michigan, Mr. Oeming




pointed out  another  fact  that I wonder if I could just at this




time  refer  to.   While we spent the $1,000,000 in the detailed

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                                                                45
 study of pollution in the Detroit River, it was not because




Detroit, Michigan, did not make the information available to




 us.  Michigan always had a policy of open files, and making




 complete industrial information available to us.  The diffi-




 culty in the Detroit River was, despite having this informa-




 tion, the  situation there was so complex that we needed some




 more specific information and had to do this.




           I think the main crux of your statement is entirely




 correct--that if we did not get similar information in the




 Buffalo-Niagara area, that you would urge a study of this type




 be  conducted.




           So, I would say, if we didn't get that information




 for which  we asked, as far as I can see it now, we would have




 no  alternative but to go ahead with that—as our statutory ob-




 ligation,  to get that information,  I don't see how we could




 do  otherwise.




           SENATOR KENNEDY:  Should there be any duplication




 and confusion if this Federal program is put into effect?




           CHAIRMAN STEIN:  No, sir.  As a matter of fact, as it




worked out, we have several states here we've worked with




 through the years.  We have so much pollution control business




to  do throughout the country, we are not interested in dupli-




cating or  confusing any issue.  If the State can get on with




it, we are most happy to withdraw and go somewhere else.  The




one thing we ought to do is to disengage as rapidly as possible




where a case is on the line.

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                                                                 46
           SENATOR KENNEDY:  Let me  just ask  you — there has  been




 a major effort here in  the  State  of New York to classify  streams




 and lakes and rivers, has there not?




           CHAIRMAN STEIN:   Yes, there has.




           SENATOR KENNEDY:  As far  as classification to the




 degree of pollution?




           CHAIRMAN STEIN:   Yes, sir.




           SENATOR KENNEDY:  Has there been any steps that have




 been taken by the State, after they have been classified  to




 deal with the pollution?




           CHAIRMAN STEIN:   I've been following the New York




 program for a while, and I  think  the emphasis for the past  10




 or 15 years has been their  classification.   I think the next




 step contemplated here is the bond issue.  But I think the




 situation has  been different in some of the  other states  such




 as Indiana.  We have here Ohio possibly and Michigan and




 Pennsylvania, where  they don't emphasize the classification




 technique  but  they  take industry by industry and city by  city,




 and  as  they go along, attempt to get them to put in improved




 methods of treatment.




          SENATOR KENNEDY:   Going  back to the point that, as




 far as New York is concerned,  we had the classification of




 these streams, and possibly  the State has the information as




to who is responsible for the  pollution.   I hope and expect




that they have it.

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                                                                47
          That information has not been made public.  And, under




the law that was passed last year, evidently, it cannot be made




public.  But as far as dealing with the problem of pollution and




ridding the streams or the lakes or the rivers of pollution--




that program, up until the bond issue, has not been put into




effect in the State of New York as of now.




          CHAIRMAN STEIN:  I went up the Buffalo River yester-




day, and you did, too, and I think that River speaks for itself.




Another case is Raritan Bay and the rivers there.  I think the




facts there speak for themselves, too.  I don't think you need




scientific studies to really indicate that those rivers are




polluted,




          SENATOR KENNEDY:  We are suggesting here that what the




conference is all about is the fact that this information pos-




sibly is available.  Now we have to deal with the information.




Now we have to deal with the particular rivers, the particular




lakes, the particular streams that are polluted, and put a pro-




gram into effect.




          What I gather from the conference in Cleveland is




that it was supported by the local officials; it was supported




by the State officials and it was supported by industry in that




kind of a program.  I think that's absolutely necessary and es-




sential here in the State of New York.  I don't think it's pos-




sible just to continue as we have in the past, and so, once




again,  I congratulate and I thank the conference.  I think it




is well worthwhile.

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                                                                48
          CHAIRMAN STEIN:   There is one more point in your




statement that I'd like to call attention to, because this came




up at Cleveland several times.  You point out that if pollution




worsens, people in New York State and in other states who draw




their drinking water from Lake Erie, will have to turn to




other sources for their water supply.  That's on page 2 where




you said that.




          Sir, as far as we are concerned in the Federal




Government, the Great Lakes, and Lake Erie among them, are our




most precious resources of fresh water.  As far as we know,  they




are the greatest single source of fresh water, certainly essen-




tial source which we use mostly for large users—the greatest




single source of fresh water in the hemisphere, and possibly in




the world.  If that deteriorates, we will find that in this  area,




around here, the life of the people will change.  If a source




of that size goes, it is not very easily replaced, and the




people need it for life itself.




          Secondly, water probably is one of the most important




products used by industry—fresh water that is.  Again in the




Great Lakes, and in Lake Erie in particular, we--once we have




a dying lake,  we very well may have a problem of reversing the




trend.   The miracle of America has been that the Great Lakes




have remained fresh so long and have not deteriorated the way




other lakes have.




          This  is  not, I should point out, like cleaning up  the

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                                                                49




Hudson River or Rarltan Bay.  Because if that's done, we can




expect that something like some dredging operations in a year




or two will restore it, and we would have that river or that




estuary, or that bay, back to reasonable shape within several




years if we keep the pollution out.




          The question here is, if the pollution rises and the




Great Lakes go down as a fresh water source, whether we will be




able to maintain the economy of this area and thus maintain the




position of the United States as a world power.  This is, at




least from our point of view, and that of the people working on




water resources, one of the most vital issues that we have in




the field today.  I don't think there can be any question but




that a top priority task in the Federal Government is to pre-




serve the fresh water quality of the Great Lakes.




          SENATOR KENNEDY:  I agree with that.  As I understand




from your report, there is no question that Lake Erie is a




dying lake at the present time.




          CHAIRMAN STEIN:  According to the report, that's right.




          SENATOR KENNEDY:  And also from reading your report,




there is no question that New York State is contributing to




causing the death of Lake Erie.




          CHAIRMAN STEIN:  That is according to the report, yes sir.




          SENATOR KENNEDY:  So I think it's about time we met our




responsibilities, and ended it.




          Mr. Chairman, could I ask that my whole statement be




part of the record?

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                                                                50







          CHAIRMAN STEIN:   Yes.  Without objection that would




be accepted.  Do we have copies of your letter,  Senator?  Some




of the conferees would like to see those before  I put them in




the record.




          SENATOR KENNEDY:   Well, I have the one from Governor




Rockefeller to me,,




          CHAIRMAN STEIN:   I think, at your convenience, if we




could have those?




          SENATOR KENNEDY:   I will, and I'll provide them for




the record.  I only have this one, and if this can be returned--




it is the original.




          CHAIRMAN STEIN:   Yes, it can.  Thank you very much, sir.




          SENATOR KENNEDY:   Thank you very much.  (applause)




          CHAIRMAN STEIN:   I have a statement that I'd like to




read in the record now, from the other New York  Senator, the




Senior Senator from New York, Senator Jacob K. Javits.  His




statement is:  (he sent a  telegram up to the same effect)




          "Because the Senate Labor and Public Welfare Committee




has scheduled action this  morning on the Bill repealing 14B, I




very much regret that I will be unable to attend the Federal




Water Pollution Conference  in Buffalo.  Representatives from




my Buffalo Office are in attendance, and will keep me informed




of all developments."




          We have met the  representatives of the Buffalo Office,




and they've been very attentive and very helpful.

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          "It is important to-day to emphasize that Government




Officials on the local, State and Federal level are united in




an all-out effort to combat pollution in Lake Erie and restore,




once again clear, fresh water for the use of the people.




          "This is a Non-Partisan issue and should so continue.




          "New York State will shortly embark on a precedent




setting $1.7 Billion - Water Pollution Control Program, de-




signed to deal with the problem within the borders of the State.




Years of research and investigation - details of which will be




made available to Federal Officials - have enabled the State  to




formulate this Master Plan, which can be carried out with the




financial assistance of the Federal Government.




          "But pollution of Interstate Waters such as Lake




Erie, cannot be controlled by a single State alone, and I wel-




come the Forum, the expert advice and some of the money needed




to help us to help ourselves.




          "Both Houses of Congress have passed legislation




greatly increasing Federal participation in the Water Pollution




Control Program, and I am hopeful that the recent naming  of




Conferees on the measure is an indication that final action




will be completed soon.




          "Many of the amendments which I offered in the  Senate




were adopted by the House.  One amendment increased New York's




share of the funds and another amendment made more money




available for Urban Centers.  I shall do all I can to see that




these amendments are preserved in the final version of the Bill.

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                                                                52
          "In New York, we have the plans, and we will soon




 have  the money to begin Governor Rockefeller's comprehensive




 program.  This Conference will I feel, highlight the problem




 and mobilize the public support needed to make successful the




 State's program within our borders and the Federal Plans to




 combat Pollution on the Interstate Level.




                                   Jacob K. Javits, U.S,S."




          At the present time, we would like to call on a




 Congressman who has been very interested in water pollution




 control since his coming into Congress, and he was so inter-




 ested that he requested to get on the House Public Works




 Committee, which handles our legislation.




          Consequently, he becomes, at least to me, one of my




 bosses, and I have never had a more attentive or delightful




 boss, or a man who is so interested in preserving the resources




 of the country, and particularly the resources of his region,




 and looking out for the welfare of the Niagara Frontier, and




Buffalo in particular.  Congressman Richard D. McCarthy.




 (applause)




          CONGRESSMAN MCCARTHY:   Senator Kennedy, Chairman




Stein, gentlemen,  today can be a turning point for Lake Erie.




Right now this  body of water has the distinction of being the




worst case  of pollution ever recorded by the Public Health




Service.  It  has been called a chemical tank and is considered




literally to  be a  dying lake.

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                                                                53







          Years and years of unconcern were needed  to  create




this situation, and years of effort may be needed to correct




it.  But we have to start now or beyond any doubt we will be




too late.




          The citizens of Western New York are  tired of  help-




lessly watching the deterioration of the Buffalo area's  greatest




natural and economic resource.   They are indignant  about what




pollution has done to our Lake.   They no longer can enjoy the




natural beauty of sparkling clear water.  Recreational use  of




the Lake -- fishing, swimming,  boating -- has been  severely




curtailed.  They are sick and tired of seeing the goose  that




laid the golden egg killed, because Lake Erie created  Buffalo,




and in a primitive society, we'd worship it as  a God of  Creative-




ness .




          And because of the accelerated aging  process caused




by pollution, the problem may soon become one of whether we will




have any Lake at all, because this algae just keeps growing like




a green thing.  A hundred pounds of phosphate create a million




pounds of algae, and if we just keep that up we'll  have  nothing




but algae, and nothing but a swamp.




          The people of this area have made it  perfectly clear




that they do not want their public officials to twiddle  their




thumbs while Lake Erie dies.  They want and deserve action.




          I am convinced that this action must  include Federal




involvement--for three reasons:

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                                                                54







          1)  The problem of Lake Erie is interstate - merely




 looking  at  the map confirms this - affecting five States, in-




 cluding  one not even bordering on the Lake.




          2)  The need for action is so urgent that firm en-




 forcement powers are required - powers that no one State, or




 interstate  agency could be expected to supply.




          3)  In the interest of justice and efficiency, as




 Senator  Kennedy pointed out, it is important that the recommen-




 dations  of  this conference be enforced across the board (this




 is  fairer to  industry too), without exception and with deliberate




 speed.




          The challenge facing us is too critical to let juris-




 dictional jealousies interfere.  Only Federal-State partnership




 can possibly  cope with the problem.  Governors Rhodes and Romney




 have recognized this fact, but inexplicably Governor Rockefeller




 has repeatedly refused to request Federal enforcement.  Senator




 Kennedy  and I, as he pointed out, formally urged the Governor




 to  make  such  a request, but he has not.




          This should not be a partisan issue, and believe me,




 it  isn't with me.  I just want to see the job get done.  It is




 not  a matter  of States'  rights.  It is a question of seeking




 assistance  from all quarters in order to return Lake Erie to




 good health.  Governor Rockefeller would not be relinquishing




 the prerogatives of New York State by combining State and




Federal resources in this effort.   Rather, he would be serving




 the best interests  of the people of New York State.

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                                                                55
          Likewise, it is time for municipalities and industries




to realize, that the public wants an end to pollution.  We in




Washington know about and are sympathetic to the financial prob-




lems involved in the costly process of abating pollution.




          There will be more Federal funds for the municipali-




ties.  And if the voters of New York State approve, as I  sin-




cerely hope they will, there will also be, thanks to the




Governor's initiative on this, a State aid to help the hard-




pressed towns, villages and cities install the necessary  waste-




treatment facilities.




          As a 13-year veteran of the National Gypsum Company, I




am very sympathetic and fully aware of the problems of business-




men.  I have introduced legislation to provide fast tax write-




offs to industries that install highly expensive pollution




abatement equipment.  The White House is interested in the Bill




and in similar bills.  I'm not the only one who introduced a




bill like this.  Senator Ribicoff did, too, and I'm hopeful




that this legislation will be forthcoming.




          I want to make it clear that the Federal Government




is sincerely trying to do its part.  To date, it has expended




$800 million, simply for the construction of waste-treatment




plants, and as the Senator pointed out, next year we'll raise




that by $150 million, of which New York State will receive




$9,880,000 and on the 30-30-40 formula, this would generate




$33 million worth of waste-treatment construction in one  year,

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or
                                                                56







   $198 million in six years.  We tried to raise that in the




House.  I got my amendment in adding $50 million, and we tried




to make it another $100 million, but we were outvoted by the




coalition.  I am hopeful that as public pressure on this builds




up,  that we will be able to increase the Federal participation




still more.




          New York State, I am sure if the voters approve, will




do its share.  But the municipalities and industries have to do




their part., too.  And I'd like to suggest that we all face up




to the fact that the people want action from all of us.




          There are no mysteries regarding the pollution of Lake




Erie.  We do not need to conduct extensive research before cor-




rective action can be taken.  Far too often the cry for further




research, surveys and studies has been simply a technique for




procrastination.




          Numerous technological advances already have yet to




be taken advantage of.  For instance, the Rand Development




Corporation recently developed a new sewage treatment process




that is both more effective and more economical than present




methods.  It uses coal and produces electric power as a byproduct„




          So it is not more studies that we need.  Nor is it




expressions of good intentions.  What we need from this con-




ference is a firm schedule of steps to be taken with specific




deadlines and--as Mr.  Stein outlined previously have been set




up for the other three States—clear identification of responsi-




bilities.

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                                                                57
          I sincerely hope that the Governor will see fit to




make this a joint Federal-State effort, and that local public




and industry officials will cooperate in following the recom-




mendations that this conference will make.




          Finally, let me stress the importance of Federal en-




forcement.




          Federal procedures will get action faster than State




procedures, as the colloquy between Senator Kennedy and Chairman




Stein I think elucidated.




          The New York State law, the new law alluded to, while




it eliminates the old one-year grace period, still enables a




municipality or industry to stall for an additional five years--




that would take us to 1970--before ceasing its pollution of our




waters.  All the polluter has to do is to go to court or appeal




to the Water Resources Commission for an extension of up to five




years.




          Experience shows that compliance can be brought about




under Federal procedures in as little as two years, as the




timetable of Chairman Stein pointed out.




          But unless the Governor, like Governor Rhodes, re-




quests Federal action, the war on Lake Erie pollution I'm




afraid will be slowed.  For then the Public Health Service




will have to prove that New York pollution endangers the health




and welfare of States to the west.  Extensive studies of




scientists of the Public Health Service over the past two years

-------
                                                                58
have shown that the Lake's currents flow intermittently eastward




as well as westward over the Falls.  They are reasonably certain




that contaminants originating in New York State intermingle with




others in the Lake, but to prove this in a quasi-court  proceeding




would be extremely time-consuming and expensive.




          But if New York persists in this, I'm afraid  that's




what we'll have to do.




          That will mean more months of delay which we  really




can't afford.




          I suggest that this time-wasting effort can be avoided,




and that all New York State has to do is to request the Federal




enforcement procedures„




          Thank you, Mr. Chairman.  (applause)




          CHAIRMAN STEIN:   Are there any comments or questions




from the conferees?




          MR.  BOSTON:   Congressman McCarthy, I notice that on




Page 1, you say that only Federal-State partnership can possibly




cope with the problem, and I would like to tell you a little bit




about our Federal water pollution control program.




          We feel that the States have the responsibility for




control of pollution,  and our Federal program is geared to sup-




port and aid the States' program.  We have many ways, and I like




to think of these as tools for assisting in States' water pollu-




tion control activities.




          First off, we have technical assistance.  With a

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                                                                59
research facility at Cincinnati, we provide technical assistance




to States, municipalities, industries, where they have particu-




lar and specific problems that they need assistance in.




          We have a grant program, where the Federal Government




gives grants to municipalities, and since this program started




in 1956, we have been of assistance to the States in helping




them get up and solve some of the particularly knotty problems.




Where municipalities have been unable to move ahead with con-




struction works, this grant program has been helpful.  I par-




ticularly think of two municipalities in our region which have




been under pressure from the State agencies for a period of up




to 20 years.  They constructed plants early in the construction




grant program.




          We have another aspect of our program, which is com-




prehensive planning and we give assistance and cooperation in




long-range plans for control of pollution in particular basins,




and this covers across State boundaries so that we will have




uniformity and so that nobody can say "I didn't expect this




kind of a thing to occur."




          And then we have a research program.  Congress has




authorized and appropriated monies for regional water pollution




control laboratories, to do research in problems of a particu-




lar area.  One of these will be located at Ann Arbor, Michigan,




and this laboratory will be expected to study problems in the




Lake to assist in this over-all pollution problem.

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                                                                60







          One other tool that we are using here today is the




enforcement aspect and enforcement in general is used for pol-




lution abatement.  Pollution from one or a number of States




might affect other States than where it originates, and this




is a problem that State agencies do not have the power to cope




with; when pollution from another State affects them, they have




no authority to move in.




          I think these are the ways the Federal program is geared




to support State activities and local activities, and we sin-




cerely desire, as the Chairman has pointed out, to disengage




from individual activities as quickly as possible - as quickly




as they are carried on at a local level.




          CONGRESSMAN MCCARTHY:  I think this kind of partner-




ship is certainly what we need.  We have to work together in




this, and I really hope that the New York State people will see




this.  It's just pretty clear to me that we can get the job




done quicker and more harmoniously with this kind of a partner-




ship arrangement.  I hope that's what we'll get.




          CHAIRMAN STEIN:   Thank you.  Are there any further




comments or questions of the Congressman?  If not, thank you




very much.




          CONGRESSMAN McCARTHY:  Thank you.  (applause)




          CHAIRMAN STEIN:   We have two more Congressional com-




munications which I would like to read.  This is a telegram,




addressed to me,  as Chairman.

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                                                                61
          "PLEASE KNOW THAT I AND MY CONSTITUENTS IN THE




FORTIETH DISTRICT OF NEW YORK ARE VITALLY INTERESTED IN POLLU-




TION CONTROL AND PURE WATER.  I AM CERTAIN THAT AFTER YEARS  OF




STUDY, RESEARCH, AND FACT-FINDING SESSIONS, THE FEDERAL




GOVERNMENT IS ABUNDANTLY AWARE OF THE IMMENSITY OF THE CRITICAL




WATER POLLUTION PROBLEMS IN LAKE ERIE.  WE HOPE THAT YOUR CON-




FERENCE IS EMINENTLY SUCCESSFUL IN INSTITUTING POLLUTION CON-




TROL ENFORCEMENT FOR ALL LAKE ERIE AND ITS TRIBUTARIES."




          Evidently there is bi-partisan Congressional unanimity,




because this is signed by Henry P. Smith III, Representative,




Fortieth District.




          I also have a statement by T. J. Dulski of the 41st




District, for insertion in the record.  It says:




          "Mr. Chairman:  I regret that it is impossible for




me to appear personally at this conference which has been




called to discuss further the water pollution in Lake Erie,  and




I appreciate this opportunity to submit my statement for the




record.




          "I see no necessity in repeating here what we already




know about water pollution in our area.  We know the problem




exists.  Experts have studied it, and they are unanimous in




their opinion as to the severity of the problem.  They have




made their reports and recommendations.




          "It seems to me then, that the immediate problem is  to




implement those recommendations with action.  It is the problem




of successfully coordinating Federal, State and local agencies

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                                                                 62
 so that  they will  function  together and create the machinery




 needed to clean up these  contaminated waters.  We know it  is




 not solely the  responsibility of the Federal Government.




 Congress has passed legislation aimed at helping States and




 municipalities  in  combatting the problem, but due to lack  of




 enforcement procedures, such regulations as were promulgated




 were weak and ineffective.




           "We are  now  in  the process of enacting a Federal law




 designed to strengthen these important procedures, and provide




 increased assistance to local communities.  Neither is the




 pollution problem  the  sole responsibility of the State or  the




 municipality, but  they should not tarry in recognizing the




 urgency  of the  situation, and avail themselves of the assis-




 tance offered through  the Federal Government.




           "I urge  the Governor of our Great State of New York




 to  take  swift action,  and join forces with our City of Buffalo




 and  the County of Erie in drafting a plan so that we can embark




 upon  a program to rid Lake Erie and its tributaries of these




 infested waters.  I urge all local officials concerned to give




 top priority to the solution of the problem.  We know the facts.




Now,  let us move quickly toward the formulation of the program




that will halt further pollution immediately, and then proceed




on the most practical basis possible,  to clean up the polluted




areas.

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                                                                63
          "We have already done far too much talking, and too

 little acting.

                    (Signed) Thaddeus J. Dulski,
                    Representative 41st District of New York"

 and dated August 10, 1965.

          We have received word that Governor Rockefeller is  in

 the air  somewhere above Buffalo.  Our present program, of course,

 is to try to get him on before the luncheon recess.  At the

 present  time, I suggest we recess for ten minutes, but please

 be in first call, because we may want to reconvene rather

 quickly.

(WHEREUPON A SHORT RECESS WAS TAKEN)

          CHAIRMAN STEIN:  With the cooperation of our sister

 Water Resource Agency, I think we are going to be able to handle

 the rest of the morning rather well, I hope, and take into ac-

 count the Governor's schedule.

          We will call upon the Department of Interior and this

 will be  the Regional Director, or Regional Coordinator, Mark

 Abelson, and then Mr. Premetz will speak after him.  When the

 Governor comes in—and we expect him at 11:50 now--we will in-

 terrupt Mr. Premetz.  We will put the Governor on, and Mr.

 Premetz  then will be able to continue later, because he will

 be available.

          We would like to express our thanks to the Department

 of the Interior.  Mr. Abelson, are you ready to make your pre-

 sentation?  As always, we find the Department of the Interior

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                                                                64
one of the most cooperative sister agencies connected in the




field of water pollution control.




          Mr,, Abelson?




          MR. ABELSON:  If this sounds a little disjointed, it




may be due to the fact that the man just took it to get it dup-




licated, and I hope he put the pages back in the right order.




          Mr. Chairman, Members of the Conference, I am Mark




Abelson, Regional Coordinator for the Northeast Region of the




Department of the Interior.




          The Department of the Interior, which is the princi-




pal Federal agency concerned with natural resources has a




definite interest in all waters.of the country and in the en-




tire pollution problem.




          In order to coordinate the efforts of all those con-




cerned with the related water problems, there must be compre-




hensive planning and activity among all interested.  The in-




terest of the Department of the Interior in water can be best




expressed by quoting from a recent statement by Secretary Udall




before a Congressional committee:




          "..ooothe focus of Interior effort is directed to the




maintenance of adequate national water supplies and adequate




water quality for whatever uses man may wish to make of this




valuable resource.   The Interior approach emphasizes the co-




ordination and interrelation between uses and the effect of




these uses on management and quality of the total water supply




system.

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                                                                65
          "Maintenance of water quality involves not only the




quality levels for human consumption, but also quality levels




for consumption by other animal and plant life, for development




of other natural resources, and for industrial processes.  These




quality considerations are interrelated0  They can be understood




and controlled best from the point of view of water as a re-




source, rather than from the point of view of a particular




quality need."




          In handling the water problems over a period of years




the Department has accumulated a great deal of experience.  It




has the facilities and the qualified manpower to deal with a




wide variety of water problems.  The Department has six operating




Bureaus and one office in this region, which have an interest in




the region's water resources, ranging from purely unbiased fact




finders to strong advocates of clean waters.  These Bureaus are:




          The Bureau of Mines; Geological Survey; the Bureau of




Sport Fisheries and Wildlife; National Park Service; Bureau of




Commercial Fisheries;  Bureau of Outdoor Recreation; and the new




Office of Water Resources Research.




          Interior Bureaus carry on water quality studies re-




lated to the physical, chemical and in some degree, biological




adequacy of natural and developed water supplies.  These




studies and research are chiefly those in which the skills and




required knowledge are based on geology, chemistry, hydrology,




engineering and other  physical science aspects of water

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                                                                66
 management.  Interior's water quality research extends to the




 study  of environments adequate for the propagation, production




 and  control of both fish and wildlife resources, and for water




 based  recreation.




          In common with many others, Interior has interests




 and  responsibilities in the economic and social aspects of




 water-quality management.  We recognize that such factors as




 quantitative requirements, competitive uses and marketability




 of water and associated products must be given consideration




 in all plans.  Interior takes account of the economic impact




 and  other values that protection of water quality will have on




 the  community, the basin, the State and the Nation.




          I will now present the responsibilities of the various




 Bureaus concerned in the matter of pollution of the interstate




 waters of Lake Erie.




          Mr. Chairman,  the statements that I have from the




 Bureau of Commercial Fisheries, the Bureau of Sport Fisheries,




 the Bureau of Mines, have been presented at Cleveland, and are




 the exact same statements that I have here.




          CHAIRMAN STEIN:   Do you want to summarize them, or




we can have  them in the  record or duplicated in the record?




          MR,  ABELSON:   I  believe that if they were just dup-




licated in the record,  it  would save some time.




          CHAIRMAN STEIN:   We would be very happy to do that.

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                                                                67
          MR. ABELSON:   Each of these Bureaus emphasize its  role

in the Lake Erie, and the need for data and clean waters.  In

addition to this, the Geological Survey at Cleveland presented

a statement covering just the western part of the Lake, and  I

will now present their statement on the eastern part.   In  ad-

dition, I have a statement by the Bureau of Outdoor Recreation,

concerning Outdoor Recreation on Lake Erie,,

     WATER RESOURCES ACTIVITIES IN THE EASTERN PART OF  THE
                       LAKE ERIE BASIN

          The U. S. Geological Survey is responsible for de-

scribing systematically the Nation's water resources and

monitoring changes in these resources, to provide a continuing

appraisal of their availability and development,,  The water-

resources activities of the Geological Survey include (1)  the

measurement of streamflows and changes in lake, reservoir  and

ground-water storage, (2) the mapping of ground-water reservoirs

(aquifers) and determination of their yields, (3) analysis of

the chemical quality of both surface water and ground water  and

(4) research into the fundamental laws governing the occurrence

and movement of water both on and beneath the Earth's surface.

          Approximately 70 percent of the water-resources  ac-

tivities of the Geological Survey are supported jointly and

equally by the Federal Government and by State and local

agencies.  The programs are, therefore, responsive to and  re-

flect both the National and the local needs for water knowledge

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                                                                68







          The water-resources activities of the Geological Survey




 in the eastern part of the Lake Erie basin are described below.




 These studies are supported in New York by the State Water Re-




 sources Commission, the State Departments of Health and Public




 Works and by the Corps of Engineers.  In Pennsylvania, they are




 supported by the Department of Forests and Waters.




          One of the most important activities of the Geological




 Survey consists of the collection of basic hydrologic data.




 These data and the number of stations at which they are being




 collected or have been collected during the past year in the




 Pennsylvania and New York portions of the Lake Erie basin are




 listed below:




          Stream discharge	»...„„. 33 stations




          Ground-water storage	„. „	 12 wells




          Chemical quality of streams........  7 stations




          Chemical quality of ground water...  7 wells




          Another major activity of the G.  S. in the Eastern




 Lake Erie basin consists of areaj. studies of the water re-




 sources of specific areas.  Studies in progress at the present




 time include the following:




          Lake Erie-Niagara area.  The Lake Erie-Niagara area




 consists of the 2,000 square miles centered around Buffalo




 that extends from Cattaraugus Creek on the south to Tonawanda




Creek to the north.   This study, which was started in 1962, is




being conducted in cooperation with the New York Water Resources

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                                                                69
Commission and the Erie-Niagara Regional Planning Board.   The




objectives of the study are to determine how much water is




available in the area, the extent to which the quantity varies




with time, and the chemical quality and sediment content of




the water.  An interim report describing the results of the




first year of the study was published in 1964 as Bulletin GW-52




of the New York Water Resources Commission.  The final report




on the study is now in preparation.




          A study of the time of travel of water, and associated




analysis of streamflow characteristics, has been made in ten




regions of six major streams in the Lake Erie basin.  The field




work was done in 1964 and 1965 under a cooperative agreement




with the New York State Department of Health.  A report on this




activity is in preparation.




          Drainage areas and other selected data on the physical




features of all named streams in the Lake Erie basin in New York




have been determined.  A compilation of drainage areas at




selected points is being prepared for the purpose of interagency




coordination of data.  A separate gazetteer of named streams is




also being prepared.  This will list data on length, elevation




and area, as well as cultural features of location.




          Now the Bureau of Outdoor Recreation present the




following statement:




          The pollution problem of Lake Erie, which primarily




affects the littoral zone of the lake, exists at undeveloped as

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                                                                70
well as developed areas.  Its effect is equally serious,




whether directly or indirectly related.  It creates great




difficulty in managing outdoor recreation activities at cities




such as Erie, Pennsylvania and Buffalo, New York, but is also




present in more remote sections of the Lake.




          Frequently at Presque Isle State Park near Erie,




Pennsylvania, the closing of one bathing area because of a




high bacteria count results in diminished utilization of the




other beaches because people assume the entire area is unfit




for swimming.




          At Lake Erie State Park near Dunkirk, New York, bathing




is curtailed at times because of algae "blooms".   For lack of




suitable residential sewage disposal added nutrients find their




way into the Lake and cause abnormal increase in algae.




          The pollution problem is not related only to swimming.




Boating and water skiing are also affected because of industrial




wastes that cause unsightly waters, obnoxious odors, or even




chemical or physical effects to boats, seawalls and beaches.




          From the aesthetic standpoint, driving for pleasure




and sightseeing are adversely affected by the appearance and




odor of polluted waters.




          As I mentioned at the start, I have statements here




which have been given to the secretary, or to the recorder,




which are similar to that made at Cleveland.  I have experts




here from all the fields mentioned, and if there are any




questions,  I am sure that we can answer them.

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                                                                71
          CHAIRMAN STEIN:  I am sure of that, too.   I've been




up against your experts before.




          Are there any comments or questions from the conferees?




          MR. ABELSON:  Mr. Chairman, Mr. Premetz will give an




additional statement by the Bureau of Commercial Fisheries.




          CHAIRMAN STEIN:  Thank you very much.   Will Mr.




Premetz come up?




          MR» PREMETZi  Mr,, Chairman, Conferees, ladies and




gentlemen, I'm doubly pleased to be here today,  because of my




extreme interest in the problems of Lake Erie and also because




I spent most of my life along Lake Erie.  I was  born in




Cleveland, entered grade school there and then moved to Buffalo,




New York, entered high school and also the University of Buffalo




here, so I've watched this Lake deteriorate over the years.  It




hits home when you've been that close to it, and we're here to




do something about it0




          The Bureau of Commercial Fisheries has been actively




participating in the Public Health Service's Illinois-Great




Lakes River Basin Project, which includes Lake Erie.  In fact,




our scientists are closely coordinating their research efforts




with those of the Public Health Service, to assure  that pollu-




tion abatement measures reflect full cognizance  of  fishery




problems.   The aim is to prevent further deterioration and to




the extent possible mitigate the damage that has already been




done to fish and aquatic life.

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                                                                72







          In the early stages of the Public Health Service study




 some  two years ago, the Bureau of Commercial Fisheries was




 pleased to make available to the Public Health Service, the use




 of vessels and the technical know-how of its personnel.  Many




 of the Public Health Service scientists concerned with the study




 were  afforded an opportunity to work intimately with and, in some(.




 cases, receive guidance from the Bureau's experts, who have had




 extensive experience with Great Lakes fisheries, and the effects




 of pollution on fish and aquatic life.




          We have been interested in fisheries in the Great Lakes




 area  since about 1871, so our research goes back a long ways.  We




 have  been more and more concerned in recent years.  In fact, 10,




 15 years ago, our scientists warned that we were going to see




 what  we are seeing today.  They were labelled "alarmists".  It's




 come  to pass, and we're going to have further deterioration and




 we're going to have a horrible mess in both parts of the Lake,




 unless we do something about it.




          Let's talk about the eastern end of the Lake.  Many




 have  said, "Well, the situation isn't as bad in the eastern end




 of the Lake as it is in the western end".  That's true.  It




 isn't.  But it will be in 10, 15 years.  We already see the




 signs of the development of a problem in the eastern end of




 this Lake, similar to what we already are experiencing in the




western end.   Now is the time to do something about it.

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                                                                73
          Evidence has been accumulating for some time that  pol-




lution may be one of the major factors in limiting the produc-




tion of fish in not only our fresh waters, but also in our es-




tuaries along our coastline, and even in the open ocean.   I




just recently picked up an article in one of the newspapers,




which reads:




          "DDT in Antarctica as Sequel to 'Silent Spring.'




Scientists are puzzled by the fact that they are now finding




quantities of DDT in seals, penguins and fish in the remote




lands, thousands of miles from the nearest pests in gardens."




          So how did they get there?  We talk about this  prob-




lem of interstate pollution.  Actually, aren't we experiencing




worldwide, intercontinental pollution?  Actually, don't we con-




sider the Great Lakes as one big river, floating into the




ocean?  Aren't we dumping all of this sewage into the ocean—




where it goes we don't know?  It gets into the currents,  and




it's distributed all along the coastline, not only of this




continent, but of other continents.  This is a serious problem.




Let's not minimize it.




          I have heard many, many definitions of pollution.




Of course, these definitions depend on the interest of the




particular person you are talking to, but almost everyone to-




day--! think today--not a few years ago, but today, will  agree




that pollution means the addition of something, whether it be




trash, chemicals, biological entities, or even heat, which re-




duces the quality of an environment for specific purposes.

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                                                                74
          A widely accepted measure of pollution is the suita-




 bility  of water for a required use.  We're concerned about the




 suitability of water for fish and aquatic life, and so are




 many, many people along our great Great Lakes shoreline, and in




 inland  areas who enjoy fishing on Lake Erie, and enjoy eating




 the  fish from Lake Erie.




          We cannot consider a single set of water quality




 standards as being applicable for all uses.  You have heard




 about standards, about developing standards0  These standards




 must be flexible.  They must take into account all uses, unless




 we're willing to sacrifice some of these uses.




          At this point, I might interject that the steps taken




 here today, and at previous conferences, are only a first step.




 We don't have all the answers.  We still need extensive research




 to get  the answers.  We should not become complacent and decide




 now, "Well, if we put all these treatment plants in now, our




 problems are all solved, and we're going to have a nice, clean




 Lake Erie."  We've waved the magic wand.  We've found the




 Fountain of Youth and we're going to rejuvenate Lake Erie.




 This is not the case.  In fact, it is very, very doubtful that




 we will ever see the good old days of Lake Erie — that we will




 ever see the species of fish we once enjoyed in Lake Erie, but




 if we don't do something now, we're not going to be around Lake




Erie to enjoy anything.

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          People have asked me, "When will Lake Erie die?"




when we talk about a dying lake.  I don't know.  No one can




answer this question, but it is coming.  I will say this.




Whether it happens in our lifetime, or in the lifetime of our




progeny, the one thing that we must remember is that none of




these people will be around to see Lake Erie die, because long




before Lake Erie dies, it will cease to function as a useful




resource.  It will be useless to all of the people that wish




to use Lake Erie for all of the various purposes that it is




used for.




          I notice that the Governor is coming in, so at this




stage why don't I stop, and let Governor Rockefeller come up




here and make his speech.  (applause)




          CHAIRMAN STEIN:  You know, they say you have for the




President a long and a short introduction.  You can say either,




"The President of the United States" that's the short one, but




the long one is "Ladies and gentlemen, the President of the




United States."  I think with Governor Rockefeller we don't




have to do any more.  Governor Rockefeller.  (applause)




          GOVERNOR ROCKEFELLER:   Thank you very much.  I




apologize for being late.  Traffic conditions at two airports




resulted in the delay.




          I'd like to thank you very much, Mr. Chairman and




members of the committee, for the privilege of appearing here




today.  I don't think I have to say to those present in this

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                                                                76
 room  that Lake Erie pollution is of vital and continuing concern




 to New York and we welcome the active interest of the Federal




 Government in what is in fact a serious international and inter-




 state problem.




          Four years ago, in recognition of this problem, I re-




 quested Secretary of State Dean Rusk to bring the question of




 Lake  Erie pollution before the Canadian-American International




 Joint Commission.  The Governments of the United States and




 Canada did so just last year.




          As a "downstream" state on Lake Erie, New York's con-




 cern  extends to the pollution control progress being made not




 only  by our communities but by our "upstream" neighbors as well.




          Upon my recommendation and with the unanimous approval




 of the Legislature, New York has initiated a comprehensive and




 massive program to end water pollution throughout our State.




 This  billion-dollar State program—the boldest yet launched in




 this  country—may well point the way to decisive progress in




 other states, if there is full and proper support from the




Federal Government.  Nothing short of a national attack on the




 blight of pollution on such a scale is worthy of the problem's




 real  dimensions.




          It is for this reason that I went to Washington in




February to personally urge President Johnson and, at his sug-




gestion,  Secretary Celebrezze of Health, Education, and Welfare




and the Department of the Interior to support the goal of ending

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                                                                77






the pollutions of pure waters to which the President  referred  in




his State of the Union Message earlier this year.




          My plea was that the President recommend  to the  Congress




the appropriation of funds on a scale comparable  to the magnitude




and urgency of the problem we face—and to the scale  of the  fi-




nancial effort which I had recommended to the New York State




Legislature.  In essence the problem facing the Nation is  dramat-




ically illustrated by the following figures:




          In New York State alone, we must spend  $1.7 billion,




to end the pollution of our waters.  Toward this  goal, under




existing Federal air programs for pollution control,  New York




State only receives $5 million a year from the Federal government.




Five million toward the needed expenditure of $1.7  billion in




New York State is barely a drop in the bucket.




          The President was sympathetic but has so  far made  no




recommendations to the Congress for increased appropriations.




The Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare was sympathetic




and recommended that I go to the Congress and make  my plea di-




rectly, which I subsequently did before the Blatnik Committee




of the House on February twenty-third and the Muskie  Committee




of the Senate on May nineteenth.  In addition, I  called a




special meeting of the New York State Congressional Delegation




to enlist their support with the Committees and the Congress




as a whole.  Since then the Legislature in New York State




unanimously voted the authorization of a billion  dollar bond



issue which I had requested for this purpose subject, of course,

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                                                                78







to the approval of the people in November.  But the Congress has




not acted and the Senate and the House Committees are still in




conference.




          However, I am much heartened by the fact that the




President of the United States has called a meeting for tomorrow




morning at the White House of the Governors and Mayors of New




York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania to discuss the water problem.




I am hopeful that now in the light of the dire water shortage due




to the drought that the President will recommend prompt




Congressional action to appropriate sufficient funds for pollution




control, and to amend the Federal laws to eliminate the existing




discriminatory features against the industrial and urban states.




          It is my purpose in joining the conferees here today




to discuss the real needs which must be met to help us solve the




critical problem of water pollution in Lake Erie--in New York




State, and throughout the United States.




          There are some facts which must be faced.




          The primary fact is the staggering cost of building




water pollution control facilities.  As I already mentioned, we




estimate that it will cost $1,7 billion to build the new treat-




ment plants and intercepting sewers needed by our communities in




New York now and through 1970.  This estimate is not plucked out




of the air.   It is based upon our Health Department records as




well as a $200,000 State-conducted engineering study, using




field survey methods, which evaluated the specific needs for




sewage treatment facilities in every community in the State.

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                                                                79







          The second fact we must face is a corollary of the




first.  Confronted as we are with such a tremendous backlog of




needed facilities, pollution control laws, be they state or




Federal, and pollution control conferences, be they state or




Federal, cannot be fully effective until we decide to make the




massive financial commitment required to eliminate the backlog.




          I am convinced that we can end water pollution only by




moving on a broad front through a concerted intergovernmental




effort to provide the wherewithall for communities to meet their




needs and to provide incentives for industry to comply.




          These are facts which certainly are not unique to New




York.  New York's needs are shared with every other urban area




throughout the Nation.




          I submit that the Federal Government has not faced up




to the problem realistically.  As I pointed out, its present




program of grants-in-aid for the construction of sewage treat-




ment facilities is woefully inadequate to overcome the huge back-




log of facilities needs that presently exists.  (I say here




parenthetically, ladies and gentlemen, that the members of the




Committees in the Senate and House and the members of the De-




partments directly involved in Washington are most sympathetic




to this fact, and are deeply dedicated to getting the Federal




appropriations levels raised to a point where this problem can




be dealt with effectively.  I might say also parenthetically,




that Under Secretary of the Interior told me that as things now

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                                                                80
stand at present Federal appropriation levels, we are losing




ground in the United States as far as water pollution is con-




cerned, not gaining ground.)   The inadequacy of the program in




terms of size is compounded by limitations on grants and by a




formula for allocating the available funds- among the states




which discriminate against urban areas where the facilities




need is greatest.




          I submit that the State of New York is presently un-




dertaking a program which is  responsive to the real needs and




which will end water pollution in New York State in a period of




six years, if the public supports the bond issue this Fall.




          We know what our problem is.  The classification of




all surface waters in this area has been completed and specific




abatement plans will be completed by the end of this year.




          We have laid the groundwork for decisive action.




Through a State Constitutional amendment which I recommended




and which the people of the State approved in 1963, local govern-




ment obligations incurred until 1973 for sewage works are




wholly exempted from constitutional debt limits.  This was a




very important and necessary step.  In addition, New York




State's Constitution and statutes have been amended to en-




courage intermunicipal cooperation to meet area-wide service




needs in the most efficient and effective manner.  As a result




of legislation which I recommended, the State now pays 100 per-




cent of the cost of comprehensive sewerage planning studies

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undertaken by municipalities on an area-wide basis, and $9




million has already been appropriated for these studies.




          And now we have initiated truly decisive action — the




comprehensive Pure Waters program to end water pollution




throughout New York State in six years.




          To be more specific in relation to this Pure Water




Program, let me give you some of the elements that go to make




up the program.




          1.  Authorization of a $1 billion State bond issue to




provide the financial means to communities to overcome the huge




backlog of facilities needs by reducing the local share of the




cost of such facilities to 40 percent, and frankly the thing




that has held us up throughout the State has been this tre-




mendous cost factor.  This billion-dollar bond issue authoriza-




tion, which is the key to the success of the program, was




unanimously approved by the New York State Legislature and will




appear on our ballot this November for approval of the voters.




Through this bond issue, the State will take the leadership in




Federal-state-local sharing of the costs of constructing new




sewage treatment plants and intercepting sewers.  The State




will assume 30 percent of the cost to the local community.  If




necessary, the State will also pay another 30 percent to the




local community, 30 percent of the cost of such facilities,




representing the proper Federal share.  Such pre-financing of




the proper Federal share of the cost, without waiting for

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                                                                82
Federal action, will enable New York to avoid delay and to




eliminate the backlog of needed works as quickly as planning




and  construction timetables will permit.




          I might just add another word there, although the




gentlemen at the table, of course, know the details.  But to




illustrate how the limitations of the Federal law operate  under




existing law, which ostensibly gives 30 percent of the cost to a




local community, no community can, for one plan, get more than




$600,000.  The last big New York City plant cost $83 million^ so




that the 30 percent representing $600,000 didn't go very far in




paying for their share.  In addition, there were other limita-




tions ^ which resulted in New York City only getting $250,000 for




that plant, which cost the City $83 million.  This is what we




are  trying to get around  by this program of the State, so that




we will put up State money for one-third, we will put up 30 per-




cent and we will pre-finance the Federal 30 percent for the




full amount, giving the local community 60.




          2.  State and local tax incentives to spur construc-




tion of new industrial pollution control facilities.  A one-year




depreciation write-off for industrial treatment facilities under




our  corporate franchise tax and the provision of real property




tax  exemption are now the law of the State, unanimously adopted




by the  Legislature at this last session, upon my recommendation.




          I  guess I  might say there again, parenthetically, that




under our State Constitution,- the State has no right to assist a

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                                                                83







private corporation, but we can adjust our tax laws to encourage




and to facilitate the private corporations from making these ex-




penditures .




          3.  State aid to localities for one-third of the cost




of operating and maintaining local sewage treatment plants.   This




aid was authorized upon my recommendation in 1962 but funds  were




not appropriated until this year when $8 million were approved




in my Budget to finance this part of the program for this fiscal




year alone.




          4.  Initiation of a new automated water quality moni-




toring system and an expansion of State research in water pollu-




tion control problems.




          5.  Vigorous enforcement of the State's new laws




against water pollution.  Significant legislation which I recom-




mended was unanimously adopted by the recent session of our




Legislature to streamline and quicken the pace of enforcement.




          This is a program which will indeed enable us to move




on a broad front against pollution.  It will permit us in six




years to move throughout the State to eliminate a problem that




has been building up for over a century, including the elimina-




tion of all pollution by New York State in Lake Erie.




          As this Nation has been swept forward in a tide of




urbanization and population growth, local governments have been




faced with increasing financial responsibilities and burdens in




essential service areas such as education.  While local financial

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                                                                84







burdens grew, the need for water pollution control facilities was




often low on the list of local priorities because water pollution




often affects people and industries located downstream from those




responsible for that pollution.  The problem has been compounded




by the fact that the Nation's water needs are increasing at the




same time that wastes—actual and potential pollution—are in-




creasing.




          The State of New York has taken great steps in re-




sponding to urban needs; of our current budget, 58 percent—




over $2 billion is paid to the localities as State aid.  Despite




this substantial financial underpinning, the burdens upon our




urban areas are such that they have huge backlogs of need for




waste treatment facilities.




          Our Pure Waters program represents the kind of decisive




action necessary to face up to the problem.




          The importance of overcoming that backlog immediately




and decisively cannot be over-emphasized, and of course is




dramatized by this hearing.  Not only will it permit us to move




on a broad front against water pollution, but it will also per-




mit us to solve the problem before the costs become unmanageable.




          I think it is interesting to note that construction




costs in this field increase about four to five percent a year.




If we were to permit our existing backlog of needed works to




persist for the next ten years, rising construction costs, to-




gether with new needs caused by increasing urban population and

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                                                                85







replacement of obsolete treatment plants,  would double the cost




of eliminating that existing backlog,  bringing it to almost




$4 billion.




          We believe, therefore, that  New York's comprehensive




new program, building upon our previous efforts, is the solution




to the water pollution problem in New  York State.  Through it,




with the approval of the voters this November, we will end water




pollution throughout the State, including the area with which




this conference is specifically concerned.




          Thus, the State action needed is under way.




          With specific regard to this Federal Enforcement Con-




ference, the extent of "interstate" pollution from New York (the




specific problem of the Conference regarding New York) is  very




small in comparison to the pollution from the "upstream" states.




The great bulk of existing pollution from New York from this area




does not add to "interstate" pollution of the Lake and thus is




"intrastate" in nature and will—under the new State legislation--




be dealt with and eliminated if the bond issue is approved by




the voters this fall.  Senator Robert  Kennedy and Representative




Richard McCarthy have suggested that I request that the concern




of the Conference be extended to cover New York's "intrastate"




pollution problem in the Niagara Frontier.




          In a joint letter dated July 15, the Senator and the




Congressman said and I quote:

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                                                                86
          "Under the law, the Federal enforcement authority can




be invoked with respect to intrastate pollution only on request




of the Governor of the State.  Thus, New Yorkers will not re-




ceive full benefit from this Conference unless you decide to




request federal enforcement."




          This statement is extremely misleading, ladies and




gentlemen, to say the least.  The fact is, however, that there




would be no benefit to New York in terms of its intrastate pol-




lution problem from such Federal Enforcement.  We would receive




no extra financial assistance.  We do not need Federal legal




assistance, and indeed such Federal enforcement activity could




only serve to duplicate and hinder State action, already under




way, confuse and diffuse responsibility, and thus delay the




achievement of the real goal—clean waters.




          Both the Senator and the Congressman attended the New




York State Congressional Delegation meeting which I called, and




are fully familiar with New York State's action program.  Both




of these gentlemen know that New York State now has the power to




enforce and the comprehensive program to carry it out, if the




voters approve the bond issue this fall and there is every indi-




cation that the voters will approve the bond issue.  Both of




these gentlemen also know that New York's share of existing




Federal funds is only $5 million per year as compared with our




State's needs of $1.7 billion.

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                                                                87







          What the Senator and the Congressman should be doing




is working in the Congress to increase the Federal appropriations




and to eliminate the provisions in the present law which short-




change New York and the other industrial and urban states.




          The necessary Federal commitment is yet to come.  As




I mentioned earlier, twice this year I have appeared before




committees of the Congress—the Blatnik and the Muskie Committees -




to urge the Federal government to assume its full 30 percent




share of the cost burden in partnership with the state and  locali-




ties as called for under the existing basic legislation, and  30




percent of the cost in New York State is $500 million.  That  is




what we hope to get from the Federal government.  At the present




rate, it would take about 50 years, and we can't wait, ladies




and gentlemen.  We've got to move and act now.  I have suggested




a number of changes in the present construction grant program




under the Water Pollution Control Act, which would result in




achieving this goal.  These include:




              Allocation of total Federal funds among the states




solely on the basis of population.  We now get about 5 percent




of the total Federal funds which is $5 million on a $100 million




appropriation.  We have 10 percent of the population and pay  a




good deal more in percentage of taxes.  We would be happy to




get 10 percent on a population basis, and if then the appropria-




tion were increased to a minimum of $250,000,000 instead of




$100,000,000 that would give New York $25,000,000 a year.

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                                                                88







          If we were allowed to pre-finance, that is, we'd pay




and do the job now and collect each year $25 million from the




Federal government as we can do under the Interstate Highway




Program, then in 20 years, the Federal government at that rate,




$250 million a year--$25 million to New York, would achieve




their $500,000,000 share which is 30 percent of the cost in




New York State.




          Now what I've recommended is that the Federal govern-




ment also amend their present law and make provision for an




extra Federal grant where states provide grants to localities




for construction of eligible projects to provide a full 30




percent Federal share, without regard to limitations.




          Another revision, I've recommended provision for Federal




reimbursement to a state from future Federal appropriations




where such a state advances all or part of the Federal contri-




bution to costs on eligible projects, and an increase in the




yearly authorization for the Federal program from its present




$100 million to at least $250 million.




          I have also suggested a Federal tax incentive, similar




to New York's under the Federal Corporate Income Tax to encourage




and help industries in constructing the treatment facilities




needed to end industrial water pollution where industrial wastes




are not included in municipal systems.  I might say there on




this question of industrial wastes, that while a great many




people think that industry is largely responsible for the

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                                                                89







pollution, in New York State the cost of correcting industrial




pollution is around $67 million, whereas the cost of correcting




community pollution is $1.7 billion, so that our industries




have done a pretty good job.  The incentive which I've recom-




mended will help to clean up the last steps with the new en-




forcement provisions that the Legislature gave us.




          In making these suggestions in Washington I have had




a most interested reception.  But their implementation by Congress




will require some real and sustained effort by our Representatives




in Washington as well.




          I am convinced that this kind of national action as  I




suggested would provide the basis for a realistic solution to




the mounting national problem, making the Federal program truly




responsive to the national need, and go far to encourage states




to assume their responsibilities under the Federal system.




          In summary, the huge backlog of construction needs




stands as a barrier to efforts to end water pollution.  The




State of New York is taking action--it has embarked upon a




massive program to overcome this backlog, knows specifically




what its program is, and intends to solve it.




          The needed Federal action is a substantial Federal




financial commitment in a Federal-state-local partnership pro-




gram of immediate and decisive action—not simply to deplore




water pollution, but to end it, with the funds that are neces-




sary to build the plants.

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                                                                90
          Mr. Chairman, gentlemen, I'd like to thank you for




your presence here and to say that by your presence you focus




public attention on the problem and generate public support.  I




am confident that this conference which you have called will be




an important factor in awakening increased public understanding




and interest, so that when the issue comes before the public




this fall, in November on our ballot, I have every confidence




that the public, the voters of New York, will support this $1




billion bond issue.  I am hopeful that it will not only be ef-




fective in New York, but will stimulate other states to take




similar action and encourage the Federal government to do like-




wise in terms of the magnitude of the Federal financial effort.




          Thank you very much indeed.  (applause)




          CHAIBMAN STEIN:   Thank you, Governor, for indeed a




comprehensive thinking on New York's position.  I think that




when we have people wanting to clean up pollution, and we just




have a difference in detail, we can achieve these results.




          Governor, you know if you stay around long enough,




almost everyone is your boss or your ex-boss.  I remember when




you were my boss as Under Secretary—that' s when you developed




this legislation that we are applying here now and these en-




forcement procedures.




          Are there any further comments or questions?  If not,




I understand that Dr.  Ingraham, who is with the Governor, would




like to make his statement now.




          May we hear from Dr. Ingraham?

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                                                                91







          DR. INGRAHAM:  Mr. Chairman, conferees, ladies and




gentlemen, I am Hollis Ingraham, Commissioner of Health of the




State of New York, and I should like to describe to the conference




the powers and programs of the State Health Department in com-




batting water pollution not only on Lake Erie, but in the rest




of the State as well.




          In New York State, the policy-making coordinating




agency for all State resources is the State Water Resources




Commission.  Our State Conservation Commissioner, Mr. Harold




Wilm, who is Chairman of the Water Resources Commission, will




testify here today.  The Health Department is the agency which




administers the State's Water Pollution Control Program within




the framework of policy established by the Water Resources Com-




mission.  As Commissioner of Health, I am also a member of the




Water Resources Commission.




          The Commission is responsible for classifying and re-




classifying waters as to their best social and economic use.




The State Commissioner of Health is responsible for enforcing




the law "to abate existing pollution and to prevent future




pollution."  To meet our responsibilities, we have created a




water resources program within the Health Department that in




size, scope and the quality of personnel ranks among the leading




water control programs in the Nation.




          Our Water Resources Bureau is organized to deal with




both the immediate problems of pollution and, equally vital, to

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                                                                92
carry out long-range, area-wide planning to insure that our re-




sults are not,sporadic, piecemeal or short-lived.




          The comprehensiveness of our approach is perhaps sug-




gested by the programs operating within our Bureau of Water




Resources.  These are research and development, planning and




evaluation, municipal and industrial pollution identification,




water pollution control enforcement and water supply services.




          Let me summarize quickly the major outlines of the




Department's water programs.  This year, we completed an ex-




haustive survey of the State's 54,000 square miles of surface




waters.  By the end of the year, all these waters  shall have




been classified according to their best usage.  We have com-




pletely abated more than 600 sources of pollution  through volun-




tary compliance, or court actions since the Water  Pollution




Control Act of 1949 .came into effect.  We have identified 700




industrial and 1200 municipal sources of present pollution.




We have set abatement schedules to end pollution from all of




these sources.  Together with the State's Attorney General, we




are carrying out numerous pollution hearings and court actions




in cases where voluntary efforts have not availed.  We exercise




preventive action by requiring the submission and  approval of




plans for new waste outlets or modified disposal systems.




          Through our investigations we originally identified




132 sources of pollution in the Erie-Niagara Drainage Basin.




The Health Department has succeeded in completely abating

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                                                                93






pollution from over 36 percent of these sources.  Another 12 per-




cent have been partly curbed.  Since 1957, $17 million has been




spent in Erie County alone for trunking and treatment facilities.




Four million dollars more are committed for construction.  We




still have 62 municipal and 21 industrial sources of pollution




in this basin, of which 30 are considered heavy polluters.




          Just as important as the enforcement of the pollution




abatement, we have also instituted positive programs to help




communities and industries plan their waste treatment systems




with an eye to the future purity of our waters.  For example,




we pay the full cost of studies to encourage the planning of com-




prehensive water supply and sewage treatment facilities along




the sensible, more economical lines of drainage basins.  Eight




such studies in the Erie-Niagara Basin are now among the 110




that the State is currently supporting.  We are providing the




technical services of State experts to assist our local health




departments with special pollution problems.  We have under way,




a vigorous program of research to find more efficient and less




costly treatment methods and to find ways to treat difficult and




unusual wastes.




          Governor Rockefeller has already described to you our




State assistance to localities and financial incentives to in-




dustry to stimulate the construction of sewage treatment facili-




ties.  Mr. Hennigan who directs our Bureau of Water Resource




Services is here today as a participant, and will give you a




more complete picture of what we are doing, and what we propose

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                                                                94
 to do as a State deeply committed to rescuing our waters from




 pollution.  Perhaps I can put that effort into some sort of




 perspective by saying that our State level water planning and




 pollution abatement services are now a $15 million annual item




 in the State Health Department budget.




          But this is not enough.  Governor Rockefeller's state-




 ment clearly identified the key to decisive pollution abatement,




 which is to help communities and industries meet the staggering




 expense of building sewage treatment facilities.  The unanimous




 enactment of the Pure Waters Act by our State Legislature




 demonstrates the willingness of New Yorkers to accept a $1.7




 billion price for cleaning up our waters.




          One of the issues before this conference seems to be




 whether or not the pollution of Lake Erie is interstate.  This




 issue involves technical definitions and arguments can be made




 for either case.  However, I believe that this issue does not




 rival the far more relevant question as to how we go about




 abating the pollution.  Lake Erie is admittedly polluted and




New York is admittedly one of the several States contributing




 to this condition, even if, as Governor Rockefeller mentioned,




we contribute less than 1 percent of the total pollution load




 to Lake Erie.




          Our objective is to abate the pollution that emanates




from sources in New York State, and we ask the Federal Govern-




ment to become a fuller financial partner in helping us meet

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                                                                95
this goal.  We know our pollution problem.  We know what must




be done to end it.  And we know how much it will cost.   The




link that chains these factors together into a successful attack




on pollution is financing.




          We possess within the State the organization,  the




skills and, most crucial of all, the will to end water  pollu-




tion.  Of course, we will always welcome the excellent  techni-




cal and consultant assistance of the Public Health Service when




offered on a true partnership basis.  We hope to continue to




enjoy the help of the Service, but at this point, the decisive




force needed to defeat pollution is greater Federal financial




assistance in line with Governor Rockefeller's recommendations.




          By continuing its technical cooperation and by pro-




viding increased financial incentives to municipalities  and in-




dustries, the Federal Government can create a model partnership




with New York State that will point the way to cleaner  waters




throughout the Nation.




          This ends my formal presentation, Mr. Stein.   I'd




merely like to say that there has been great interest in this




conference--so much so that we felt it was impossible to accede




to the requests of all those who wished to speak here today,




and I thought that in view of the fact that on June 17th,




Senator Muskie held a conference here in this same City, and




reviewed in great depth the problems of pollution in Lake Erie,




of which all segments of the population had an opportunity to

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                                                                96







testify, that it might be desirable to incorporate into the pro-




ceedings of this conference the testimony given at that time.




I make that merely as a suggestion that Mr.  Hennigan perhaps




could enlarge on.




          CHAIRMAN STEIN:   I wonder if we could keep that under




advisement for a while--to look at the size  of that record to




see whether we want to make it an exhibit, or part of the tran-




script .




          DR. INGRAHAM:  Merely a suggestion, Mr.  Stein, for




your consideration.




          CHAIRMAN STEIN:   Of course, Dr. Ingraham, you know




that under the law, you fully control New York's time and the




invitees from the State,  You also know that as conferees we




are here and are ready to be here, as long as you have invitees




who you feel have relative statements and you want to put them




forth before us.  In other words, we are not imposing any time




limitations.




          DR, INGRAHAM:  Yes, sir, and we have invited a number




of participants who have accepted the invitation.   I thought




this might merely be a way in which absolutely complete coverage




might be attained, if it is not attained in  the course of this




conference.




          CHAIRMAN STEIN:   We will take that up with Mr. Hennigan,




if we may.

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                                                                97







          Are there any further comments or questions of Dr.




Ingraham?  If not, thank you very much, Dr. Ingraham, for your




very perceptive statement.  We certainly appreciated it, and




I'm sure it is going to add to the conferees'  deliberations.




Thank you.  (applause)




          Before lunch, we would like to call  on Dr. Harold




Wilm, Commissioner of Conservation of the State of New York,




who has a statement for the conferees.  Dr. Wilm?




          DR, WILM:  Chairman Stein, it's nice to see you




again, and your associates at the front table.




          Ladies and gentlemen, my paper can be very brief for




one very good reason:   I have been preceded by my boss, the




Governor of New York State and by Dr. Ingraham, who have ex-




plained the responsibility of the Health Department in con-




nection with the Water Resources Commission.




          I'm appearing as the Chairman of the Commission.




As such, I am not going to try to duplicate what Dr. Ingraham




has already told you.   But I would like to expand just a little




bit on what was said,  to indicate some of the  other responsi-




bilities of the Commission, aside from water pollution control,




simply because these other activities do relate directly on




water pollution control, through the relation  of water to all




its uses, including quality.




          The establishing of water quality goals is an important

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                                                                98







part of the concentrated study efforts that have been undertaken




by the State within the last three years in the Erie-Niagara




Basin and in other areas of New York State.




          In this State, we have the legal and administrative




framework for effectively handling and coordinating activities




and programs relating to all aspects of water resources planning,




development and control.  Policy-making for these activities is




centralized in the Water Resources Commission, which is composed




of the seven chief executives of the Departments of Agriculture




and Markets, Commerce, Conservation, Health, Law, Public Works




and the Office for Local Government, and four laymen advisory




members who represent agriculture, sportsmen, municipal corpora-




tions and industry.  The Office of Local Government was added to




the Commission just this last year because of the very great




strength of local governments in New York State, particularly




in comparison with many other States.  The Conservation Com-




missioner, as you know, is Chairman.




          In connection with water quality, it might be emphasized




that the Water Resources Commission adopts the standards and




classifications which apply to all the waters of the State.   These




are controlled by the Health Department in consultation with




other departments, and then before they are made rules of the




State,  they have to be approved by all the voting members of the




Commission.




          In the case of all other water resource activities,

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                                                                99
some single department of the member departments carries  out  the




policies in the water quality field.  The Health Department en-




forces the standards and classifications and takes all  necessary




action in connection with water quality and water pollution con-




trol.




          This is a powerful mechanism.  It's a very good mecha-




nism in the sense that it ties together the interests of  the




Federal-State departments and various laymen interests  in a




single Commission which passes upon the policies executed by




individual departments, such as the Health Department.




          I'd like to bring to your attention State planning  ac-




tivities to demonstrate that New York has a complete water re-




sources program within which water quality goals can be estab-




lished and continually protected:  (1) The Water Resources Com-




mission is charged with evolving a Statewide plan for compre-




hensive development of the State's water resources.  Therefore,




the Commission is participating in planning jobs involving about




one-half the State's area already in Federal-State cooidinating




committees, in which the Water Resources Commission works di-




rectly with the Federal agencies; (2) The Delaware River Basin




where we have an interstate Federal contact with very broad




power over the water resources of the Delaware River Basin.




The Commission, in this case, is composed of the Governors of




four States, and a representative of the President - one




representative of the President.  He is required by law to

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                                                               100







coordinate all the Federal activities in the Delaware River Basin;




(3) Intrastate regional board studies under Part V,  Article V of




the New York State Conservation Law and finally (4)  broad-scale




water resources studies of ten regions of the State  with the




State Office for Regional Development and also in cooperation




with the Federal Housing and Home Finance Agency.




          Of particular interest here is the State-financed




regional board study of the Erie-Niagara Basin, which embraces




about 2,000 square miles in a four-county area; this includes




about 84 percent of the total area of the State which drains




into Lake Erie (roughly 5 percent of the total geographical




area of the State is tributary to Lake Erie).  The board,  con-




stituted in January 1963 by the Water Resources Commission and




composed of seven highly qualified local leaders residing  in




the basin, is responsible for evolving a comprehensive plan for




the development of the water and related land resources of this




four-county region, centered around Buffalo.




          I might add in this connection that we requested the




Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Army to  assist




us in this case, rather than our assisting the Federal people.




The Secretary of Agriculture responded that under Public Law 556,




the Department of Agriculture is already empowered to cooperate




directly with State and local agencies such as this  four-county




board,  and he would be very glad to supply personnel and fi-




nances, if granted by the Congress.  Of course, we have been

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                                                               101
talking to Congress to see that the Secretary of Agriculture




gets a little bit of money.




          When we approached the Array on the same subject,  we




found that while they would be very happy to cooperate with us,




although we surprised them a little bit, that they needed to




have a little additional language in the Flood Control Act  of




1965, which would empower them to cooperate with the local




agencies, such as this regional board.   At the request of




Congressman Leo O'Brien, the Chairman—the ranking member of




the Interior Committee of the House—incidentally - Congressman




O'Brien asked the Army to draft some suitable language, which




has now been introduced into the Congress.




          For the first time you might  say, two great Federal




agencies are cooperating with a local board with leadership by




the State in a really cooperative planning endeavor starting




right now in the counties most concerned.




          The plan for the Erie-Niagara Basin will include  pro-




visions to meet short- and long-range needs to satisfy diverse




water requirements:  municipal, industrial and agricultural




water supply; water quality management, including low-flow aug-




mentation; water-based recreation; fish and wildlife enhance-




ment and management; navigation; hydroelectric power; erosion




and sedimentation control; related land use and land treatment;




and others.




          Estimates of the benefits to  be derived from the

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                                                               102







varied project functions will be developed for various alternative




schemes.  All practicable, alternative means of solving the major




water resources problems of the region are being studied to de-




termine the most economical and advantageous solutions.  Water




quality management, including pollution control, is a basic con-




sideration in the evaluation of the possible solutions.  The




comprehensive plan for the Erie-Niagara Basin is expected to be




completed sometime in 1968.




          Without the cooperation of the local people at every




stage of this complex planning process, any efforts to conserve,




control, Utilize, develop and manage the water resources of a




region or a river basin are likely to fall short of the end ob-




jectives.  In other words, we believe in planning from beneath




with the assistance of the higher levels of government, rather




than planning from the top with the assistance of the lower




levels.  This is quite a radical change in our philosophy.




          The Erie-Niagara Basin Board provides the local par-




ticipation that is necessary to achieve successful planning.




Water quality goals appropriate for the many needed and desired




uses is basic for our economic and social well-being and re-




quires consideration of many aspects which clearly are beyond




the area of health alone.  We have in operation here, not only




the mechanism, but an actual program under local leadership,




participation and financing to achieve these goals.




          Similar intrastate regional board studies are now

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                                                               103







in progress in other river basins of the State.   In all of these,




as well as those of interstate river basins of concern to New




York, we welcome the participation of the U. S.  Public Health




Service, and other Federal agencies as collaborators with the




State in planning the use, control and development of the wa-




ters of the State0  We believe that Congress has clearly estab-




lished the need for this teamwork, and that water quality goals




in any area of study can be established realistically only when




local, State and Federal agencies work together  to insure col-




laborative consideration of all significant interests.




          Thank you.  (applause)




          CHAIRMAN STEIN:  Thank you, Dr0 Wilm.   As always, you




have given us a very perceptive and professional analysis of the




problem, and I'm sure this will be very helpful  too.




          Are there any comments  or questions of Dr. Wilm?  If




not, thank you very much, Sir.




          We will recess for lunch and reconvene promptly at




2 o'clock.




(Conference recessed for lunch)




          CHAIRMAN STEIN:  Are we ready to reconvene?  Mr.




Premetz, will you continue please?




          MR.  PREMETZ:   I guess we'll get to Part II of the




aaga of Lake Erie now.




          I did remember one thing, Chairman Stein.  I think




in Cleveland you told us that if  we didn't identify ourselves

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                                                               104
by record, our remarks would be listed under  "Anonymous",  so  I




guess my remarks this morning were listed under  "Anonymous".




          CHAIRMAN STEIN:   No, they were listed  under




"Miscellaneous".




          MR. PREMETZ:  But for the record, my name  is Ernest




Premetz and I'm Deputy Director of the Great  Lakes and Central




Region of the Bureau of Commercial Fisheries, U.  S.  Department




of the Interior, headquarters at Ann Arbor, Michigan.  Out of




Ann Arbor, we cover an eighteen State area in the Great  Lakes




and Central part of the country, so we are concerned with  pol-




lution problems in a variety of environments--all of our major




river basins, and the Great Lakes area.  With that,  let's  get




to the point where we stopped this morning, and  that was this




matter of water quality standards.




          As I mentioned,  we cannot consider  a single  set  of




water quality standards as being applicable  to all uses.  For




example, water that might  be suitable for industrial purposes




may not be acceptable for  human consumption  and, as  is  the




case, would be even less acceptable to fish  and  wildlife.




          In dealing with  the suitability of  water  for fish,




we are not concerned merely with the question of whether fish




can survive in the water.   We must consider whether  the  en-




tire environment is suitable for satisfactory reproduction and




growth of fish.  A case in point is what is  happening  to lake




perch in the western end of this Lake.  Lake perch  are extremely

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                                                               105






abundant, and yet they are not contributing very much to either




the commercial fishermen or sportsmen, simply because they are




not growing.  Where it used to take them a couple of years to




reach the legal size, the size that the commercial fishermen and




the sportsmen wanted, it now takes them three and a half years




to reach this same size.  In fact, these fish are dying of old




age in the Lake  before they can be used by the people living on




the shore.




          This is one of the types of effects that we have from




pollution.  It need not necessarily kill the fish.  It can so




alter the environment that it makes it impossible for the fish




either to reproduce or it changes the fish to the extent that




it does not grow fast enough to contribute to the people that




wish to make use of the resource.




          There have been some rather dramatic decreases in the




abundance of several important fish species.  These species, of




course, are harvested both by the commercial fishing industry and




end up on the tables through your restaurants, and through your




supermarkets, and also are utilized by the sportsmen.  Gone from




Lake Erie are the keystones that supported a healthy and lucra-




tive industry, second to none in the years 1935 to 1958--blue




pike.  All of you remember blue pike in this part of the Lake.




Walleyes, whitefish and yellow perch stocks have dwindled to




insignificance or have changed character so much that their con-




tributions to the welfare of the fishing industry are almost nil.

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                                                               106







For example,  following the initial collapse of the blue pike




and walleye production in 1958, fisheries for both species con-




tinued to decline to insignificant levels.   Blue pike production




dropped from some 6.8 million pounds worth $1.3 million in 1956,




to 200 pounds worth $120 in 1963.  At the present time, to catch




a blue pike is quite a task.  In fact, it's becoming a biological




rarity in Lake Erie.  Now what happened to blue pike?  Our




scientists feel that gradually we have continued to pollute the




waters at the eastern end of the Lake.  This pollutant is in the




silt that is deposited on the bottom.  The blue pike deposits




its eggs on the bottom.  These eggs do not survive.  Without




survival, the entire stock of fish is disappearing.




          Now let's take the walleye.  This was the key species




in the western end of the Lake.  In 1957, we had over 5 million




pounds worth $1.4 million.  In 1962, 433,000 pounds worth




$186,000.  The situation has further deteriorated.  There is




very little of it caught at all now.




          In less than eight years, the fishing industry in




U. S. waters—this is U. S. waters alone of Lake Erie—lost




dockside values in these two species alone of $2.5 million




annually.  This is without considering any other species.  We




don't know how much was lost due to the decline in sport




fishing.   I imagine it was considerably more than this amount.




So, we've got a serious problem facing us.   Other usable fish




in the Lake are now threatened to the extent that the stability




and development of stocks are extremely undependable and

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                                                               107
beyond production.  We have a difficult time trying to predict




anything, because things change so rapidly.  A lot of people




can't even keep up with it.




          I have other things that are going into the record as




far as what is happening with some of these fish species.  I




won't repeat them here, but the one point that I do want to make




is that all of the information we have at hand now indicate that




pollution is having a direct effect on fish and aquatic life in




the Lake, and this pollution threatens extinction of many of the




more desirable fish in that Lake.




          Now you've heard a lot of talk about dissolved oxygen




and about the fact that we have oxygen depletion in the Lake.




This was first pointed out, as far as Lake Erie is concerned,




by Ohio State University in September of 1953.  They found, at




that time, that in less than five days the dissolved oxygen




levels reached .7 to 1.2 parts per million in many areas.  Un-




fortunately, they didn't follow through with observations, so




we don't know whether this situation which we found in the




western basin also existed in the central basin at that time.




However, studies that were made in the central basin as early




as 1929 showed oxygen deficiencies below 65 percent saturation




and in some areas below 40 percent during the months of July




and August.




          It's not unreasonable to assume that serious oxygen




deficiencies in the central basin occurred regularly and even

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                                                               108







more regularly in the western basin.  Two phenomena always ac-




company these oxygen deficiencies in Lake Erie.  A thermal




stratification is established and the zone of oxygen deficiency




is always near the bottom; so much so that our people working




in this area had to develop special samplers to demonstrate the




vertical extent of the affected column of water.  Frequently,




the thermocline and oxygen-deficient layers are less than two




meters thick, so it's right down to the very, very bottom.  But




this is sufficient to kill off a lot of the eggs of the fish




that are spawning in the Lake.




          Since 1953 extensive oxygen deficiencies in the middle




and frequently the western basins of Lake Erie have occurred af-




fecting thousands of square miles.  One time there we found an




area of 4,000 square miles that was devoid of oxygen.  This




condition has been detected every year since 1958, and it ap-




pears that its regularity of occurrence is becoming accepted




as a seasonal phenomenon.  We haven't noticed this serious situa-




tion in the eastern end, although we are now getting indications




that we are going to get this sort of situation here.  We have a




different situation here, simply because this is the deeper end




of the Lake, and it takes a little more time to have this sort




of an effect, but as we continue to dump pollutants in our wa-




ters, we create a greater and greater oxygen demand and we come




closer to a state of oxygen deficiency in the water.

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                                                               109
          Along with oxygen deficiency we have had several




changes in the chemistry of the Lake.  I won't go into this,




because a lot of the same material is covered by the Public




Health Service in its report, but I have submitted the record




we have — the comparisons we have of 1907 with 1961 to show the




trends that have occurred during this period.




          As I mentioned, the situation we are facing in Lake




Erie is difficult to deal with employing the usual surveys,




techniques and criteria for detecting and measuring pollution.




Scientists that have worked in this field gain most of their




knowledge on pollution from work on rivers, streams and small




bodies of water, which are nothing like the larger lakes.




Actually, most of them have very little knowledge of the effects




of pollution on large lakes, such as Lake Erie.  Nevertheless,




they have been able to mount a fairly substantial program in




more recent years , and now we feel that ample evidence exists




to demonstrate that Lake Erie has changed appreciably, as a re-




sult of pollution, and this is having a serious effect on the




fish stocks in the Lake.




          I am adding here also a little bit of a statement to




try to tell you a little bit about what happens in this aging




process and to explain this term eutrophication that's used.




But I won't go into it at this time, because I believe Dr.




Tarzwell is going to be on the program to give you a little




bit of a short course on eutrophication and pollution.  He did

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                                                               110
a fabulous job in Cleveland, and I think a lot of the people




went away knowing a bit more about some of the terms that were




tossed at you, which is very, very difficult for most people




to understand.




          Except for the oxygen deficiencies that have been




noted, some people say that the limnological changes have not




been highly critical.  However, to make our consideration of




this whole matter more comprehensive, we must add at least




three additional factors that are definitive where fisheries




are concerned.




          One is, there have been certain environmental changes,




due to nature.  For example, in the last 45 years, the mean wa-




ter temperatures in the Lake have risen almost 2°F.   This does




affect some fish.




          The sedimentation rate has increased markedly, and




these sediments have become more active and complex  chemically,




with the passing of time.  Our scientists feel that  the sediment




itself is our basic problem, as far as fish are concerned.  All




of the constituents, all of the chemicals, all of the toxicants,




all of these things that draw on oxygen are contained in this




sediment, and there is a terrific amount of it in the Lake.




How this would ever be removed, we don't know—but at the same




time,  we don't want to contribute more to it, and continued




practices of the type weVe had are going to add more.  It is




going  to create a more extreme oxygen demand here, so we've got

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                                                               Ill
to put a stop to these things.  To find out just how this sedi-




ment acts in water that contains proper oxygen, we have run some




experiments in the laboratory.  And, for example, if we were to




take five grams of the sediment from the bottom of Lake Erie and




put it in a 250 ml water sample, all of the oxygen in that water




sample is removed in less than five minutes.  Now what we do in




this column which we've developed is to try to simulate what




happens in nature.  So you can see when conditions are right,




this sediment can draw the oxygen right out of that water and




create an environment entirely devoid of oxygen, which means




that fish that are there can't live — that eggs that are there




can't survive—the younger fish that are there can't survive.




So these are the problems we face.




          All of you in this area—not so much here perhaps as




in the western area or part of the Lake—can remember the swarms




of mayflies that were seen in all of our cities and it created




quite a nuisance.  You don't see them any more.  They're gone.




The pollution has actually affected this particular insect, the




mayfly, and this mayfly, of course, was one of the chief foods




of various species of fish.  Without this food, many of these




species have not been able to adjust.




          Some of our people feel that one of the reasons that




the yellow perch does not grow as fast as it used to is because




it has to feed on other things now — sludgeworms, for example,




that are found in the Lake, rather than the mayfly.  Therefore,




it can't grow as quickly.

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                                                               112
          I don't want to go into a great deal of detail here.




I  think I've talked long enough, but you can see that this is




an extremely complex and involved matter.  That the steps that




are being suggested today are only first steps, based on our




present knowledge, that there is still a great deal more work




to be done, and a great deal more research that has to be done,




before we can suggest other steps—that all of this is going




to take a spirit of cooperation on the part of everyone that's




interested in doing something about preserving this resource.




It's bigger than all of us.  Let's face it.  We can't tackle




the job alone.  I'm sure that Public Health Service can't




tackle it alone.  I'm sure the States can't tackle it alone.




I  think we've all got to work together, not only on this first




step, but on the steps beyond this and this is going to take




many, many, many years to do, and I hope, in time, that we're




going to have a Lake that is useful again to man, and that can




again contribute to our welfare.




          Thank you all for being such a kind audience and I




certainly appreciate having had the opportunity to chat with you.




          CHAIRMAN STEIN:   Thank you, Mr. Premetz.  Are there




any questions or comments?




          MR.  POSTON:   I would like to ask Mr. Premetz a ques-




tion.   He referred to DDT in the Antarctic fishery and in seals




and I  wondered if he was trying to make the point that the




fishery in Lake Erie was mobile and moved around all over the

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                                                               113
Lake, to the extent that the fishery is affected by pollution




no matter whether it is over the whole Lake, or whether it is




in a stream.




          I noted after our boat trip yesterday we did see a




lot of chemical wastes in the Buffalo River and while I know




the fishery wouldn't move up the Buffalo River and continue to




exist, I wondered if these wastes over in this area might af-




fect the fish which would be caught up in another part of the




Lake?  Would you care to comment on this?




          MR. PREMETZ?  You're putting me on the spot here.




But, as I mentioned, as far as we can see, the pollution is




pretty widespread and we really don't know where these things




we put in the water may end up.




          Really, not to evade the question asked, but perhaps




consideration of framework of our responsibility, that is,




fish itself, if we're thinking in terms of Lake Erie and all




of the States along Lake Erie, anything any one State does




within its particular State boundaries which affects fish and




their ability to survive or reproduce affects people in adja-




cent States.  In other words, let us hypothetically say that




blue pikes spawn in New York waters; due to a severe pollution




condition the eggs don't survive.  These fish, in turn, migrate




to Canadian waters, Ohio waters, Pennsylvania waters and then




perhaps we have a situation where all of the States are con-




tributing, to some extent, to a decline of a particular

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                                                               114
resource.  Is this what you're getting at,  primarily?




          MR. POSTON:  That's right.




          We appreciate the cooperation and assistance that we




have had from the Bureau of Commercial Fisheries and our people




have exchanged information with them and are very appreciative




of this cooperation with your agency.




          MR, PREMETZ:  Well, we enjoy working with the people




in the Public Health Service as well, andyoxihave one boy (and




I used that advisedly) that we'd like to have over on our team




right now, and that's Dr. Tarzwell, because he's the granddaddy




of them all when it comes to pollution research as it affects




fish, and you're going to hear from him a little bit later on.




          CHAIRMAN STEIN:  He's our Chief Coach.  He's just




incredible.




          MR. PREMETZ:  We'll listen to him a little more, too.




          MR, HENNIGAN:  Mr. Premetz, I have one question.  Did




you say that in 1953 studies at Ohio State University revealed




a critically low level of dissolved oxygen in the Lake?




          MR, PREMETZ:  In western Lake Erie, yes.




          MR. HENNIGAN:  It's interesting that in this same




period, '53, '54 and '55, in fact, the walleye population in




Lake Erie was at one of its high peaks.  What is the relation-




ship here?




          MR. PREMETZ:  Well, this is hard to explain.  It may




very well be that this oxygen demand was in an area where it




did not affect that population.  These were isolated cases in

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                                                               115







the early year.  When we talk about '53, this is one spot where




this was noted.  In later years, and particularly in recent




years, we have gotten situations where, at one time, we have




4,000 square miles devoid of oxygen.  This has a serious ef-




fect.  This problem has been growing over a number of years,




and is getting more serious each year.




          CHAIRMAN STEIN:  Are there any further comments or




questions'i  If not, thank you very much, Mr. Premetz.  (applause)




          We just have one more person out of order, but be-




cause we have had so many this morning and this afternoon, I




might indicate to you what the order is.  I should give you my




philosophy first.  An agenda is something to help us run a




meeting or a conference and we're not slavishly governed by an




agenda.  Obviously, when you have Governor Rockefeller or




Senator Kennedy's schedules to meet, adjustments have to be made.




          Now, generally speaking, when we proceed we would first




bake the Federal Government presentation and we would call on




other Federal agencies and then we would call on the various




State agencies for their invitees.  This is what we will do




after the next presentation is made.




          We are privileged today to have Dr. Wilbar, the




Health Officer of Pennsylvania, with us.  Dr. Wilbar has to




leave today, and will have an alternate, Mr. Richard Boardman,




sitting in for him when he leaves.  In order to facilitate




Dr. Wilbar's meeting his very busy schedule, we are going to

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                                                               116
ask Dr. Wilbar to make his presentation now,  and then we will




adhere to the format of the original agenda.   Dr.  Wilbar?




          DR. WILBAR:   Mr. Chairman, fellow conferees, and




ladies and gentlemen,  I am Dr. Charles  Wilbar.  I'm Secretary




of Health of Pennsylvania, and by virtue of that office, I am




also Chairman of the Pennsylvania Sanitary Water Board,  so in




a way I have the responsibilities that  both Dr.  Ingraham and




Dr. Wilm have in the State of New York.




          Since we are very cognizant of the  roll call here of




the conferees, I would like to point out that the Pennsylvania




Sanitary Water Board is meeting tomorrow.   It is a scheduled




meeting with a large agenda, and I must get back to do this,




sleeves rolled up, as  part of our regular program in




Pennsylvania of water  pollution control, and  in  my stead,  Mr.




Richard Boardman will  sit in on the conference.   He is




Sanitary Engineer in charge of water quality  in  the Pennsylvania




Department of Health.




          Our program in Pennsylvania has a good deal of simi-




larity with that of New York State, and I agree  very much with




Dr. Ingraham, in that  there is a particular need from the




Federal Government for research and technical aid and particu-




larly grants-in-aid finanically, to help meet the great costs




of some of these programs.




          The enforcement powers, I think, are quite adequate




in most of the States.  We have 100 men, full time, trained in

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                                                               117
the water pollution program, in the Health Department of




Pennsylvania, and a score or so men in the Departments of Mines




and Indoor Industries who are full time in this program in con-




nection with the strip mines in the bituminous areas.  We also




have a law under which the State provides 2 percent of the cost




of a treatment plant each year, after the plant has been built.




The cost now to the State is nearly $8 million per year for




this.  This is really a maintenance factor and the municipality




or the authority owning the plant gets this money for an in-




definite period of time.




          We have had a strong water pollution law in the State




for over 50 years now, and it was strengthened two years ago




and there's a bill in now to strengthen it further, in regard




to acid mine drainage.




          We do classify streams and have for some time.  T




think that we have had a rather successful program with more




than 85 percent of our industries and municipalities which are




under orders to treat their wastes adequately and cause us no




new problems.




          We in Pennsylvania are intensively interested in Lake




Erie.  The Lake is an important source of public and industrial




water supply, and it's a popular summer playground for




Pennsylvanians, as well as tourists from other States.  The




Sanitary Water Board has, over the years, endeavored to protect




this valuable resource from pollution by establishing a complete

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                                                               118
degree of treatment as the treatment requirements for all




wastes discharged into the Lake and into its tributaries.




          Because of the importance of Lake Erie in




Pennsylvania's economy we support the need for the Public




Health Service Comprehensive Study of the Lake Erie Basin,  now




going on.  The abatement of water pollution is a complex busi-




ness, and intelligent action must be based on comprehensive




long-range planning in which all pertinent facts are considered.




          The Pennsylvania portion of the Lake Erie Basin in-




cludes portions of Crawford and Erie Counties and encompasses




an area of 512 square miles.  Agriculture is one of the princi-




pal industries in the Basin.  Grapes and other fruit crops  and




early maturing vegetables are the most important crops.  Some




heavy industry is concentrated in and near the City of Erie.




The population of the Basin is approximately 260,000, of which




about 140,000 live within the City of Erie.




          Numerous small streams enter the Lake from the




Pennsylvania portion of the Basin.  The U. S. Geological




Survey does not measure flow in any of these streams on a




regular basis.  However, it has been estimated that they con-




tribute an average flow of about 420 cubic feet per second  to




the Lake.




          Uses of the waters of Lake Erie in Pennsylvania are




many and varied.   Recreational use of the Lake includes bathing




at the many beaches,  fishing and boating.  The best known and

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                                                               119







most heavily used beaches are a series of broad sandy beaches




in Presque Isle State Park near Erie.  Yearly attendance at the




park exceeds 3 million people.  The estimated dollar value of




this facility in terms of annual income to the area is $-45 million.




          Boating interest is evidenced by the numerous pleasure




boats to be seen in the Erie City area on most summer days. Re-




ports indicate that fishing, although less popular in recent




years because of a decline in numbers of the more desirable game




fish, is still a very popular form of recreation.  Commercial




fishing has also declined.  Nevertheless, it still offers a




livelihood or a supplemental source of income for some




Pennsylvanians.




          The Lake serves as a source of municipal water supply




for the City of Erie and surrounding communities.  Water is




drawn from two intakes which extend several thousand feet out




from the western shore of Presque Isle.  The average water use




for this purpose is approximately 39 million gallons per day.




Water use exceeding 50 million gallons per day during the summer




months is common.  The estimated population served is 200,000.




The remainder of the population in the Basin is served by pri-




vate on-lot water supplies or by public water supplies which




use tributary streams or ground water as sources of supply.




Total industrial water use is about 220 million gallons per




day.  Most of this is used for cooling purposes.




          All of the municipalities in the Basin which maintain

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                                                               120
public sewer systems are served by complete degree treatment




works.  Complete treatment is that treatment in which a minimum




of 85 percent of the biochemical oxygen demand load is removed.




It affects the removal of substantially all suspended and




settleable solids as well as the removal of oils, greases,




acids, alkalis and of toxic, putrescible  taste and odor pro-




ducing substances.  A number of schools and business establish-




ments in the Basin do not have access to public sewers and




therefore must provide complete degree sewage treatment prior




to discharging to streams.  A tabulation showing the status of




sewage treatment in the Pennsylvania portion of the Lake Erie




Basin is attached to copies of this presentation.




          All of the industrial establishments in the Lake Erie




Basin are meeting the Pennsylvania Sanitary Water Board's waste




treatment requirements or are making satisfactory progress




towards meeting this goal.  The latter group has submitted time




schedules for the necessary corrective action and are on




schedule.  The tabulation of the industrial establishments in




the Basin indicating their water pollution control status are




attached to copies of my presentation.




          An important case presently making satisfactory




progress is the Hammermill Paper Company plant at Erie.  A




change in the company's manufacturing process about ten years




ago created a waste which is not amenable to treatment by con-




ventional methods, and created a serious pollution problem.

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                                                               121







After a great deal of research the company has chosen to dispose




of its strong waste in deep wells.  One of the two planned wells




has been in operation for more than a year.  This is about 1200




feet deep.  On July 20 of this year, the company received a per-




mit from the Sanitary Water Board to begin operation of its




second well.  It is twice as deep as the first one.  These wells




by this time should be effectively handling two million gallons




per day of highly concentrated pulp mill waste.  These wastes




constitute most of the company's high BOD waste.  All other




wastes from the mill receive treatment prior to discharge to




Lake Erie.  In the near future, we plan to evaluate the effect




on lake quality of the plant discharge to determine if ad-




ditional pollution abatement steps are necessary.




          Water quality in the eastern end of Presque Isle Bay




has been adversely affected by discharges of both sewage from




combined sewers and of industrial wastes.  Overflows from the




Erie City combined sewer and storm drain system during the




periods of heavy precipitation constitute a source of pollution




to the Bay.  The City has intensified its preventive maintenance




program to eliminate unnecessary discharges from combined sewers.




Because of the very nature of combined sewer operation we will




continue to have periodic discharges of wastes to the Bay and




some of its tributary streams during the periods of heavy




precipitation.  The City has estimated that to separate storm




and sanitary sewer systems in order to eliminate periodic dis-




charges would cost $20 million.

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                                                               122







          Discharges of industrial wastes to the Bay through




city storm sewers and streams tributary to the Bay caused a




series of fish kills in Presque Isle Bay during the summer of




1964.  A cooperative survey made by the Pennsylvania Department




of Health and consultants for the City of Erie has pinpointed




these sources of pollution and most of the discharges have been




abated.  Satisfactory progress has been made toward abatement of




the remainder.  We plan to study the effect of these discharges




on the Bay after planned abatement work in this City is  com-




pleted in order to determine if any additional action is needed.




          The quality of the streams entering Lake Erie  from




Pennsylvania is generally good.  The only exceptions are Cascade




Creek, Mill Creek, and Garrison Run, which receive  the  combined




storm and sanitary sewer discharges mentioned above.  General




compliance with Sanitary Water Board waste treatment requirements




and the rural nature of much of the watershed combined to pre-




serve the quality of the other Pennsylvania streams at a high




level.  Conneaut Creek, the only interstate stream of signifi-




cant size, receives several treated waste discharges, but quality




is good at the State line.




          Water quality in the Lake proper has been generally




good except for a zone immediately east of Presque Isle.  The




effects of the Hammermill Paper Company's discharge which en-




ter the Lake in this shallow cove have been readily apparent.




The dark brown color and propensity to foam have been obvious

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                                                               123
to the casual observer.   Winds from the northeast, which  are




infrequent and opposite  to the prevailing wind direction,  have




several times in the past caused the waste to concentrate  in




the cove and in Presque  Isle Bay to the extent that  dissolved




oxygen was seriously depleted and fish were killed.




          Extensive sampling of the Presque Isle beach area for




bacteriological analysis over the years has indicated acceptable




quality on all beaches except Beach 11 at the eastern point of




Presque Isle.  High coliform levels at Beach 11 have been  cor-




related with occasional  winds from the east which carry the




chlorinated effluent from the Erie sewage treatment  plant  in




the direction of the beach.  The sewage treatment plant dis-




charges to the Lake through a submerged outfall about a mile




from the Presque Isle beaches.  Operation and control changes




have been made at the sewage treatment plant in an attempt to




eliminate this problem.




          We have no information available to us that indicates




that pollution of Lake Erie in relation to Pennsylvania is




occurring from another State.




          An indication  of the eutrophication of the waters




of the Lake is observed  periodically in the Erie area.  Heavy




mats of algae are washed ashore creating nuisance conditions




and discouraging bathing.




          By way of summary and conclusion, significant pollu-




tion control progress has been made by the municipalities and

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                                                               124
industries in the Pennsylvania portion of the Lake Erie Basin.




We will continue our program aimed at abating the remaining




inadequately treated waste discharges in the Basin.  We realize




that effluents from complete degree treatment works and agri-




cultural runoff contain residual pollutants that can adversely




affect water quality.  Nutrients which speed up the eutrophica-




tion process fall in this category.  I might add parenthetically




here that I think this is a most serious problem—this fertili-




zation or eutrophication, due to excess of phosphates mainly,




and we haven't yet seen scientific analysis of the proper long-




term answer to this in this Lake or any other lake in the




United States.  There are a few small lakes in the United




States that have completely disappeared  due to eutrophication




and this could happen to Lake Erie.  We expect that the Public




Health Service study report will indicate the effect of these




nutrients on the Lake, where they come from, and how much it




will cost the people in the Basin to abate this type of pol-




lution.





          We have no information that indicates that interstate




pollution involving Pennsylvania is occurring in Lake Erie.




          Pennsylvanians have devoted a great deal of effort




toward abating pollution in our portion of the Basin.  The




economy of the Pennsylvania portion of the Lake Erie Basin




depends upon preservation of lake water quality.  We intend




to do everything in our power to assure that water quality

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                                                               125
requirements designed to enhance the quality of the Lake are




met, and I would like to add a supplemental statement  at this




time.  We did receive five days prior to the opening of the




conference  the report from the Public Health Service.  It




takes a while to read it and study it, but I would like to  say




in addition to my prepared statement, I would like to  comment




on the recommendations made in the Public Health Service's  re-




port on Lake Erie.




          Pennsylvania's water pollution control program al-




ready has requirements that meet most of the general recommenda-




tions.  The specific recommendations in Part III of the report




are apparently based on somewhat outdated information  and it




created a public relations problem for two industries  in the




Erie area.  The two industries mentioned in the report,




Hammermill Paper Company and Interlake Iron Company, were the




subject of newspaper criticism by one of the Congressmen from




the Erie area.  He used the Public Health Service outdated  and




inaccurate information as a source, and the Hammermill Company




has already taken the action recommended in the report and




Interlake Iron Company has had effective solids and phenol  re-




movals for some time.  It is unfortunate that information such




as this was not checked more closely with our people  prior to




its published release.  These companies have spent considerable




sums of money to meet the Sanitary Water Board requirements and




should not be unjustly criticized.

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                                                               126







          The City of Erie is already looking into the extension




and enlargement of interceptors which would allow for the diver-




sion of less storm flow to Mill Creek.  The additional storm




flow would be diverted to the sewage treatment plant, and dis-




charged to the Lake, rather than to the small tributaries and




the Bay.  The technical and economic feasibility of such a plan




is being investigated.




          CHAIRMAN STEIN:   Thank you, Dr.  Wilbar.  Are there




any comments or questions?




          MR. POSTON;  I have a few questions for Dr. Wilbar.




I wonder whether the State of Pennsylvania--! understand they




classify streams in Pennsylvania, do you also classify that




portion of Lake Erie that  is Pennsylvania  waters?




          DR. WILBARt  Yes.




          MR. POSTON:  And how do you classify that?   In what




way?  What classification  do you give Lake Erie waters?




          DR. WILBARi  I can't tell you.  Mr. Boardman,  what




is the classification of Lake Erie at present?




          MR. BOARDMAN:  It is classified  for complete treatment.




          DR. WILBAR:  We  have complete treatment, as I  pointed




out, on Lake Erie and its  tributaries in Pennsylvania.




          MR. POSTON:  I notice that you are going to discharge




sewage to  the Bayand some  of the storm water overflows—dis-




charge those direct to the Lake.  Would this then meet your




classification of complete treatment?

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                                                               127
          DR.  WILBAR:   Well, as you well know,  this Is  a matter




of having storm sewers and sanitary sewers together as  found in




most of the old cities of the United States and the solution




here is a very difficult one.  To dig up the streets and sepa-




rate them is a very expensive thing in a large, old city.




          The complete treatment of a sewage plant itself,  ex-




cept in cases of major storms where you have a  big run  of water




and the overflow from the drains is--the storm  overflow washes




out then in these combined sewers over where we are and some of




the untreated sewage just can't be helped, I think, except  by a




very expensive process.  As I told you, it would cost about




$20 million for the City of Erie to do this. It gets down  to




a considerable economic problem.  It should be  done, I  say, in




Erie and in many other cities in the United States--most of




them.




          MR.  BOSTON:   The extension of the sewer--to discharge




into the Lake, rather than into the Bay and harbor--there would




be a means of eliminating a private industry pollution  source in




the present discharge area, and move it out into the Lake so the




Lake could handle it --




          DR.  WILBAR:   There's a greater dilution factor —




          MR.  POSTON:   I wonder whether the Hammermill  Paper




Company which is putting in wells would have a  capacity




there to handle breakdowns.  I understand that  some of  the




wells--! don't know if they are made specifically for

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                                                               128
paper mill wastes or not, but they have these underground dis-




charges to dispose of the waste.  I have heard that in some




cases this practice has to be stopped until further wells can




be drilled or until some other means of disposal can be found.




I wonder whether extra capacity will be available, so that in




the event of breakdowns they will be able to handle this?  Or




would that mean that it would go back into the Lake, then, for




a period of time?




          DR. WILBAR:  The engineers have estimated that the




two wells should be able to handle the situation from some ex-




perience elsewhere.  Now this is not a widely used practice and




we can't be absolutely sure about it.




          MR. POSTON:  In Erie, your Public Health Service re-




port has said that therd is a load of some 4,000 tons of phos-




phate per day to Lake Erie from Erie and other local sources




in that area.  Does the Sanitary Water Board and the Health




Department disagree with this evaluation?




          DR. WILBAR:  Not that I know of.  We have no quarrel




with this estimate.




          MR. POSTON:  Do you think that eutrophication in the




Lake is an interstate problem?  What is your reaction to this?




Do you think eutrophication is an interstate problem?




          DR.  WILBAR:  Yes, I think that it's an interstate




and an international problem.  Actually the total of the phos-




phates going into the Lake tend to decrease the volume of the

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                                                               129
Lake all the time, and if it decreases on the one shore,  it  de-




creases it all over, as far as that's concerned.   But I  think




that the record of the Public Health Service has  really  not




proven that the pollutants from the State of Pennsylvania and




perhaps the State of New York actually get into the water sup-




ply of, or the use of, another State.




          MR. POSTON:  What you're saying is that all the con-




tributions make the whole problem  as far as eutrophication,




isn't that right?  I think that's all I have now, Mr. Chairman.




          CHAIRMAN STEIN:  Any further questions  or comments?




          Doctor, did you want all your tables at the end in-




cluded in the record?




          DR. WILBAR:  Yes, that's right.




          CHAIRMAN STEIN:  That will be done without objection.




          Doctor, I heard you speak about the Public Health




Service Report, about some inaccuracies you believed you found




in them, but I wonder if you would like to look at your  first




page on Sewage Status, page 1, Lake Erie Basin (July 1965).   I




wonder if you'd look down at about the middle of the page




where you have Wattsburg  running into Four Mile Creek,  where




you have Behrend Center flowing into Trout Run as the re-




ceiving stream and Harbor Creek running into Trout Run.   Would




you, in the interests of accuracy, like to change "Four  Mile




Creek" to the "Ohio Basin," "Trout Run" to "Seven Mile Creek"




under Behrend Center, and on Harbor Creek to change "Trout Run"




to "Seven Mile Creek"?

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                                                               130







          DR. WILBAR:  I still don't see where we are here.




          CHAIRMAN STEIN:   On page 1 of the charts.




          DR. WILBAR:  I believe those corrections are in order.




          CHAIRMAN STEIN:   I think it is inevitable  in all these




reports.  The people who have been to Cleveland have found these




little errors but they don't change the main thrust  of the re-




port.  The next point I'd like to make is that I listened with




interest to your relatively rosy and optimistic report.




          The problem that I have, Doctor, is that I guess




we've looked at this report and heard it in Cleveland.  Let's




read the remarks of the Federal investigators where  they say




Lake Erie and its tributary streams in the Pennsylvania Basin




are polluted by discharges of municipal and industrial wastes




combined through overflows, accidental spills from vessels and




industries and wastes from lake vessels and land drainage.




This pollution has caused taste and  odor problems in domestic




water supply, bacterial contamination of bathing beaches, fish




kills and algae growth.  In addition, wastes which cause the




receiving waters to turn blackish-brown and have a foul odor




have interfered with recreation and aesthetic enjoyment.  Somehow




it seems to me from listening to your account and the Federal




investigator's account--!  hope you were both looking at the




same stream, but it really doesn't seem like it's the same




one--I wonder if you'd comment on that?




          DR.  WILBAR:  Well, we're with this all the time,,

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                                                               131
The other investigation was done rather quickly and super-




ficially.  There is, however, of course, a study going on--




the Lake Erie Comprehensive Study Group, which I think will




give us very careful answers, but this investigation did not




come out of that study, which is not completed, is that not




correct?




          CHAIRMAN STEIN:  I understand that, but Doctor, I




was up the Buffalo River yesterday, and I did that quite




quickly and superficially.  Here's what they're talking about:




combined sewer overflow, accidental spills, bacterial contami-




nation of bathing beaches, receiving waters of foam turning




blackish-brown and having a foul odor which interfered with




recreation and aesthetic enjoyment.




          I believe that on the basis of a short boat trip up




the Buffalo River, or, perhaps, the Cuyahoga River, that I




could have made judgments like that without any extended survey.




I don't see that these observations are particularly refined.




These were a few visual observations.  If our people talk in




terms of bacterial contamination, they must be dealing with




gross counts.  I don't know if you need that refined an exami-




nation to see the obvious things.




          DR. WILBAR:   The solution is a relative thing.  I




think that everybody here knows that.  In every stream, every




river, every lake in the United States there is some pollution.




This is the matter we are trying to get out at this conference—

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                                                               132
the exact extent of the pollution, the type of pollution, where




it occurs and how it is being met and how further it can be met.




We don't need a conference to determine that there is some pol-




lution, but we do differ as to the exactitude of the statements




about details of pollution factors.




          CHAIRMAN STEIN:  Well, if you need a conference to de-




termine that, that's what the law provides.  But sometimes we




find we need a conference to determine how and when, in par-




ticular, the pollution is going to be cleaned up.




          I have another one.  On page 4 of your statement you




say, "The quality of the streams entering Lake Erie from




Pennsylvania is generally good,"  But the next sentence goes on




to say "The only exceptions are Cascade Creek, Mill Creek and




Garrison Run which receive the combined storm and sanitary sewer




discharges above mentioned."  As I understand it, Cascade Creek,




Mill Creek and Garrison Run are rivers discharging wastes into




Lake Erie around Erie, Pennsylvania.   I suspect that the other




streams might be good.  But when you  say the only exceptions




are your three major streams and your wastes are carried through




these from your metropolitan area, it seems to me a pretty big




exception,indeed.




          DR.  WILBAR:   As we pointed  out, when you have these




heavy rains, when you have overflows  where the combined dis-




charges from the City of Erie of both storm drains and sewer




drains, then you have an amount of pollution at that point.

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                                                               133
This happens whenever you have this heavy rain and heavy dis-




charge.  The rest of the time it's satisfactory.   But this is a




problem of this combined type of storm-drain sewer, as it is in




every large city in the United States.




          CHAIRMAN STEIN:  You didn't just say "storm sewer."




You said "sanitary sewer discharges," too.  Then  you say you




have no information available to you that indicates pollution




of Lake Erie in relation to Pennsylvania as coming from another




State.  The Federal report does say that "Discharges of munici-




pal and industrial wastes originating in Michigan, Indiana,




Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York are endangering  the health or




welfare of persons in States other than those in  which those




discharges originate..."




          DR. WILBAR:  Just saying it doesn't make it so.  I




think it has to be proven.




          CHAIRMAN STEIN:  But we have that information, Doctor.




Is our information wrong or do you think we prepared a blank




sheet of paper?  I think the information was supplied to you.




You have the information.  If you want to contest the informa-




tion that's one thing.  If you're going to deny receiving the




information, that's another.




          DR. WILBAR:  We received the information, as I said,




but you have to take into account the pollutant factors, the




currents, the amount of sewage discharged, the amount of pol-




lutants in each area.  From the data supplied, we feel that--I

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                                                               134
don't think it's a very major point,  really—but  we feel that




the report of the Public Health Service has  not  really proven




interstate pollution, as far as New York and Pennsylvania are




concerned.




          CHAIRMAN STEIN:  As far as  we're concerned that is




the major point--whether there is interstate pollution.   Be-




cause I think while the Governors of  Michigan and Ohio invited




us in on the intrastate problem, the  Governors of New York and




Pennsylvania have not seen fit to do  so.  The only way we have




jurisdiction, if we are going to have any at all, is on an in-




terstate problem.




          As I understand your statement before  to Mr. Poston,




you did indicate that all the pollution from the  various




sources, particularly the phosphates  he was  talking about, was




contributing to the degradation and eutrophication of the Lake.




Am I not correct as far as I understood that?  Isn't that in-




terstate pollution?




          DR.  WILBAR:  Well, if it is a matter of definition  I




think this could be stated.  In our opinion  if it is the shore-




line in the Pennsylvania areas that is being affected by eutro-




phication, and the bottom too, this,  of course,  reduces the




total size of the Lake, but it doesn't necessarily mean ipso




facto that this is pollution as far as the rest  of the Lake is




concerned.  This is a matter of definition.   I don't think it




is an extremely important point.

-------
                                                               135
          CHAIRMAN STEIN:  Doctor, I think this is a vital




point.  I just want to ask one other question, and this is




somewhat the same.  I believe you said that you have no infor-




mation that indicates pollution of Lake Erie in relation to




Pennsylvania occurring from other States.  Then on the next




page you say you have no information that indicates that in-




terstate pollution involving Pennsylvania is occurring in Lake




Erie,,  Then, you go on to say "an indication of the eutrophica-




tion of the waters of the Lake is observed periodically in the




Lake Erie area.  Heavy mats of algae are washed ashore creating




nuisance conditions and discouraging bathing."




          Where does that come from?  Does it come from inside




Pennsylvania?  Does it come from outside Pennsylvania?  Are you




causing that eutrophication in the Lake and it just affects you




in Pennsylvania and doesn't go anywhere else?  No one else is




contributing to that and causing those nuisance conditions and




discouraging bathing?  We are in a world by ourselves on the




Lake -—?




          DR. WILBAR:  Mr. Chairman, this area is around the




City of Erie and it's caused by Pennsylvania and it's affecting




Pennsylvania.




          Now, we're interested in the whole Lake.  We're mem-




bers of the International Commission studying the Lake, too.




We are all involved, of course, as to what it affects.  But I




don't think we need a beating over the head to try to prove

-------
                                                               136
that this is interstate pollution.  I think the main point is




that we work together, and not let the Federal Government try




to take over and control the situation, because I think as far




as our State is concerned, we are well on the way to controlling




it.  We certainly need cooperative workers.  It has been said




time and time again.  We need researchers and research as to




how to get rid of phosphates, in the first place, and to make




technical improvements and financial aid in building the costly




sites of treatment that are needed in these cases.




          CHAIRMAN STEIN:  Doctor, this is the point.  I agree




with you in all the basic philosophy, except when we come to




one real particular point.  I don't think that the Federal




Government or anyone else is trying to prove that there is: in-




terstate pollution.  I think they are facing the unpleasant




fact that there is interstate pollution and it so states in




their report.  They have charged that Lake Erie is one body of




water.  There aren't really compartments dealing with




Pennsylvania, with New York, Ohio and Michigan.  If we are




going to deal with the problem of eutrophication of the Lake,




you have to deal with the Lake itself.  This is not a question




of talking about anything but cooperative work and not working




with the straight facts.  But I think if we are going to come




up with two diametrically opposed viewpoints, one, that wherever




we find pollution in the Lake, whether it is about Detroit,




Toledo, Cleveland, Erie or Buffalo--these are all localized

-------
                                                               137







problems that can be neatly handled by the State and local au-




thorities in their own compartments, without bothering anyone




else, or two, whether we are dealing with a regional resource




problem that calls for a Federal interest.  As far as I can




see, the Governors of all the States have indicated that there




is a Federal interest and from my own point of view, I have




been on three of the rivers here within the past few months —




the Detroit River, the Cuyahoga and the Buffalo, and if that's




the notion of progress being made on a local level in handling




the problem, then perhaps the Federal Government is just what




is needed in this situation.




          I can't believe that you can take a boat trip up




this river or the Cuyahoga River and point with pride to the




local progress.




          DR. WILBARt  The question is that the Federal Government,




ipso facto can do a better job than the State Government, and I




do not accept that assumption.




          CHAIRMAN STEIN:  My assumption is that the Federal




Government, in cooperation with the State and local governments,




can do a better job, and I think that is the premise of the




Federal role, Doctor.  The point is that I think that meeting




after meeting after meeting, when State and local people—not




so many local but the industry—have talked in terms of State




Government and interstate agencies they have always left out




the Federal Government.  I don't think this is a question of

-------
                                                               138
jurisdiction—of fighting about state's rights.   I think the




job is so big that we all have to do it.  I think the preserva-




tion of Lake Erie is a tremendous job, and it's  not as compart-




mentalized as local.




          DR. WILBAR:  I agree with you, except  for




your statement that in these meetings the Federal Government is




left out.  It is not left out at all.  I agree that there must




be Federal-State cooperation.  It's just a matter of what type




of cooperation.




          CHAIRMAN STEIN:  That's right.




          DR. WILBAR:  And I think that we've been going around




in circles.  It is not very important, actually, when we all




agree that we must work together to try and prove that a given




molecule or a given bacterium from Pennsylvania  got into a wa-




ter supply in Ohio.




          CHAIRMAN STEIN:  I would hope we weren't pushed to




those extremes.




          Are there any other comments or questions?




          MR. OEMING:  Dr. Wilbar, do you feel that from the




standpoint of Pennsylvania that the interests of Pennsylvania




are affected by the discharges from the other States, is this




what I interpret your statement to mean?  That you don't feel




or that you do feel that the discharges are adverse to




Pennsylvania--that is, the discharges from other States?




          DR. WILBAR:  What I have said is that there is no

-------
                                                               139







proof in the Public Health Service Report that the discharge




from another State is causing the pollution in the waters  of




Pennsylvania or that the discharge of Pennsylvania into the




waters of Lake Erie is causing pollution in another State.




          The total implication—the building up of the solid




portions which reduces the water in the Lake in any area really




affects the whole Lake.  The total volume is going down, and




there is no question about that.  I think we need to work  to-




gether on this.




          CHAIRMAN STEIN:  Just a point of information on  this.




Doctor, are you attributing the water level and the volume




going down in the Lake to eutrophication?




          DR. WILBAR:  To a large degree, to some degree,  yes.




          CHAIRMAN STEIN:  I just wanted to get your view  on that.




          Are there any further questions or comments?




          MR. POSTON:  I was going to ask the Doctor if the State




proposes to have industries in Pennsylvania be heard here  at this




conference?  Are there any that will be?




          DR. WILBAR:  We have invited industries if they wished




to testify at this conference, and to be heard  and none of them




have seen fit to do so.




          MR. POSTON:  How about the cities?  Will there be any




cities?




          DR. WILBAR:  This is also true.  There is a represen-




tative from Erie County and City here, but they said that they

-------
                                                               140
did not wish to testify any further than I have testified.




          MR.  POSTON:   Well, perhaps I should ask you then--




          DR.  WILBAR:   I invited them to do so but, they chose




not to.




          MR.  POSTON:   Will industrial information that pertains




to the quantity and the type of wastes from industries in




Pennsylvania be available to the Public Health Service?




          DR.  WILBAR:   Yes.




          MR.  POSTON:   This will give us quantity and quality




of discharges to the waters?




          DR.  WILBAR:   Our law is unlike the law of some other




States,  We are permitted to give such information out.




          CHAIRMAN STEIN:  We have always had the best type of




cooperation from Pennsylvania, through the years.  I don't




think there's any problem here.




          Any further comments or questions?




          MR.  POSTON:   I had one other question.  Would the




State of Pennsylvania participate in any remedial measures and




recommendations needed by the conferees at the end of this




conference?




          DR.  WILBAR:   I pointed out this morning that I




thought the conclusions and recommendations should come after




everybody has been heard at the end of the conference, and not




part-way through.  But then at the end of the conference, we




will participate.  Mr. Boardman and I have full authority to




participate in the conclusions for Pennsylvania„

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                                                               141
          MR* OEMING:   Dr. Wilbar, I don't think I completely




understand       your answer to my question.   Maybe I can put




it a little more specifically,,




          As Health Officer of Pennsylvania,  do you know of




any injury to the health of the people of Pennsylvania,  by




reason of the discharge from other States?




          DR. WILBAR:   I do not.




          CHAIRMAN STEIN:   Do we have any other comments or




questions?  If not, thank you very much, Dr.  Wilbar, for your




very enlightening presentation.  (applause)




          As you know, this is just our way of getting at a




problem and agreeing.




          I think the next presentation will  be about thirty




to forty-five minutes.  Let's take a ten minute recess and




then we will return.




(WHEREUPON A SHORT RECESS WAS TAKEN.)




          CHAIRMAN STEIN:   May we reconvene please?  I would




like to indicate what  we hope will be the schedule for the




rest of the afternoon.  We hope to complete the Federal  pre-




sentations and New York State will be ready to go on with its




presentations and invitees, starting at 9:30  in the morning.




          DR. WILBAR:   During the recess the  City of Erie has




asked to have its Chief Engineer, Mr. Moriarty, make a brief




statement, and we have concurred.  If it is satisfactory with




the Chairman, I'd like to ask Mr. Moriarty to make his

-------
                                                               142
 statement on behalf of the City of Erie.




          CHAIRMAN STEIN:   Mr. Moriarty?




          MR, MORIARTY:  I'd like to make a correction.   I am




 Sanitary Engineer at the Erie County Health Department and rep-




 resent the County of Erie.




          I have a few words here written down on paper,  so I




 will read this direct.




          Erie County, Pennsylvania is located, as you know, be-




 tween the States of Ohio and New York. I tend to agree with Dr.




 Wilbar that most of our obvious pollution problems are local.




 However, I cannot believe other than that Pennsylvania is re-




 ceiving residual pollution, as I see it,  from the west and is




 giving the same to New York.  By residual, I mean we are  not




 receiving the brunt of the pollution but  the effects of it.  The




 growth of algae is one of the residuals.   The loss of the com-




 mercial fishing fleets out of Erie also reflects residual pol-




 lution on Pennsylvania.




          Do not think, however, that we  do not have our  own




 problems.  We have perhaps the best beaches on the south  shore




 of the Lake at Presque Isle State Park and, as a consequence,




 tourism is a growing industry for Erie County.  To protect this




 industry and the health of the people who associate themselves




with this industry by water recreational  activities, the  City




and County of Erie, Pennsylvania, looks to the future to  cor-




rect pollution problems and protect these facilities (the




tourism industry).

-------
                                                               143







          Combined sewers of the WPA days are a thing of the past




in new construction.  The City of Erie has combined sewers,  some




$16 million to $22 million in new construction at today's going




construction costs if they were to be replaced.  While I cannot




talk for the City of Erie, I am sure that if sufficient monies




were available through State and Federal aid one source of our




local problem would be solved.  The City cannot finance such an




undertaking alone.




          Industry contributes its share of pollution to the Lake.




Even though much money has been spent, industrial waste continues




to be a problem.  Phenols, color, foam and fiber are some of the




by-products of industry.  You may say these are not health




hazards, but they have aesthetic consequences and very often




made ten to twenty miles of shoreline not usable for local




people.  Surveillance on the part of industry can go a long




way towards eliminating these forms of pollution.




          Erie has an enviable spot on the Lake—we hope to keep




it that way.  City-county governments are for pure water — indus-




try must be for it, not only for their investment but for their




water needs and the labor market.




          In conclusion, I would like to make one additional




comment that is not only part of Erie's problem but also Lake




Erie's—and any other lakes and rivers throughout this Nation.




The detergent industry came up with a new detergent to take away




visible pollution in the form of foam.

-------
                                                               144
          Just think how much additional good the same industry

 can  do  if they would find a substitute for the phosphates that

 make up part of their detergents.  This may be a side line to

 our  problem, but when we look at the algae problem in Lake Erie

 and  in  the other lakes around the country, here is an area

 where one pollution potential can be corrected before the

 housewife pulls the plug on the kitchen sink.

          I asked the Chairman if we would have permission to

 send a written report to this body in the next week or so.  Is

 this possible?

          CHAIRMAN STEIN:  Without objection we will keep the

 record open for a report of that kind.

          Are there any comments or questions for Mr. Moriarty?

 If not, thank you very much for your statement.

 (The report referred to by Mr. Moriarty is as follows:)



                          *****

                            ERIE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
                            DIVISION OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH

                                     2101 PEACH STREET
                                     ERIE, PENNSYLVANIA

                                             August 12, 1965

Mr. Everett F. Zurn
Zurn Industries,  Inc.
2214 West 8th Street
Erie, Pa.
                            Re:  Lake Erie Pollution
                                 State of Pennsylvania

-------
                                                               145
Dear Sir:

          In accordance with the desires of Erie County

Commissioners, enclosed is a report on Lake Erie Pollution as

related to Erie County, Pa«

          The data is being submitted to supplement the en-

closed statement made by Mr. Moriarty at the Buffalo hearing

on Lake Erie pollution.  The report and information were

assembled by Mr. Moriarty.

          If you desire additional copies, please do not

hesitate to contact this office.

                                Very truly yours,
                                Felix S.  Shubert,  M.D.
                                Deputy Director
LRM/tt
Enc.
cc:  Erie County Commissioners (3)
     Mr. Stein, P.H.S. Washington
     Mr. Northington, P.H.S.  Cleveland

(See Mr. Moriarty1s presentation above)
              ERIE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
              DIVISION OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH

           REPORT ON LAKE POLLUTION--AUGUST 1965

                        CONCLUSIONS

1.  Local pollution is a problem that the county-city govern-

ment and industry are involved in.

2.  Interstate pollution does exist and the State of  Pennsylvania

in a mild way causes interstate pollution.

-------
                                                               146
3.  By comparison, the State of Pennsylvania far surpasses the

nearby states in its pollution abatement program.   This is

shown by the requirement that all sewage treatment plants  on

the Lake Erie drainage basin must have complete treatment.

4.  By comparison, the State of Pennsylvania,  Erie City-County

have the best beaches on the lake in the form of Presque Isle

State Park, and relatively speaking has a minimal  amount of

pollution entering Lake Erie.

                      RECOMMENDATIONS

1.  That local governments through state and federal aid plan

pollution abatement programs to relieve the bay and Presque

Isle Lake area of intermittent sewage pollution.

2.  That industry use its knowledge and know-how to cope with

the technical problem of industrial waste removal.

3.  That industry institute a "house-keeping"  and  surveillance

program on their actual waste disposal processes.

4.  That because an interstate pollution problem does exist,

cooperation between the states takes place to  restore not  only

Lake Erie but all the Great Lakes to the condition suitable in

every respect for man's use.

              ERIE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
              DIVISION OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH

           REPORT ON LAKE POLLUTION--AUGUST 1965

          As part of the Public Health Service hearing with

representatives of the states of Indiana, Michigan, New York,

-------
                                                               147







Ohio and Pennsylvania in Buffalo, New York on August 10,  1965,




Dr. Wilbar, Secretary of the Pennsylvania Sanitary Water  Board




delivered a prepared statement to the hearing representatives.




In his statement, Dr. Wilbar said, "We have no information avail-




able to us that indicates that pollution of Lake Erie in  rela-




tion to Pennsylvania is occurring from another state".... also




"We have no information that indicates that interstate pollution




involving Pennsylvania is occurring in Lake Erie."




          A discussion of the above point followed and as a re-




sult, Commissioner W. Hill and Mr. L. Moriarty, a sanitary en-




gineer from Erie County, Pa. asked of and were given permission




by Dr. Wilbar to make a statement.  (Mr. Moriarty gave essen-




tially or basically the statement that is enclosed.  The  original




statement, taken from notes, has been edited, but the sense and




intent of the edited statement does not differ from the original.)




The statement is enclosed.




          The statement presented by Mr. Moriarty indicates that




a local pollution problem does exist and that the state of




Pennsylvania is affected by interstate pollution.




LOCAL POLLUTION




          On page 108, Part 3 — "New York and Pennsylvania




Sources" Report on Pollution of Lake Erie and its Tributaries,




a table indicates coliform and fecal streptococcus contamination




on beaches of Presque Isle State Park.  The Erie County




Department of Health took part in this survey and submits

-------
                                                               148
Reference R-l as detailed information for resource information




to the hearing committee.  From these reports,  it is quite evi-




dent that the beaches are contaminated from a local source when




the wind is in the right direction.




          The stream sample reports  (R-2)  of 1964-65 also indi-




cates that pollution is entering Lake Erie in varying degrees




from Pennsylvania tributaries.   Here again is confirmation that




a local pollution problem exists„




          The beach survey report (R-3)  of this summer (1965)




further indicates that local pollution is a factor in Erie




County and the State of Pennsylvania.




          It should be understood that coliform counts should




not be used as the sole criteria of  pollution.   Chemical and




visual evaluation should also be part of the final decision.




As Erie County Health Department does not have  a laboratory for




chemical analysis, it has visually observed unsatisfactory con-




ditions that do verify the coliform  counts.




INTERSTATE POLLUTION




          Again, the County Health Department cannot verify in-




terstate pollution by means of chemical analysis but does indi-




cate that by visual and pictorial means, interstate pollution




does exist.  (The pictures in form of slides are on file.)




Interstate pollution is evident by;




          1.   Algae Cladophora collects on the  entire length of




the Pennsylvania shore line.  The growth of this plant at the

-------
                                                               149
Ohio line, with the prevailing currents to the east,  cannot  be




attributed to the waste of Pennsylvania alone.  The nutrients




must come from other areas of the lake,




          2.  The decline of the commercial fishing fleet  in




Pennsylvania has been attributed to the lack of fish  in Lake




Erie.  It is also the contention that the declining fish catches




over the years has been brought about by pollutants in the lake.




This pollution is not entirely from Pennslyvania but  affects




the fish industry in Pennsylvania and thereby becomes an in-




terstate problem.




          3.  Waste from Erie industries contaminate  Lake  Erie




shore line to the east and as recently as August 3  and 5,  1965,




brown-black color has been observed in the lake within a half




mile of the New York state line.  It is the contention of  the




Erie County Department of Health that industrial waste does




periodically get into the State of New York waters.




REFERENCE




R-4.  Also enclosed for resource information is an  article pre-




sented to the Erie County Commissioners in February 1964 rela-




tive to Lake Erie pollution.




R-5.  Copy of a letter to the Erie County Commissioners, dated




May 14, 1964, from Mr. J. Harvey on Lake Erie pollution.   (Re-




source information in Mr. Zurn's letter only.)

-------
                                                               150
R-1A.         ERIE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF  HEALTH
              DIVISION OF ENVIRONMENTAL  HEALTH

          PRESQUE ISLE STATE PARK -- BEACH SURVEY
            June 6 to June 21,  1964 -- SUMMARY

TO:       Dr. Felix S. Shubert
          Deputy County Health  Director

FROM:     Lawrence R. Moriarty
          Director, Division of Environmental  Health

Attached for use now and future reference are  the following;

          1.  Coliform Index for waters  of the Great Lakes.

          2.  Standards for Natural Swimming Places.

          3.  Summary of Presque Isle Beach Survey June 6  to

June 21, 1964, inclusive.

          Samples from beaches  1, 8, 10  and 11 are collected

by Presque Isle State Park life guards,  are given to Erie  County

sanitarians and delivered to the laboratory in the matter  of  two

hours.  Appropriate dilutions are made in the  laboratory so that

each sample will give a representative result„  Tests are  made

for coliform and fecal streptococcus bacteria.  Item #3 is the

result of 17 days of sampling.

          Coliform.  Item #1 indicates that Beach #11 at times

was not satisfactory for swimming.  Item #2, paragraphs 1  and 2

also indicate that Beach #11 is not satisfactory for swimming.

          Fecal Streptococcus.   While standards have not been

promulgated to indicate what levels of fecal streptococcus

bacteria are detrimental, the presence of fecal streptococcus

bacteria may be taken as an indicator of relatively fresh

-------
                                                               151
pollution.  This then, in general, would indicate the possi-




bility of Beach #1 periodically being contaminated with minor




amounts of fresh pollution.




          Wind Direction.  Although wind direction is shown on




Item #3, no correlation is being made as to the relationship of




pollution and wind direction on Beach #11.   It is felt that




there is a connection, however, but more study and evaluation




needs to be done to get a general concept as to what is




happenings




          General.  To date, samples have been collected for




17 continuous days and 136 samples processed through the




laboratory.  Inclusive of June 14, 1964, the water sample




laboratory cost was $200.




          Comments.  1.  To date, the results indicate Beach




#11 is a questionable area in which to swim and that Beach #11




is periodically affected by waste coming from the west.




          2.  I believe a meeting of yourself, Mr. Wargo and




myself should be arranged to work out a plan for discriminate




use of Beach #11.  You might wish to call the State Health




Department and the Public Health Service into the meeting.




          3.  I would suggest that if this information is




given to the press, that it be given with due explanation so




they will not indicate the whole area is polluted.

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                                                               152
            INTERPRETATION OF COLIFORM INDEX AS
         FOUND IN NATURAL WATERS OF THE GREAT LAKES
         AND UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER DRAINAGE AREA
COLIFORM PER 100 ml.
Not more than
0

1
         10 to 100
        100 to 500
 (Not satis-  1,000
 factory for
 swimming)
            10,000


           100,000


         1,000,000
          INTERPRETATION

Water Sample free of pollution

Treasury Department standard for
drinking water

Indicative of good water -- normal for
inland lakes and Great Lakes which are
free of sewage pollution

Normal for inland streams, free of
detrimental sewage pollution, might
be attributed to land wash

Suspicious -- generally indicates mild
pollution in natural waters, but
dangerous in proximity to fresh sewage
pollution

Definite evidence of fresh sewage pol-
lution -- menace to health.

Heavy sewage pollution -- definitely
dangerous

Normal sewage
          The above standards were agreed upon for interstate

use by the Great Lakes and Upper Mississippi River Drainage

Basin Board of Engineers.   Reference can be found in "Coastline

Pollution Surveys of Michigan, June, 1933" Report of Michigan

Stream Control Commission.

-------
                                                               153


              ERIE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
              DIVISION OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH

                  NATURAL SWIMMING PLACES

          The water in natural or semi-artificial swimming

beaches shall be deemed to be contaminated if:

          1.  In a series of at least ten (10) samples collected

by the Department over a period of at least thirty (30) days but

not more than one year from a beach, more than fifty (50) percent

of the samples show a most probable number of coliform organisms

of more than one thousand (1000) per 100 milliliters, or

          2.  More than twenty (20) percent of a series of such

samples shows a most probable number of coliform organisms of

more than twenty-four hundred (2400) per 100 milliliters, or

          3.  More than five (5) percent of a series of such

samples shows a most probable number of coliform organisms of

more than four thousand (4000) per 100 milliliters.

          No swimming beach shall be so located to permit it to

be adversely affected by the discharge of sewage or industrial

waste; nor shall it be so located that by its use it will ad-

versely affect the source of supply of a public water supply

system.

          (Extract from proposed "Minimum Design Standard for

Public Swimming Places," Pennsylvania State Department of

Health.)

-------
    ERIE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
    DIVISION OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH

PRESQUE ISLE STATE PARK — BEACH SURVEY

   June 6 to June 21, 1964 -- SUMMARY
SAMPLE
NO,
-
^
T_
*

4
5
DATE ,.DAY
" •"" "
,
6/6 1
6/7^
6/8
6/9
i 6" 6/.1D
t
1-4-
J.O
ii
F
S
O
L±L
T
W
6/11 ' T
6/ 12" | F
- o
o /*>
t ,...,,.
. ~" 2Q
%$ | 22
Si 12
M
I 22
1100 j 320
T 30
W
6/18 ! T
, 6/19 i F
	 6/20" '
6/21
S
s
40
o
36
126
60
350
460 ! 4000
"156
•~?
-------
                                                               155
R-1B          ERIE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
              DIVISION OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH

           PRESQUE ISLE STATE PARK — BEACH SURVEY

               June 22, 1964 to July 12, 1964

                         REPORT II

TO:       Dr. Felix S. Shubert
          Deputy County Health Director

FROM:     Lawrence R. Moriarty
          Director, Division of Environmental Health

          Attached you will find a summary of the Presque Isle

Beach Survey for the period of June 22 to July 12, 1964,  in-

clusive.  The results, except as stated below, have been  quite

satisfactory.

          On Wednesday, July 1, 1964, you, Mr. Michael Wargo,

Park Superintendent, and myself met to determine a course of

action to be taken and under what circumstances any of the

park beaches should be closed.

          To summarize the meeting, it was agreed by all  if

any two consecutive daily coliform samples from any of the four

beaches were over 1000 per 100 ml of sample, the beach in ques-

tion would be closed.  The beach would remain closed until

another good sample was obtained and would again be closed if

two more consecutive samples were obtained.

          This procedure is reasonable in that, in comparison

with the lactose or MPN reporting method, 48 hours or more

would lapse before sample results would indicate high counts.

Two consecutive samples within approximately 36 hours by  the

-------
                                                               156
 filter method gives a double check and an indication of a pro-

 longed period of possible high counts.

          By this method and using the results to date, Beach

 #11 might have been closed on June 8 and 9, June 18, 22 and

 June  28 and 29.  As of the 12th of July, the reporting method

 inaugurated on July 1, 1964, does not indicate any of the

 beaches should be closed.

          Daily samples will continue to be collected from

 Beaches #1, Water Works, #10 and #11.  To date, 38 daily trips

 have  been made to the State Park.  One hundred and fifty-two

 (152) samples have been collected with three hundred and three

 (303) samples being analyzed in the laboratory.

          To date, the program has cost the department the

 following:

          Lab. fees  ---  $757.50
          Mileage    ---    76.00

             Total   ---  $833.50

          The above does not include one man's time (1 1/2 hours)

 per day.

          Tentative plans are now underway with the Public

Health Service to do a second two-day intensive survey of the

 same beaches on August 2 and 3, 1964.

-------
                             ERIE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
                             DIVISION OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH

                          PRESQUE ISLE STATE PARK -- BEACH SURVEY

                            June 22 to July 12, 1964 -- SUMMARY
SAMPLE
  NO.
DATE   DAY
  COLIFORM
No. per 100 ml
FECAL STREPTOCOCCUS
  No. per 100 ml
    WIND
DIRECTION
18
3.9
6/22 ,
6/23
20 j 6/24
2L.
•")•")

6/25"
M !
1
8
T ^ BB*
Q s
-Tl
6/26 \ F ]
A 20
J 66
j "70 '
' 23" 	 \ " 6"/3r"]"'S Sj""$0
2'1-:-
25—
26
27
28
:" -Z?—\
\ 30
31
32
33 '
6/23
6/29
6/30
7/ 1
F^
*D
5 16
BEACH
8 j 10
3
<1
6
4
*c 1
10
20 11
" 3'0
7
ic> I 56
2 	
r 130 "i 70 !
uft 80
T 1 S
7/ 2 j TJ
- ?/. 3l~Fi
'// 4
7/ 5
7/ 6
'-fir*!
34 1 7/8
35 7/9
56 1 7/10
' — 37
j 38
7/11
7/12
S
M[
m
w
72
S6
100
56
| 30
jj 1^
i io
i 30
T j! 6
F|
s i
iJ 1
16
'76
36
60
88
16
28
8
800 )
780
1 '1.800'""
10 j 2700"
14
16
20
6
18
22
2
44
8
34
14
500
54
970
120 "
1
18
BB*
1040
56
176
128
BE/
8
12
18
320
31
32
34
i 37 5
j 54 j 30
5f5l> 1j 1^
520 |{ 33
1200 1) t'5
""600 || 3:T ^
9T)^
100
160
116
300
i 33
9
: 166
7
1 2
1300 |! 22
850 j| 27
9600 |j 13
1700 |j 33
9
52
6
12
23
27
1
7
7
4
32
14
^CH
10
1
11
3^0
42
4
25
9
9
7
11
3
3
38
11
8
10
9
58"
19
35


I
i
>

I
100 1 \
62 i 1
80
46
16
14
19
f
i
i
i
j
1
2 i 4 ,

45
11
4
41
9
24 \ 40
T6

7 i
15
4
5
2




62 i !
BB* -- Broken Bottle

-------
                                                               158
R-1C          ERIE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF  HEALTH
              DIVISION OF ENVIRONMENTAL  HEALTH

          PRESQUE ISLE STATE PARK -- BEACH SURVEY

              July 13, 1964 to August 1, 1964

                         REPORT III

To:       Dr. Felix S. Shubert
          Deputy County Health Officer

From:     Lawrence R. Moriarty, Director
          Division of Environmental Health

Enc.:     1.  Map Presque Isle State Park showing location of
          bathing beaches samples.
          2.  Table III, showing results of survey,  July 13
          to August 1, 1964, inclusive.

          The enclosed map shows the location of  Beaches #1,

#8 (Water Works), #10 and #11.  To  review -- a daily sample is

taken from each of the four beaches about 3:00 P.M.  in the

afternoon.  The sample is taken by  a Presque Isle State Park

life guard from mid-beach, in neck  deep  water, waist high.

(The guards are to be complimented  for their efforts, regard-

less of weather,  to get the samples and  return them  for pick-

up by the Health Department sanitarian.)

          As a result of the survey, beach #11 was closed to

swimming on July 13 and 30.  The other beaches remained in

excellent condition during that period.

          An intensive survey, similar to the weekend survey

of May 28-29, was conducted August  2 and 3 by the Public Health

Service.  (Complete analysis is not available as  of  this date  —

a report will follow.)   This survey replaced the  local daily

-------
                                                               159
survey of four samples with approximately 70  samples  per  day.

          On July 30, 1964, a dye test was run  on  the Erie City

Sewage Plant outfall.  The results were inconclusive.  Addi-

tional tests will be made along with float studies to determine

direction of current and location of outfall.

          To date, 58 daily trips have been made to the State

Park by the sanitarians, 232 samples have been  collected  and

460 determinations have been made in the laboratory.  The pro-

gram has cost the Health Department the following:

          Laboratory Fees      $1155.00
          Mileage                116.00

          Total                $1271.00

          The survey will continue until the  Labor Day weekend.

At that time, the Public Health Service will  again conduct a

two day intensive survey of the beaches.

          The above report and enclosed table again points out

that beaches, except for beach #11, at Presque  Isle State Park

are quite satisfactory for swimming; that beach #11,  when

churned up by storm and wind action, becomes  contaminated and

is not suitable for swimming for a period of  several days.

-------
TABLE III
          ERIE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
          DIVISION OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH

     PRESQUE ISLE STATE PARK  --  BEACH SURVEY

        July 13 to August 1, 1964 — SUMMARY
 SAMPLE
   NO.     DATE
            COLIFORM
DAY      No. per 100 ml
FECAL STREPTOCOCCUS
  No. per 100 ml
   WIND
DIRECTION
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
7/13
7/14
7/15
7/16
7/17
7/18
7/19
7/20
7/21
7/22
7/23
7/24
7/25
7/26
7/27
7/28
7/29
7/30
7/31
8/ 1

M
T
W
T
F
S
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
1
400
"TOO
80
4
18
<2
6
<2
30
10
20
6
8
6
4
20
2100
4
2
1.0
BEACT
8
110
52
64
10
2
14
8
<2
14
26
24
30
10
4
24
24
56
4
6
*2
10
84
64
32
4
80
2
6
18
130
60
16
24
12
2
14
22
90
14
<2
2S
11
500
530
980
700
50
2700 |
60
80
280
350
280
180
28 , 000
410
110
1400
2000
30
3500
7600
1
58
116
52
7
25
7
28
<1
3
1
10
2
6
5
1
6
84
2
2
1 <1
BEACH
8
11
39
9
5
9
15
5
3
2
1
5
6
7
1
22
7
lo
6
1
18
10
7
9
18
2
3
<1
4
1
4
15
<1
17
14
23
1
2
13
2
<1
<1
11
1
5
3
2
6
5
25
*1
6
6
2
4
64
17
14
3
30
1
3
2

NW-NW
S S-SU
W W-Cfllm
E E-Cplta j
W W
W S-SW
sw sw
NW Calm
SW SW
S S
NE E-NE
SW SW
NE SE
W SW
NW S
SW S-SW |
W W |
NE N
NE E
I Calm E i

-------
                                                               161
R-1D          ERIE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
              DIVISION OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH

        PRESQUE ISLE STATE PARK -- DAILY BEACH SURVEY

                August 2 to August 25,  1964

                          REPORT IV

TO:       Dr. Felix S. Shubert
          Deputy County Health Officer

FROM:     Lawrence R0 Moriarty, Director
          Division of Environmental Health

ENCLOSED: Table showing results of survey, August 2  to  25,
          1964, inclusive.

          Daily surveying of the Beaches #1-2, #8 (Waterworks),

#10 and #11 continued through this twenty-four (24)  day period.

The Presque Isle State Park Life Guards collected the samples

and the Erie County Sanitarians delivered same to the laboratory

that afternoon.

          Sample results for August 2 and 3 are average results

taken from the data secured on the intensive survey  (II) .

          As a result of the daily survey and in agreement  with

Mr, Michael Wargo, the Park Superintendent, only Beach  #11  was

closed, in accordance with the agreement of July 1,  1964,  on

the following dates — August 2, 3, 4,  5, 13, 14, 15, 22 and 23,

1964.  The agreement was that if on two consecutive  days the

coliform count would rise over the 1000 bacteria count  per  hundred

(100) milliters, the beach would be closed until a daily sample

of less than 1000 count was obtained.

          All total, during this period, 45.8% of the samples

-------
                                                               162
 collected at Beach #11 were above the 1000 count.  Of all daily

 samples collected since the survey began, 37.8% of the samples

 at Beach #11 have been above the 1000 count.   Under the Natural

 Swimming Place Standards given in Daily Survey I, Beach #11

 could have been closed for the twenty-four (24) day sampling

 cycle.  The plan in use by agreement is much  more realistic

 and allows the beach to be used through the cycles of good water.

          On August 6, 1964, another dye test of the City of

 Erie's sewage plant outfall sewer was conducted and again the

 dye was not noticeable.  Either more dye or a different dye

 will be used to study the flow pattern from the sewer outfall

 and its effect on Presque Isle beaches.

          To date, 82 daily trips have been made to the State

 Park by the sanitarians, 328 samples have been collected and

 654 determinations have been made in the laboratory.  The pro-

 gram has cost the County Health Department the following:

          Laboratory Fees       $1595.00
          Mileage                 164.00

          Total                 $1759.00

          One more report on the fifth and final phase of the

 daily sampling will follow.

CONCLUSION:

          Beaches #1-2, #8, #10 continue to be satisfactory for

swimming while Beach #11 continues to maintain counts over 1000

for approximately 4070 of the time.

-------
                                                               163







          The procedure initiated to keep Beach #11 closed




under circumstances of high counts has worked out satisfactorily.




However, Report V should give final acceptance or disuse of this




procedure for the 1965 swimming season.

-------
TABLE IV
    ERIE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
    DIVISION OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH

PRESQUE ISLE STATE PARK  --  BEACH SURVEY

      August 2 to August 25, 1964
SAMPLE COLIFORM FECAL STREPTOCOCCUS
NO. DATE . DAY No. per 100 ml , No. per 100 ml
59
8/ 2
60 lj 8/3
61 1 8/4
62 j 8/5
63 I 8/6
64 \ 8/7
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
8/ 8
8/ 9
8/10
8/11
8/12
8/13
8/ 14
8/15
8/16
8/17
8/18
76 J 8/19
77
78
79
80
81
82
8/20
8/21
8/22
8/23
8/24
8/25"
S
1
540
M 933
T
W
T
F
14
G
BEACH
8 , 10. 11
23
74
10
<.2 \ 1200
^2 [ 2
6
S i 22
8
34
S 4 j 8
M
T
W
T
F
«-2 <-2
100
< 2
30
120
S 1 14
5 i 14
M
T
W
T
F
S
S
M
T
30
10
4
450
12 1
440
58
56
" 136
10
< 2
40
70
14
434
389
16
4440

168
4811 Ii 345
12000 [1 2
BEACH
8 , 10 ,| 1
356 260 11
99 ( 207
< L -cl i
44 i 30 | 1 | 88 2 |
120 j 420 i 4 I 4 8 j
16 j 900 i 6 j 2 -t-i |
22
<2
10
-c 2
10
24U | L6 ( 21 39 |
50 1 4
8 <1 J
.80 B LO <.! «=jl |
2800 jj <-L
«cl .cl
9100 it 300 | 150 95 1
20 1 2200 |{ 160
60 2900
4 \ 320
\ 48
12 20
4 2
11 1 10 5
8 8 1 620 !1 <•!
10 <-2| 330 || 12
10 8 ! 180 II 10
130 24 1 80 il 1
< 1 -i 1
5 8
20 . 3
2 ^1
60 110 j 7400 || 220 | 27 24
50 860
48
38
26
2800 Ii 6
2900 j| 96
52 j 760 il 68
6 3
8 4
17 19
6 | 2 | 640 !! 81 7 2 !
24 ] 26 [ lo'tiOO 1! 10 J 4 41
WIND
DIRECTION
i
.1
L79 S S
752 j E S-SlS i
+80 j N N !
23 NE HE
51 N E
10 { SW S i
24 j WNW N
2 W W
<.! i NS ENE
< I 1 SW SW i
45 j NW NW i
4 I NW NW !
48 { W NWSW
4 i WNW SW
< 1 Calm S 1
•cl SW S-SN 1
<1 NW NENW i
< 1 WNW N I
8 SW S-SW
2 SE SE
3 S S-SW i
10 1 W SW
4 i WNW W i
5 |. SW S-SW \

-------
                                                               165
R-1E          ERIE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
              DIVISION OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH

        PRESQUE ISLE STATE PARK -- DAILY BEACH SURVEY

               August 26 to September 7, 1964

                          REPORT V

TO:       Dr. Felix S. Shubert
          Deputy County Health Officer

FROM:     Lawrence R. Moriarty, Director
          Division of Environmental Health

          Attached is the final tabulation of data from the

daily beach survey of Presque Isle Beaches #1-2, #8 (Waterworks),

#10 and #11 for the period of August 26 to September 7, 1964,

          Like the previous data submitted on these beaches ,

this information again points out that Beaches #1-2, #8 and

#10 are excellent for swimming.  However, Beach #11 still re-

mains questionable as an area suitable for daily or unlimited

swimming.

          Thirty-eight and four tenths (38.47o) of Beach #11

samples were above an allowable count of 1000 bacteria per 100

ml with an average count of 3122 and a median count of 700.

At the conclusion of the survey, 95 trips had been made to the

state park with 380 samples collected and some 758 determina-

tions and 1400 dilutions made.

          To date, the program cost the County Health Department:

          Laboratory Fees        $1855.00
          Mileage                  190.00

          Total                  $2045.00

-------
                                                               166
          A vote of thanks should be given the life guards at

Presque Isle State Park for their diligence in taking daily

samples.  They did not fail to pick up samples by 4 P.M.  re-

gardless of the weather.

          To summarize the total data for 95 days of sampling,

the following information is given;

          TOTAL COLIFORM PER 100 ml FECAL STREP per 100 ml

                  BEACHES               BEACHES
          1-2  8    10     11	1-2    8   10   11

AVERAGE   118  64   91    2400       42   20   17   40

MEDIAN     28  18   24     700       10    7    4    5

% SAMPLES   2.11.10      38.9      0    0    0    0
ABOVE 1000

          For all samples collected and examined for coliform,

10.6% were above the 1000 count.  The average coliform count

was 643.  The average fecal strep count was 30/100 ml.

          In general, Beach #8 could be considered to be  the

best with #10, #1-2 and #11 following in that order.  No  con-

clusions are being presented at this time as a final report

to include findings in the daily beach survey, the intensive

beach survey and the Presque Isle bay survey will be prepared

for you and the commissioners.  The results of these three

survey programs all dove-tail together, conclusions for one

are pertinent to the other.

-------
TABLE V
    ERIE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
    DIVISION OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH

PRESQUE ISLE STATE PARK  --  BEACH SURVEY

      August 26 to September 7,  1964
SAMPLE
NO
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
COLIFORM FECAL STREPTOCOCCUS
DATE DAY No. per 100 ml No. per 100 ml
8/26
8/27
8/28
8/29
8/30
8/3 L
9/. 1
9/. 2
9/. 3
9/ 4
9/. 5
9/ 6
9/ 7
W
T
F
S
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
S
M
1
28
10
6
<2
8
28
28
LO
70
18
36
16
4
BEACH
8 1 10
14
18
*2
4
6
28
26
16
12
6
40
12
4
10
,6801
350
30
24
28
250
18
32
8
120
32
a
11
3300
13000
14000
1700
660
440
4800
280
150
620
780
170
700
1
4
2
2
14
4
21
19
2
3
20
| 88
1 1
1 L
BEAC
8
4
<1
2
6
«<1
5
8
«-].
18
3
34
15
3
:H
10
2
2
^1
6
1
1
8
2
7
1
35
3
*•! ,
11
1
«il
420
6
2
*1
14
5
^1
c. 1
4
7
WIND
DIRECTION
.SW SW-N
NE SSE
S S-SE
E SW-SE
Calm
WNW W
NE NESE
NE SENE
NW S-SW j
W W-SW |
SW-NW |
E S
2 | NE NE

-------
                                                               168
R-1F          ERIE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
              DIVISION OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH

                SUMMARY -- INTENSIVE SURVEY

                  PRESQUE ISLE STATE PARK

                 May 28 and May 29th, 1964

TO:       Dr. Felix S. Shubert
          Deputy Health Officer

          At the request of the P.H.S. and working with them,

an  intensive survey of Beaches 1-2, 8, 10 and 11 was conducted

on May 28 and 29th, 1964.  The survey consisted of sampling

twice daily each of the above-mentioned beaches and then

culturing each sample into two or three dilutions for total

coliform and fecal streptococcus determination.

          Some one hundred and eighteen (118) samples all

total were collected, with four hundred and seventy eight

(478) dilutions being set up»  These samples were collected

in water from a mid-depth when the water was four (4) to five

(5) feet deep.  This requirement necessitated collecting

samples at varying distances from the shore.

          The intensive survey is to be run for comparative

purposes and to establish a base line for future evaluation

of beach conditions.  Similar surveys are to be run in the

first weeks of August and September.

          As the attached table of information indicates, all

four beaches at the time of the survey were satisfactory for

bathing conditions.  A summation of the analysis for each

-------
beach would show the following counts per 100 ml of sample:

          Beach         Total Coliform        Fecal Strep.

           1-2               35                     11
             8               15                      5
            10               40                      4
            11               90                     _7_
       Average               45                      7

          The above information indicates clearly that on

May 28 and 29, 1964, the beaches at the Peninsula were in

excellent condition and quite satisfactory for swimming.

The August and September samplings will show the trend due

to temperature, bathing load, recreational facilities and

other relative factors.

          This survey was conducted by and under the super-

vision of the P.H.S. at no expense to the county.  Hoxvever,

time and service were factors and the following deserve

thanks for their efforts:

                  (cont. on following Page)

-------
      ERIE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
      DIVISION OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH

      PRESQUE ISLE STATE PARK BEACHES

INTENSIVE SURVEY I -- May 28 and May 29,  1964
DATE DAY TIME
5/28 Thurs. A.M.



5/29 Fri. A.M.



BEACH
NO.
1-2
8
10
11
1-2
8
10
11
AVERAGE COUNTS
Total
Coliform
60
35
125
180
25
5
2
25
/100 ml
Fecal
Strep.
17
11
5
7
10
1
2
11
TIME AVERAGE COUNTS
Total
Coliform
P.M. 30
15
20
135
P.M. 30
10
10
10
/100 ml
Fecal
Strep.
16
9
6
7
2
1
2
2
      Public Health Service -- men and materials.
      Erie Water Works -- use of laboratory facilities
      State Department of Health -- man to work in laboratory
      State Department of Forests and Waters -- man and boat
      Erie County Department -- men to collect samples and
                                work in the laboratory.
      Submitted by:
Lawrence R. Moriarty, Director
Division of Environmental Health
Erie County Department of Health

-------
                                                               171
R-1G          ERIE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
              DIVISION OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH

               SUMMARY -- INTENSIVE SURVEY II

               PRESQUE ISLE STATE PARK BEACHES

                   August 2 and 3, 1964

TO:       Dr. Felix S, Shubert
          Deputy Health Officer

          As part of the Public Health Service program of

sampling the beaches at Presque Isle State Park, this is the

second in a series of three surveys in which each of the four

previously sampled beaches (#1-2, #8 (Waterworks), #10 and #11)

were intensively sampled.

          Samples were collected twice daily from approximately

eight stations on each beach.  To repeat the procedure--each

sample was checked for coliform and fecal, streptococcus.  At

least two dilutions were run on each sample.

          Some one hundred and twenty-eight (128) total samples

were collected, with three hundred and twenty-four (324) dilu-

tions being set up.  These samples were collected in water from

a mid-depth when the water was four (4) to five (5)  feet deep.

This requirement necessitated collecting samples at varying

distances from the shore.

          The table below indicates a comparison of the May

and August surveys:

-------
                                                               172
 TABLE  I                  Count/100 ml             Count/100 ml
                         Total Coliform           Fecal Strep.
BEACH
1-2
8
10
11
MAY
35
15
40
90
AUGUST
736
49
254
4625
MAY
11
5
4
7
AUGUST
257
225
234
965
  SURVEY AVERAGE           45      1416              7     420

          If the counts were looked at from the point of the

 median  sample, the results would be as follows:

 TABLE II                 Count/100 ml             Count/100 ml
                         Total Coliform           Fecal Strep.

          BEACH          MAY     AUGUST           MAY   AUGUST
1-2
8
10
11
30
12
10
60
50
30
115
3900
4
1
2
2
76
101
79
470
          A comparison of the average with the median indicates

 the following:

                  Coliform -- May - August

          Only on Beach #11 is the median count of 60 - 3900

 above the average count of 45 - 1416.  This means that for

August, even though the beach samples show that the average

 count is close to being satisfactory at a 1000 per 100 ml

count, the median count indicates most of the samples were

well above 1000 and Beach #11 was unsatisfactory for swimming

at that time.

          It should be pointed out that the August 2 and 3

survey was run under very difficult conditions.   Stormy

-------
                                                               173
conditions with heavy rains and rough water dominated the en-




tire period of survey.  The survey shows the effect of bad




weather conditions and the results this condition would give




at the beaches.  The State Park Life Guards are to be given




the writer's, sanitarians' and P.H. S.  thanks for participating




in this survey for, without them, it is doubtful that samples




would have been collected on these two days.




          Comparison of the average with the median on the




other beaches indicated that only a few samples were high and




the beaches #1-2, #8 and #10 remained satisfactory for swimming.




          A comparison of the May results with the August re-




sults and knowing the stormy conditions shows the results of




such "riling up" of the water.  This is quite noticeable in




the average counts.




CONCLUSIONS:




          1.  Storms do affect bacterial counts on the beaches




by intensifying same,




          2.  Beach #11 is affected by outside contamination




and, as the results show, should be closed when storm and




weather conditions cause the bacteria counts to go up.




          3.  Table III indicates that weather also can and




is a factor of raising the counts above allowable levels on




Beach #1-2.  Continued efforts should be made to stop pollu-




tion from entering the lake west of the State Park,,

-------
                                                               174
CREDITS DUE:

          Presque Isle State Park  Life Guards  for  collecting

samples.

          State Health Department  for supplying  two men to

work in the laboratory.

          City of Erie --  supplying Water Works Laboratory.

          Erie County Department of Health --  Sanitarians

working with the Life Guards and in the laboratory.

          Public Health Service for supplying  two men, equip-

ment and media for test.

                                  Submitted by:
                                  Lawrence R. Moriarty, Director
                                  Div, of Environmental Health
                                  Erie County Dept, of Health

-------
    ERIE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
    DIVISION OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH

     PRESQUE ISLE STATE PARK BEACHES

INTENSIVE SURVEY II -- August 2 and 3,  1964

                  Average Counts/lOO ml
Average Counts/100 ml
DATE
8/2



8/3



DAY TIME BEACH NO.
Sun. A.M. 1-2
8
10
11
Mon. A.M. 1-2
8
10
11
TOTAL
COLIFORM
183
26
171
3520
1368
20
474
5322
FBCAL
STREP
62
124
412
1212
313
10
219
980
TIME TOTAL
COLIFORM
P.M. 894
20
69
5356
P.M. 498
128
303
4300
FECAL
STREP
274
589
109
1146
377
183
196
523
                                                                    —I
                                                                    Ui

-------
                                                               176
R-1H         ERIE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
             DIVISION OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH

              SUMMARY -- INTENSIVE SURVEY III

              PRESQUE ISLE STATE PARK BEACHES

                 September 14 and 15, 1964

TO:       Dr. Felix S. Shubert
          Deputy Health Officer

FROM:     Lawrence R. Moriarty
          Division Director

          The final phase of a three-part program by the Public

Health Service and the Erie County Health Department to do ex-

tensive concentrated sampling of Beaches #1-2, #8 (Waterworks),

#10 and #11 of Presque Isle State Park was completed on

September 15, 1964.

          As in the two previous surveys, samples were taken

in water from mid-depth when the water was four (4)  to five

(5) feet deep.  Four to six samples were collected from each

beach twice daily.

          Seventy-six (76) samples were collected, with three

hundred and ninety-four (394)  dilutions being set up.  Both

total coliform and fecal streptococcus determinations were

made.

          Table I below indicates a comparison of the May,

August and September surveys.

-------
                                                               177
                          TABLE I

   BEACH                      Count per 100 ml
                Total Coliform	Fecal Strep.

1-2
8
10
11
Survey
Average
MAY
35
15
40
90
45

AUGUST
736
49
254
4625
1416

SEPT.
4
140
166
3822
1033

MAY
11
5
4
7
7

AUGUST
257
225
234
965
420

SEPT.
27
11
10
15
16

          Table II below indicates a comparison of the median

 samples collected during the same periods.

                          TABLE II

                              Count per 100 ml
                Total Coliform	Fecal Strep.
BEACH
1-2
8
10
11
MAY
30
12
10
60
AUGUST
50
30
115
3900
SEPT.
2
10
33
3150
MAY
4
1
2
2
AUGUST
76
101
79
490
SEPT.
2
6
3
10
          The September survey again points out that Beach #11

is periodically contaminated by pollution from unidentified

specific sources.  Sixty-five percent (65%) of the samples col-

lected at Beach #11 during the two-day survey were over the al-

lowable 1000 coliform count per 100 ml.

          Brown-colored industrial waste was very noticeable

on Beach #11 on the morning of September 14 and on beaches #8

and #11 on the morning of September 15, 1964.

          The presence of the waste is definitely related to the

wind direction.  The wind for the 14th and 15th was from the

-------
                                                               178
south, south-east and east,  driving  the  waste  to Beach #11  then




around the eastern extreme of the Presque  Isle beaches in a loop




which dipped back into Beach #8.   This color was verified by




tests taken of water coming  in through the Chestnut  Street  Water




Works intake on September 15, 1964„




          High median and average samples  for  the August survey




again point out the storms do affect bacterial counts  on all




beaches.   The increase can be attributed to riling-up  of the




surrounding waters and increased  run--off.




          The counts on Beaches #1-2, #8 and #10 based on this




survey were exceptionally low, continuing  to point out that




Presque Isle State Park has  exceptionally  good quality water




for swimming and bathing purposes.




CONCLUSIONS:




          1.  Wind direction can  be  a factor in:




          A.  elevation of bacterial counts on Beach #11.




          B.  industrial waste causing a definite  coloring  of




          Beach #11.




          C.  The spread of  industrial waste to Beach  #8.




          D.  The industrial waste reaching the  intake of




          the City Water Works.




          2.  Beach #11 to be closed when  wind directions are




          from south-east, east and  north-east.

-------
                                                               179
CREDITS DUE:

          1.   State Health Department for supplying one man to

work part time in the laboratory.

          2.   City of Erie -- supplying man part  time in the

laboratory and allowing the use of a fine water works laboratory

facility.

          3.   Public Health Service for supplying two men,

equipment and media for test.

          4.   County Health Department sanitarians for braving

the cold air and warm water to collect samples, also for a  man

to work in the laboratory.

                              Report prepared by:

                              Lawrence R. Moriarty
                              Director
                              Division of Environmental Health
                              Erie County Department of Health

-------
 ERIE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
 DIVISION OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH

  PRESQUE ISLE STATE PARK BEACHES

INTENSIVE SURVEY III -- TABLE III
                        September 14,  and 15,  1964

                              AVERAGE COUNTS/100 ml
DATE DAY TIME
9/14 Won. A.M.



9/15 Tues. A.M.



BEACH NO.
1-2
8
10
11
1-2
8
10
11
TOTAL
COLIFORM
1.5
3
19.5
3372
6.3
490
206
774
FECAL TIME
STREP.
4.5 P.M.
5
3
IS
15.5 P.M.
30
29
34
TOTAL
COLIFORM
3
2
3
5420
5
64
435
5722
FECAL
STREP.
1.0
3
1
5
86
7
4
4
                                                                 00
                                                                 o

-------
                                                               18'
R-2          ERIE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
             DIVISION OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH

DATE:     July 1, 1965

TO:       Dr. Felix S. Shubert
          Deputy Director

FROM:     L.R. Moriarty

RE:       1964-65 Route #5 Stream Survey
          Last in series of nine samplings

          The ninth and last in a series of surveys of Route #5

streams was conducted by Mr, Jenkins on June 8, 1965.   Samples

were collected from a west to east direction and following a day

of rain.  Muddy water and the high bacterial counts are indica-

tive of the excessive run-off.  The survey results are attached.

          In summing up the survey, 155 samples have been taken

from 15 streams and 3 other sampling points.  About 1000 miles

have been driven to complete the work.

          Further in summary -- the median sample for all samples

for all streams crossing Route #5 during the survey was 4600

coliform/100 ml of sample.  The average for same was 106,000.

          The median and average count for each station is as

follows:

STATION NO.    STATION LOCATION              MEDIAN    AVERAGE

     A         Twenty-Mile Creek                225        350

     B         Sixteen-Mile Creek              4600       5900

     C         Twelve-Mile Creek               2100       4500

     D         Eight-Mile Creek                1500       2400

-------
                                                              182
STATION NO.     STATION LOCATION




     D-l       Six-Mile  Creek




     E         Four-Mile Creek




     F         Millcreek




     F-3       Garrison  Run




     G         Cascade Creek




     H         Walnut Creek




     I         Trout Run




     J         Elk Creek




     K         Raccoon Creek




               Crooked Creek




               Conneaut  Creek




               Public Dock




               Ship Channel
K-l




X




F-2




F-l




EI-1
                                       MEDIAN    AVERAGE




                                          2300      18,500




                                          9300      19,500




                                       350,000    515,000




                                       240,000    420,000




                                        11,000      44,000




                                          4600        5000




                                                     3900




                                                   55,000
                                               2000




                                             24,000




                                               1100        2200




                                                150         150




                                               1100        1100




                                               3500        4000




                                               2400        3300




               Four-Mile Creek G.E.  Sewer    60,000      58,000




          There is no question that  of the streams samples,




Twenty-Mile Creek is in excellent condition,  that it is affected




little by human pollution.  Such streams as Eight-Mile, Trout,




Raccoon, Crooked Creek and Conneaut  Creek also can be considered




to be in satisfactory condition.  It would be the writer's opinion




that the counts for these streams would be due mostly to natural




conditions.




          Such creeks as Sixteen-Mile, Twelve-Mile,  Six-Mile,




Four-Mile and Walnut Creek reflect populated  areas.   Some waste




is entering these streams causing counts to rise slightly.

-------
                                                               183
These are the areas where sewage plants and waste treatment




facilities should be up-dated or adequate sewage facilities




should be provided for the odd clusters of homes or budding




subdivisions.  Enforcement of local controls on on-lot dis-




posal and subdivision ordinances will go a long way towards




preventing these streams from getting worse.




          Elk Creek.  The overloaded Girard and Lake City




Borough sewage plants are factors in the high counts in Elk




Creek.  Lake City, to correct its end of the problem, is now




enlarging its plant and will treat all waste adequately be-




fore it is discharged.  This work should be completed within




the next year.  Girard Borough is presently discussing plant




expansion with a consulting engineer and may have plant ex-




pansion underway in the near future.




          Cascade Creek.  Counts in Cascade indicate some bac-




terial pollution.  However, visual observations indicate other




contaminants.  Samples collected have been given to the State




Health Department for analysis.  Routine checks of Cascade




Creek at West 25th Street are being made with the hopes of




tracing and catching the party or parties involved.




          Garrison Run and Millcreek.  They remain a serious




problem and will remain problems until the city through a long-




range program converts its storm-sanitary sewers into separate




systems.  The work done by the city tochange overflows, fix




syphons, cap sewers, etc. is quite evident in the decreasing

-------
                                                               184
counts obtained.  The proposed trip through  the  two  tubes  by




city personnel will help further to reduce pollution by the  lo-




cation and removal of sources of waste.




          The sampling of the bay area  around  the  public dock




and the ship channel has not proved conclusively that Millcreek,




Garrison Run, Cascade Creek and the bayfront area  are the  only




cause of bacterial pollution on Beach #11 at Presque Isle  State




Park.  There is no doubt that the combination  of the four  areas




mentioned above do contribute to the problem,  but  it is realis-




tic to assume that other sources from the lake side  do  contri-




bute to Beach #11 pollution.




          Summer survey work on beach areas  with twice  weekly




sampling has already started to show high counts at  Dunn




Boulevard in Erie and Lakeside Beach in Lawrence Park.   This




indicates that this area is also contributing  to the Beach #11




problem.




CONCLUSION:




          The Route #5 survey was proposed in  order  to  obtain




a baseline on the general condition of  streams entering Lake




Erie from Erie County.  It is quite apparent that  the streams




in Erie County., except for Millcreek, Garrison Run and  Elk




Creek (and possibly Cascade Creek)  can  be considered to be in




good to excellent condition.  From the  standpoint  of fisher-




men and the  newspapers, many fish have  been  caught in all  the




streams except those mentioned above.  The newspapers at




times do report catches in Elk Creek.

-------
                                                               185
          None of the streams tested could be used for drinking




water without chlorination and surely none could be used for a




large supply unless treatment and chlorination were used.  Ex-




cept for Twenty-Mile, Eight-Mile, Raccoon and Crooked Creek




(and possibly Sixteen-Mile Creek) none of the remaining creeks




sampled should be considered absolutely safe for swimming.




The results also indicate that under ideal conditions, Six-Mile




Creek could be used for short periods of time.




RECOMMENDATIONS:




          1.  Borough of Girard go forward as quickly as possi-




ble with its plans for enlarging the sewage treatment plant.




          2.  That strict supervision of conditions by both




bacterial and visual observation be made routinely of Millcreek




and Garrison Run and that, upon any noticeable change above




normal conditions, the city will investigate and correct the




cause immediately.




          3.  That as a long-range program, a feasibility re-




port and plan of implementation be drawn up to separate storm




and sanitary sewers.




          4.  That this department continue to sample Elk




Creek -- a program of sampling the entire creek be undertaken




to ascertain if pollution beyond the limits of Lake City and




Girard is affecting the stream.  There would be six to eight




sampling stations between the mouth of the creek and a point




beyond the Middleboro area.

-------
                                                               186
          5.  That this department,  through its  summer beach

program, dye testing and float studies,  continue to  relate  and

ferret out conditions that affect  the wellrbeing  of Beach #11.

                    1964-65 STREAM SURVEY

                      SAMPLING STATIONS*

CODE      LOCATION                   	REMARKS	
A         20 Mile Creek

B         16 Mile Creek

C         12 Mile Creek

D         8 Mile Creek

D-l       6 Mile Creek


E         4 Mile Creek

EI-1      4 Mile Creek


F         Millcreek


F-l       Ship Channel


F-2       Public Dock

G         Cascade Creek


H         Walnut Creek


I         Avonia


J         Elk Creek
                    25'  North of N.W.  Corner  of Bridge

                    25'  North of N.E.  Corner  of Bridge

                    50'  North of N.W.  Corner  of Bridge

                    30'  North of N.W,  Corner  of Bridge

                    100'  North of N.W.  Corner of
                    Bridge,  Rock

                    100'  North of N.E.  Corner of Bridge

                    100'  South of S.W.  Corner of
                    General  Electric  Sewer

                    Center of Bridge  -- West  of Erie
                    Sewage Plant Administration Building

                    West Entrance --  near 3rd Red
                    Tower, South Pier

                    Foot of  State St.  -- North of Pier

                    25'  East of Foot  Bridge on South
                    Shore, Frontier Park

                    By Bottle from South Side of Road
                    above West Tunnel

                    20'  North of N.E.  Corner  of Bridge
                    on Old Route #5

                    Pass Bridge to West, enter Side
                    Road on  North, go North to Creek
K
Raccoon Creek
Under North tfest Corner of Bridge

-------
CODE
LOCATION
                                                               187
               REMARKS
M
          Millcreek
Millcreek
     Glenwood Park Ave. and West 30th at
     Spillway

     Glenwood Park Ave. and County Line
     East Side of Gore Road
*A11 stations located along Route #5 unless otherwise noted.
        INTERPRETATION OF COLIFORM INDEX AS FOUND IN
        NATURAL WATERS OF THE GREAT LAKES AND UPPER
              MISSISSIPPI RIVER DRAINAGE AREA
COLIFORM PER 100 ml
Not more than
        0

        1
          10 to 100
         100 to 500
Not satis- ).  1,000
factory for)
swimming   )
Not satis- ) 10,000
factory for)
swimming   )

   "        100,000
            INTERPRETATION

Water Sample free of pollution

Treasury Department standard for drinking
Vater

Indicative of good water -- normal for
inland lakes and Great Lakes which are
free of sewage pollution

Normal for inland streams, free of det-
rimental sewage pollution, might be at-
tributed to land wash

Suspicious -- generally indicates mild
pollution in natural waters, but dan-
gerous in proximity to fresh sewage
pollution

Definite evidence of fresh sewage pol-
lution -- menace to health
               Heavy sewage pollution -- definitely
               dangerous
   "      1,000,000      Normal Sewage

          The above standards were agreed upon for interstate use

by the Great Lakes and Upper Mississippi River Drainage Basin

Board of Engineers.

          Reference can be found in "Coastline Pollution Surveys

of Michigan, June 1933" Report of Michigan Stream Control Commission

-------
LOCATION
ERIE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH « DIVISION  OF  ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH



                     1964-65 STREAM SURVEY



                                   DATE AND COLIFORM PER LOOml
12-23-64
A 240
B 1100+
C 1100+
D 1100
D-l 1100+
E 1100+
F 110,000+
F-l 1100+
F-2 1100+
G 1100+
H 1100
I 1100+
J 1100+
K 1100
G-l
F-3 GARR
San. Moriarty
i
1-12-65
210
11,000
11,000+^
1100+
11.00+
4600
1,100,000+
4600
4600
11,000
1100+
11,000+
11,000+
1100+

SON RUN
LRM & CW
2-2-65
--
11,000
0
930
2300
2300
1,100,000
1 — —
4600
! 11,000+
4600
1500
15,000
1500


1 Wilt
2-23-65
23
2400
930
1500
1500
2400
150,000
„
11,000
11,000+
430
7500
110,000+
430
(2-19-65
11,000+

CW & JG
3-16-65
--
930
11,000
4,600
24,000
11,000
1,110,000
_„
2400
*
91
1500
24,000
1230
110,000+
240,000
3ranahan
4-7-65
150
11,000
2100
430
910
11,000+
240,000
— —
2400
__
4600
7500
4300
*• •»
9100
110,000+
JG & NC
4-28-65
—
11,000
930
4,600
2300
24,000
460,000
2400
4600
„_
11,000
2000
110,000
11,000+
23,000
240,000
Colonna
5-24-65
240
430
2400
2400
4300
9300
1,110,000
11,000+
2400
.—
11,000
2300
110,000V
3900
9100
..
NC ft RJ
6-8-65
1100
4600
11,000+
4600
110,000
110,000+
1,100,000+
4600
4600
«• •»
11,000+
910
110,000+
360
240,000
1,100,000+
Jenkins
* Now G-l (new sampling point)

-------
                                  ERIE COUNTY  DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
                                  DIVISION  OF  ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
DATE
RESULTS -- 1965 SUMMER BEACH SURVEY

         Colifornx /100 ml

                      BEACHES
DUNN
BB6
May
5/14/65
June
6/10
6/15
6/17
6/22
6/24


6/29
July
7/1
7/6
7/8

7/13
// j.^
7/15
7/20

7/22
7/27

7/29
8/3

8/5

.-

21,000
110,000+
1X0,000+
2,300
110,000


24,000

46,000
460,000
9,300

C3 0 01)
1,100,000+
1,100,000+
(3 0^01)
1,100,000
1,100,000
f ~$ m ^
\ J • w X /
1,100,000+
1,100,000
/ •*> _ n^M
240,000
43,000
HALLEY
BB5

11,000+

110,000+
460,000
9,100
75,000
1,100,000+


1,100,000+

110,000+
23,000
460,000

f "*• n m fi
9,100
1,100,000+
4 "I C\ C\\ \
\ J \J • \J ± /
290,000
9,100
/ -T m \
\ j • *j *• j
1,100,000
1.100,000+
t , J n^.\
1,100,000+
43,000
SHADES
BB4

..

4,600
930
230
930
11,000+


11,000"

2,400
4,600
24,000

XT /\ T \
930
11,000+
f \ n m ^
^ J ~ U . U JL/
910
91
/ T _ AT N
^ — ' v \J 1m J
9,100
43,000
,^ Q^%
1,100,000
0
SHOREWOOD
BB3

--

4,600
750
2,400
930
11,000+


11,000V

430
430
930

f •* -i n\
2,400
1,500
/I 1 A V
\- Jf ™ JL < U /
430
430
i ( ^ r«l 0^
\ J ^ * \f /
1,500
4,600
t ' 10)
11,000+
11,000
FREEPORT
BB2

--

930
2,400
230
430
930


930/930

2,400
2,400
-/ T 1 rtA

230
/ T i n^
430
430
/ T T r\ \

930
36
<.3 1 . OT)
230
210
(3 10)
460
91
ST. BARN.
BBl

--

11,000
230
11,000+
230
11,000+
or
46,000
11,000+

2,400
3,600
f f "> \
V •* • ^* X
4,300"
X IT 1 \
9,300
2^i 000
v T n i ^
\ •> u • *• t
4,300
0
63 1)

0
46,000
(.3 1 0)
460
0
MEDIAN

—

7,800+
1,700+
5,800+
930
11,000+


11,000+

2,400+
4,100
6, 800


5,750
17,500+

2,600
260

5,300
44,500

125,500+
5,545
AVERAGE

--

25,000^
96,000-
22,000J
13,000
207,000-


193,000

27,000
82,000
83,000


187,000
373,000

230,000
185,000

368,471
52,301

408,653
16,181
                                                                                                   00

-------
                                                               190
R-4          ERIE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF  HEALTH
             DIVISION OF ENVIRONMENTAL  HEALTH

                         LAKE ERIE
                      WATER POLLUTION
                 ERIE COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

DRAINAGE AREA

          For the sake of argument, Erie County is  divided  into

two drainage areas.  An .imaginary line  running  diagonally

(north-east) through the townships  of Elk Creek, Franklin,

McKean, Summit, Greene, Greenfield  and  cutting  the  lower  south-

east corner of North East township  in general divides  the

drainage areas.  The south portion  of the county eventually

drains to the Ohio Valley.  The north portion of the county

drains to Lake Erie.  Except for general comment now and  then,

little will be said in this discussion  about the south portion

of the county.

POPULATION DISTRIBUTION

          In the Ohio Valley portion of the drainage area in

Erie County some 30,000 people populate the area.   There  are

approximately 220,000 people in the Lake Erie drainage basin

according to the I960 census.

SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANTS

          In the Lake Erie drainage area there  are  publically-

owned and operated sewage treatment plants  in the boroughs  of

North East, Lake City, Girard and Albion.  These communities

service approximately 10,000 people.

-------
                                                               191
          The City of Erie in its own sewage treatment plant




processes waste from the Borough of Wesleyville, the townships




of Lawrence Park and from portions of Harborcreek and Millcreek.




The total waste treated from the City of Erie, Wesleyville,




Lawrence Park, Harborcreek and Millcreek comes from a population




of approximately 160,000.  Therefore, approximately 170,000




people are serviced by public sewerage facilities in the Lake




Erie drainage area.  One additional community will be served




by public sewers in the near future (Cranesville - 600).




          There are four public plants in the Ohio Valley




drainage area catering to approximately 15,000 people (Corry,




Edinboro, Union City and Waterford*).




PACKAGE PLANTS




          Semi-Public Sewage Disposal Systems.  There are some




16 package-type plants in operation, 5 such plants are under




construction or under permit awaiting the proper time to start




construction and 7 package plants are proposed for the Lake




Erie drainage area.  These plants are built in areas not ac-




cessible to the out-stretched laterals of a public system.




They may be considered as interim plants until public systems




become available.




          The plants in operation were designed to accomodate




a population equivalent of some 3000 people for such places  as




gas stations, motels, restaurants, etc. and a population of




3000 for such facilities with stationary population as schools,

-------
                                                               192
institutions and industries.  (See Table I)

*Under construction.


                          TABLE I

                PACKAGE PLANTS IN OPERATION

GAS STATION & RESTAURANTS:

          1.  Larry's Economy (175)
          2.  Stouffer's (130)
          3.  Green Shingle (100)
          4.  Terrace (120)
          5.  Talerico (550)

SCHOOLS;

          6.  F. S. Clark (400)
          7.  Behrend Center (930)
          8.  Summit-Robison (300)
          9.  Fairview High (575)

INDUSTRY!

          10.  White Sewing Machine Co. (165)

MOTEL & RESTAURANT;

          11.  Howard Johnson (420)
          12.  Holiday Inn (not open) (400)

STATE PARK;

          13.  Presque Isle Boat Marina (1000)

INSTITUTIONS:

          14.  Erie County Hospital (500)
          15.  Rondale Nursing Home (100)

GAS STATION:

          16.  Carney's (90)

          The plants under construction will have an estimated

population equivalent of 600 for transients and 900 for  local

people.  (See Table II)

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                                                               193
          Proposed package plants in the Lake Erie drainage




basin would accomodate approximately another 1700 people, 1150




of these would be permanent residents of Erie County.




          One other method of treating sewage is in use in the




Lake Erie drainage area and that is a stabilization pond for a




subdivision of 120 homes.  Presently there are 10 homes in use




in the subdivision with about 30 people occupying same.




          In summary then -- sewage is treated in the Lake Erie




drainage basin in the following manner and for the following




population:




          1.  Public sewerage systems        170,000




          2.  Package plants                   3,000




          3.  Stabilization ponds            	30_




                           Total             173,030




          Under construction:




          1.  Public sewerage systems            600




          2.  Package plants                     900




                           •Total                1500







                          TABLE II




             PACKAGE PLANTS UNDER CONSTRUCTION




MOTEL & RESTAURANT;




          1.  Travelers' Inn                     400

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                                                               194
SUBDIVISION;

          2.  Greenbriar                         200

GAS STATION AND RESTAURANT:

          3.  Pure Oil (90 and 20)               200

SCHOOLS;

          4.  Klein                              400
          5.  Green Township (1500)              300

                               Total            1500

                  PROPOSED PACKAGE PLANTS

GAS STATION & RESTAURANT:

          1.  Seaway                             200
          2.  Pasche                             300

SCHOOL;

          3.  St. Boniface                       450

INSTITUTION;

          4.  Gospel Hill Nursing Home           100

SUBDIVISION:

          5.  Lake Shore                         500

MOTELS;

          6.  Conner's (Route 19)                 50
          7.  Weindorf                           100

                              Total             1700

Stabilization Pond (in operation):

          Georgetown Heights Subdivision          30
              (Potential)                        320

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                                                               195
          This would indicate that by the end of 1964 approxi-




mately 175,000 or 80% of the Lake Erie drainage basin will have




sewerage systems treating domestic waste.




          The other 45,000 people because of their location will




be in areas of partial control of waste disposal by means of




local sewage ordinances.  Still others, transients namely,




(3600) not considered in the total above will be more or less




under constant control of sewerage systems along Route 90 and




in recreational areas.




THE NEGATIVE SIDE




          On the negative side of domestic sewage treatment,




we can assume that all mechanical equipment will not function




to its utmost at all times and the quality of maintenance and




operation, will vary to give a degree of treatment a little




less than the ultimate desired.




          The approval of subdivision plots by townships with-




out regard to type of ground or the installation of a sewage




treatment plant or Health Department approval creates an ever-




increasing threat of keeping up with pollution abatement.




This type of action necessitates big sewer expansion programs




to eliminate sewage nuisances and health hazards.




          A planned sewer program and sewage disposal by a new




subdivider would eliminate future sewage and health nuisances




and require the home purchaser to pay for a sewerage system




once and one time only.  An ordinance would keep pollution un-




der control before it started.

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                                                               196
          There are approximately 3 to 5 FHA-VA on-lot sewage




disposal applications approved each year by the Erie County




Department of Health.  This is an indication of the type of




soil in the county and reason for the need of local or county




control over individual household on-lot sewage disposal sys-




tems.  Having an ordinance and not enforcing same is a detri-




ment also to future pollution control.




          Domestic sewage creates a few outstanding problems




in such areas as Brookside and the Fairfield areas of




Harborcreek Township, Lake Shore subdivision of Fairview




Township and McKee Road, Spires Drive, West 32nd Street and




Colonial Avenue in Millcreek Township, to name a few.




          Only major sewer expansion programs will correct the




flow of pollution from these areas to the lake.  To this end,




Harborcreek Township has a committee of prominent men studying




the problem and shortly should come up with a recommended pro-




gram for abatement.




          Fairview Township Sewer Authority took up the problem




of pollution abatement for Lake Shore subdivision but of late




have not shown any noticeable activity for solving the problem.




Millcreek Township is in the process of governmental red tape




trying to obtain funds for detail plans for a two or three




million dollar sewer expansion program.  The City of Erie, by




the chlorination of its sewage plant effluent will reduce the




bacterial load to the lake.

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                                                               197
          In summarizing pollution to Lake Erie from the do-




mestic standpoint, sewage treatment facilities and lack of




sewerage systems Erie County can well be proud of the effort




being made to abate pollution to Lake Erie.




          It is quite apparent that Erie County is not letting




its raw domestic sewage run "whole hog" into the lake.  Yet  it




is also apparent that steps must be taken to control subdivi-




sion expansion without proper sewage disposal, that sewage




ordinances must be enforced and that, in areas where public




sewers are not available or practicable, use of such interim




devices as package plants and waste stabilization ponds be




used until such time as public or metropolitan-type waste treat-




ment facilities are made available.




INDUSTRIAL WASTE FACILITIES




          The major share of industrial waste to Lake Erie




comes from the City of Erie area.  One tannery in Girard




Township, after treatment, periodically discharges a highly-




colored waste to Elk Creek, thence to the lake.  After pre-




treatment, waste from the grape industry in North East is dis-




charged to Sixteen-Mile Creek and also to Lake Erie.  In




essence, these are the only major sources of treated or un-




treated xjaste to the lake by industrial facilities in the




county.  These industries operate under state permit.




          A few plants in Lake City and Millcreek Township




empty their waste into the public sewerage systems for

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                                                               198
treatment before being discharged to the lake.   A few gravel




washing operations in the county, also under permit to the




state, are required to presettle waste water to prevent silt




from depositing in streams.




          Minor pollution outbreaks have occurred in the county




from industrial waste by-products being deposited on the sur-




face of the ground.  Fly ash, from power plants, deposited in




Harborcreek and Millcreek has, because of seepage, turned




small streams rusty and lox^ered the pH»  Wood waste from the




paper mill deposited in the Harborcreek area caused pollution




when seepage from the wood pile broke dykes and allowed




heavily polluted colored waste to enter a nearby stream.




          Many industries in the City of Erie deposit their




waste in the city sewerage system for treatment before dis-




charge to the lake.  The iron works pre-treats its waste to




remove sediment and phenol compounds.  On occasions, such pol-




lution escapes to the lake.  The paper mill which has been ex-




perimenting with waste treatment facilities for over ten years,




continues to discharge large quantities of waste to Lake Erie




far in excess of the population equivalent of the total domes-




tic output of the City of Erie sewage treatment plant.  This




waste adds fibers, color and causes foam.




          Minor wastes, such as:  chromium, acid, hot water,




oil, etc.  are also discharged in minor quantities to the




Presque Isle Bay and to the lake.

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                                                               199
          Cooling water, while not apparent as a factor in pol-




lution, may in winter time accumulate enough heat that when




discharged to the receiving water act as an attractant to fish.




"Large quantities of fish, so attracted and dying off,  through




decomposition, pose a problem in pollution abatement.   The de-




composition process may be a factor in lowering oxygen levels




and supplying a continued source of nutrients for algal growth.




          While population equivalent figures are not  available




for all industries in the Lake Erie drainage area, it  would be




safe to assume that such waste contributes at least 600,000




population equivalent to the lake and may be as high as 700,000




or higher of untreated waste.




          Comparing 600,000 for industry with no treatment, to




175,000 people with treatment and that portion of 45,000 that




in some way their waste gets into the lake, it is quite easy




to rationalize that industry is contributing at least  ten times




as much raw waste as is the domestic population.  In other




words, for every 60,000 people, industry is dumping into Lake




Erie the equivalent of 600,000 people.




          This is not quite the picture that has been  painted




in the past.  Pollution has been lumped in one big package and




we talk of it in terms of bacteria, detrimental to health and




closing down beaches and with a side look at the public as the




source of all trouble.

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                                                               200
AGRICULTURE




          Some may wonder after what has been said about waste




from people and industry as to what is happening to the lake




because of agricultural regions in the Lake Erie drainage area.




There is no way except for long-range and intensive stream




surveys to determine off-hand how much pollution in the form




of nutrients (fertilizer) and poisons (insecticides, herbi-




cides, etc.) is contributed to the lake in a given cycle or




area.




          Heavy growths of algae in some streams entering the




lake from farm and orchard areas are indicative of fertilizer




run-off.  Such fertilizer, while at first may not appear as a




pollutant, can indirectly contribute to massive growth of algae




which in turn, as many along the lake front will attest, dies




off, collects in the most selective coves, beaches, etc., then




decomposes to the knowledge of everyone within smelling dis-




tance.  Such decomposition is the source of pollution and new




nutrients for future algae growths in the lake.




          Contrary to popular belief of the average lay person,




algae in its growing state is a credit to the lake and a pol-




lution abater.  Algae must have sunlight, carbon dioxide and




nutrients to grow and produce oxygen in a water soluble form.




Dissolved oxygen is a factor in pollution abatement.




          Fishermen may not agree with this theory, but for




only another reason, heavy growths of algae may cover breeding

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                                                               201







areas but, on the other hand, algae in some cases affords pro-




tection for the small fry.




          Insecticides, pesticides, herbacides,  etc., if un-




controlled and used indiscriminatelyp  will react and cause fish




kills -- these are usually quick and sensational.  Such kills




attract newspaper publicity and arouse the indignation of the




general public.




          Such kills on a creek in Erie County by comparison




may be minor to damage being done by other waste, yet the fish




kills are not necessary and little by little contribute to the




overall degradation of the lake.




          At this time, there is no information readily available




to the Erie County Health Department as to the magnitude of ag-




ricultural pollution to Lake Erie but  algae growth and fish




kills here and there point out a problem does exist.




ALGAE




          Agricultural waste is not the only contributor of nu-




trients to the lake.  Treated and untreated domestic sewage and




some industrial treated and untreated  wastes provide nutrients




for algae growth.  As mentioned above, algae is  a "helper" in




abating pollution when it is growing,  a luscious green growth




is indicative of help.  Nutrients in the form of nitrogen and




phosphates promote the growth.  It is  the decomposing waste




that causes the pollution and esthetic problem along the lake




front.

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                                                               202
          Until the time arrives that these nutrients are con-




trolled at their source and the lake by dilution eliminates its




present storage of nutrients, algae will always be a problem in




Lake Erie.




          The Ontario Water Commission in its studies of spot




control of algae have been successful in eliminating the growth




in certain areas.   However, as soon as chemical additives wear




off, the algae reestablishes itself.




          It would be impractical and uneconomical,  unless




some new impediment to algae growth is discovered, to com-




pletely treat any or all of the Great Lakes with chemicals for




algae control.  Local control is illogical also, because it's




like the man with the dandelion-free lawn trying to  cope with




the situation when all the neighbors around him care little




about the little yellow flower.




SWIMMING-BEACHES




          Locally there is a problem which rotates around the




use of Beach 11 at Presque Isle State Park.  When I  say lo-




cally, it is a local problem and not one of concern  for the




whole lake front.   The various communities along the lake have




their own pollution problems, as was evident this past summer




in the newspapers  when beaches were closed.




          The local problem revolves around:  pollution from




the bay,  unchlorinated sewage treatment plant effluent, indus-




trial waste,  lake  currents and wind directions.  The history

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                                                               203
of the state park beaches and county beaches west to the Ohio




state line is a good and envious one because of low bacteria




counts and far and in-between high counts.




          However, the history of pollution at potential beach




areas east of the city of Erie to North East (Lawrence Park and




Harborcreek Townships) and Beach 11 at Presque Isle State Park




has at times been mediocre and at times very bad.  This has




necessitated closing Beach 11 and recommending beaches in the




Lawrence Park area not be used.  These circumstances of good




vest side - poor east side strongly indicate it is a local




problem and must be corrected locally.




          Bacteria alone is not a criteria  of what constitutes




good bathing water.  This is true also of drinking water.




From the esthetic viewpoint, people do not  like to bathe in




highly-colored or foamy water nor do fishermen relish putting




their equipment and boats through this type of contaminant.




The only good factor about color and foam is that a person on




Beach 11 or one at the township beaches has a visual aid in-




dicating that pollution is being carried his way.




          With the addition of chlorine to  the sewage treat-




ment plant effluent, quick and proper treatment of industrial




waste and the cleanup or prevention of future pollution to




Presque Isle Bay, not only will Beach 11 be made a better




place to swim, but miles of lake front bordering on Lawrence




Park, Harborcreek and North East Township,  because of their




recreational availability will become a tourist attraction.

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                                                               204
SUMMARY




          From the above, it is apparent that pollution does




exist in the lake, it affects the economy of the local  people,




the pleasure of our visitors and gives Lake Erie a "black eye."




Local people, through their community in a sense, are partially




to blame.  Industry can accept more than its share and  public




officials can shoulder the blame for lack of enforcement or




enactment of laws to prevent present and future pollution.




CONCLUSIONS




WHAT IS BEING DONE:




          FEDERAL LEVEL.   An extensive and very comprehensive




survey of Lake Erie is being done by the Public Health  Service.




This is a realistic program to give the over-all picture of




pollution in the lake.  The results, if listened to and followed




by the states, will have far reaching effects on making Lake




Erie as well as the -other Great Lakes as pollution free as




possible.




          STATE LEVEL.  The Sanitary Water Board and State




Health Department has one of the best records in the nation




in combating pollution.  While their efforts may not look or




appear sensational, their continued program of surveillance,




checking, evaluating and approving permits for sewage and in-




dustrial waste treatment has made Erie County and its lake




front a better place to live^  Lack of enforcement on their




part would leave pollution in an intolerable state in this

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                                                               205
area.  Mr. Harvey of Meadville deserves much credit for handling




this program over the years.




          A constant watch by game and fish commission personnel




of the waters of the Commonwealth is a factor in checking




existing pollution and indirectly preventing similar pollution.




          LOCAL LEVEL.  County Health Department -- Promotion




of sewage disposal, on-lot and subdivision ordinances to con-




trol waste treatment has long been the program of the depart-




ment.  Promotion of public sewerage systems in communities




where needed and package plants in out-of-the-way places takes




up considerable time of the department.  Minor surveys of




stream and lake front areas are carried out to determine lo-




cation of pollution problems.




          Boroughs, Cities and Townships -- Enactment of




sewage ordinances, building of sewerage facilities (particu-




larly boroughs') and extension of sewers constitute some of the




activity of these municipalities.  The increase in the number




of sewer authorities in the past few years attests to the de-




sire to look into and abate pollution.  (Some times I wonder




if sewer expansion programs are not aimed at the people's




comfort rather than abating pollution to streams and lakes.)




          Organizations -- Numerous organizations dealing




with recreation, conservation, boating, fishing, etc. do much




to arouse the public into thinking about the problem at hand.




The aroused public are the one that eventually have laws

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                                                               206
enacted which in turn help states and local officials abate





pollution.




WHAT CAN BE DONE




          LOCALLY -- To solve our own problem,




          1.  Industry, without further delays, assume its




full responsibility and remove all waste from the lake.   This




should be a crash program -- not one of experiment and delay.




          2.  Passage of county ordinances controlling sewage




disposal for subdivisions and other establishments and neces-




sitating approval of such installations by the County and/or




the State Health Departments.




          3.  Adoption and specifically enforcement of sewage




ordinances for on-lot disposal of waste by townships and




boroughs.  Under such an ordinance, homes will not be built




on property not suitable for subsurface disposal.




          4o  County Health Department to encourage extension




of sewers into areas greatly needing waste treatment facili-




ties and to enforce subdivision ordinance regulating sewage




disposal.





          5.  A joint effort by State-County-City Health




Departments to eliminate sources of waste to and prevent new




pollution from transient visitors from entering Presque Isle




Bay.





          6.  Local organizations to voice their opinions




where and to whom it is needed in the form of resolutions.

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                                                               207
          STATE -- Continue program requesting proper instal-

lations and new installations of sewage and waste treatment

facilities and requesting correction of existing pollution in

problem areas.  Heed the federal report when it is published.

          FEDERAL -- Continue survey work and coordinate  over-

all efforts of the states to improve the lake.

          In conclusion, Erie County has its own problem  to

lick in relation to pollution as it affects our beaches,

recreation and tourism and a joint effort with the other

states to lick same as it affects fishing and future water

usages.

                              Report prepared and written by:

                              Lawrence R. Moriarty,  Director
                              Division of Environmental Health
Approved by
Dr. Felix S. Shubert                Presented to County
Deputy Director                     Commissioner, Feb.,  1964
Erie County Dept. of Health

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                                                               208
            IZAAK WALTON LEAGUE  OF AMERICA,  INC.

                                        R.D.2, Franklin, Pa.
                                        9 August  1965

TO:  U.S. Public Health Service

SUBJECT:  Great Lakes Pollution

In care of Mr. Charles L. Wilbar, Jr. Chairman
           Sanitary Water Board
           Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
           Box 90
           Harrisburg, Pa. 17120

Dear Sirs:

          The Izaak Walton League of America conducted  a sur-

vey of the Great Lakes in 1959 with Canada cooperating  with

Mr. Dave Kuck of Chicago as chairman.  At that time, our sur-

vey of Pennsylvania's shoreline  on Lake  Erie revealed a great

deal of pollution, mainly from Hammermill Paper Co.  in  Erie,

Cascade St. Conduit sewage from  Erie, houseboat sewage  in  the

bay at Erie and four canneries polluting Sixteen  Mile Creek

at North-East, Pa.

          At present, the conditions  are not nearly as bad.

We still have pollution from Pennsylvania, and oceangoing

ships were supposed to dump their sewage and bilge water into

facilities to be constructed at  Duquesne pier in  Erie.

          My last talk, with Dr.  Maurice  Goddard revealed these

facilities had not been constructed yet  although  they were

part of the plans presented the  public when  appeal for  funds

for Duquesne pier was made.

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                                                               209


          As you know, our 1959 survey conducted in cooperation

with the Penna. Fish Commission here in Penna.  revealed

Hammermill Paper Co. as being a chronic polluter of Lake Erie

and we requested State Attorney General to prosecute.

          Citation was issued to them, and they are now ex-

perimenting with pumping pollution underground  which will  not

be the final answer to their problem I am sure.  Even  a sponge

will only hold so much water.

          Am happy to see official Federal survey being con-

ducted and urge cleanup of conditions you find.

                                   Yours for

"The wise use of our Human and Natural Resources",


                                   Roy T. Frank - Chairman
                                   Penna. Div.  of I.W.L.A.
                                   Great Lakes  Pollution Committee

copy - Gregg, Fraley

                          *****



          CHAIRMAN STEIN:  If we may now go on  with the Federal

presentations, Mr. Poston.

          MR. POSTON:  Thank you, Chairman Stein.

          Conferees, members of this conference.  I think  that

the conferees in their deliberations at Cleveland have taken  a

great step towards implementation of a clean-up program for

Lake Erie's pollution.  I sincerely hope that here at  this

conference we can have an equally cooperative agreement and

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                                                               210
progress can be made here at this conference in Buffalo in the




same manner.




          The Public Health Service can contribute signifi-




cantly to this conference, in terms of causes of pollution and




damages from pollution, and of the Lake Erie pollution problem.




For this purpose, technical people of our Public Health Service




have been studying the pollution problem of Lake Erie from end




to end -- at Buffalo and at Erie, Cleveland, Toledo and




Detroit.  These studies have involved broad categories of




scientific and technical people -- bacteriologists, chemists,




oceanographers, hydrologists, data processors and engineers.




We have prepared the report in three parts, which is available




at the front desk.  It was there this morning, at least.




          We would like to present this report to you in




break-down form, and for this purpose, Mr. Grover Cook and Mr.




Megregian will make this presentation.  However, prior to this,




we have asked Dr. Clarence Tarzwell, Chief of our Biology




Research with the National Marine Quality Research Laboratories,




to make a presentation on changes in Lake Erie.




          I'd like to present to you at this time Dr. Tarzwell.




          DR.  TARZWELL:  Mr. Chairman, Members of the Committee,




ladies and gentlemen:




          The environmental problems facing us today have no




easy solution but they are of great importance to all of us




now and in the future»  Can we maintain a desirable environment

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                                                               211
for ourselves and generations yet to come?  Are deteriorating




soil, air, and water resources a necessary result of our so-




called progress?  Must we accept unsightly, odoriferous, and




contaminated streams and lakes as an inevitable result of the




growth of population and the development of our industries?




In the past many accepted this view of the problem and felt




that it would be essential to dedicate certain of our streams




solely as sewers for the carrying off of wastes.   I do not be-




lieve that we can afford to do this.  In the future, at least




in many areas, we will need all available water for municipal




supplies, and these streams must be cleaned up so that they




are suitable for such use.




          During the past half century, in our rush for im-




mediate creature comforts and the so-called better things of




life, many of us, especially those living in the larger cities,




have forgotten the environmental conditions under which we have




evolved.  Little consideration has been given to the effects of




our activities on our overall environment.  Man has now attained




the ability to significantly alter or damage his environment.




Significant damage has already been done either knowingly or




unknowingly.  Wastes of an ever-increasing variety, volume,




and complexity are being discharged into our air and water




with little consideration of their direct, let alone their in-




direct or long-term effects  on our environment and well-being.




          Since the turn of the century, there have been the

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                                                               212
voices of conservationists crying in the jungle of resource




exploitation, waste dumping, and the fast buck.  However, in




recent years with the great increases in the numbers , com-




plexity, and quantity of our wastes, these voices have become




louder and more persistent.  That we cannot indefinitely pour




our untreated wastes into the lakes and streams from which we




take  our water supplies has been forcefully brought to the




attention of the general public.  Finally, at least a portion




of the public has been awakened to the threat to our general




well-being, health, and welfare.  We hear more and more about




abatement and prevention of pollution.  Pollution is now a




widely di-scussed subject.  But what do we mean by pollution?




When  is a water polluted?  It is apparent that this now widely




used  term has different meanings to different persons and




groups.  There is no general agreement as how to define pollu-




tion, what it is, or where it exists.




          Some define pollution as any departure from the pri-




mordial conditions.  They believe that any change in the com-




position of the aquatic biota constitutes pollution.  It is im-




possible to bring all of our streams back to the conditions




which existed when the country was forested.  Further, I am




not sure that we would wish to do this even if it were possible.




Modern agriculture has demonstrated that a change in the flora




can be very beneficial to man.  We now raise larger crops than




were thought possible one hundred years ago.  I feel that such

-------
a definition of pollution is impractical.




          Others have defined pollution as any change in the




quality or character of a stream.  Such a  definition is  not




always applicable.  For example, let us consider two streams,




one draining a limestone area and having hard water and  the




other draining a sand-stone area and having soft water.   Each




of these streams is pure and has a good fauna.  After their




junction, the resulting streams also have a good fish fauna.




However, the character and quality of each water have changed,




but we cannot say that the resulting stream is polluted.




Another Example.  Let us say that pure warm water is added to




a stream in Glacial National Park where many of the streams




are naturally so cold that even the trout do not grow well.




This warm water would increase production and the growth of




the trout.  If the production of fish is our objective,  how




can we say that the warming of the water is pollution if it




is beneficial.




          Some consider the addition of any material to  a




stream as pollution and classify the materials as pollutants.




Again such a definition is not always applicable.  If this




were a true definition of pollution the addition of distilled




water would constitute pollution.  The addition of certain




compounds such as phosphates, nitrates, calcium carbonate,




potassium, and other earth elements would be classified  as




pollution under this definition even though the addition of

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                                                               214







these elements may fertilize the stream and result in increased




productivity.  The mere addition of these materials is not al-




ways pollution.  However, fertilizing materials can be added




in excessive quantities so that they bring about undesirable




conditions which harm the use of the water.  In this case they




would be pollutants.




          Some have maintained that the addition of any toxic




materials constitutes pollution.  This also is not necessarily




true.  Trace elements in water, such as copper, zinc, molybdenum,




iron, magnesium, iodine, manganese, boron, and selenium may be




actually beneficial since all of these elements are among those




needed for life.  They become toxic and harmful only when they




are added in concentrations which exceed the maximum safe level




or needed levels.  Thus the key consideration is how much and




what is added and not the mere addition.  Even table salt which




is necessary for life becomes a toxic when added in excessive




quantities as evidenced in the baby poisoning case in the




hospital where salt was mistaken for sugar and placed in the




babies'  formulae.  Further, a material which may be harmful




for one use and thus cause pollution may not be harmful for




another use.  Let us take for example a sewage waste.  If we




add sewage in small quantities to a stream used for navigation




or power, it has no real effect and, in fact, may be considered




as neutral.   However if we add small amounts of sewage to a




barren trout stream it will serve as a fertilizer, enrich the

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                                                               215
stream, increase production of food organisms, and in turn in-




crease the crop of trout.  If our objective is trout production,




such additions cannot be considered pollution.  On the other




hand if the same amount of sewage is added to a stream used for




domestic water supplies it will contaminate the water, inter-




fere with its use, and thus be considered as pollution.  Thus




we see that the amount added and the desired use are important




since a material may be beneficial for one use and harmful to




another.  We can overfertilize and burn our potatoes or kill




our grass and likewise we can add too much nutrient materials




to a water and produce undesirable growths.  The key to this




question is the desired use of the water.  For each use we




want water of a quantity and quality suitable for that use.




In view of these considerations I have formulated my own defi-




nition of pollution which results from man's activities.  I




believe that pollution is the addition of any material or any




change in the quality or character of a water which interferes




with, lessens, or destroys a desired use.  Without some harm




to a desired use there is no pollution.




          In abating pollution it is essential that concentra-




tions of materials are kept below levels which are harmful or




toxic.  It should be remembered that toxicity is a quantita-




tive term since toxicity depends on concentration or the amount




taken up.  Thus the simplist definition for pollution is "too




much.'!  Thus discharging amounts of material to a stream which

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                                                               216







exceed the maximum concentrations which are not harmful is not




a use of that water, but a misuse or abuse, and constitutes




pollution.




          Today we are considering the question:   Is Lake Erie




receiving too much?  It is misused, abused and polluted.   We




have heard much of eutrophication, a term which has long  been




used by limnologists.   Like pollution this is another term




which is not well understood.




          To define this and other terms and to understand the




things that are happening in Lake Erie, it would be well  to con-




sider small lakes where changes are more rapid, well defined and




more easily observed.   Glacial lakes can be likened to man in




that they have birth,  youth, maturity, old age and death.  In




this North Central area, lakes were created or born in glacial




times.  During their youth or  oligotrophic stage they were clear,




had abundant oxygen throughout their depth, were relatively




infertile, and usually supported a good population of salmonid




fishes.  As they became older, nutrients and silt washed  in




from the watershed collected in the shore areas forming shallow




bays which were favorable for  the development of rooted aquatic




plants.  As these deposits and the plant beds increased in ex-




tent, the water became richer, plankton populations increased,




and the bottom and its biota became more favorable for warm-




water fishes.  As organic materials from plankton, rooted




aquatics, and other substances washed into the lake and

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                                                               217
accumulated on the bottom in deep-water areas there was an in-




crease in the oxygen demand and a gradual decrease in the DO




content of the water of the hypolimnion.  The quality of the




fish population changed with the bass and perch families in-




creasing in abundance.  As this stage developed, the lake




reached maturity which is known as the eutrophic stage.  Thus




eutrophication is the aging of a lake with enrichment and a




change in the biota.  Eutrophication of many lakes is now




being greatly speeded up by man's activities which bring about




the addition of large amounts of organic materials.  As the




lake becomes older, shallow areas are filled, more and more




silt accumulates, vegetation beds extend further and further




into the lake, filling as they advance.  Shore and marsh vege-




tation advances behind the rooted aquatics and the lake becomes




more acid and reaches old age or the dystrophic stage.  As this




stage advances in a small lake a quaking bog develops on which




shrubs grow and these continue to progress towards the center




of the lake.  The water becomes highly acid and the number of




fish species are reduced until finally only two remain,




stickleback and the mud minnow.  Finally even these give up to




the brown acid waters.  The encircling tamarack trees move in




an ever-tightening ring, the quaking bog covers the entire




water surface and finally the lake is completely filled and




becomes a meadow.  I am sure that you have seen the small in-




land lakes of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan in all stages of

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                                                               218
this evolution.  Generally speaking, this aging or eutrophica-




tion, dystrophication and destruction is measured in geological




time; however, through man's activities it can be greatly




speeded up.  In some of our inland lakes great changes  can be




noted in a single lifetime.  As the lakes are enriched  through




the addition of organic materials and other nutrients, these




materials find their way into the bottom materials of the




deepest water or hypolimnion which is the area below the




thermocline which is not usually circulated except at the




spring and fall turnover.  Above the thermocline is the




epilimnion which is the zone of water which is circulated and




mixed by the wind.  The epilimnion contains the warm oxygenated




water.  Between these two bodies of water, the epilimnion and




the hypolimnion, there is then an abrupt change of temperature.




This zone is known as the thermocline.  In fall and spring when




all lake waters come near to the same temperature the wind is




able to circulate the whole lake and we have the turnover.  At




this time in the spring the deeper water layer - the hypolimnion




receives the oxygen that must last all summer.  As the  organic




materials increase in this deep zone, bacterial action  puts an




ever increasing demand on the dissolved oxygen in this  water




and as enrichment advances each year there is a greater deple-




tion of DO.  In time the DO is used up.  Then aerobic decompo-




sition ceases and the task is taken over by anaerobes which




can live in the absence of free oxygen and anaerobic

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                                                               219
decomposition prevails.  Under anaerobic conditions there is a




change in the redox potential - the oxidation reduction poten-




tial - and many materials are changed so they come back into




solution.  When anaerobic conditions develop changes in the




lake speed up.




          It seems that everyone, when looking for a cottage




site, prefers a clean, clear, gravel and sand-bottom lake with




fine sand beaches free from vegetation.  When someone builds




on such a lake it is not too long before others also build and




eventually there is a row of cottages around the lake and be-




fore long perhaps two or more rows.  Then changes are noted.




The water becomes more turbid, rooted vegetation occurs in the




bay, plankton becomes abundant, vegetation is washed up on the




beaches in wind rows and unsightly   conditions develop.   There




is a change in the abundance of different species of fishes




with the salmonids and fine fish decreasing while the coarse




fishes increase.  The cottage owners wonder what can be hap-




pening in the lake and may adopt the use of herbicides and




algicides for the control of vegetation.  But this doesn't




meet the problem because they simply kill forms which, upon




decomposition, furnish foods for another generation.  Generally




they blame anything and everything for their troubles except




the effluents from their own septic tanks which are enriching




the lake.




          The municipal wastes which are being discharged into

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                                                               220
our Great Lakes add nutrients which greatly exceed those




originally coming from the drainage basin.  Changes which




formerly were measured in geological time can now be noted in




the short span of a generation.  Lake Erie is especially sus-




ceptible to such chage or aging for several reasons.  It is




the southernmost and warmest of the Great Lakes.   It is also




the shallowest and consequently has the least deep water below




the thermocline which serves as a reservoir for dissolved




oxygen.  In the western end in particular, it is  so shallow




that wind action can almost continually or at least periodi-




cally circulate the water, bringing up nutrients  and materials




which in deeper lakes collect in the bottom in deposits and




are circulated and made available to the biota only at the




spring and fall overturns.  In addition, the great concentra-




tion of population around Lake Erie has increased threefold




since 1916.  Industry has increased six- to sevenfold in the




same time.  Some 12 million pounds of suspended solids are




added to Lake Erie each day.  Each day Lake Erie  receives




174,000 pounds of phosphates and 820,000 pounds of nitrogen




compounds.  Two-thirds to three-fourths of these  materials




enter the Lake directly as municipal wastes.




          Formerly it was through that the addition of these




materials had no effect on the deep-water areas of the Lake




and the only effect was a local one.  No changes  were detected




in the deep-water open areas<,  However, it is now evident that

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                                                               221
these materials were accumulating in the bottom materials of




the lakes and have now accumulated to such an extent that they




are drastically influencing dissolved oxygen levels in exten-




sive areas.




          Rapid and significant changes are being produced in




Lake Erie,  Bacterial contamination has become so widespread




that several of the beaches have been closed.  Rooted aquatic




plants have increased greatly in extent and density, and in




some bays they interfere with swimming, boating, fishing and




have been thrown up in wind rows along the beach to form odor-




iferous, unsightly masses.  Filamentous algae, which you may




have sometimes noted on the oars of your boat as long, slimey




strings, have also increased to such an extent that it inter-




feres with swimming, boating, and fishing and is undesirable




from the aesthetic sense.  Plankton, that is, the small micro-




scopic free-floating or free-swimming plants and animals, has




increased greatly in numbers.  From 1938 to 1942 plankton popu-




lations on Lake Erie have on the average increased three-and-




one-half times.  There has been a six- to sevenfold increase




in plankton populations in the Cleveland area.  In addition,




the composition of the plankton has changed with the more




desirable diatoms becoming less abundant and the less de-




sirable blue-green algae increasing in abundance.  Some blue-




green algae cause undesirable tastes or odors in water sup-




plies.  Others produce unsightly conditions, often collecting

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                                                               222





in such numbers that they make the water look like green paint.




At times they may collect in wind rows on the beach and become




a nuisance.




          During the past few years there has been a marked




change in bottom materials and bottom organisms in western




Lake Erie.  Organic materials have collected on the bottom to




such an extent that their breakdown by bacterial action has de-




pleted or used up the dissolved oxygen in extensive areas.  In




western Lake Erie, mayflies were practically exterminated in the




fall of 1953, and there was a serious depletion of caddisfly




larva in 1958.  The reduction of these and other large insects




which are of outstanding importance as fish food has had a




detrimental effect on certain fishes.  These insects have been




replaced by Tubificids or bloodworms and fingernail clams which




are much less desirable as fish food.  Fertilizing materials




have increased in the bottom deposits and phosphates have now




reached concentrations of 1500 to 3000 ppm dry weight of bottom




materials.  This represents a tremendous store of nutrients




which, if released to the Lake waters, could cause unprecedented




blooms of undesirable algae.  Phosphates stored in bottom ma-




terials now equal the total addition of several years.




          As has been indicated, there has been an undesirable




and serious reduction in dissolved oxygen levels in Lake Erie.




During the past 35 years, the average dissolved oxygen content




of the water has decreased from 5 ppm to 2 ppm or less.

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                                                               223
Decreases in DO were first noted in 1929.  Dissolved oxygen




concentrations of 2 ppm or less were noted in some 26,000 square




miles, about 1/4 of the total Lake area.  In the deeper waters




of the eastern portion of the Lake there has been a steady de-




crease in the amount of oxygen present in the hypolimnion




during late summer.  In August 1928, dissolved oxygen was 78




percent of saturation in the hypolimnion, whereas in August




1960 it was only 25 percent of saturation.  The oxygen deficit




in Lake Erie has increased 2.6 times between 1933 and 1955.  It




has been calculated that the oxygen deficit of the hypolimnion




is 270 million pounds.




          Concomitant with these environmental changes there




have been changes in the fish population.  Trout, whitefish,




cisco or herring, sauger, walleye, and blue pike have greatly




decreased in abundance or have practically disappeared.  The




normal commercial catch of whitefish, cisco, blue pike, and




sauger when compared with the I960 catch, shows a reduction of




99.92 percent.  The catch of walleyes for 1936 when compared




to the catch for I960 shows a reduction of 99.96 percent.  There




have been further decreases since I960 in some species.  With




the decrease in the more desirable species, carp, shad, ale-




wives, smelts and goldfish have increased in number.  The




environment has become less favorable for the desired species




and more favorable for the coarser species, with the result




that the latter have greatly increased in numbers at the

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                                                               224
expense of the desirable species.


          It is not necessary to kill fish directly through


toxic action in order to decimate or wipe out a species.  When


environmental conditions become unfavorable for a species, that


species can be eliminated through competition for food and


space with those species favored by the new environment.  This


can be illustrated by the experience of a Canadian fisheries


investigator.  He was carrying out long-term studies for the


determination of the oxygen requirements of brook trout.  Since


he was holding the trout for long periods, it was necessary to


provide food for them which he did through the use of minnows.

                                                   \
After the experiment had been underway for a considerable time,


he noted that the trout seemed to be starving to death.  An


examination revealed that at the low dissolved oxygen levels in


the test aquaria the minnows could swim faster than the trout


and the latter just could not catch the minnows.  The experi-


menter solved this problem by simply cutting off the tails of


the minnows, but we cannot do anything like this in nature.


          Low dissolved oxygen levels when coupled with high


temperatures can result in decimation or rapid elimination of


a species.  Since more dissolved oxygen is required at the


higher temperatures for normal metabolism and the water holds


less oxygen as the temperature rises, DO and temperature cannot


be considered alone; they must be considered together.  Further-


more it is not necessary for one species to eat another in order

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                                                               225




to eliminate it.  Some have asked, "How did the carp drive out




the bass or some other species?"  It is simply competition for




food and space and perhaps the muddying of the waters through




the rooting activities of the carp.  This same problem applies




in agriculture.  If you had a 10-acre plot and placed 10  cows in




it they might do quite well.  However, if you were to add 100




goats, the cows would do very poorly and might be greatly re-




duced in numbers, but the goats wouldn't eat a single cow.




          If dissolved oxygen and other environmental condi-




tions are favorable to at least some species, raising the




temperature of the water may result in an increase in the to-




tal pounds of fish produced due to the increased growth of the




coarse species.  However, our desire is not simply for quantity




of fish but for quality.  If we are interested only in quantity




in our garden, we would forget about the lettuce, carrots,




radishes, etc. and grow only weeds because we could produce




more pounds per acre if we grew weeds.  However, we do not




want weeds, we want lettuce.  In the same way the general pub-




lic wants whitefish, trout, cisco, walleye and sauger instead




of carp, shad or alewives.




          In summing up, there are several statements of  fact




and conclusions we can make.  It is recognized among all




aquatic biologists, litnnologists, and geologists that lakes




change and evolve.  Glacial lakes undergo birth, youth, maturity,




old age and death.  The speed of this change depends on the size

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                                                               226
and depth of the lake and conditions in the watershed.  However,




normally these changes are measured on a geological timetable.




It has been observed that man's activities through soil erosion,




the addition of large amounts of organic materials and other




nutrients have speeded up this change.  In fact, the addition




of immense amounts of these materials in the wastes from our




metropolitan areas has speeded up this change or eutrophication




until changes even in the Great Lakes can be noted in the life




span of a man.  This enrichment with the production of undesir-




able conditions has been especially notable in Lake Erie which




is the shallowest and warmest of the Great Lakes.  In addition,




it- receives the residue of the wastes from the upper lakes and




the wastes of four larger municipalities.




          Notable changes in Lake Erie are as follows:  (1)




Bacterial contamination has increased and many beaches have




been closed; (2) Rooted aquatic vegetation has increased in




many areas, interfering with boating, swimming and producing




undesirable conditions on beaches; (3) Filamentous algae has




increased to such an extent it has caused nuisances in several




areas, interfering with boating, swimming, fishing and the




aesthetic enjoyment of the Lake; (4) Plankton populations




have increased and they are adding to the organic content of




the bottom materials, increasing turbidity and lessening




aesthetic values;  (5) The organic content of bottom materials




has increased with an increase in the oxygen demand, a lowering

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                                                               227
of DO levels and a change in the benthic or bottom biota; (6)




Dissolved oxygen has decreased significantly throughout the




Lake but especially in the western portion where DO reaches




low levels over extensive areas and at certain periods is ab-




sent over bottom areas with the destruction of such desirable




fish food organisms as mayflies and caddisflies; (7)  Anaerobic




conditions have occurred in some areas and are being approached




over extensive areas; (8) There have been qualitative and




quantitative changes in the fish population with a decrease in




the more desirable sport and commercial species such as white-




fish, cisco, walleye, sauger, and blue pike and an increase in




the less desirable species as the gizzard shad, alewives, carp,




goldfish and smelt; (9) Recreational uses have been damaged;




and (10) Aesthetic values have been reduced.  The conclusion




which we must reach is that several uses of Lake Erie have been




damaged, lessened or destroyed and it is polluted.




          Since these conditions exist the next question is -




What shall we do about it?  I believe the most important thing




in the detecting and abating of pollution is the attitude of




the people.  Until the people recognize the seriousness of the




problem and the necessity of treating our wastes in order to




preserve our aquatic resources, the problem will not be met in




an adequate manner.  To many people pollution control and the




spending of money for the treatment of wastes is something the




other fellow should do.  They are all for it until they have to

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                                                               228
pay for it.  Many know little and care less about the treatment




of wastes and the protection of our aquatic resources for the




coming generations.  The need for sewer systems is recognized




but when wastes from a single home are mixed with those of




others and put in,a common pipe and then discharged out of




sight to the stream below the toxm, the homeowner does not




feel much responsibility for them.  It is considered socially




unacceptable to dump your garbage on your neighbor1s front




lawn, but there is no social stigma attached to the dumping of




your town's wastes in his drinking water.




          In our large cities, where the population is removed




from direct contact with nature, some think milk comes from




bottles or cartons and water comes from a tap.  Little thought




is given to the origin of the water, its safety, and its




adequacy for the future.  These attitudes must be changed.  We




must develop a feeling of responsibility for our actions.  We




must consider not only the direct but also the indirect and




long-term effects of our actions.  Often the desire for profit




leads people either unknowingly or knowingly to commit offenses




against their fellow men.  For example, when the sulfa drugs




were discovered, their sale was controlled but the law did not




cover elixirs.  An individual in Tennessee decided he would put




them on the market in this form and he searched for good solvents.




He found one and put the elixir on the market.  However, when




people were poisoned, it was found that this solvent was

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                                                               229




ethelene glycol or Prestone.  This is merely an example of




quite a common approach.




          Our population has now exceeded the number whose  wastes




can be purified by nature.  Natural purification in our streams




and lakes can no longer handle the problem.   In the past, our




wastes were handled at little or no cost; now we must begin to




pay for the purifying of them.  This is one  of the many costs of




an ever-increasing population.  These costs  will be significant.




Our water supply is limited by rainfall.  If we are to have




enough water for all our uses, we must use it over and over




again.  Such reuse requires that each user return the water he




has used to the stream or lake in such condition it does not




damage, lessen, or destroy another desired use.  With the growth




in population and water requirements, secondary or so-called




complete treatment is now enough.




          The problem in Lake Erie is real and urgent.  We  can-




not make it go away by ignoring it.  The record of the past is




clear.  We have seen what has happened in many small inland




lakes.  Conditions in extensive areas of Lake Erie are on the




verge of going anaerobic.  If this occurs, the nutrients which




have been stored in the bottom material of the Lake in ever-




increasing amounts for many years will be released much more




rapidly and there will be a sudden increase  in the rate of




deterioration.  In this instance, the old sayings, "A stitch




in time saves nine" or "An ounce of prevention is worth a

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                                                               230







pound of cure" are very applicable.   The bottom areas of the Lake




must be kept aerobic.  The quickest  approach is to remove the




nutrients from the wastes of the large cities.   Economically




feasible methods for the reduction of phosphates and nitrates




in waste effluents have been developed.   There  have been studies




in detail by workers in Switzerland.  Of course, costs will be




greater, but we must meet them if we are to preserve the resource.




Water is not a luxury; it is a necessity.  It is worth whatever




we have to pay to get it.  In the future we will do just that.




In the final analysis, water is worth more than gold; and if you




were thirsty enough you would give all your worldly possession




for just one swallow.




          The preservation of our water resources, for use now and




in the future, is essential for our economic and general well-




being, for our health and our very existence.  We must act now to




restore and maintain this great resource for ourselves and the




generations yet to come.




          CHAIRMAN STEIN:  Thank you.  (applause)




          I know you -realize that Dr. Tarzwell, of course, is our




Senior Biologist and he is one of our super stars.  I think it's




generally acknowledged that his is the foremost aquatic biologist




in the world today.




          Do we have any comments or questions?




          DR.  WILBAR:  I'd like to ask Dr. Tarzwell just one




question.   This fertilization of our waters in  Lake Erie and

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                                                               231







other places is caused a good deal by the presence of phosphates




and some presence of nitrates — we agree on that --




          DR. TARZWELL:  And other materials.




          DR. WILBAR:  -- and other materials.  Now, in a so-




called "complete" sewage treatment plant, is it not true that




the phosphates from detergents and other matter go through the




plant.  In other words, the complete treatment doesn't take




out the phosphates, to any great degree?




          DR. TARZWELL:  A portion of the phosphates are removed,




but much of the total dissolved phosphates are discharged with




the effluent of the plant, under the methods that are generally




used at the present time.




          DR. WILBAR:  So if we cut down appreciably on those




sewage treatment plants, this is in addition to those that come




from agriculture sources which means that some treatment beyond




what we not call "complete treatment" is necessary.




          DR, TARZWELL:  It sure does.  Regular treatment will




remove some, but if you're going to really meet the problem of




increasing population, you're going to have to go beyond so-called




"complete treatment," as I see it.




          DR, WILBAR:  And to what extent is this treatment




known and how much does it cost generally?




          DR. TARZWELL:  The cost figures I'm not prepared to




give you, but the scientists who have been working on waste

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                                                               232
treatment problems and advanced waste water treatment feel that




it is economically feasible to remove the phosphates down to




quite low levels expressed as parts per million and some, for




instance Dr. Wuhrmann in Switzerland feels that he can remove




most of the phosphates and the nitrates in two operations and




the cost, as I understand it, is not terribly great.  Even if




the costs are considerable what other alternative do we have?




          OR, WILBAR:  I agree.  I just wanted to bring out




this point that you say in the United States there are few




treatment plants for removing the phosphates almost entirely.




          DR. TARZWELL:   They are removing some, but there is




still a considerable portion left—and this is in a good form




for rapid use biologically, because it's already broken down.




The effluents are rich in carbon dioxide, phosphates, nitrates,




trace elements and also growth factors.




          CHAIRMAN STEIN:  We do have Mr. Coulter here, the




Chief of our Technical Services Branch.  He has been working on




these plants for phosphate removal costs.  I wonder if you might




want to ask him a question, and you might get more particulars.




          Mr. Coulter, will you please come up2  Dr. Wilbar has




asked Dr. Tarzwell about the removal of phosphates with ordinary




secondary treatment--the kind of costs we would run into if we




were doing it, and the kind of plants for successfully removing




phophates in the United States today.

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                                                                233
          MR. COULTER:  I am James Coulter.  I am in charge of




the Water Projects Section for the Division of Water Supply and




Pollution Control, Department of Health, Education, and Welfare.




          As I understand the question, Dr. Wilbar, it is,




what is the efficiency of phosphate removal, or what could  it




be in secondary treatment?




          DR. WILBAR:  Yes.  As I understand it, most of the




plants today in this country are not doing a very complete  job




of removing phosphates.  Now, methods are available.  What  are




these methods, and what does it cost?




          MR. COULTER:  First of all, in primary treatment  there




is very little removal of phosphate.  In secondary treatment of




sewage--and by secondary, I mean after going through the stages




where sewage is treated by physical methods, that is by settling,




screening and so on, it is subjected to biological action,  phos-




phate removal varies from about 10 percent to 70 percent.   The




variation seems to be in the method in which the activated




sludge is handled.  That is, how the sludge is handled after it




is taken from the secondary process.




          We believe that it is quite possible to operate a con-




ventional secondary sewage treatment plant in a manner so that




about 60 percent of the phosphate will be removed.  I'm not sure




exactly what the figure is in the report, but it is in the  area




of 60 percent.

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                                                               234
          The Chicago-Metropolitan District reports as high as




75 percent removal of phosphates, and it seems to be as a result




of pulling the sludge out of the system, and incinerating it,




without letting the phosphate return back into the system.




          CHAIRMAN STEIN:  Do you want to talk about costs?




What would be the cost if we have to go to something beyond




secondary treatment to get rid of the phosphates, or to put a




stage in in addition to traditional secondary treatment which




would remove the phosphates?




          MR. COULTER:   Yes, in the advanced waste treatment




studies at the Sanitary Engineering Center the removal of phos-




phates has been investigated in a number of areas throughout




the country.  Working on secondary sewage plant effluents it is

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                                                               235







possible to remove up to about 99 percent of the phosphates  by




adding a stage of chemical precipitation.  That is,  coagulating




the effluents, settling it, running it through a filter.   It is a




commonly used sanitary engineering process that is normally  used




in water treatment rather than sewage treatment.  The costs  are




well known, and it appears that phosphates can be essentially




completely removed at a cost of about eight cents per thousand




gallons.




          CHAIRMAN STEIN:  Are there any further questions or




comments on either this phosphate removal, or for Dr. Tarzwell?




          If not, thank you very much Mr. Coulter and Dr.




Tarzwell for an excellent presentation.




          MR. POSTON:  We will next hear from Mr. Grover Cook,




who is Chief of our Regional Enforcement Program. Mr. Cook




will, in a brief form, give us a summary of the Part 1, Lake




Erie Report.  Mr. Cook.




          MR. COOK:  Mr. Chairman, conferees, ladies and gentle-




men, the Report was read more in its entirety in Cleveland.   I




think many of the conferees heard this.  We will only hit  the




high spots here.  I am starting on page 9 of the Report, in




case you wish to follow me.




"Lake Currents




          "The net movement of water in Lake Erie is from  west




to east draining into Lake Ontario via the Niagara River...

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                                                               236
          "More than 90 percent of the input to Lake Erie is




from the Detroit River.  Most of this flow comes down the cen-




ter of the River, fanning out continuing far southward into




the western basin,,  The flow along the west side of the River




continues along the Michigan shore to mix with the Maumee




River discharge.  This flow then continues eastward along the




Ohio shore.  The flow along the east side of the Detroit River




moves eastward along the Canadian shore.




          "The western basin water mixes in the island area and




most of it then drains into the central basin via Pelee Passage.




Studies show a dominant flow toward the west in the southern




channels creating an essentially rotary movement in the island




area.




          "The drainage from Pelee Passage appears to reach as




far south as the Ohio shore at least at the surface.  However,




most of the flow turns eastward before reaching that far south.




          "The predominant eastward flow in the central and




eastern basin is reinforced by prevailing winds from the south-




west, however, wind studies for a 10-year period for Lake Erie




indicate that the reversed pattern or flow may occur nearly




25 percent of the time.




          "Discharges from tributary streams along the south




shore such as the Huron, Vermilion, Black and Cuyahoga Rivers,




and other streams to the east in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New




York, tend to stay along the south shore and move normally

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                                                               237
eastward with an alternate, but smaller secondary flow to the




west.  General dispersal of the flows from the south shore




streams with the deeper off-shore waters is limited.




          "The discharge of wastes and the tributary streams




along the south shore of the lake will increasingly contribute




to the pollution of beaches and other water uses as it moves




along the shore, both from Ohio waters into Pennsylvania and




to a lesser extent from Pennsylvania to Ohio.   This along shore




flow will also apply to the movement of tributary streams and




wastes from Pennsylvania to New York and to a  less degree from




New York to Pennsylvania.




          "Deep water or mid-lake circulation  is complex in the




central and eastern basins being controlled to a great degree




by the wind.  The wind induces surface flow in its general di-




rection accompanied by an opposing subsurface  flow into the wind,




Since south-west winds prevail, the surface flow is dominantly




toward the east and the subsurface flow is dominantly toward the




west over most of the central and eastern basins.  A wide band




along the Canadian shore, as wide as about 1/3 of the lake's




width, moves predominantly eastward from top to bottom....




          "It is apparent from these studies that discharges




anywhere along the shores of Lake Erie can affect water quality




in Lake Erie, with the dominant effect occuring from west to




east.

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                                                               238
               "IV - DEGRADATION OF LAKE ERIE




"Lake Enrichment




          "Eutrophication means enrichment of waters through




either man-created or natural means.  Natural enrichment pro-




duces a rate of lake aging that may be manifested only on the




clock of geologic time.  Additional fertilization will accel-




erate the rate of lake aging, making changes in water quality




noticeable within a decade or even less.  For example, growing




cities and expanding industries are pouring nutrients into the




nation's waterways at an ever-increasing rate, and aquatic weed




and algal nuisances are occuring in areas where they did not




exist before.




          "The scope of accelerated eutrophication or water en-




richment is broad and the ramifications are many.  The most




perceptible characteristics to the layman include nuisance




growths of small suspended plants or algal scums, developing




areas of rooted water plants, and odors associated with decaying




dead vegetation and possibly fish.  More subtle changes can be




found by the investigator as indicated by decreased light pene-




tration; decreased dissolved oxygen in deeper waters; increased




nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations especially in the deeper




waters; significant changes in the algal population, and in the




kinds and numbers of bottom dwelling organisms, and increased




rooted aquatic weed beds.




          "There are many elements that are essential to life

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                                                               239
processes.  Among these are carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen,




phosphorus, potassium, sulfur, and several trace minerals.  They




are all present in sewage.  Nitrogen and phosphorus is partially




removed by a sewage treatment plant, but the percentage of re-




moval depends on plant design and efficiency of operation.




Nitrogen is in good supply from natural sources (80% of the




air we breathe is nitrogen), but phosphorus is not plentiful.




The density of algae growth is usually governed by the concen-




tration of phosphorus.  If phosphates are reduced, algae




growths are correspondingly less.  Phosphorus, a constituent




of domestic sewage and certain industrial wastes, promotes




algae growths and is thus a serious pollutant that must be




controlled.




          "It is well documented that many lakes throughout




the country have been fertile reservoirs for algal development




for many years and have been labeled eutrophic."




          CHAIRMAN STEIN:  Just a moment.  I think the record




should show that the alternate for Pennsylvania, Mr. Richard




Boardman is here, instead of Dr. Charles Wilbar at this point.




          Will you go on?




          MR.  COOK:   "Included among these are Lake Zoar in




Connecticut, Lake Sebasticook in Maine, the Madison lakes in




Wisconsin, Lake Erie, the Detroit lakes in Minnesota, Green




Lake and Lake Washington in Washington, and Klamath Lake in




Oregon.  Of these, Lake Erie is the largest.

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                                                               240
          "When the concentrations of inorganic nitrogen and




soluble phosphate exceed 0.3 tng/1 and 0.03 mg/1, respectively,




prior to the algal growing season and when other growth condi-




tions such as light, temperature, and turbulence are favorable,




algal, blooms have been found to develop.  Those algae that oc-




cur usually in small numbers in infertile lakes become sup-




planted by larger populations of more troublesome kinds.




          "As nutrient concentrations increase, the numbers of




algal cells increase.  Nuisance conditions such as surface




scums and algal-littered beaches occur.  The water may become




foul-smelling.  Filter-clogging problems may occur at municipal




water supplies.  Filamentous algae, especially Cladophora, grow




profusely on almost any suitable subsurface.  They, too, cause




nuisance conditions when they break loose and wash ashore at




bathing beaches to form windrows of stinking vegetation.




Growths of filamentous algae and slimes hamper commercial




fishing by adhering to nets, and interfere with municipal and




industrial water supplies by clogging intake screens.




          "At this stage of eutrophication other changes are




occurring in the lake.  The bottom is changed by sedimentation




of organic material; this habitat is changed from one suitable




for mayfly nymphs, scuds and other small organisms favored as




food by desirable fish to one where only sludgeworms and




bloodworms can exist,,  Fish populations are changed to the




coarser species because the habitat is more favorable to them.

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                                                               241
          "Nutrient concentrations in Lake Erie indicate that




soluble phosphate values in the western basin consistently




exceeded the stated critical value during studies in 1963 and




1964, with average concentrations ranging from 0.05 to 0.15




rag/1 phosphate (PO,) .  The central and eastern basins now have




phosphate concentrations at the critical threshold value and




any increase in present levels will produce a corresponding




increase in algal populations."




          I would like to depart from the text for just one




moment.  This past weekend I observed a bloom which apparently




was a blue-green algal bloom, just west of Cleveland, well out




in the Lake.  As far as I know, this has never been reported




in this area before.  That is a pretty discouraging sight to




a limnologist.




          "Water clarity as demonstrated by Secchi disc readings




indicates that visibility of the white and black disc extends




through 4 feet in the western basin, and through 13 feet in




both the central and eastern basins.  Because this test measures




relative turbidity conditions by a combination of algae and




other suspended material, it reflects undesirable changes in




the western basin.




          "The biology of the western Lake Erie basin has




changed drastically during the past 35 years, especially the




past 15.  In the Bass Island area, samples collected in




September 1964, showed suspended algal populations of 3,500

-------
                                                               242
organisms per milliliter (about 3.5 million per quart) compared




to a maximum 1,000 per milliliter found in a study conducted




between 1938 and 1942.  Species composition has also changed




from one predominantly of diatoms to one presently dominated




by blue-green algae that are associated closely with enriched




waters.




          "Long-term increases in suspended algal populations




are also apparent from data published for the area adjacent to




Cleveland in the central basin of Lake Erie.  Annual averages




have increased from 200 to 400 cells per milliliter between




1920 and 1930 to 1500 to 2300 cells at the present time.  Also,




there have been significant changes in dominant organisms with




blue-green algal forms becoming increasingly present even in




this area.




          "Although historical data are not available for the




suspended algae of the eastern basin, PHS studies in 1963 and




1964 revealed that the kinds and numbers are similar to those




that occurred in the central basin,




          "The filamentous green alga Cladophora is encouraged




by enriched waters to grow on any suitable attachment site.




When it matures, it characteristically breaks loose, floats to




the water surface, and creates an odorous nuisance when de-




posited on beaches by wind and waves.  An estimated 340 miles




of Lake Erie shoreline has a subsurface suitable for Cladophora




growth.  Nuisance conditions have become so severe that

-------
                                                               243
restricted swimming and sunbathing have occurred in the island


area and at the beaches in the eastern basin, especially east


of Erie, Pennsylvania and near Dunkirk, New York.


"Dissolved Oxygen Deficit in the Bottom Waters


          "Low dissolved oxygen concentrations were detected


in the bottom waters of the central basin as early as August


1929 when DO values of 4.4 and 4.8 mg/1 were recorded at 2


stations in the central basin.  A low value of 0.8 mg/1 was


measured at one station near Marblehead, Ohio, in  August 1930.


          "Low DO values from 1948 through 1951 of 2 to 4 mg/1
                                   r

were recorded and in September 1959 the DO was found to be  less


than 3 mg/1 in a large area of the central basin.   A survey  in


August 1960 revealed a similarly large area where  the DO was


less than 3 mg/1.  One zero DO was recorded in August 1959


near the south shore.


          "In August 1964, an area of about the same magnitude


was found where the DO concentrations were even lower.  Most of


the affected area had DO values of 2 mg/1 or less.  This area


was about 2,600 square miles, or about 25 per cent of the en-


tire lake.


          "In summary, dissolved oxygen values in  the bottom


waters of the central basin of Lake Erie appear to have de-


creased during the past 35 years from about 5 mg/1 to less


than 2 mg/1 with many parts near zero.


          "This DO deficit is caused largely by lake enrichment.

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                                                               244
When this is coupled with a physical phenomenon called thermal




stratification, the mechanism is established through which




oxygen is consumed in the bottom waters.  As explained earlier,




the lake is enriched by the introduction of such materials as




nitrogen and phosphorus that encourage plant growth.  Thermal




stratification occurs when the upper layer of lake water be-




comes one temperature, a lower layer of water becomes a dif-




ferent temperature, and a third layer of water called the




thermocline is sandwiched between them.  The thermocline is




the layer where a sharp temperature differential exists.




          "During summer stratification, the upper water layer




is as much as 16 C higher than the bottom layer.  Almost all




lakes stratify thermally, but dissolved oxygen deficits occur




only in those lakes where large amounts of oxygen-consuming




materials and nutrients have been introduced.  These materials




may be introduced directly as sewage or certain industrial




wastes, or indirectly by nutrients that accelerate algal




growth.  Suspended organic materials are scattered over a wide




area by winds and lake currents, settle to the bottom, and ex-




ert an oxygen demand during decay.  The crop of suspended




algae that grow in great numbers in a fertile lake is ever




changing.  Cells die off and settle slowly to the bottom.




During their descent, they are attacked by decay organisms




and exert an oxygen demand.  Thus, in a fertile lake, oxygen




is being removed by the bottom muds and by the suspended

-------
                                                               245
organic matter In the water above.   Lake Erie is susceptible to




damage from these happenings, especially in its central basin.




          "The western basin does not become stratified except




during 6 to 7 day periods of calm because it is so shallow that




wind-induced turbulence creates thorough mixing from surface to




bottom."




          "Both the central and eastern basins do become strati-




fied, usually from June to October.  A serious dissolved oxygen




deficit does not develop in the eastern basin because it is  much




deeper than the central basin.  The thermocline, or middle layer




of water, lowers in the central basin as stratification becomes




well established until it is about 50 feet below the surface.




At this time, the lower layer of water in the central basin




becomes thin, on the order of 8 to 10 feet thick.  At the same




time, the eastern basin, which is about 150 feet deep, may have




a bottom layer 100 feet thick.




          "The central basin is adjacent to the western basin




where there are large inputs of wastes and where the heaviest




growths of suspended algae occur.  The overall easterly move-




ment of water may carry some of this material to the quieter




waters of the central basin where it settles to the bottom..."




          As stated previously, inputs of phosphates are pri-




marily responsible for the biological problems of Lake Erie.

-------
                                                               245A
          "Phosphorus, in Its inorganic form of orthophosphate




      is an essential element of biological life.   It is used




extensively as an agricultural fertilizer.   All animals and




plants require phosphate for normal growth  and reproduction.




          "Because phosphate is so important to biological life




it can become a controlling factor in the rate of  growth or




size of crop, and under conditions of limited abundance as pre-




vails in Lake Erie  it is the one factor most easily controlled.




          "The pollution caused by phosphate in Lake Erie re-




sults in uncontrollable production of algae followed by decay




of this organic matter produced in the Lake.  The  decay, in




turn produces zones of oxygen depletion, as has been evidenced




by studies in the past and the recently revealed zone of




serious oxygen depletion of 2600 square miles of the central




basin.  The productivity and decay that caused this tremendous




loss of oxygen was of massive proportions.   In 1964 it produced

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                                                               246
an oxygen deficit estimated at 270,000,000 pounds.   The total

of all oxygen consuming wastes from man-made sources now en-

tering the lake is only a small portion of the oxygen demand

causing this deficit.

          "Phosphate inputs from principal sources  are presented

in Table 8," which I am going to read.  We didn't do this at the

first conference at Cleveland, but I think it is illuminating.

It's the last table in the report, page 50.  It is  entitled

"Soluble Phosphate Inputs to Lake Erie."  If you will follow

on the map from west to east, you may get a better  vision of

what's being introduced in the way of phosphates0
                         "TABLE V-8
            SOLUBLE PHOSPHATE INPUTS TO LAKE ERIE

              Source
MICHIGAN
      Discharge from Lake Huron
      Municipal
      Industrial
      Tributaries
            Huron River
            Raisin River
OHIO
      Municipalities
            Toledo
            Sandusky
            Lorain-Avon
            Lakewood
            Cleveland Westerly
            Cleveland Easterly
            Euclid
      Industrial--Direct Discharge
      Tributaries
            Maumee River
            Portage River
            Sandusky River
Pounds/Day
  11,800
  70,000
  10,000

   2,000
     900
   8,400
   1,000
   2,600
   1,100
   5,400
  14,900
   2,100
 unknown

  11,000
   1,100
   6,000

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                                                               247
              Source                                Pounds/Day

            Black River                                3,100
            Rocky River                                3,400
            Cuyahoga River                             3,500
            Chagrin River                                300
            Grand River                                	
            Ashtabula River                              100

PENNSYLVANIA
            Erie                                       2,600
            Other Sources                              2,900

NEW YORK
            Buffalo River                              2,300
            Other Sources                              2,500

CANADA (est.-Municipal)                                5,000

Sum of Major Known Sources                           174,000

Discharged at Niagara River                           24,000


"Of the total of 174,000 pounds of soluble phosphate discharged

from known sources daily, 67 per cent is from municipal and in-

dustrial sources discharging directly to the Lake,  and 33 per

cent from tributaries (including the St. Glair River), and

other small sources.  The St. Clair River input is  6.8 per

cent of this total.  All other sources are amenable to some

degree of control.

          "A 65 per cent reduction of phosphate inputs can be

achieved through secondary sewage treatment, operated to effect

optimum phosphate removal.  Secondary treatment provides ad-

ditional benefits through greater reduction of oxidizable

organic matter, disease-causing organisms, phenolics, nitro-

gen, and other waste materials.

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                                                               248
          "The major controllable sources and the amount of re-

duction that can be achieved by the secondary treatment de-

scribed above are listed below:

               Detroit             45,500 pounds per day
               Toledo               2,900
               Sandusky               700
               Lorain-Avon          1,700
               Lakewood               600
               Westerly             3,500
               Easterly             6,800
               Euclid               1,300
               Erie                 1,300

                                   64,300"


          If the one large Michigan source were reduced 80  per-

cent, this would give us another 8,000 pounds per day reduction,

for a grand total of 72,300 pounds per day reduction.

          "Thus, at least 40 per cent of present PO^ input  can

be reduced by secondary treatment at the principal waste

sources.  This alone would significantly reduce algae growths

in the Lake.  Therefore, the first requirement for phosphate

pollution control in Lake Erie is the construction of secondary

treatment plants where they do not now exist and improved treat-

ment techniques for those plants that now practice secondary

treatment.

          "These reductions, based on present day factors,  must

be constantly improved in order to account for increases in

phosphate loadings resulting from population, industrial and

agricultural growth.

-------
                                                               249







          "Even with the institution of secondary treatment,  and




operation of treatment plants for optimum phosphate removal,  the




reduction in phosphate inputs will require several years,  and no




sudden or dramatic reductions in Lake algal productivity can  be




expected.  Therefore, top priority must be given to the earliest




construction and operation of those plants at  which the highest




removals can be achieved; namely Detroit, Toledo, Cleveland,  and




Erie.  After these treatment practices are in  operation it can be




reasonably expected that significant improvement in the water




quality in Lake Erie will be observable within a few years.   At




that time, the effects of these measures should be reevaluated




to determine if further reduction of nutrients by additional




treatment will be necessary."




          Mr. Stephen Megregian will present Part 3 of  the re-




port, covering Pennsylvania and New York.




          CHAIRMAN STEIN:  We will call for questions and  com-




ments on this after Mr. Megregian has read his report if that




is agreeable.  All right, Mr. Megregian.




          MR. MEGREGIAN:   Chairman Stein, conferees, ladies and




gentlemen, I am Stephen Megregian, the Deputy  Project Director




of the Great Lakes Illinois River Basins Project.




          Mr. Cook has presented Part 1.  Part 2 was presented




in Cleveland which covered the Michigan, Indiana and Ohio  por-




tions of the basin, and I will now present Part 3, which covers

-------
                                                               250
the Pennsylvania and New York portion of the Lake Erie Basin,




Part 3 of the Federal Report.




          CHAIRMAN STEIN:  You're going to summarize this,




aren't you, Mr. Megregian?




          MR. MEGREGIAN:  I will eliminate certain portions  of




the report,  I will indicate the pages as I go along.




          CHAIRMAN STEIN:  We can put this whole thing in the




record, as read.  How long will this take - about a half  hour?




          MR. MEGREGIAN:  It shouldn't take me more than  a half-




hour - probably a lot less.




          CHAIRMAN STEIN:  O.K.




          MR. MEGREGIAN:  Part 3, Chapter 2, Pennsylvania.   I




will begin by reading "Sources of Wastes," page 106.




          "The principal sources of pollution in the basin are




municipal sewage from treatment plant effluents, combined sewer




overflows, and industrial wastes.  Other wastes, discharged  in-




termittently, also have severe, though temporary effects.




Among these are accidental spills from vessels or industries,




and wastes from lake vessels.




          "The major sources of municipal wastes are Erie,




Girard, Lake City, and North East.  All major treatment plants




in this basin provide secondary treatment and remove an average




of 85 per cent of the BOD.  North East and Erie chlorinate




their sewage treatment plant effluents.  Lake City and Girard




are enlarging their treatment plants and plan  to include

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                                                               251







chlorinatlon, as required by the State of Pennsylvania.




          "Bacterial tests of Mill Creek and Garrison Run indicate




that they are receiving domestic wastes.  Samples  collected in the




harbor off Mill Creek in 1964 revealed high coliform bacterial




counts.




          "Lake City and North East have separate  sewers  for




domestic wastes and stormwater runoff.  Girard has a combination




of separate and combined systems.  Erie is served  by a combined




system, mainly in the downtown area.




                         "Industrial Wastes




          "One industry, Hammermill Paper Company, contributes 90




percent of the total oxygen demand loading to this area's water."




This demand is about 120,000 pounds per day of BOD.   "This part




of Hammermill's waste will soon be largely removed with the in-




stallation of deep well disposal.  However, this will not alle-




viate the problem caused by the discharge of tannins and  lignins




from spent pulping liquors.  These wastes cause the water to




foam, turn brownish black in appearance, and produce a strong odor.




          "Other industries having discharges with a more local-




ized effect are Gunnison Brothers, Interlake Iron  Corporation,




General Electric, and Parker-White Metal.  Noticeable quanti-




ties of oil and iron have been observed on Fourmile Creek.




"Effects of Wastes on Water Quality and Water Uses




          "Various communities along the lakefront have indi-




vidual pollution problems.  Beaches to the west of Presque

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                                                               252
Isle have maintained good quality, while those to the east,  in-




cluding Beach 11 on Presque Isle, have at times been severely




polluted.  The pollution problems at the beaches have been both




bacterial and esthetic.




          "Fish kills have occurred sporadically in the history




of the lakeshore area and the various tributaries.   Many of  the




fish kills were caused by industrial waste discharges.   A com-




bined effort by State and local officials and wildlife  organi-




zations has helped to curb illegal industrial discharges.




          "As Erie Harbor is enclosed by Presque Isle and has




only a small opening into Lake Erie, flow in and out is re-




stricted.  Water color in the harbor and along the  east shore




is a deep brownish-tan, caused by pulp and paper wastes.   Tur-




bidity is relatively low in the harbor.  Filamentous green




algae (Cladophora) is present in most areas of the  harbor where




the depth is less than six feet.  Bottom deposits in the harbor




are a brownish black combination of mud, silt and detritus (in-




cluding wood fiber).




          "The waters of Erie Harbor near downtown  marina fa-




cilities and docks, and off Mill Creek, had high eoliform bac-




teria densities.  They ranged from 1,000 to 500,000 organisms




per 100 ml near Mill Creek and in the ship channel.  The source




of this pollution is probably Mill Creek, where eoliform densi-




ties of over 1,000,000 organisms per 100 ml occurred and from




other local sources of pollution.  Enteric pathogens of the

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                                                               253





Salmonella group were isolated from 80 per cent of the samples



collected in both Mill Creek and the Harbor.   This same organism



was found in Erie's sewage.



          "The Hammermill Paper Company's waste outfall is lo-



cated just east of the mouth of Erie Harbor.   With the prevailing



winds in the area from the west, Hammermill"s effluent affects



the water quality and esthetic appearance of  beaches  and boating



areas for 10 to 20 miles eastward.   This line of foam and foul
                                          /


smelling colored water is normally visible at Sixteenmile and



Twentymile Creeks, and hinders the development of the eastern



portion of the basin as a water supply source and as  a recrea-



tional area.  It also reduces the usefulness  and Value of lake-



front property.  When the wind is from the east, these wastes



make parts or all of the beaches on Presque Isle unusable for



water contact sports.



         "In addition to their adverse esthetic effects, these



discharges cause severe problems with tastes  and odors in do-



mestic water supplies which require costly additional treatment*



In the spring of 1964, for a period of 5 to 10 days,  when the



wind was from the east, the City of Erie had  high tannin concen-



trations in its water intakes.  Periodically, Erie is forced



to close its eastern intake to avoid such high tannin concen-



trations.



         "In the summer of 1964, the Erie County Health Department



carried out an intensive microbiological examination  of the

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                                                               254
 beaches  at Presque Isle State Park.  Presque Isle State Park

 officials, the U. S. Public Health Service, the Pennsylvania

 Department of Health, and the City of Erie cooperated in this

 study.  A summary of the data collected in the summer of 1964

 from over 4,000 separate tests appears below:

   "MICROBIOLOGICAL RESULTS FROM PRESQUE ISLE  STATE PARK
                        SUMMER 1964

                    Total Coliform Density*   Fecal Streptococcus
                                 % Greater         Density*
     Beach           Median      Than 1,000         Median
Presque Isle
Presque Isle
Presque Isle
Presque Isle
- 1
- 8
- 10
- 11
36
23
20
700
4%
0%
07,
38%
10
7
4
5
* Count per 100 ml - preliminary evaluation, 1964 data,  Millipore
  Filter Technique.
          "The data in the above table indicate that Beach 1

on the west end of the park has a source of occasional pollu-

tion which diminishes as it progresses along the beach, whereas

Beach 11 on the eastern tip is affected by larger and more con-

sistent sources of pollution.

          "Preliminary analyses indicate that, except for short

periods, all of the beaches except Beach 11 are relatively free

from pollution.  Beach 11 was closed as a precautionary measure

several times this past summer by Park officials while all

western beaches remained open at all times."

          I won't read the recommended actions until later.

-------
                                                               255
          Part III, Western New York, beginning on page 112 -




Principal Sources of Wastes.




          "Excluding the summer population at two state parks,




two cities provide secondary treatment for the wastes from




12,300 people.  There are 20,500 people served by three primary




treatment plants.  Eighteen thousand people are not served by




municipal sewerage systems."




          Eleven industries discharge wastes to the area's wa-




ters.  Welch Grape Juice Co., Inc., discharges pressing and




process wastes and storage tank wash waters at Brocton and




Westfield.  Seneca Westfield Main, Inc. and Growers Cooperative




Grape Juice Co. discharge similar wastes in Westfield.  In




Dunkirk, Niagara-Mohawk Power Corporation discharges heat  and




flyash; Twin Cities Asphalt Company discharges solids; Great




Lakes Color Printing Company discharges ink and cleaning solu-




tions.




"Effects of Wastes on Water Quality and Water Uses




          "Grape juice processing wastes discharged by four




firms in Brocton cause problems of appearance, odor, and oxygen




depletion in their receiving waters.  Brocton also discharges




raw and partially treated domestic sewage to Slippery Rock




Creek.




          "The main pollution problem at Dunkirk is that of




flyash from the Niagara-Mohawk power plant.  The flyash is




dumped as land fill behind the plant but is washed into the

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                                                               256
 harbor during rains.  In sections of the harbor, flyash deposits




 were  as much as two feet deep.




          "Dunkirk harbor has problems with algae, especially




 Cladophora.  Storms break them loose and they are washed onto




 the beaches of the area where they decompose, producing a foul




 odor.  Dunkirk's harbor is shallow and rooted aquatic weeds and




 algae  grow abundantly, making boating almost impossible.




 Cladophora growths are heavy outside the breakwater.




          "A heavy black slick occurs below Great Lakes Color




 Printing Company.  Brown discoloration and suspended solids are




 found  near the Twin Cities Asphalt Company discharge.




          "In the summer of 1964, the City of Dunkirk conducted




 an extensive study of its two major bathing areas.  Total coil-




 form densities ranged, from 8 to 500,000 organisms per 100 ml.




 The mean coliform density exceeded the recreational objectives




 of 1,000 organisms per 100 ml for 34 per cent (Point Gratiot)




 and 49 per cent (Wright Park) of the time sampled.  The beaches




 are now closed for one to ten days after rainfall or strong




winds.




                        "Silver Creek




          "Walnut Creek and Silver Creek are polluted by raw




 sewage discharged from Forestville and Silver Creek and by




wastes discharged by the Silver Creek Preserving Company.




This pollution renders the area unsuitable for any water con-




tact sports."

-------
                                                               257
          Chapter IV, Erie-Niagara:   Begin on page 117,




Principal Sources of Wastes - that's  page 118 in your book.




          "Raw or inadequately treated wastes discharged by  in-




dustries and municipalities are the principal sources of pol-




lution in this area.  Other wastes, which have serious effects,




are accidental spills from vessels or industries, land runoff,




and wastes from lake vessels.




          "The estimated total municipal discharge for the




Erie-Niagara basin is between 900,000 and 1,000,000 population




equivalent (PE).  This represents a net reduction in BOD by




treatment of only 37 per cent.  Individual cities vary from




Attica (90%), Arcade (90%) , and Orchard Park (87%)  to Buffalo




(22%) , and Tonawanda Twp. (12%) removal.  Improved treatment




and collection facilities are needed  in many areas.




          "Cities in the Erie-Niagara Basin have relatively




long histories.  Many cities were founded in the early 1800's,




and have inherited the antiquated combined sewer systems of




early days.  Quantities of sewage and industrial wastes are




discharged to the waterways whenever  excess storm runoff oc-




curs.  There are over 30 overflows on the Buffalo River alone.




There are areas such as Gowanda and others which continually




discharge untreated sewage.  Corrective action is needed to




remove these sources of pollution.




                     "Industrial Wastes




          "There are two significant  sources of industrial

-------
                                                               258
pollution in the Cattaraugus Creek drainage basin.  These in-

dustries are the Peter Cooper Corporation and the Moench

Tanning Company.  Each discharges wastes having a high oxygen

demand and considerable quantities of suspended solids.  The

industrial waste data (I960) for these industries are sum-

marized below:

         "Cattaraugus Creek - Industrial Waste Data

                 Flow     	BOD	     Suspended Solids
                 mgd      Ibs/day    P.E.      	Ibs/day

Peter Cooper Corp. 3.59   25,800   155,000         9,580

Moench Tanning Co, 1.67    8,730    52,400         7,600

    Total          5.26   34,530   207,400        17,180

"The estimated population in the Cattaraugus Creek drainage

basin is 36,000 people; these two industries discharge wastes

equivalent in oxygen demand to more than five times this number.

          "Smokes Creek flows through the City of Lackawanna

and the Bethlehem Steel Company property before it empties in-

to the Lake.  An indeterminate but large amount of industrial

waste is discharged to the Creek by Bethlehem before it enters

the Lake."  These wastes are composed of acid, ammonia, BOD,

cyanides, iron, oil, phenols, sewage and solids.  "Bethlehem

Steel Company also discharges wastes to the Lakeshore and the

harbor areas.  Bethlehem Steel is one of the major sources of

pollution in the Smokes Creek area, but detailed data con-

cerning its discharges have not been made available by the

State.

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                                                               259


          "There are five major industries  on the Buffalo River.

They use the Buffalo River as a source of water supply and also

for waste transport.  The section of the river where these in-

dustries are located is grossly polluted.  The type of wastes

discharged by each industry is tabulated below:

          "Buffalo River - Industrial Waste Discharges

       Industry                  Type

National Aniline                 Synthetic  Dyes
Socony Vacuum Oil Co.            Oil, phenolics ,  cyanides
Donner-Hanna Coke Co.            Phenolics, cyanide, Ammonium,
                                 oil, Solids, and BOD
Republic Steel Corp.             Phenolics, cyanide, oil, and solids
General Chemical                 Inorganic

          "Details of quantity and types of waste discharged by

each firm have not been made available.   These five industries

have jointly formed a corporation with the  specific purpose of

obtaining a suitable water supply.  A multi-million dollar

project is presently under construction to  obtain a water supply

from Lake Erie.  The project will have a capacity of about 200

mgd and will be used primarily to furnish cooling water.   The

industries propose to use this water on a once through basis,

returning it directly to the River.  This increased flow will

flush wastes from the Buffalo River into Lake Erie, but it

will not in itself reduce the input of wastes to  the Lake.

          "Sedimentation is a problem in several  areas in the

Basin.  High sediment loads are related to  heavy rainfalls or

snow melts, and last for only short periods of time.  The

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                                                               260
average annual sediment load for all areas except the upper




Buffalo and Tonawanda areas ranges from 100 to 1,500 tons per




year per square mile.




          "Over 100,000 tons of sediment must be dredged from




the Buffalo River yearly to keep its navigation channel open.




Data indicate that some of this sediment originates from in-




dustrial wastes discharged in the river.




"Effects of Wastes on Water Quality and Water Uses




          "Waste discharges in the Erie-Niagara Basin affect




the immediate receiving stream, the shoreline, and the eastern




side of the Niagara River.




          "In the summer of 1964, an extensive microbiological




study of the major public beaches was conducted by the Erie




County Department of Health.  Beaches were examined from




Evangola State Park on the west to Beaver Island State Park on




the east.  It was found that in most cases there was a direct




correlation between rainfall and high or gusty winds and coli-




form densities.  Several of these beaches are now automatically




closed to the public after rainfall and/or high winds, for one




to three days.  The beaches were affected by nearby streams




carrying wastes, by sewage treatment plant discharges, and by




combined sewer system overflows.




                     "Cattaraugus Creek




          "Raw domestic sewage, toxic wastes, oil, organic




loadings are poured into Cattaraugus Creek in the vicinity of

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                                                               261
Gowanda by Peter Cooper Corp., Moench Tanning Co., and the




Village of Gowanda.  Dumps are located along the creek banks.




Above these outfalls the stream is clear;  below them the




stream becomes a virtual cesspool during low flow months.




Damage to fish and wildlife and recreation by pollution occurs




in that part of the basin below the outfalls.




          "Eighteenmile Creek is relatively free from pollution




except in the vicinity of Hamburg, while Big Sister Creek  has




been grossly polluted and was only 30 per  cent sewered. With




the recent construction of two new sewage  treatment plants in




the area, water quality in Big Sister Creek should improve.




Both of these streams have a potential as  fish and recreation




areas.




                    "Buffalo-River System




          "The Buffalo River Basin is composed of the Buffalo




River and its tributaries of Cazenovia Creek, Cuyuga Creek,  and




Buffalo Creeko




          "Under prevalent conditions of sluggish flow, the




lower Buffalo River resembles a vast septic tank, with no  dis-




solved oxygen and high biochemical oxygen  demand during criti-




cal periods, and with oil, color and exotic waste materials.




Following heavy rainfall combined sewer overflows and bottom




scourings threaten the quality of the water supplies of the




City of Buffalo and other municipalities.   The Buffalo River




is too grossly polluted to support fish, bottom dwelling

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                                                               262
animals, or attached algae.




          "Except for high coliform densities, the water in




Cayuga Creek above Lancaster and Depew is good in quality.   At




low flow, Cayuga Creek becomes septic below the Depew Sewage




Treatment Plant,  Oil discharges have been noted in the lower




seven miles of the Creek.




          "The West Branch of Cazenovia Creek is of good sani-




tary quality; so is the East Branch except for its last two




miles which have a high BOD loading from the East Aurora Sewage




Treatment Plant.  Cazenovia Creek's water quality remains rela-




tively high until the stream reaches West Seneca.  The stream




supports a well-balanced population of bottom dwelling animals




which include many pollution-sensitive forms.




          "Pollution from sewer discharges in the lower six




miles of the stream degrade the water quality until, near the




mouth, the DO at times becomes zero."




          Mr. Cook will read the recommended actions that were




presented in Part 1, and I will complete it.




          MR, COOK:  This is page 1 of part 1 of the report.




          CHAIRMAN STEIN:  Mr. Cook, in the interests of




saving time, we will leave out Part I of the report - I read




that this morning, as ratified by the conferees.  I wonder  if




we could just do the specialized portion, because in view of




the Cleveland session, that might be a little out of date.




          All right, I think we can move down from that.

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                                                               263
          MR. MEGREGIAN:   Recommended actions  for  the

Pennsylvania area.

          '"The recommendations for pollution abatement set

forth in Chapter I, Part 1 are to be adopted where applicable

in the Pennsylvania Basin.  In addition,  it is recommended that

the following specific actions be taken:

          "1.  The Erie metropolitan area develop  a plan which

will outline the steps to be taken to provide solutions to

pollution created by combined sewer overflows.

          "2.  The following industrial plants take the

necessary actions listed:

           Industry                 Necessary Action

     Hammermill Paper Company -    Reduction of Solids and Spent
                                   Cook Liquors

     Interlake Iron Company   r    Reduction of Phenols and
                                   Solids

     Electric Materials Co.   -    Reduction of Heavy Metals

     Erie Brewing Co.         -    Reduction of BOD

     Erie Reduction Co.       -    Reduction of BOD

     Kaiser Aluminum Co.      -    Reduction of Heavy Metals."

          For the Western New York Basin, recommended actions.

          "The recommendations for pollution abatement set forth

in Chapter I» Part 1, are to be adopted where applicable in the

Western New York Basin.  In addition, it is recommended that

the following specific actions be taken:

          "1.  The following industrial plants take the necessary

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                                                               264
 actions  listed:

            Industry                Necessary Action

     Niagara Mohawk Power
       Company                 -    Keep flyash out of Lake

     Silver Creek Preserving
       Company                 -    BOD reduction

     Welch  Grape Juice
       Company, Inc.           -    BOD reduction

     Seneca Westfield Maid,
       Inc.                    -    BOD reduction

     Growers Cooperative
       Grape Juice Co.         -    BOD reduction"

          For the Erie-Niagara Area, the recommended actions

 are  as follows:

          "The recommendations for pollution abatement set forth
 /
 in Chapter  I, Part 1 are to be adopted where applicable in the

 Erie-Niagara Basin.  In addition, it is recommended that the

 following specific actions be taken:

          "1.  The Buffalo metropolitan area develop a plan

 which will  outline the steps to be taken to provide solutions

 to water pollution created by combined sewer overflows.

          "2.  Necessary action be taken to eliminate oil and

 debris in the Lake, tributaries, and harbor waters.

          "3.  The following industries provide waste treatment

 or reduction of waste at its source to eliminate water pollution:

Allied Chemical and Dye Corporation, General Chemical Division;

Allied Chemical & Dye Corp., National Aniline Division;

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                                                                265
Bethlehem Steel Co.; Donner-Hanna Coke Corporation; Hanna




Furnace Corporation; Moench Tanning Co.; Penn-Dixie Cement Co.;




Peter Cooper Corp.;. Republic Steel Corp.; Socony-Vacuum Oil




Company; Union Plating Works,"




          Thank you.




          CHAIRMAN STEIN:  Thank you.  Are there any comments




or questions?




          If there are a considerable number of questions,




we'd better wait for the morning.  Most of you plan to be here




tomorrow, don't you?




          We will stand recessed until 9:30 tomorrow morning,




 same place.




(CONFERENCE RECESSED AT 4:15 P.M.)
                                 U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE t 1966 O - 216-714

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