[Senate Treaty Document 110-5]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]



110th Congress 
 1st Session                     SENATE                     Treaty Doc.
                                                                  110-5
_______________________________________________________________________

                                     

 
   1996 PROTOCOL TO CONVENTION ON PREVENTION OF MARINE POLLUTION BY 
                           DUMPING OF WASTES

                               __________

                                MESSAGE

                                  from

                     THEPRESIDENTOFTHEUNITEDSTATES

                              transmitting

 1996 PROTOCOL TO THE CONVENTION ON THE PREVENTION OF MARINE POLLUTION 
BY DUMPING OF WASTES AND OTHER MATTER (THE ``LONDON CONVENTION''), DONE 
 IN LONDON ON NOVEMBER 7, 1996. THE PROTOCOL WAS SIGNED BY THE UNITED 
   STATES ON MARCH 31, 2008, AND ENTERED INTO FORCE ON MARCH 24, 2006




 September 4, 2007.--Treaty was read the first time, and together with 
the accompanying papers, referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations 
          and ordered to be printed for the use of the Senate
                         LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL

                              ----------                              

                                The White House, September 4, 2007.
To the Senate of the United States:
    I transmit herewith, with a view to receiving advice and 
consent, the 1996 Protocol to the Convention on the Prevention 
of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter (the 
``London Convention''), done in London on November 7, 1996. The 
Protocol was signed by the United States on March 31, 1998, and 
it entered into force on March 24, 2006.
    The Protocol represents the culmination of a thorough and 
intensive effort to update and improve the London Convention. 
The London Convention governs the ocean dumping and 
incineration at sea of wastes and other matter and was a 
significant early step in international protection of the 
marine environment from pollution caused by these activities.
    Although the Protocol and the London Convention share many 
features, the Protocol is designed to protect the marine 
environment more effectively. The Protocol moves from a 
structure of listing substances that may not be dumped to a 
``reverse list'' approach, which prohibits ocean dumping of all 
wastes or other matter, except for a few specified wastes. This 
approach is combined with detailed criteria for environmental 
assessment of those materials that may be considered for 
dumping and potential dumping sites.
    The Protocol would be implemented through amendments to the 
Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act (MPRSA), which 
currently covers London Convention obligations. There will not 
be any substantive changes to existing practices in the United 
States, and no economic impact is expected from implementation 
of the Protocol. I recommend that the Senate give early and 
favorable consideration to this Protocol and give its advice 
and consent to ratification with the declaration and 
understanding contained in Articles 3 and 10 respectively in 
the accompanying report of the Department of State.

                                                    George W. Bush.
                          LETTER OF SUBMITTAL

                              ----------                              

                                       Department of State,
                                         Washington, April 2, 2007.
The President,
The White House.
    The President: I have the honor to submit to you, with a 
view towards its transmittal to the Senate for advice and 
consent, the 1996 Protocol to the Convention on the Prevention 
of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter, 1972 
(the London Convention). The Protocol was adopted in London on 
November 7, 1996, and signed by the United States on March 31, 
1998. It entered into force on March 24, 2006.
    The Protocol is an update to the London Convention and is 
meant to eventually replace it. The treaties share many 
features, although the Protocol strengthens protection of the 
marine environment in a number of respects.
    All interested agencies in the Executive Branch favor 
ratification of the Protocol.
    Respectfully submitted,
                                                  Condoleezza Rice.


