[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
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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
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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.