[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 120 (Thursday, September 5, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1528]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 OCEAN DUMPING TERMINATION ACT OF 1996

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                            HON. JIM SAXTON

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 5, 1996

  Mr. SAXTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce a bill entitled 
the ``Ocean Dumping Termination Act of 1996.''
  This bill goes a long way to solving some recent problems we have had 
with attempts to weaken ocean dumping regulations. While some would 
have us believe that protection of the oceans is something we can worry 
about later, coming from the Third District of New Jersey, I know that 
ocean protection is something that must happen now.
  In 1988 I was part of the original effort to cease the dumping of 
toxic substances into the ocean. I was part of this effort because I 
personally saw and had to live through the environmental havoc caused 
by wholesale ocean dumping. The beaches of New Jersey were coated with 
trash and toxic waste--the beaches were closed and the coastal economy 
was in ruins.
  Today, through stringent ocean dumping regulations, the beaches of 
New Jersey have rebounded. Each year we get millions of visitors to New 
Jersey's beaches. These visitors generate billions of dollars of 
revenue for the State and the Nation.
  Why, then, have there been recently attempts to turn back the clock 
on this great environmental success story? Because of the greed and 
political aspirations of a few. Why should those few benefit from 
environmental degradation? They should not. And they will not on my 
watch.
  Today I introduce the Ocean Dumping Termination Act to stop this 
downslide of environmental protection. This bill will close the only 
remaining mud dump site off the coast of New Jersey 6 months from 
enactment of the act. From the date of signature on this act, all 
category II dump materials--materials toxic to the ocean and to 
people--will completely cease. And this bill will assure that steps can 
be taken to mitigate any remaining environmental harm that could result 
from this mound of sludge sitting just 12 miles off the coast of New 
Jersey.
  As one of my esteemed colleagues, who has served the interests of the 
oceans for over 20 years, stated earlier today on this floor, we work 
for the sanctity of the critters of the ocean. Those critters do not 
care about the demarcation between Democrats and Republicans--but they 
care more than they are able to say about the health of their 
environment. I care about the health and welfare of that environment 
and the people of New Jersey and this Nation and I can do something 
about it. Today, I did. I urge broad support for this bill, the Ocean 
Dumping Termination Act of 1996.

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