cubic yards a year stage for both maintenance and new con-
struction dredging. With the current constraints our FY
1976 capability projection is just slightly above 200 million
cubic yards annually.
H
ad each issue-dredged material and its placement- EIS
requirements-the dredge plant moratorium-arisen sepa-
rately in time, each one could have been handled in-
dividually without a major impact on our waterways. Unfor-
tunately, they surfaced almost simultaneously and, conse-
quently, have seriously affected the Corps' ability to main-
tain navigation. While the solutions have been slow in com-
ing, the Corps is making progress.
On the first issue, the Corps initiated a two-pronged attack
several years ago. First, we started looking for new disposal
concepts and techniques which would convert dredged
material from a vexing problem into a valuable resource.
Our environmental and recreational staffs have been work-
ing with our engineers to develop beneficial ways to use
dredged material. In some areas we have created new wet-
lands, created water-based recreational areas, nourished
beaches, created wildlife habitat, and created or extended
highly attractive islands. (As the public and other agencies
become convinced that dredged material can serve useful,
beneficial purposes, the task will become easier.)
Second, we embarked last year on a 5-year, million
research program being managed at the Waterways Experi-
ment Station located in Vicksburg, Miss., by a staff of ex-
perts selected from the governmental, scientific, industrial
and academic communities. The object of this research is to
consider dredged material as a renewable, recyclable
resource and find ways to use it beneficially-develop
methods of on-site testing of dredged material to determine
quickly its degree of pollution, if any, and the origin of any
contaminates-determine the environmental impacts of
both water and land disposal-explore new disposal con-
cepts-and to make use of improved dredging and disposal
equipment and techniques.
The average age of the Federal dredge fleet is over 30 years. Congress will
Out of all this we should learn where dredged material is
soon be studying Corps recommendations on this problem.
harmful and where it is not. We should learn what additional
costs are justified in the interests of environmental protec-
ment and private industry should then be able to move for-
tion. And, equally as important, we must learn enough to
ward in confidence with a modernization of the national
answer the kinds of questions that will make impact state-
dredge fleet and with improvements in the operating charac-
ments not only technically viable, but sufficiently authorita-
teristics of dredging, which are just as badly needed.
tive to satisfy the public; a public that wants the assurance
The Corps' experience and organization make it well
that not only will there be an absolute minimum of environ-
suited to continue its job of maintaining the country's
mental impact, but that any change required to maintain
navigable waterways. During this period of constraints on
navigation will also be mitigated as much as possible.
dredging, however, the adjustments being made will depend
As to the second issue- the legal requirements- we have
upon the good will of the public and the cooperation of other
taken the position that with the passage of NEPA, Congress
agencies.
did not intend to halt all ongoing major Federal actions
The Nation needs our waterways; they are more vital to
which might significantly affect the quality of the human en-
our economic well-being now than perhaps ever before. The
vironment. Had this been the case, our entire transportation
Corps is convinced, however, that the challenge presented
network, from a maintenance viewpoint, would have
by dredging constraints can be successfully resolved without
become a nightmare of economic chaos. Rather, the intent
sacrificing environmental quality of life, in compliance with
was to comply as quickly as humanly possible while making
public laws, and in a technological manner superior to
the necessary adjustments to maintain navigability of our
methods and equipment used in the past. The Corps is dedi-
waterways in the interim. This is what the Corps is doing. We
cated to pursuit of that challenge.=
have an intensive effort underway to insure full compliance
by no later than January 1976.
Our third issue-the status of the aging dredge fleet-has
now passed the study stage and the final report has been for-
warded to the Secretary of the Army for subsequent
transmittal to the Congress. This study and our recommen-
dations should greatly assist Congress in determining the
total plant required in both the Federal and private sectors
and in deciding under what conditions to lift the moratorium
on Federal plant improvement. Both the Federal Govern-
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