Ocean Incineration of Hazardous Wastes

April 1, 1986 Resolutions

Number: 1986-22

 

WHEREAS, the nation has a pressing need to dispose of hundreds of millions of tons of hazardous wastes each year; and

WHEREAS, given the limits of current technology, incineration may be the most efficient manner of disposing of certain hazardous wastes; and

WHEREAS, incineration at sea has already been tested in the Gulf of Mexico near the coasts of Texas and Louisiana and additional coastal ocean incineration burn sites have been proposed; and

WHEREAS, the National Wildlife Federation has previously indicated its opposition to a blanket ban on ocean incineration, believing that it can be an environmentally sound waste management technology when applied to suitable wastes, subject to adequate safeguards, and in appropriate storage, collection, and incineration locations; and

WHEREAS, significant questions have been raised concerning the safety of specific ocean incineration proposals;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation in annual meeting assembled March 20-23, 1986, in Seattle, Washington, reiterates its concern that ocean incineration should be allowed only following the promulgation by the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of stringent formal ocean incineration regulations, incorporating the best available incineration and monitoring requirements, with strict supervision to protect human health and the environment, and insure full compliance with all applicable laws; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that no commercial ocean incineration permit issuance should occur until EPA and other responsible federal, state and local officials have completed a full scientific evaluation of the potential environmental risks and have taken steps to eliminate where possible or to minimize risks associated with

  1. transportation of the waste to the relevant port and its subsequent storage at that port;
  2. transfer of the waste to the vessel;
  3. possible ocean or estuarian spills of hazardous wastes;
  4. incomplete combustion of the waste;
  5. the scientific uncertainties regarding reliability of sensitive testing and monitoring equipment in an ocean environment; and
  6. release of any new toxic compounds formed during the combustion process; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that any test or “pilot” ocean incineration of hazardous waste should be kept to the minimum size needed to collect the required data; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that no permit for the test or “pilot” ocean incineration of hazardous waste should be issued until EPA has determined that such incineration is based on adequate scientific protocols, is adequately funded and staffed, and presents no significant risk to the public or the environment; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the EPA should take all possible steps to reduce the need for ocean incineration, including efforts to encourage reduced generation and increased recovery and recycling of hazardous wastes, and increased research into environmentally safe systems to detoxify persistent and hazardous chemicals that would help eliminate the need and associated risks involved with transporting hazardous and toxic wastes.