Report to Congress: Ocean Dumping of Chlorinated Hydrocarbons Under the Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act of 1972

This Second Edition of the Report to Congress was researched and compiled by the author in support of Whistleblower Complaints he made in 2017 and 2018. Complaint EPA OIG: #2018-0174 alleges that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency failed to regulate an underwater hazardous waste site after permitting. Complaint BSEE: 2018-2-13 alleges that the U.S. Department of Interior is regulating the hazardous waste site without authority and is allowing unsafe drilling practices. Between 1973 and 1977, EPA conducted a covert ocean dumping program for the disposal of chlorinated hydrocarbons, including DDT, PCBs, and wastes produced from the manufacture of fungicides and herbicides, which include dioxin. The dumping action was conducted pursuant to Section 102 of the Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act (MPRSA) of 1972 under the authority of EPA. The covert program, which was never disclosed to Congress, was used to dispose large quantities of persistent and toxic chemicals, which were specifically prohibited under the MPRSA. The largest of these MPRSA waste sites is located in the Mississippi Canyon Area of the Gulf of Mexico, covering approximately 225 square miles of seafloor with an estimated 1,424,000 drums. The author traced the origin of the drums to the Shell Chemical Company facility located at Rocky Mountain Arsenal (RMA) in Commerce City, Colorado, which manufactured Agent Orange for the Vietnam War. The Second Edition includes new and supplemental information developed after the original Report to Congress was submitted. The Second Edition also includes an historical review of events that led up to the MPRSA Section 102 ocean disposal program. A separate volume, “EPA Region 6 MPRSA Ocean Dumping Permits is now available on Amazon at: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1090856180?ref_=pe_3052080_397514860