House Votes Ban on Ocean Dumping

In a move aimed largely at New York City, the House Tuesday voted unanimously for legislation that would ban all ocean dumping of sewage sludge and industrial waste by 1992 and subject violators to millions of dollars in fines and penalties.

The bill, passed by a vote of 417 to 0, would also require municipalities and industry to pay for federal permits to continue dumping through 1992, with the federal government using the proceeds for development of environmentally safe alternatives.

Sponsors said that they will attempt to reconcile the House bill with a Senate bill on ocean dumping and send the legislation to President Reagan before Congress adjourns by Oct. 15.

Although the House bill was introduced early this year, it gathered steam after reports this summer that tons of medical waste and sludge--including syringes, blood samples and infectious materials--had washed up along New York and New Jersey shores. The pollution prompted numerous health warnings and caused many resorts to close their beaches.