The Nation : Tighter Ocean Pollution Controls Sought

Immediately eliminate pollution along the nation’s shores or risk permanent danger to human and marine life, an environmental group urged the federal government. The Natural Resources Defense Council unveiled its program to address short-term health threats within five years, and maintain the long-term health of coastal waters within 10 years. “The trillions of gallons of waste dumped into coastal waters each year are dangerous to human as well as marine life,” said Bob Adler, senior lawyer for the council. Emphasizing plumbing efficiency standards for buildings, the group urged “a tightening of guidelines for industries that practice sewage dumping. We need to immediately revise the limits set on the amount of pollution a factory or sewage treatment plant is allowed to discharge.” Adler noted that at least 81 beaches--all in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast region--have been closed so far this year because of health threats due to waste.