EPA History: Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act (Ocean Dumping Act)

The Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act (MPRSA), also known as the Ocean Dumping Act, prohibits dumping into the ocean material that would unreasonably degrade or endanger human health or the marine environment.

Ocean dumping cannot occur unless a permit is issued under the MPRSA. In the case of dredged material, the decision to issue a permit is made by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, using EPA's environmental criteria and subject to EPA's concurrence. 

• Summary of the Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act
• EPA website on our Ocean Dumping Program

Documents and Press Releases

Note: The resources listed below are available for historical reference only. Page layout may differ for older documents and some links may be broken.

• Administering the Ocean Dumping Act
  [EPA Journal - July/August 1975]

• Ocean Dumping Ban Act of 1988
  [EPA press release - November 21, 1988]

• EPA Reports to Congress on the Ocean Dumping Program, 1973-1990
  The Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act of 1972 (Public Law 92-532) required an annual report from the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency on his administration of the ocean dumping permit program authorized under the Act.

• Reilly in New York to Mark End of Sewage Sludge Dumping
  [EPA press release - June 30, 1992]