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TUESDAY, OCTOBER 3, 1995

     U.S. TO HOST MAJOR CONFERENCE ON OCEANS AND COASTAL AREAS
                     OCTOBER 23 - NOVEMBER 3, l995

     The United States will host a major international conference on protecting
coastal areas from pollution.  The conference will be held Oct. 23 - Nov. 3,
l995, at the U. S. Department of State in Washington, D.C.
     At the conference, sponsored by the United Nations Environment Programme,
delegates intend to develop a program of action to prevent, reduce and control
land-based sources of marine pollution.  Land-based sources, including
municipal, industrial and agricultural wastes and run-off, are the major cause
of ocean pollution and loss of marine habitat.  Among the contaminants are
sewage and wastewater, heavy metals, and persistent organic pollutants,
including a number of pesticides, nutrients and sediments.

     These land-based sources affect the most productive areas of the coastal
and marine environment -- estuaries and near-shore coastal waters.  Most of the
world's population lives within 35 miles (60 km) of a coast and the economic
well-being of these populations depends directly on the health and productivity
of coastal ecosystems.

     The conference program of action will emphasize how to identify and make
available knowledge, experience and resources in addressing the problems of
land-based marine pollution.  It will identify practical approaches that can be
tailored to particular economic and/or geographic circumstances.

     The second week will include a two-day high-level segment, Oct. 31 and
Nov. 1, with participation anticipated at the ministerial level at which the
program of action will be adopted and political actions identified to mobilize
support for its implementation.

     There will be an environmental management and technology forum during and
associated with this conference.  The forum, co-sponsored by the U.S.
Department State, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, is designed to illustrate
innovative and cost- effective approaches to specific land-based problems as
well as the importance of citizen and private sector involvement in their
solution.  The forum will include education and environmental technology
exhibits.


     EVENTS OPEN TO THE PRESS INCLUDE THE OPENING PLENARY SESSION OF THE
CONFERENCE ON OCT. 23; ALL PLENARY SESSIONS; THE EDUCATION EXHIBIT OCT. 25-26
AND THE ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY EXHIBIT OCT. 30-31, 1995.

     PRESS CREDENTIALS ARE REQUIRED TO ATTEND ANY EVENT.  MEMBERS OF THE PRESS
MUST SUBMIT A COMPLETED APPLICATION FORM AND A LETTER OF ASSIGNMENT ON YOUR
ORGANIZATION'S OFFICIAL LETTERHEAD BY FRIDAY, OCT. 13, 1995.

R-179


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