EPILOGUE SUMMARY OF CHAPTERS 1Q31 



In 1977, James W. "Skip" Spensley transferred from the Merchant 

 Marine and Fisheries Committee to become Brown's staff director. A 

 vast amount of the subcommittee's work and achievements were in the 

 environmental and safety features of coal burning and the safety and 

 nuclear waste features of the development of nuclear energy. Among 

 other legislation sponsored by the subcommittee which was enacted 

 into law were the following statutes: 



Mar:r;e Prorcction, Research and Sanctuaries Act Reauthorization 



This bill, signed in 1977 and developed in conjunction with the Merchant 

 Marine Committee, mandated the end of all ocean dumping of sewage sludge not 

 later than December 31, 1981. A special environmental research program in the 

 oceans was developed as part of the legislation by the Brown Subcommittee. 



National Climate Program Act 



This legislation, principally sponsored by Brown and signed by the President 

 in 1978, designated the Commerce Department as the lead agency to coordinate 

 Federal plans and research in climate analysis, information and forecasting. 



Marine Pollution Environmental Research, Development and Monitoring Act 



This legislation, approved by the President in 1978, set priorities for research by 

 the N'ational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in areas of ocean pollution. 



Antarctic Conservation Act of 1978 



This bill, signed by the President in 1978 provided for the conservation and 

 protection of the animals and plants in Antarctica and of the ecosystems on which 

 they depend. 



The Brown subcommittee also held a wide number of foresight 

 and oversight hearings and made reports on such issues as ground 

 water quality research, health and safety implications of the President's 

 national energy plan, nuclear waste management, environmental re- 

 search reserve networks, oil spill recovery technology R. & D., health 

 effects of ionizing radiation, environmental monitoring, and special 

 urban air pollution problems. In conjunction with Representative 

 Paul G. Rogers (Democrat of Florida), a conference was held on 

 August 15, 1978, on the environment and health care costs. 



Ambro took over as chairman of the subcommittee at the begin- 

 ning of 1979, at which time it was renamed the "Subcommittee on 

 Natural Resources and Environment." At that time, the jurisdiction of 

 the subcommittee was expanded to include materials policy, and also 

 all aspects of weather — except aviation-weather services. 



On July 20, 1979, appropriate ceremonies were held to commem- 

 orate the 10th anniversary of the first small step taken by Neil A. 

 Armstrong when he set foot on the Moon. On the same day, the 

 committee indicated that its sights were focused on the long future 

 rather than the past. In collaboration with its opposite number in 



