V-20 



The Maritime Administration has statutory resnonsibllitles for 

 promoting and encouraging the development of an American flag 

 merchant marine and U.S. ports and related transportation facil- 

 ities in connection with waterbornc commerce. In recent years, 

 the Maritime Administration has become increasingly aware of 

 the detrimental effects of harbor pollution and is involved in 

 activities to solve this problem. With the advent of nuclear 

 powered vessels and the resultinn radioactive discharges, the 

 Administration has worked towards the establishment of stringent 

 standards to prevent radioactive contamination of harbor waters. 

 Contracts for the development of devices to detect and nrevent 

 oil pollution of harbors have been let; the results of this 

 research have been oublished. This anency is also involved 

 in comprehensive research studies with several other agencies 

 to investigate the requirements of a national system of norts. 

 The proposed study v/ould consider long-range U.S. nort and 

 transportation needs, including detailed analysis of, recommended 

 solutions for, and specific Problems generated bv raoidly 

 changing shipping technology such as "the supercarrier." In 

 the process important interrelationships between transnortation, 

 urban renewal and estuarine resource developments could be 

 identified. 



