the policy and purposes of the Act, and defines and describes the 

 scope of this aggregate of activities whose statutory terms of reference 

 extend the coverage beyond what previously had been designated the 

 Federal Gt)vernment's "National Ocean ographic Program." 



The report discusses nine priority efforts or emphases in marine 

 sciences recommended by the Council to the President in response to 

 his request for initial proposals by this January. The resulting deci- 

 sions are reflected in the President's budget for fiscal year 1968, now 

 before Congress. To place these priority efforts in the perspective of 

 ongoing efforts, the report also discusses marine science activities of 

 the Government as a whole and tabulates funding estimates for all 

 agencies in considerable detail. 



Areas for special attention were chosen after screening proposals 

 from numerous public and private sources, considering public needs 

 to which marine science could contribute and the many continuing 

 efforts that could be effectively mobilized around a smaller number 

 of explicit goals. The Council thus evaluated current Federal marine 

 science activities, identified initial priorities, clarified agency respon- 

 sibilities, and endeavored to strengthen coordination of multiagency 

 programs. 



Categories of Public Need 



As the new scope of marine science affairs was studied and defined, 

 categories were established to reflect more clearly the end purpose of 

 Federal expenditures in marine science and technology. Accordingly, 

 the President's estimate of funds required in this area by all Federal 

 agencies for fiscal year 1968 is delineated in this report by purpose. 



Many of the goals and programs were found by the Council to cut 

 across agency lines. The report discusses actions to designate a lead 

 agency to take responsibility in developing certain areas and in pro- 

 viding Government-wide leadership. 



The report concludes with a brief commentary on next steps by the 

 Council through its long-range studies to identify potential benefits 

 of marine science activities, appropriate goals of the Federal Govern- 

 ment, and resources needed for their accomplishment; to review 

 ongoing activities and develop a comprehensive program. These 

 functions anticipate an independent set of recommendations to be 

 submitted by the Commission on Marine Science, Engineering, and 

 Resources to the President, through the Council, and to the Congress, 

 for an adequate program to meet national needs and a Government 

 organizational plan. 



Limitations 



While the Council has selected some programs for special emphasis 

 in fiscal year 1968, the limitations of time since its creation have not 

 permitted more than a beginning on its total job. The many con- 



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