Marine Science Affairs 



President, the Secretary of State established a fifth committee on Inter- 

 national Policy in the Marine Environment to serve the mutual interests of 

 the Council and the Department of State. The responsibilities of these com- 

 mittees are outlined in Table XV-1, and some of their activities have already 

 been discussed in relation to specific policy issues. 



The Marine Sciences Council's professional staff of 13 persons includes 

 specialists in ocean sciences, engineering, national security affairs, public 

 administration, law, economics, and international relations. The Council 

 staff assists in identifying policy issues, developing and analyzing back- 

 ground material, and proposing alternatives for Council deliberation and 

 action. Also, 40 percent of the Council's budget is used to obtain additional 

 advice through contract studies and from more than 70 consultants. 



Preparation of Council Reports 



Another major task of the Council has been preparation of these Annual 

 Reports to the President which he transmits to the Congress as called for in 

 P.L. 89^54. The report includes : 



— a description of government-wide programs with funding and activi- 

 ties delineated by purpose as well as agency ; 

 — an evaluation of agency programs in terms of statutory objectives; 

 — an abstract of individual agency accomplishments, including a prog- 

 ress report on implementation of earlier Council initiatives; 

 — justification for new Federal initiatives and the marine science pro- 

 gram as a whole ; 

 — recommendations for new legislation ; and 



—discussion of unresolved issues— especially those deserving further 

 study by non-Federal as well as Federal interests. 

 After drafting by the Council staff, the Report is reviewed by Council 

 members and observers. At that time unresolved issues, unclear jurisdic- 

 tions, and controversial programs are clarified and resolved. 



By its scope and content, the Report serves as a planning document to 

 assist the Federal Government at various echelons to focus on common 

 goals. It is intended to aid Congress in relating diverse elements of the 

 program presented to more than 20 appropriations subcommittees and an 

 equal number of legislative subcommittees concerned with the complex 

 matrix of marine science affairs. The Report should also assist industry, 

 academia, State and local governments, and foreign nations concerned with 

 relating their goals and programs to our national effort. 



As indicated in Table XV-2, the Council has also released reports and 

 general background information concerning activities such as oceano- 



192 



