VICE PRESIDENT'S LETTER 

 TO THE PRESIDENT 



The Vice PREsroENT, 

 Washington, B.C., April 1970. 

 The President, 

 The White House, 

 Washington, B.C. 



Dear Mr. President: 



As Chairman of the National Council on Marine Resources and Engi- 

 neering Development, I take pleasure in forwarding the Council's Annual 

 Report, "Marine Science Affairs — Selecting Priority Programs." 



The Report reviews the activities and accomplishments of all Federal 

 departments and agencies in the field of marine sciences during 1969, and 

 evaluates these accomplishments in terms of the objectives of the Marine 

 Sciences Act. 



Important progress has been realized in a wide range of marine science 

 activities including research, engineering, exploration, mapping, and envi- 

 ronmental services. Significant marine science developments, as described 

 in the Report, have occurred in the fields of international cooperation, 

 national security, marine resources, transportation, coastal zone manage- 

 ment, and environmental quality preservation — reflecting the Nation's grow- 

 ing use of the world ocean. Federal leadership and support are important, 

 but we must look to other sectors to carry out major roles in the national 

 ocean program — particularly to industry for the recovery of ocean resources 

 and to the States for the management of the coastal zone. 



The Federal marine science budget has shown substantial growth from 

 $463.4 million in Fiscal Year 1969, to $514.3 million in Fiscal Year 1970, 

 to $533.1 million requested in your budget for Fiscal Year 1971. This re- 

 quest includes an increase in obligations for marine science, technology and 

 related activities in civilian agencies of $42 million over Fiscal Year 1 970. 



During 1969, the Marine Sciences Council advanced from the identifica- 

 tion of critical Government-wide marine science issues to the development 

 of priority programs to meet national needs. The Report sets forth the 

 priorities that have emerged in the Federal marine science program and 

 describes the initiatives you have approved for Fiscal Year 1971 including: 

 — A national policy and Federal grant program to encourage States 



to improve planning and management of their coastal areas. 

 — Marine research, essential to wise use of the coastal environment. 

 — Lake restoration programs aimed at restoring the quality of seriously 

 damaged national waters, including the Great Lakes. 



