a permanent mechanism for Federal coordination of the marine sciences 

 data networks. In addition the Committee has asked NODC and its Advisory 

 Board to develop a 5-year time-phased plan, with alternatives, for the im- 

 provement of the Center's services, as indicated in specific recommendations 

 within the study, and with other available expert guidance as necessary. 



The national data program study, as it relates to the broader problems 

 encountered within the Federal community, is presently the subject of 

 continuing review by the Council and all Federal agencies involved in 

 environmental data management matters. 



There are four Federal repositories of environmental data with the 

 primary mission of providing services to the user community: the National 

 Oceanographic Data Center, the Smithsonian Oceanographic Sorting Cen- 

 ter (biological and geological sample collections), the National Weather 

 Records Center (marine meteorolog-y), and the Great Lakes Regional Data 

 Center. Funding for services at these centers is indicated in table X-2. Also 

 various data are stored in data banks of individual Federal agencies. 



Table X-2 — Funding for Marine Data Centers 



[In millions of dollars] 



Estimated Estimated President's 



Activity FY 1969 FY 1970 budget FY 1971 



National Oceanographic Data Center i . . . . 



National Weather Records Center ^ 



Great Lakes Data Center 



Smithsonian Oceanographic Sorting Center. 



Total 2. 2 2. 7 3. 



' Includes NSF contribution of $75,000 in each of the years for World Data Center A. 

 ' Supplemented by funds transferred from other agencies for reimbursable projects. 



National Oceanographic Data Center 



The National Oceanographic Data Center (NODC), Washington, D.C., 

 is an interagency activity established in 1960 under the administrative man- 

 agement of the Naval Oceanographic Office. Policy and technical review 

 are provided by an advisory board with representation from each of the 

 10 Federal funding agencies and the National Academy of Sciences; repre- 

 sentatives of National Oceanographic Instrumentation Center and industry 

 serve as observers. Collocated with World Data Center A for Oceanography, 

 NODC receives, compiles, processes, and preserves oceanographic data 

 from both foreign and domestic sources and disseminates these data to U.S. 

 and foreign organizations and institutions engaged in marine science ac- 

 tivities. 



During fiscal year 1969, NODC's accomplishments included — 



(1) Installation of a third generation computer which will allow 

 for complete automation of major files, thus allowing for faster and 

 more accurate response, as well as a greater variety of products ; 



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