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Answers to Questions Directed to Dr. Thomas Bright 



by the Subcommittee on Oceanography, Gulf of Mexico and 



Outer Continental Shelf during the Hearing on the National Undersea Research Program (NURP) 



on March 24. 1993 



1. The research community tends to live within the bounds prescribed by the funds available 

 and to make best use of resources. Research support needs far exceed those which are 

 available and, in my opinion, federal appropriations for marine and environmental 

 research are inadequate across the board. This country's leadership in undersea research 

 is questionable, in part due to limited resources. If we are to realize our technical and 

 intellectual potential, and compete with Japan, Russia, France and other ground-breakers 

 we definitely need an infusion of federal support. Also, if we are to rectify the imbalance 

 in NURP regional coverage within our own country we must have additional funding to 

 support at least two new NURP centers. 



2. The NURP Center at the University of North Carolina has an exceptionally long coastline 

 to cover and a large number of marine research institutions as constituents. Their 

 territory is the Southeast U.S. region, including the South Atiantic Bight, Florida Keys, 

 and the entire Gulf of Mexico. 



Within their resources the center has provided balanced services to the region's research 

 community. They simply do not have enough funding to cover the needs, and their 

 regional responsibilities are excessive compared to otiier NURP centers. Establishment 

 of a NURP center for the Gulf of Mexico, with new appropriations, would allow sharper 

 regional focus for both programs and provide the added funding necessary to enhance 

 undersea research throughout the Southeast and the Gulf. 



3. The North Carolina NURP center's research grant peer review process is fair and gives 

 Gulf of Mexico proposals due consideration. However, resources are limited and the 

 ability of NURP to fund only a few projects in the Gulf discourages researchers from 

 seeking NURP suppoit. 



4. There is no question in my mind that geographical proximity of a funding agency 

 encourages submission of proposals. A NURP center in the Gulf would lead to greater 

 awareness in the region of NURP services, and a perception that chances for successful 

 proposals are increased. This will result in more and better proposals, and a greater level 

 of undersea research activity in both the Gulf and the Southeast. 



5. Congressional authorization for NURP is overdue. The program has proven its 

 usefulness and demonstrated its futiue potential for enhancing our nation's exploration 

 and study of the sea and its resources. 



6. NURP centers should receive funding in proportion to the regions research needs and the 

 magnitude and quality of the undersea research community in each region. 



