86 



Deq> submergence capability available to civilian researchers is far from adequate if 

 this nation intends to have a leadership role with respect to ocean technology, ocean 

 research, and even ocean policy matto's — and if the nation intends to gain effective 

 understanding of basic matters such as the nature of most of the ocean's physical, 

 chemical and biological environment, of global ocean processes, of the underlying forces 

 that help drive global change, of the special nature of life in the deep sea, and so on. If 

 we wish to remain incapable of gaining access to Jiost of the planet's usable space, if it is 

 acceptable that we remain largely ignorant of the environment that host's most of the 

 diversity and biomass of life on eaii^, and if we are content to nibble around the edges 

 of earth's dominant feature without having the capability of actually taking ourselves and 

 our instrumentation there, and if is considered appropriate for irrepressible U. S. 

 researchers and entrepeneurs who decide they MUST have access to turn to other nations 

 for necessary technology and research support - then, yes, present capability is 

 adequate. 



QUESTION 5. Generally, do you feel that more proposals for undersea research are 

 bring submitted from institutions and individuals near existing NURP Centers because of 

 the visilibility that a physical Center gives to the Program? 



Would creating a network of Centers in a more geographically balanced manner than 

 currently exists, create an increase in the number of research proposals &om otho* regions 

 of tiie country? 



RESPONSE 



It appears that applications come from all over the coimtry to each of the existing 



Centers and are not skewed strongly in the direction of local researchers. I understand 



that all 



receive many more good applications than can be supported with existing funding. 



Creating Centers to achieve better balanced geographical representation of proposals 

 may not be justified - and should not overshadow the more fundamental need for having 

 adequate funding for good programs that already exist 



The justification for establishing new CentCTS should include consideration of various 

 factors, including geographical proximity to areas of special research interest 



QUESTION 6. Dr. Earle, you mentioned that private industry has recognized the need 

 for undersea technology especially with the development of the offshore oil and gas 

 industry. Do you believe that the current NURP funding is adequate for undersea 

 research aimed at areas most greatly impacted by oil and gas development? 



RESPONSE 



No. Much more could and should be done through NURP Center? to implement baseline 



documentation of areas whoe oil and gas development is proposed, and to help assess 



impacts. 



QUESTION 7. Dr. Bright mentioned in his testimony that NURP fimding should not 

 come at the expense of underwater or undersea research conducted by other oitities such 

 as the National Science Foundation or S^ Grant From your experience in the private 

 sector and formerly with the federal govranment do you believe there is overiap or 

 duplication in the research activities funded by NURP, Sea Grant, the National Science 

 Foundation, the Navy or any other programs that may be out there? 



