89 



respect to the fate of large parts of the planet 



To "catch up" will not be difficult, technologically. I am aware of materials and systems 

 already developed for military and industrial appUcatitms that could immediately 

 advance this country as a serious participant in ultra-deq) sea access — and the research 

 and knowledge that would follow. 



QUESTION 12. 



What can this committee do to facilitate the development of a national strategy and 

 commitment to deq) submergence research? 



RESPONSE 



One immediate positive action that the Committee could take would be to enlist support 

 for legislation to ensure a long, active, healthy life for NURP. Stability beyond the 

 present year-to-year cliff-hanging exacise is necessary if NURP is to take reqwnsibility 

 forlon g-range programs. 



The committee can call fm actiois to be taken for die devek^nnent and inq>lementation 

 of a national plan for tbe oceans generally, with deep submergence research high on the 

 agenda. Duruig the hearings on March 24, 1 identified tiie need for champions for the 

 oceans, and it aiqiears that this Committee has several Leadership is neoJed to bring 

 the ocean to ceata stage for this country. The de^ submCTgoice issues will naturally 

 follow. PCThaps a commission comparEd)le to the Stratton Commission could be 

 organized to review the nation's policies with respect to the ocean, emphasizing the 

 growing problems relating to the global ocean commons - and to the 6sep sea in 

 particular. 



It would be helpful is members of the Committee or the Committee as a whole could 

 encourage for civilian use greato- availability of ocean technology developed for military 

 applications - to the extent possible without com|Homising security interests. 



Perhaps a special groiq> could be coaveoeiA to consido* technology usefiil for civilian 

 deep submCTgence amplications. 



