priority environmental problems associated with base closure and that we begin to 

 develop an interagency environmental clearinghouse. 



These are only first steps. Today we want to hear other suggestions from our wit- 

 nesses on how we can increase information and asset sharing between DOD and ci- 

 vilian agencies. I look forward to hearing their testimony, and once again, Mr. 

 Chairman, want to commend you for taking this positive step to initiate the process. 



Mr. Ortiz. I would like to introduce the panel which consists of 

 representatives of the civilian and defense agencies and academia. 

 I know that some of you might have to go right after you testify. 

 Feel free. I know you have some very important meetings to make. 



First is Dr. James Baker, the new Under Secretary of Commerce 

 for Oceans and Atmospheric. Let me take this opportunity to con- 

 gratulate you, sir. He is the Administrator of the National Oceanic 

 and Atmospheric Administration. 



Dr. Baker, I know that we will be able to work together with 

 you. There are a lot of things we would like to see done. I can 

 assure you that this Subcommittee and members of this panel will 

 work with you. 



Mr. Baker. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. 



Mr. Ortiz. Dr. Robert Oswald is Executive Director of the Strate- 

 gic Environmental Research and Development Program. Next is 

 Mr. Robert Winokur, Technical Director of the Office of the Ocean- 

 ographer of the Navy. Welcome, sir. Dr. Eric Hartwig is Director of 

 Oceanography at the Naval Research Laboratory. Welcome, sir. 



Dr. Kenneth Daugherty is Deputy Director of the Defense Map- 

 ping Agency and he is accompanied by Ms. Laura Snow, Chief of 

 the Program and Budget Office. 



Last but not least, of course, is Dr. William Schmitz who is a 

 Clark Professor and Senior Scientist at Woods Hole Oceanographic 

 Institution. 



Welcome to the hearing today. I think that we can begin with 

 Dr. Baker. 



STATEMENT OF DR. D. JAMES BAKER, ADMINISTRATOR, NATION- 

 AL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION ACCOMPA- 

 NIED BY DR. NED OSTENSO, ASSISTANT ADMINISTRATOR FOR 

 OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC RESEARCH 



Dr. Baker. Thank you very much, Chairman Ortiz. You and your 

 Committee have identified a topic which we believe is central to 

 the themes of the Clinton administration. Defense conversion, 

 trying to do more with less, multiple uses of single instruments and 

 in general trying to reach a viable and sustainable economy togeth- 

 er with environmental protection is our goal. 



Maybe I could just have a few personal words before I begin the 

 official testimony. Before I became a government official, I was 

 asked by Senator Gore to work with a few of my colleagues, includ- 

 ing some on this panel, to help look at the defense assets, particu- 

 l^xv <^iassnicd assets, to see how these could be used for producing 

 environmental data. 



That led to the creation of the Environmental Task Force which 

 has been very successful in its operations. We will be hearing some 

 more about that activity. I should say also that Secretary of Com- 

 merce Ron Brown strongly supports the dual use concept. 



