16 



In addition, we are looking at the National Performance Review 

 requirement for a private-public competition in each of the three 

 areas of our fleet— oceanography, hydrography and fisheries re- 

 search. We are developing plans right now on how to implement 

 the National Performance Review. 



This will not be reflected in the fleet modernization plan that we 

 are sending up to you this month, but it will be reflected in the 

 plan for next year. We will keep you and your staff informed as we 

 go down this road, but we have not reached any specific decisions 

 yet. 



Mr. Green. Is NOAA trying to change the budget structure to 

 arrange it along the structure of the strategic plan? 



Ms. JosEPHSON. Yes, briefings have already been set up with staff 

 and with individual Members to brief you on this so you under- 

 stand how the fiscal year 1994 budget structure will fold into the 

 Strategic Plan. We waited until the end of the session because, ob- 

 viously, everybody has been very busy; but over the next two 

 months and into early next year, for the next two or three months, 

 we plan to bring everybody up to speed on this so that this will not 

 be a great surprise. 



Mr. Green. My next questions concerning NOAA, do you have 

 any views on how long the reauthorization should be enacted? Of 

 course, if I was in your shoes I would say 25 years, but I under- 

 stand. Do you have any suggestions? 



Ms. JosEPHSON. Yes, we have looked at that. Authorizations can 

 end up being limiting if life changes a lot. Particularly in NOAA 

 where there are many new technologies that are coming on line, 

 our sense is that at this particular period of time a 3-year authori- 

 zation would be the length of time which would be most useful to 

 us. It would give us enough certainty so we can plan, but also pro- 

 vide us and you with the flexibility to incorporate and reflect the 

 changes in technology that are going to come on line in many of 

 our areas over the next five to ten years. So that would be our rec- 

 ommendation. 



Mr. Green. Anywhere from five to ten? 



Ms. JosEPHSON. No, three years. 



Mr. Green. Three years. The Subcommittee is considering in- 

 cluding a provision in the reauthorization which would extend the 

 deadline for States without coastal zone management plans to 

 submit nonpoint source pollution control programs. This would 

 allow States, like Texas, which are currently trying to get into the 

 program, the time they need to develop a plan without penalizing 

 them for trying. 



Would NOAA support that provision? 



Ms. Josephson. We recognize the inconsistency that exists, and 

 we will be happy to work with staff on coming up with an appro- 

 priate solution, yes. 



Mr. Green. And one last question I forgot. 



In a recent GAO report on Federal research laboratories, the fa- 

 cilities report identifies a sea turtle and shrimp lab at an old army 

 barracks in Galveston, Texas, as being in poor condition and not 

 designed as science laboratories. 



Is NOAA planning to relocate or do you have any knowledge of 

 that from the GAO report? 



