for major new activities or activities which will be discontinued, we 

 will need to evaluate these plans during the reauthorization proc- 

 ess. 



Specifically, I understand that NOAA has asked the Office of 

 Management and Budget to reorganize the structure of NOAA's 

 budget to correspond with the structure of the Strategic Plan. 

 Clearly, if this is to be done, we will need to be provided with much 

 more detail and then work closely with NOAA to determine how 

 this will impact the reauthorization legislation. 



Another factor which needs to be addressed in the context of the 

 reauthorization legislation is the administration's National Per- 

 formance Review. In addition to the many government-wide re- 

 forms which NOAA will be required to comply with, there are sev- 

 eral specific recommendations which affect NOAA directly. Includ- 

 ed are directions for NOAA to open the oceanographic fleet to 

 public and private competition, establish user fees to help offset 

 costs, and extend the concept of the ecosystem management 

 through multiagency projects. 



The Subcommittee hopes to hear what plans NOAA has to meet 

 those goals in case there is a need for implementing legislation. 



Mr. Ortiz. I know there will be some other Members arriving in 

 a few minutes, but I would like to include the statements of the 

 Members who will come later or who will not be able to attend this 

 hearing. 



[The statement of Mr. Fields follows:] 



Statement of Hon. Jack Fields, a U.S. Representative from Texas, and 

 Ranking Minority Member, Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries 



Mr. Chairman, I want to compliment you for scheduling this hearing and I look 

 forward to early action on your legislation to reauthorize the "wet" programs of the 

 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). 



It is amazing to me to learn that while NOAA was created over 23 years ago, 

 since that time only a single comprehensive authorization act for that agency has 

 been signed into law. I am confident that your bill, Mr. Chairman, will make it 

 through the legislative process. 



Having said that, however, I have a serious concern with NOAA's apparent lack 

 of commitment to pursue its oldest charge — nautical charting and geodesy. I have 

 communicated to NOAA that the Port of Houston — one of the largest in the world — 

 has not had accurate tidal measurements taken in almost 60 years! I understand 

 that other large port areas around the country, including San Francisco and New 

 York, also share this dubious honor. This missing critical information, as well as 

 accurate current, wind, and salinity measurements, risks human life, vessels, cargo, 

 and the environment. NOAA needs to gather current environmental data, update 

 its nautical charts, and regain the trust of the shipping industry, recreational boat- 

 ers, and the ports. 



To this end, I have authored a provision in Chairman Ortiz's bill which would 

 allow the agency to retain a portion of the proceeds from the sale of nautical charts 

 to improve marine safety. It is a small amount, especially when NOAA was hoping 

 to receive monies from the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund for this work, but it is 

 a start. 



Thank you. Chairman Ortiz. I appreciate this opportunity to express my views 

 and I look forward to the testimony of Deputy Under Secretary for Oceans and At- 

 mosphere, Ms. Diana Josephson. 



Mr. Ortiz. I would like to introduce Ms. Diane Josephson. We 

 are pleased to have you back with us today, Ms. Josephson, Deputy 

 Under Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere, National Oceanic 

 and Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce. 



