2iS 



bility to plan and coordinate large-scale 

 oceanic scientific investigations, such as past 

 international programs involving U.S. par- 

 ticijiation in the Tropical Atlantic and Indian 

 Ocean expeditions and U.S. participation in 

 the proposed International Decade of Ocean 

 Exploration. 



National Center for Atmospheric 

 Research 



The National Center for Atmospheric Re- 

 search (NCAR) is a major laboratory oper- 

 ated under a contract with the NSF by a 

 nonprofit corporation representing member 

 imiversities. The Center has interdisciplinary 

 programs in the atmospheric sciences and pro- 

 vides extensive facilities to support scientific 



Prcxent National Science Foun- 

 dation responKibility for Antarctic 

 re-search includes support for the 

 research vessel Eltanin and for 

 specific projects like this submerged, 

 under-ice obseri^atory for the study 

 of weddcll seals. 



investigators. NCAR is an atmospheric 

 science analogy to the University-National 

 Laboratories proposed by the Commission, 

 and transfer of funding responsibility for 

 NCAR from NSF to NOAA would" be a 

 logical step once NOAA is firmly established. 



Polar Activities 



Programs supported by NSF, Navy, 

 ESSA, and the Coast Guard range literally 

 from pole to pole. Most of the polar scien- 

 tific programs are directed to marine and 

 atmospheric investigations. At present, only 

 the Antarctic program is formally coordi- 

 nated within the Federal structure, but steps 

 are underway to establish a somewhat com- 

 parable national effort in the Arctic region. 



NSF now has responsibility for the sup- 

 port and coordination of Antarctic research. 

 It supports two oceanographic research ves- 

 sels in Antarctic waters as part of this 

 program. The Navy handles logistics for 

 Antarctic operations, with some assistance 



^5~'' 



