2i9 



teiidant to such reviews would be expected 

 to develop iiiforniiition and expert views for 

 a number of interested committees of the 

 Cong^ress, botli lejiislative and appropriation. 

 The Commission suggests that Congress 

 review jurisdictions of the legislative and ap- 

 propriation committees in tlie liglit of such 

 division of responsibilities for marine activi- 

 ties as may result from reorganization within 

 the Executive Branch. 



Conclusion 



The difficulties confronting the Commis- 

 sion in arriving at its organizational recom- 

 mendations are not unique to marine affairs. 

 Government machinery at all levels is under 

 critical examination. "We have examined ex- 

 isting Federal machinery in the marine area 

 and have proposed an organization that 

 would, in our judgment, prove adequate to 

 the national ocean task as the Commission 

 has conceived it. 



The Commission has been aware that the 

 recommendation for creation of an inde- 

 pendent Federal agency poses problems, but 

 our judgment is that this is the best choice 

 among alternatives. The alternative route of 

 proposing a grouping within an existing de- 

 partment or agency was carefully con- 

 sidered, but none could accommodate the 

 range and dimensions of programs needed 

 for a concerted attack on the oceans. Piece- 



meal adjustments are not sufficient. It is 

 necessary to place together the central 

 civilian functions under single management 

 in order to have a coherent effort. 



The Commission cannot appropriately 

 recommend or even foresee the nature of 

 future basic reorganizations of the Executive 

 Branch. However, we can perceive the prin- 

 cipal alternatives that face the President and 

 the Congress in considering reorganizations 

 affecting marine activities. The recommenda- 

 tions contained in this chapter are believed 

 to be consistent with any of the several 

 fundamental reorganizations that might 

 evolve over the next several years. 



The overriding consideration is that only 

 through creation of a major marine agency 

 with attendant atmospheric responsibilities 

 can a national effort be launched. Even if 

 fiscal constraints require that this effort 

 begin on a modest scale, action to establish 

 the necessary reorganization is warranted to 

 provide the basis for future expansion. Re- 

 organization cannot be a substitute for new 

 programs, but neither can programs be 

 launched with maximum effectiveness 

 through our existing machinery of Govern- 

 ment. Because of the importance of the seas 

 to this Nation and the world, our Federal 

 organization of marine affairs must be put in 

 order. 



