68 



will meet the present and future national needs." The Council and Commission 

 are also studying the international aspects of developing the ocean resources in 

 cooperation with other nations. Their respective reports will be available in about 

 15 months. 



Other marine environment studies of an international nature are being con- 

 ducted. In March, 1966, the U.N. Economic and Social Council adopted a United 

 States resolution which requested the Secretary General to conduct a survey of 

 the present state of knowledge of marine resources beyond the continental shelves 

 and the techniques for their exploitation. In December, 1966, the United Nations 

 General Assembly adopted a resolution requesting the Secretary General to make 

 a comprehensive survey of marine science and technology activities. Reports of 

 these surveys are expected in the spring of 1968. 



The National Covmcil has contracted for five studies vdth respect to the legal 

 aspects of development and management of marine resources. These studies relate 

 to: 



1. The legal problems involved in the development, recovery-, and control of 

 off-shore mineral resources. (Columbia University Law School) 



2. The legal problems involved in the use of the living resources of the marine 

 environment. (Columbia University Law School) 



3. Domestic legal problems involving marine resources along the coast of the 

 United States and its territories, including the identification, classification, and 

 analysis of significant federal, state, and local statutes, regulations, and precedents. 

 (New York University Law School) 



4. Liability aspects of activities in the marine environment. (American Trial 

 Lawyers Association) 



5. International legal problems in the scientific exploration and investigation 

 of marine environment, including the use of marine objects and structures for 

 such purposes. (Ohio State University) 



Even the Soviet Union has proposed the creation of a legal group to report on 

 norms of exploitation of mineral resources from the floor of the high seas. The 

 proposal has been circulated, and Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission 

 members will make comments at their Paris session next month. 



Other studies are being conducted on the best solution for controlling the ex- 

 ploitation of mineral resources from the continental shelves. I believe it is in our 

 national interest to wait for these studies to be completed as keenest minds avail- 

 able in international law and marine science study all aspects of this complex 

 problem in the hope that an equitable solution can be resolved for all nations. 



It is interesting to note that the Department of Interior has already prepared 

 maps for leasing purposes off the continental shelf. In FY 66, 928 mineral leases 

 off California, Louisiana, Oregon, Texas, and Washington covered over 4 million 

 acres with royalties of .$248,317,216 accruing to the U.S. Treasury, In June of 

 this year, an oil company bid $.512 million for a lease off the Louisiana shore. This 

 bid probably resulted from the tie-up of oil in the Near East about this time and 

 is proof of our need for minerals in the seabed. There can be no doubt but that 

 our Covmtry would suffer irreparable harm if jurisdiction to the seabeds were 

 transferred to any organization. We must remember, too, the seabed contains 

 many other minerals that our Country needs now and will need in the future. 

 Mining operations are just beginning and even now are of significant magnitude. 



About a week ago, I requested the Executive Secretary of the National Marine 

 Resources Council, Dr. Edward Wenk, Jr., to amplify his remarks before the 

 Oceanography Subcommittee on this issue. I was particularly interested in the 

 Administration's position on the Malta proposal. Dr. Wenk responded by letter 

 to me on September 19, and I think it most appropriate that his letter be made 

 a part of the record of this hearing. 



Statement of Hon. Thomas N. Downing, a Representative in Congress 

 From the State of Virginia, Concerning House Joint Resolution 818 



Mr. Chairman: I thank you for allowing me the opportunity of placing my 

 remarks in the Record incident to your Subcommittee hearing on H.J. Res 

 818 and related measures in opposition to vesting title to the ocean floor in the 

 United Nations. As one of the authors of the Resolution opposing such action, 

 I am deeply concerned over any proposal of this sort. 



In my judgment, any such action as contemplated by the government of Malta 

 is premature. We have only a limited understanding of the extent of the undersea 

 resources, the means of obtaining access to them, the conditions for processing 



