functions specified earlier. A reorganization of this type would recog- 
nize the fact that Federal activities related to description and predic- 
tion of the environment are very closely related, and one cannot sen- 
sibly separate the atmosphere from the oceans or the oceans from 
land. In addition, the ability to develop ocean resources and to use 
the oceans for commerce depends very heavily on our ability to describe 
and predict. There is thus an intimate connection between environ- 
mental sciences in providing services and development and use of 
ocean resources. 
The Panel recommends that the Nation’s oceanographic activities 
be supported in five ways: 
1. By the NSF in its traditional role of supporting fundamental 
studies through grants and fellowships, with special emphasis on 
aspects that contribute to manpower education for ocean science and 
technology. 
2. By the new agency in carrying out its responsibility for manage- 
ment of environment and ocean resources and for providing descrip- 
tion and prediction services through a balanced program of direct 
participation and support of industry and universities. 
3. By the Navy in discharging its mission of national security 
through its laboratories and industry and through ONR support of 
civilian institutions, as well as by its supporting role in the develop- 
ment of undersea technology and provision of national test facilities. 
4. By agencies such as AEC and HEW in carrying out their mis- 
sions. 
5. By the Smithsonian Institution in fulfilling its major obligation 
to systematic biology (see sec. 10.4). 
Creation of a mission-oriented agency, with major responsibilities 
as previously stated, does not by itself provide a clear mechanism for 
coordination, planning and budgeting. Several agencies, the Navy 
and NSF in particular, will continue to have major responsibilities in 
ocean-oriented activities. The need for information interchange and 
dissemination now discharged by ICO will continue, and we recommend 
formation of an interagency group under the Federal Council for 
Science and Technology to provide services now rendered by ICO 
and the Interagency Committee on Atmospheric Sciences (see sec. 
10.4). This group should also have responsibilities for information 
interchange related to solid-earth sciences. It would thus link en- 
vironmental science activities within the new agency to those in other 
agencies. 
Budget allocations among the new agency, NSF, and the Navy 
would be made on a competitive basis, recognizing the mission re- 
sponsibilities of the new agency and the Navy. The Federal Council, 
Bureau of the Budget, and Congress would all participate in the 
budgeting process. Although the proposed agency would not solve 
XIV 
