vided by its Interagency Committee on Oceanography. The Marine 
Resources and Engineering Development Act of 1966 incorporates 
the first two approaches. The Act establishes a National Council on 
Marine Resources and Engineering Development, chaired by the Vice 
President and with Cabinet level members. The Council has very 
broad responsibilities to advise and assist the President in furthering 
the effective use of the sea. The Act also establishes a Presidential 
Commission on Marine Science, Engineering, and Resources consist- 
ing of 15 members drawn from “Federal and State governments, 
industry, universities, laboratories, and other institutions engaged in 
marine scientific or technological pursuits.” The Commission is 
charged with making a comprehensive investigation of all aspects of 
marine science and submitting a report not later than eighteen 
months after it is established. The Act provides that the Council 
will exist for 120 days after the submission of the Commission’s re- 
port. (Seeapp. VI for the entire Act.) 
Three general approaches to the problem have appeared in the 
Congress : 
1. Establish a presidential commission of distinguished scien- 
tists and laymen outside the Government to study the problem and 
advise the President concerning what should be done. 
2. Establish a council composed of appropriate cabinet mem- 
bers, headed by the Vice President, to develop and coordinate a 
comprehensive “national” program. 
3. Establish a new agency composed of those agencies now en- 
gaged in oceanographic research and development, excluding per- 
haps those within the Navy. This new organization has been 
referred toasa “wet NASA.” 
10.2. FEDERAL ROLE IN A NATIONAL OCEAN PROGRAM 
The Panel does not feel that it is the Federal Government’s respon- 
sibility to plan or carry out the entire national ocean program. State 
governments, municipalities, private industry, and individuals moti- 
vated by local interests, profit, zest for adventure or curiosity should 
and must be counted on to devise and execute much of the desired 
program. There are, however, four Federal functions necessary to 
assure that the results are in balance and compatible with the national 
interest : 
1. Enunciate national policies with regard to furthering U.S. 
marine interests. 
2. Foster exploration, development and use of oceans and their 
resources through the establishment of appropriate financial, le- 
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