and operation of undersea structures and are critical to the ASW 
problem. 
We recommend that the Navy continue and expand its support of 
basic research through ONR. It has made highly successful con- 
tributions through research and education in the past, and we expect 
it to continue to do so in the future. 
In the civilian sector the Panel gives highest priority to two related 
problem areas: Development of food resources and development of 
capability for environmental prediction. 
The economic analysis in section 7 suggests that greatest economic 
returns can be expected from progress in environmental prediction 
and control. For the oceans the field is still in the research stage, al- 
though sound conditions can be predicted to a limited degree in con- 
nection with ASW problems. The buoy programs discussed in section 
4.9 and appendix II are given high priority by the Panel. This is 
based on scientific interest and on environmental-prediction need as 
emphasized in sections 6.1, 6.2, and 6.8. Buoys and related instrument 
development will provide essential data regarding weather in the 
oceans and the nature of the ocean-atmosphere interaction. 
While development of food resources does not rate high on an eco- 
nomic basis, viewed strictly in domestic terms, it can contribute in a 
very major way to the Nation’s international position (see secs. 2, 7.2, 
and 10.5). 
The Panel assigns a very high priority to development of coastal 
regions for recreation and commerce; these functions will be possible 
only if the quality of the near-ocean environment is maintained and 
improved. The problems here are unusually complex, since they in- 
volve badly understood science, engineering with a high failure rate 
and a variety of legal and social problems. The Panel believes that 
standards of coastal engineering can be raised only by active participa- 
tion of university groups. There is need to enhance research at CERC 
as well as at other laboratories. 
The Panel gives low priority to continuing hydrographic surveys 
in their present form. Methods employed are outmoded, slow and are 
not responsive to user requirements. We believe that high priority 
should be assigned to development of survey technology as discussed 
in section 4.6. 
In the area of management the Panel believes the present administra- 
tion of the Federal program is unacceptable, and major revisions are 
required if the country is to progress toward the goal of effective use 
of the sea. The Panel has outlined in section 10.4 one possible reorga- 
nization scheme. This scheme appears logical to the Panel in view of 
the close interdependence of environmental sciences, resource develop- 
ment, use of the ocean and environmental description, and prediction. 
Because the proposed reorganization may create severe political prob- 
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