144 OCEANOGRAPHY 1961 — PHASE 3 



The bill proposes to establish a National Oceanographic Council to develop 

 long range plans for and to coordinate the efforts of the Government in the 

 marine sciences. There is already in existence an Interagency Committee on 

 Oceanography, established in January 1960 by the Federal Council for Science 

 and Technology in recognition of the fact that oceanography, is, indeed, an area 

 which requires emphasis and support at the highest level. The Interagency 

 Committee on Oceanography has effectively provided the coordinating mechanism 

 among Government agencies engaged in oceanographic activities for the develop- 

 ment of a meaningful national program. Its mission is similar to that vrhich the 

 bill proposes for the National Oceanographic Council and includes, additionally, 

 the very vital function of coordinated budget planning so as to recommend to the 

 Council the level of funding required each year to support the program. Basic- 

 ally, the Interagency Committee on Oceanography develops an annual program 

 incorporating its best judgment as to balance and emphasis in terms of both long 

 range scientific needs, requirements of Government agencies and fiscal resources. 



The membership of the Committee comprises those Federal agencies which 

 have the major interests in Federal oceanographic programs. Its working panels, 

 organized to consider each of the areas highlighted in the bill, include members 

 from all of the Federal agencies engaged in the marine sciences. In addition, 

 the scientific community is represented both within the Committee and in its 

 several panels by the National Academy of Sciences. 



In his letter to the presiding officers of the Senate and House on March 29, 

 the President of the United States recommended a -$97 million fiscal year 1962 

 national oceanographic program. The Interagency Committee on Oceanography 

 served as the focus for the formulation of this program. This program provides 

 a substantial growth over the $55 million level of effort in fiscal year 1961. 



The bill proposes to establish a National Oceanographic Data Center. A 

 National Oceanographic Data Center is an existing organization. It was 

 dedicated in its new surroundings at the naval weapons plant on January 16, 

 1961. The NODC is a distinct Federal activity, operating under a formal inter- 

 agency agreement and sponsored by the Department of the Navy, Department 

 of the Interior, Department of Commerce, the National Science Foundation, and 

 the Atomic Energy Commission. Its administration is handled by the bydro- 

 grapher of the Navy who receives technical and policy guidance from an advisory 

 board representing the sponsors as well as the scientific community through mem- 

 bership of the National Academy of Sciences. 



The bill proposes to establish a National Instrumentation Test and Calibra- 

 tion Center and to provide for the establishment of oceanographic standards. 

 The Interagency Committee on Oceanography is presently actively considering 

 the requirements and needs for such a center, its method of operation and in 

 consultation with the National Bureau of Standards, the setting of primary 

 operational standards for instruments and measurements. Until a determina- 

 tion of need is clearly outlined and until a determination of the most suitable 

 method of operation is made, the Department believes that the establishment 

 of the center or a predetermination of its character as a national organization 

 is undesirable. 



This report has been coordinated within the Department of Defense in accord- 

 ance with procedures prescribed by the Secretary of Defense. 



The Bureau of the Budget advises that, from the standpoint of the adminis- 

 tration's program, there Is no objection to the presentation of this report for the 

 consideration of the committee. 

 Sincerely yours, 



Robert E. M. Ward, 

 Rear Admiral, U.S. Navy, 

 Chief of Legislative Affairs 

 (For the Secretary of the Navy) . 



Smithsonian Institution, 

 Washington, D.C, June 23, 1961. 

 Hon. Herbert C. Bonner, 



Chairman, Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries, 

 House of Representatives, Washington, D.C. 



Dear Mr. Bonner : Thank you for your letter of February 15, 1961, asking for 

 the comments of the Smithsonian Institution on H.R. 4276, a bill to expand" and 

 develop the aquatic resources of the United States including the oceans, estuaries, 

 and rivers, the Great Lakes and other inland waters, to enhance the general 

 welfare, and for other purposes. 



