36 PROVIDE A COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAM IN OCEANOGRAPHY 



first ship of tliis size to be built b\' tlie United States for that specific 

 purpose. Furtliermore, under the 1962 budget as approved the Coast 

 and Geodetic Survey, in addition to the large oceanographic ship, 

 was authorized to replace one class II vessel. The Survey will also 

 greatly expand its work in research and development of oceanographic 

 research instrumentation. Funds are also included for additional 

 oceanographers and for extending the working season of the four major 

 ships in the Survey fleet. Extension of the season will be equivalent 

 to the addition of nearl}^ 1 ship-year of oceanographic work using 

 existing vessels. 



The Weather Bureau's major effort in oceanographic research 

 during the past few years has been directed to a better understanding 

 and improved prediction of the coastal flooding produced by hur- 

 ricanes and other severe storms over the oceans. Pilot studies needed 

 for the sound development of several other air-sea interaction prob- 

 lems have been conducted. Under the President's program, the 

 Weather Bureau would step up its oceanographic research studies on 

 the interaction between the sea surface and atmosphere as it relates 

 to the exchange of heat and momentum. This research would ac- 

 count for about 30 percent of funds allocated to the Bureau for re- 

 search under the President's program. Additional studies planned to 

 develop improved techniques for storm surge forecasting would ac- 

 count for some 30 percent of the increased funding under the Presi- 

 dent's program. Accelerated procurement of specialized instrumenta- 

 tion such as infrared radiation thermometers and automatic marine 

 meteorological observing stations to support these studies would take 

 another 30 percent of the increased funds of the Bureau. 



This Department believes that it now has adequate statutory 

 authority to support its present and proposed oceanographic activities. 

 Furthermore, we believe that these activities are adequately coordi- 

 nated with the oceanographic programs of other agencies by the Inter- 

 agency Committee on Oceanography (ICO) under the Federal Council 

 of Science and Technology. 



For the foregoing reasons we believe that enactment of legislation in 

 the nature of S. 901 is unnecessary^ at this time. 



The Bureau of the Budget advises there is no objection to the sub- 

 mission of this report from the standpoint of the administration's 

 program. 



Sincerely j^ours, 



Edward Gudbman, 

 Under Secretary oj Commerce. 



Department of the Interior, 



Office of the Secretary, 

 Washington, B.C., August 22, 1961. 

 Hon. Herbert Bonner, 



Chairman, Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries, 

 House of Representatives, Washington, D.C. 



Dear Mr. Bonner: We have received from Hon. George P. Miller, 

 chairman of the Subcommittee on Oceanography, a copy of committee 

 print on H.R. 4276, a bill to expand and develop the aquatic resources 

 of the United States including the oceans, estuaries, and rivers, the 



