14 PROVIDE A COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAM IN OCEANOGRAPHY 



the marine sciences. In addition, the scientific community is repre- 

 sented both within the Committee and in its several panels by the 

 National Academy ot 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 Inter- 

 agency Committee on Oceanography served as the focus lor the formu- 

 lation ot 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. The 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 interagency agreement and spon- 

 sored by the Department ot the Navy, the Department of Interior, 

 the Department of Commerce, the National Science Foimdation, and 

 the Atomic Energy Commission. Its administration is handled by the 

 Hydrographer of the Navy who receives technical and policy guidance 

 from an advisory board representing the sponsors as well as the scien- 

 tific community through membership of the National Academy of 

 Sciences. 



The bni proposes to establish a National Instrumentation Test and 

 Calibration Center and to provide for the establishment of oceano- 

 graphic 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 measm^ements. Until a determination 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 accordance with procedm-es prescribed by the Secretary of Defense. 



The Bm'eau of the Budget advises that, from the standpoint of the 

 administration's program, there is no objection to the presentation of 

 this report for the consideration of the committee. 

 Sincerely yours, 



(Signed) Robert E. M. Ward, 

 Rear Admiral, U.S. Navy, Cfdef of Legislative Affairs 



(For the Secretary of the Navy). 



The Secretary or Commerce, 



Washington, D.C., May 29, 1961. 

 Hon. Herbert C. Bonner, 



Chairman, Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries, 

 House of Eepresentatives, Washington, D.C. 



Dear Mr. Chairman : This is in response to your letter of February 

 15, 1961, requesting the views of this Department 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 Lake^ and other 

 inland waters, to enhance the general welfare, and for other purposes. 



