NATIONAL OCEANOGRAPHIC PROGRAM LEGISLATION 149 



raphy was given program planning responsibilities by its Council Chairman in 

 1961 that no endorsement was made. Dr. Hornig also noted that "National 

 programs are not established by the executive branch in the sense of creating 

 an entity which is given special treatment because of that designation." This is 

 in direct contrast to contentions in previous years that legislation was unneeded 

 because oceanography was being given special status as a "national program" 

 and that it was effectively coordinated by overt action on the part of the Federal 

 Council. 



The Office of Science and Technology has statutory responsibility to advise and 

 assist the President. But there is no language in the Reorganization Plan No. 

 2 under which it was established, or in Executive Order 10807 that earlier set 

 up the Federal Council, that designates responsibilities for a unified or coordi- 

 nated program in oceanography, or even requires regular reporting to the Con- 

 gress in this important field. If, in fact, the term "national program" which has 

 been applied over the years to oceanography by the executive branch is now 

 meaningless, and if the program does not even earn budget defense through the 

 Federal Council, then I feel it is all the more urgent that the Congress very 

 clearly establish its own legislative intent in this regard, together with a mecha- 

 nism with sufficient authority and responsibility to be sure that the intent is 

 indeed carried out. 



This is the purpose of my bill. 



First, section 201 contains a declaration of policy and purpose as follows : 



"The oceanographic and marine activities of the United States should be con- 

 ducted so as to contribute to the following objectives : 



"(1) The expansion of human knowledge of phenomena in and related to the 

 oceans, the marine environment, and the Great Lakes, their boundaries and 

 contents. 



"(2) The preservation of the role of the United States as a leader in oceano- 

 graphic and marine science and technology. 



" (3) The enhancement of the general welfare and security of the United States. 



"(4) The advancement of education and training in marine science and 

 technology. 



"(5) The development and improvement of the capabilities, performance, and 

 efficiency of vehicles, equipment, and instriunents for use in exploration, research, 

 surveys, the recovery of resources, and the transmission of energy in the marine 

 environment. 



"(6) The coordination of activities of the various agencies concerned with 

 the marine sciences, and the collection, storing, and distribution of significant 

 data acquired as a result of these activities. 



"(7) The establishment of long-range studies of the potential benefits to the 

 U.S. economy, security, health, and welfare to be gained from the opportunities 

 for, and the problems involved in, utilization of scientific marine and Great Lakes 

 research and surveys. 



"(8) The effective utilization of the scientific and engineering resources of 

 the United States, with close cooperation among all interested agencies of the 

 United States in order to avoid unnecessary duplication of effort, facilities and 

 equipment, or waste. 



" ( 9 ) The making available to agencies directly concerned or affected by oceano- 

 graphic or Great Lakes phenomena of knowledge obtained through U.S. scientific 

 marine research and surveys which is of value or significance to the agency. 



"(10) The cooperation by the United States with other nations and groups of 

 nations in oceanographic and marine research and sui^eys when such coopera- 

 tion is in the national interest." 



The designation of authority and responsibility to implement this policy is set 

 forth in section 301. First, there would be established in the Executive Office 

 of the President a National Oceanographic Council chaired by the Vice President 

 and composed of other Federal officials of high policy rank. It is the function 

 of this Council to advise and assist the President in the field of oceanography 

 and marine sciences, including such matters as : 



(1) Survey all significant oceanographic and marine sciences activities, 

 including the policies, plans, programs, and accomplishments of all depart- 

 ments and agencies of the United States engaged in such activities ; 



(2) Develop a comprehensive program of oceanographic and marine 

 science activities, including but not limited to, exploration, exploitation, 

 and conservation of marine resources, oceanographic engineering, studies of 

 air-sea interaction, transmission of energy, and communications, to be con- 

 ducted by departments and agencies of the United States ; 



