NATIONAL OCEANOGRAPHIC PROGRAM LEGISLATION 189 



concept. Speaking very generally, it embraces two broad areas, pri- 

 marily — ^the description and prediction of oceanic conditions and the 

 exploitation and utilization of ocean resources. 



I believe that each of these areas would be enhanced if a single 

 agency were to provide a focus for the activities in each area — and to 

 provide strong leadership for these activities. 



Let's now discuss a little bit more fully these two most significant 

 areas in oceanography. 



Wliere physical oceanography is concerned — and by "physical ocean- 

 ography", I mean the description and prediction of the physical 

 properties of the oceans — I believe that we should consider whether 

 the program in this area is adequate. 



A focal agency should also be designated for the years ahead in this 

 field, I believe, as has been done in the case of meteorology. This 

 might be done through Presidential action pursuant to H.R. 2218, 

 if enacted. Alternatively, additional authorizing legislation might 

 be desirable. 



This focal agency need have no direct concern with fisheries, with 

 ocean minerals, or with ocean transportation. Its concern would be 

 with the state of the oceans — with physical oceanography as I have 

 defined it. And to go a step further, its concern would be with physi- 

 cal oceanography for civilian applications. As you know, the Depart- 

 ment of the Navy has long had an extensive program in oceanography. 

 It is concerned with the oceans as they affect naval operations and the 

 defense of the Nation. A program of this sort' — which relates 

 uniquely to the national defense — is properly within the direct control 

 of the Defense Establishment. 



The task of the agency that serves as a focus for physical oceanog- 

 raphy would be to obtain and prepare comprehensive information 

 about the state of the oceans and to make this information available 

 to all within the civilian sector who need it and seek it. It would 

 serve our maritime industry and all others who engage in civilian 

 marine operations. It would serve those who are concerned with the 

 pollution of our harbors and estuaries, but would not necessarily do 

 all the work that is particularly related to control of stream pollution 

 or harbor pollution. It would serve those who are concerned with the 

 use for recreation. And it would serve those who are concerned with 

 preservation of the national beauty of our shore areas and with their 

 the exploitation of the resources of the oceans — of its fish, its minerals, 

 and its energy — for example, by exploring the Continental Shelf. 



I believe that the executive branch now has an agency that can pro- 

 vide a strong focus and energetic leadership for Federal activities in 

 civilian physical oceanography. I am referring to the new Environ- 

 mental Science Services Administration (ESSA), which came into 

 legal existence about a month ago — on July 13, to be precise. 



ESSA is an agency of the Department of Commerce. It was 

 created by the President's Reorganization Plan No. 2 of 1965 and is a 

 consolidation of the Weather Bureau and the Coast and Geodetic Sur- 

 vey, In October, the Secretary of Commerce will transfer to ESSA 

 the central radio propagation laboratory of the National Bureau of 

 Standards. ESSA will then provide — and I am using the words of 



