NATIONAL OCEANOGRAPHIC PROGRAM LEGISLATION 271 



The continual examination of policy in this area and the discussion 

 of national goals, with an examination of the many interrelated in- 

 terests concerned with the ocean, is a matter to lie ])laced only on the 

 liig-hest policy level in our executive branch. Deliberation of goals 

 Avith respect to ocean problems and ocean resources will include goals 

 for defense pur{)oses, food supplies, transportation, mineral resources, 

 energy transmission and communication, recreation, pollution control, 

 the prediction of storms, tides, and other possible disaster events, and 

 the scientific exploration of natural phenomena. 



There are broad interrelationships between these goals. Many of 

 them have international implications. The ocean environment is a 

 major part of our total globe. Therefore, in magnitude and impor- 

 tance these questions demand that policy be deliberated and formulated 

 at the Cabinet level. To provide ongoing attention to this matter, 

 Avith necessary staffing for continuity, the National Oceanographic 

 Council is proposed. 



The intent of this recommendation is to recognize that the policies 

 of ocean development, including both its defense and nondefense inter- 

 relationships, are of sufficient importance to place their treatment on 

 a par with policies related to space development. 



It is not enough to provide for policy formulation. It is necessary 

 also to provide a focused responsibility for implementing the policy. 

 In particular, it is desirable to centralize the authority for carrying 

 out the program or seeing that it is carried out. The needed action 

 includes those things which will develop the Continental Shelf, will 

 bring into being the ocean-operating and ocean-technlogical skills to 

 place our ISTation at the forefront of ocean technology, will stimulate 

 private individuals, industry, and institutions in the exploration and 

 economic development of the ocean, and will expand and accelerate 

 our ocean exploratory efforts. 



The tasks that need to be done cannot be viewed simply as "add-on" 

 tasks to existing authorities. A new approach is required. The re- 

 sponsibilities that are envisioned go beyond existing agency 

 responsibilities. 



No one of the individual missions of existing agencies is broad 

 enough to cover the entire activity of ocean resource development. 

 Outside of the Navy, no agency has a responsibility and mission di- 

 rected toward the total ocean and toward the full examination of tech- 

 nological skills and operating capabilities that will reduce the ocean 

 and its resources to our peaceful utilization. 



In structuring a neAv focus to take on this task, it is not possible, 

 however, to ignore the existing operating acti^dties in agencies that 

 are concerned with oceanography. Such agencies as the Bureau of 

 Commercial Fisheries and the Coast and Geodetic Survey will need to 

 continue operative type missions in the oceans. Therefore, the new 

 responsibility for action in this field is proposed to be neither a new 

 department of the executive nor an agency with the complete responsi- 

 bilities in its field, such as NASA. The proposed action focus is a 

 Commission, on which will serve the Secretaries of the three agencies 

 which are now the principals engaged in ocean ojDerations — Defense, 

 Commerce, and Interior. It is the intent of the proposal that, insofar 

 as possible, actions that are needed will be done through existing agen- 

 cies. Coordination of all these activities v\dll be a part of the Com- 



