NATIONAL OCEANOGRAPHIC PROGRAM LEGISLATION 523 



ducted off the east coast of Florida. Two ac[uifers and evidence of a 

 phosphorite bed were discovered. If you wish, Mr. Chainnan, I can 

 submit for the record a brief statement and two letters which sum- 

 marize the preliminary results of this drilling program. 



Mr. Chairman, I am sure that we do not loiow the full extent of the 

 ocean resources, including those on the Continental Shelf. This is 

 not because we are not trying ; rather it is because this is an area that 

 is relatively new to us. I would say it is quite analogous to the 

 awakening, well over a century ago, that the West had the potential 

 for economic development. 



The realization is here, and thus the tempo must be, and, as funds 

 permit, is being increased. Since we are aware that the answers to 

 many of the problems associated with the exploitation of ocean re- 

 sources are not presently available, nor for that matter, immediately 

 forthcoming, studies are being conducted, surveys are being under- 

 taken, laboratories are being developed and research efforts are con- 

 tributing the essential information. 



Also, industry is expanding its interests. Possibly after studies 

 are completed, after all considerations are evaluated. Government 

 concessions, similar to those made during the development of the West, 

 may prove appropriate. 



Quite understandably, industry and others, including the various 

 agencies of the executive department and Members of Congress, are 

 cx)ncerned with utilizing, for the benefit of the people of this country, 

 any natural resource that exists on and in the oceans, especially the 

 Continental Shelf. We must not only take from the sea that which 

 which we can use now, but also consider resource management and 

 the contemplated needs for the future. 



We are not as well organized for exploitation as for research and 

 exploration, I am sure this fact is the basis for much of your concern 

 and your desire to unprove the organizational structure. However, 

 sweeping organizational changes and the pronouncement of new 

 programs must be supported by more than a desire to exploit the 

 ocean resources. It is essential that we first understand the problems, 

 the character and extent of whatever resources may exist, and that 

 this information be compared on an economic basis with those re- 

 sources present on the continent. 



Oceanography is an intricate subject. Its complexity and its wide 

 utilization by many agencies of the Government require that we 

 carefully consider each successive step. 



Now let me turn my attention to the contents of the specific bills 

 that lie before you. They range from proposals for intensive studies 

 preceding any steps toward reorganization to the other extreme of 

 proposing a Department of Oceanography. 



First, there is the concept of general review and coordination. 

 Here I should like to endorse H.R. 2218 introduced by the chairman 

 of this subcommittee, Mr. Lennon, and identical bills, H.R. 3310 by 

 Mr. Polly and H.R. 3352 by Mr. Bonner. These bills put first things 

 first and lay out reasonable and considered courses of action. 



Briefly, they declare a vigorous and comprehensive oceanographic 

 program to be a matter of national policy. They call for a statement 

 of national goals consistent with that policy and for the establishment 

 of plans and programs to pursue those goals. They authorize an 



