564 NATIONAL OCEANOGRAPHIC PROGRAM LEGISLATION 



(3) Detailed surveys of deep ocean areas where oceanographic 

 knowledge indicates a probability of valuable resources that are 

 obtainable. 



(4) Studies to really determine what use and. importance these re- 

 sources can be for today, tomorrow, and the more distant future. 



(5) Development programs to devise new ocean-engineering tech- 

 niques, equipment, and systems to exploit ocean resources at the depths 

 at which they exist. 



(6) The study, development, and prosecution of new international 

 law and/or treaties to protect claims, rights of nations, and individuals^ 

 engaged in deep ocean projects. 



(7) Development of a coordinated national education support pro- 

 gram, not only for graduate oceanographers, but also for undergradu- 

 ate and technical students in ocean engineering and oceanographic 

 science and technology to meet the expanding needs of the future. 



Many bills now before you cover certain details of the above items. 

 But the very fact that there are so many bills before you makes it 

 apparent that a thorough study of the problem as a whole is neces- 

 sary by a highly qualified group of experts from Government, indus- 

 try, and the scientific and engineering communities who can and will 

 look at the problems from an overall, national viewpoint. 

 _ Accordingly, I strongly recommend the establishment of a self- 

 liquidating commission as set forth in Congressman Eogers' bill, H.E. 

 9064, at the earliest possible time, to review the current oceanographic 

 and ocean-engineering programs both in Govermnent and industry,- 

 determine the true and actual needs of these same activities, and de- 

 termine the important areas that are not covered by existing programs 

 and for which there is no support now. For these unsupported items, 

 and for these alone, I feel the Commission should recommend the 

 designation or, if necessary, the establishment of an organization, to- 

 gether with appropriate financial support, to accomplish them. 



This, I feel, is urgently needed to cover those oceanographic and 

 ocean-engineering national requirements which are beyond the scope, 

 responsibility, or capacity of existing governmental or industrial pro- 

 grams to meet. The seven items mentioned above, I feel, are examples. 

 A Commission study would undoubtedly find more or possibly delete 

 some of those I mentioned. 



I believe that the work of such a commission would not only be ac- 

 cepted but would be welcomed by Government agencies and industry 

 and further, it would not interfere with the vital programs now in prog- 

 ress. Working in close cooperation with the ICO, the Commission 

 could define a true national oceanographic program which provides not 

 only for the essential programs now in progress but also can provide 

 the means to plug the voids that now make our national program in- 

 adequate. 



Wasteful duplication of effort, if found — and I might point out 

 all duplications are not necessarily wasteful — would be reported im- 

 mediately to the responsible agencies and the ICO for appropriate 

 action. Recommendations for early action on existing bills or recom- 

 mendations for new legislation could be made by the Commission as 

 soon as the studies so indicate. 



The designation of specific national projects to Government agen- 

 cies or industry, together with recommended financial support, could 



