236 



action should start shortly. Nevertheless, I am worried lest inadequate 

 funds make it impossible to provide enough grants to maintain the 

 interest of the large number of oceanographic institutions which want 

 to participate at this time. 



Mr. Chairman, since all of you on the Oceanography Subcommittee 

 are committed to the development of our Nation's marine resources, 

 I hope we can work together for legislative authorization to continue 

 this program, and for adequate appropriations for this vital and 

 exciting plan for pushing back the frontiers of inner space. 



Mr. Rogers. The subcommittee is grateful for your statement. Sena- 

 tor, and we sincerely appreciate your appearance here this morning. 



Senator Pell. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. 



Mr. Rogers. We have as our next witness, Dr. Robert H. White, 

 Administrator of the Environmental Science Services Administration, 

 in the Department of Commerce. 



Dr. White, we are delighted to see you again and the committee will 

 be pleased to receive your testimony. Will you identify your colleagues 

 for the record, please ? 



STATEMENT OF DR. ROBERT M. WHITE, ADMINISTRATOR, 

 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE SERVICES ADMINISTRATION, ACCOM- 

 PANIED BY ADM. DON JONES, ASSOCIATE ADMINISTRATOR, AND 

 ROBERT B. ELLERT, ASSISTANT GENERAL COUNSEL, DEPART- 

 MENT OP COMMERCE 



Dr. White. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. 



I have with me today, Adm. Don Jones, the Associate Administra- 

 tor of the Environmental Science Service Administration, and Mr. 

 Robert B. Ellert, the Assistant General Counsel for the Department 

 of Commerce. 



Mr. Rogers. We are delighted to have them present. 



Dr. White. Mr. Chairman and members of this subcommittee, I am 

 honored to appear here and to discuss with you the marine program 

 of the Environmental Science Services Administration, Department 

 of Commerce, as it relates to the activities of the National Council 

 on Marine Resources and Engineering Development established by 

 section 3 of the Marine Resources and Engineering Development Act 

 of 1966. ESSA Avas established under Reorganization Plan No. 2 of 

 1965 to bring under one head the Commerce Department's environ- 

 mental activities. 



Its mission is to understand, describe, and predict the geophysical 

 environment in support of such vital national goals as public safety, 

 enhancement of the economy and assistance to other Federal agencies 

 concerned with defense, space exploration and natural resources. These 

 elements of ESSA's broad responsibility all contribute to and support 

 directly the goals of the long-range national program in marine science 

 as established last year by the act, specifically, protection of health 

 and property ; enhancement of commerce, transportation, and national 

 security ; rehabilitation of our commercial fisheries ; and increased use 

 of these and other resources. 



The marine environment is a major concern to ESSA. Two of our 

 components, the Coast and Geodetic Survey and the Weather Bureau, 



