255 



Dr. White. To date, 50 scientific oceanographic proposals have been 

 reviewed by the Advisory Board on Allocation of Oceanographic Ship 

 Facilities of ESSA from other agencies or institutions. Twenty-seven 

 of these proi:)osals have not been recommended for ESSA involvement. 

 Of the 28 proposals recommended by tlie Board, the Coast and Geodetic 

 Survey has, or is in the process of, cooperating in 16 to varying degrees, 

 with a minimum of ship time interference. The remaining recom- 

 mended proposals cannot be implemented without seriously sacrificing 

 ongoing programs at this time. 



A multiagency board on which all agencies that operate research 

 vessels would be represented, to perform a similar function to that of 

 ESSA, involving all research vessels operated by various agencies, 

 could be advantageous to the national effort. A study would have to be 

 made whether such a board would be more effective than individual 

 agency boards. 



Mr. Keith. As you may know, I have introduced legislation that 

 looks to the creation of marine sanctuaries. I would appreciate it if 

 you, as the spokesman for ESSA, would tell me what your position is 

 on the advisability of establishing such sanctuaries as are contemplated 

 in the bill I introduced. 



Assuming that such a program is established, what role should ESSA 

 play in assisting in the determination of areas which should be estab- 

 lished as sanctuaries ? 



Dr. White. The Department of Commerce has received a request 

 from the Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries for a report 

 on H.R. 11548, a bill to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to study 

 the most feasible and desirable means of establishing certain portions 

 of the tidelands, Outer Continental Shelf, seaward areas, and Great 

 Lakes of the United States as marine sanctuaries and for other pur- 

 poses. 



The Department of Commerce is expediting its preparation of this 

 report, and as soon as coordination with the Bureau of the Budget is 

 completed, the report Avill be forwarded to the House's Merchant 

 Marine and Fisheries Committee. 



Mr. Keith. That is all Mr. Chairman. 



Mr. Lennon. Doctor, for the record you are one of the 15 members 

 on the Commission appointed by the President ; is that correct ? 



Dr. White. Yes, sir. 



Mr. TjENisroisr. You are the opposite to the Secretary of Commerce 

 under the National Council. 



Dr. White. No, I am not, sir. The Assistant Secretary is the 

 alternate. 



Mr. Lennoist. Was it under the authority of the National Council 

 that you were designated by the Vice President to serve on the newly 

 formed Committee on Ocean Exploration and Environmental Science ? 



Dr. White. Yes, sir. 



Mr. Lennon. Because under the act the Council headed by the Vice 

 President, designates the Chairman to authorize any agency of the 

 Federal Government to assist them in their overall study of the total 

 marine development program. Has ESSxA. been involved in the prep- 

 aration of the maps that are now being used by the Department of 

 Interior for the leasing: of the Continental Shelf ? 



