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■STATCMRMT OF PU KPOSi: A ND IIDK U 



The National Ocean Pollution Research and Development 

 and Monitoring Planning Act of 1978, a« amended, authorizes 

 the establishment of a comprehensive 5-year plan for ocean 

 pollution research, development and m.onitoring v/hich would 

 coordinate all federal activities in these areas. This 

 plan, completed in 1979, must be revised every two years. 

 The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) 

 is designated as the lead agency to prepare the above plan; 

 to execute a program of ocean pollution research, develop- 

 ment and m.onitoring in a manner consistent with the plan; 

 and to ensure dissemination of information from federal 

 ocean pollution research, development and monitoring 

 programs. The authorization of appropriations for this 

 Act expires September 30, 1980. 



This bill will extend subsequent submission dates for 

 the biennial revisions to the above plan from February 15 to 

 April 30. Such an extension is necessary to assure adequate 

 review of the plan by the Executive Branch on a schedule 

 which promotes better coordination of the plan with the 

 budget projections for relevant agencies. The bill also 

 will extend the appropriations authorization for carrying 

 out the Act through fiscal year 1982. Such an extension 

 will allow NOAA to carry out its functions under the Act for 

 two more years. 



