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tion, and in particular, improved tools for assessing the damage 

 from oilspills; the need for long-term studies on natural, unpolluted 

 areas in order to distinguish natural variations from pollution- 

 caused changes; development of an improved capability to assess 

 the social and economic consequences of pollution; better methods 

 and approaches to identify potential pollutants and to evaluate 

 risks. 



Both NOAA and the interagency committee have taken impor- 

 tant steps to implement recommendations of the first 5-year plan. 

 To provide a national focal point for coordinating Federal efforts 

 on a day-to-day basis, NOAA has established the National Marine 

 Pollution Program Office within its Office of Policy and Planning. 

 This new office, which is staffed by NOAA and interagency repre- 

 sentatives, is responsible for updating the plan every 2 years, im- 

 plementing the recommendations, and providing staff support to 

 the interagency committee. 



The next 5-year plan is due February 15, 1981. We are proposing 

 a legislative change to extend the deadline for submission of the 

 plan from February 15 to April 30. We believe 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 process. 



The interagency committee is committed to seeing that the next 

 5-year plan builds upon this first plan to improve its quality and 

 usefulness and is taking a number of steps to do so. First, agencies 

 are developing 5-year planning prospectuses for their major pro- 

 gram areas to allow the next plan to better project future direc- 

 tions and levels of emphasis. 



Second, a series of regional workshops have been scheduled for 

 June 1980, to develop specific statements of regional needs and 

 priorities for consideration by the interagency committee. We are 

 using Sea Grant for this purpose. 



Third, an extensive program review will be undertaken this year 

 to determine how well Federal activities in petroleum-related re- 

 search, development, and monitoring meet agency requirements 

 and national needs. I know this is of special interest to you, Mr. 

 Chairman. 



And finally, efforts will be undertaken to improve the budget 

 coordination process. 



We have also taken a number of steps to establish a comprehen- 

 sive and effective ocean pollution research, development, and moni- 

 toring program within NOAA, as required by section 5 of this act. 



An appendix to my written testimony shows the pollution pro- 

 gram breakdown, and the elements of NOAA which conduct those 

 activities. 



NOAA's diverse marine pollution-related activities, ranging from 

 investigations of the levels of trace metals and synthetic organics 

 in commercial valuable oil fisheries to assessment of the potential 

 impacts of offshore oil development, have been described in detail 

 and analyzed in the report and analysis of NOAA's ocean pollution 

 research, development, and monitoring activities — fiscal year 1978. 

 That analysis shows NOAA's base funding for marine pollution 

 research, development, and monitoring activities of approximately 

 $26 million for fiscal year 1980, with major activities underway in 



