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rather than around functions, or objectives such as transportation, 
food production, and use of natural resources and environment? 
Second, are there ways short of NOAA to improve the effectiveness 
of our oceanographic effort to meet national goals ? 
Does the new organization have a clear mission to serve a major 
unmet public need ? 
Does it contribute to improved decisionmaking of Government pro- 
grams and foster the resources necessary to carry them out ? 
Is the reorganization stable or vulnerable to possible changes in a 
short time due to change in function, or evolution of technology? 
Does it provide for better performance at the same or lower cost? 
Does the proposal provide for coherent management, quality per- 
formance and attraction of good personnel ? 
Do the unwanted consequences of reorganization outweigh possible 
gains? 
Does the organization help the President and the Congress do their 
job better ? 
Tested against these criteria, no alternative is without some advan- 
‘tages and disadvantages. This is what makes the present careful 
analysis absolutely necessary. To reorganize hastily could be 
counterproductive. 
BARRIERS TO USE OF THE OCEANS 
The Commission was well aware that reorganization is not the only 
remedy to impediments in using the oceans; many simply depend on 
more funds. But they also identified numerous legal and institutional 
factors established for good and sound reasons at one time, but now 
deserving reevaluation because they have become barriers. 
State and local laws, for example, have inhibited marine expansion 
in fisheries. In addition, practices with respect to land development 
and water use in the coastal zone are also affected by archaic laws, 
multiple jurisdiction and often the lack of any effective zoning 
controls. 
One result of your hearings, I predict, Mr. Chairman, will be greater 
interest by the States and local communities in seeking more rational 
use of the coastal resources. 
COST OF COMMISSION. PROPOSALS 
I would like to point out that the Commission’s recommendations 
could be quite costly. Obviously, if the Commission proposals were 
accepted, this program could start out more modestly and rise more 
gradually over a 10-year period than they propose. It 1s important to 
point out that the current fiscal situation certainly limits any com- 
mitment of additional funds for this fiscal year at levels they pro- 
pose. 
However we should endeavor to extract the maximum effect from 
present activities, being selective in priorities, improving productivity 
and decreasing waste. 
