856 
basis, and they are concerned with that. They concede it would depend 
upon the administration of the new agency as to how they would get 
along. 
If: you had a person who recognized their statutory responsibilities 
as the head of the NOAA, they “would have no real problems. But if 
they got someone there interested only in the scientific aspect of this 
total program, then they could be in some difficulty. 
What other ways are there, short of NOAA that we can improve the 
effectiveness of our oceanographic efforts to meet the national goals 
set by the committee? You tell me specifically and definitively what 
ways other than the establishment of NOAA that we can improve — 
the effectiveness of our effort to meet the national goals set by the 
Commission. 
Now that may take you some time and you may want to think about 
it a little before you put it in writing and furnish it for the record. 
ALTERNATIVES 
r. Wenk. If I could be permitted to, Mr. Chairman, I believe that: 
isa ane broad question and I believe that my response would be more. 
meaningful if I could supply it for the record. It is one of the criteria 
by which one should test these alternatives and I believe we could re- 
spond with some comments as to what we could do to improve our- 
Pissen setup, short of NOAA. 
. Lennon. You suggest the possibility of establishment of De- 
Hea aet of Natural Resources and Environment with strong marie: 
emphasis. Do you recommend that or do you just suggest that as an 
alternative ? 
Dr. Wen. I only suggest that as an alternative because it has been 
raised by others. 
Mr. Lennon. I would like to have your complete views and proposal 
with respect to that. Not just a su ggestion. You see, we have no more 
suggestions in this Commission report. One of the purposes of creating: 
the ‘Commission and the President appointing it was to make recom- 
mendations for a new marine science organization. After two and a 
half years of study, I am convinced that they considered all the criteria 
that you propose now as alternatives. Now you come up and say, well, 
now, five, six, seven, eight, or 10 alternatives to what they propose, 
and vet their proposal represents approximately two and a half years. 
of study at every level. 
Now you say, well now, you ought to think about other alternatives, . 
but it doesn’t represent the study ‘and consideration of these preposals | 
and alternatives that you recommend that the Commission report does. 
Is that a fair assertion ? 
Dr. Wenk. In supplementing the colloquy on alternatives to NOAA, , 
two others are possible that I did not mention previously: 
(a) Continuing the Marine Sciences Council with certain changes, 
and | 
(b) Creation of a Department of Resources and Environment with: 
a strong marine component. 
If the Marine Council were continued and the present structure of 
Government otherwise not significantly altered, the marine program: 
could be strengthened by the Council being authorized ‘to receive some: 
