896 
Task Force of the Marine Council. Iam presently serving as Chairman 
of this group. In this analysis my task force has been examining the 
programs of Federal agencies with a view toward identifying the 
timeliness of each technical project and assessing the value of its antici- 
pated “nayoft” to this Nation’s oceanographic mission. We are now 
in the middle of this analysis. 
The Commission’s recommendations for developing programs to 
insure the needed manpower for an increased national marine effort 
merit careful consideration. The Maritime Administration is respon- 
sible for predicting manpower requirements for ships engaged in our 
foreign and domestic trade and the associated training to meet them. 
For example, the Maritime Administration surpervises the U.S. Mer- 
chant Marine Academy at King’s Point and assists the various State 
maritime academies. 
MANAGEMENT OF THE COASTAL ZONE 
The Commission is rightfully concerned with the management of 
the coastal zone and the Department of Commerce shares the con- 
cern of the Commission over the possible adverse effect on the manage- 
ment of our coastal zone arising from the problems of conflicting 
interests of user groups and the overlapping laws and regulations 
controlling coastal zone activity. 
We consider this area to be one of high priority among the marine 
problems to be addressed by the Federal Government. A task force 
of the Marine Council is aleady considering the recommendations of 
the Marine Commission as to the coastal zone. 
The Department believes that in order to establish an adequate basis 
for decisionmaking in coastal zone management there is a need for 
much additional and continued information on conditions in the coastal 
zone. The Department of Commerce has already made a substantial 
contribution in this area. 
The Department also believes that there should be increased em- 
phasis on recreation and public access to the water in the planning and 
funding of projects. Because of its interest in fostering regional and 
economic development the Department of Commerce through EDA 
has supported programs for developing recreational facilities. It should 
be noted, however, that a consideration in the development of any 
facilities in the coastal area 1s the need to protect and maintain quality 
of the environment in which they will be located. 
An excellent example of how the coastal zone can be systematically 
developed is found in the marine resources programs of the Coastal 
Plains Regional Commission which was established by the Secretary 
of Commerce under the authority of the Public Works and Economic 
Development Act of 1965. 
I have here a report of the marine resources program of the Coastal 
Plains Regional Commission, and with the permission of the chairman, 
I would like to includea report of this activity. 
Mr. Lennon. Without objection, it may be placed in the record at 
this point. 
(The report follows :) 
