948 
Mr. Prexiy. I think you chewed out the former administration for 
delaying 7 year’s on the maritime program so that I really think you are 
very understanding. ; 
Mr. Lennon. I try to be fair. Go ahead, Mr. Train. 
Mr. Trarn. I suppose I would say that this would indicate that 
there are many blessings in having a new administration. Seriously, 
Mr. Chairman, it seems to me that this discussion and the letter of the 
Ash Commission highlights the fact that a major reorganization of 
the marine responsibilities of the Federal Government really cannot 
be carried out or implemented without careful attention to the overall 
total organization of the Federal Government. It cannot be just sepa- 
rated out. 
I think this is the major reason why the administration’s consider- 
ation of this very important matter is taking some time and doubtless 
will take some little time. I really do not believe that any delay is based 
upon dilatoriness or a desire to create a delay, but simply is in recogni- 
tion of the fact which T have just stated, a marine reorganization can- 
not be undertaken in separation from a total look at the overall organi- 
zation of the Federal Government. 
It is obviously impossible to comment here on the more than 100 
recommendations in this report, nor is it necessary. Many of them are 
for guidance rather than for immediate action. Some will require 
detailed scrutiny to determine how best they may be implemented. 
Some of the most important recommendations of the Commission are 
presented in chapter 2, “National Capability in the Sea.” 
Tt recommends establishment of university-national laboratories and 
coastal zone laboratories, and the strengthening of Federal marine 
science laboratories. 
The Department of the Interior has had considerable experience 
with such broad enterprises. It has been our policy, whenever possible, 
to establish our laboratories on university campuses, or closely asso- 
clated with universities. We also have a long history of close working 
relationships with the States. In Federal marine affairs Interior has 
worked in concert with Navy and the National Science Foundation in 
a three-way effort to consolidate civilian, military and fundamental 
research and development in marine affairs. It would be well to build 
on these foundations as much as possible, rather than to establish new 
centers. 
Chapter 2 also includes other proposals important to the Department 
of the Interior. It recommends development of capabilities to operate 
on the seabed and subsoil of the Continental Shelf and deep sea by 
the year 2000. 
Tt recommends that the Federal Government support a dynamic 
program of fundamental technology to develop the resources of the 
sea, an objective of particular interest to this Department. With 
passage of the 1953 Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, the Depart- 
ment was given direct statutory responsibility for management of the 
resources of the Outer Continental Shelf. 
I have brought along a few copies of a set of charts and reports 
produced by Interior’s Geological Survey recently, depicting the 
mineral resources of the seabed around the world. Produced by this 
Department for the August 1969 session of the United Nations Seabeds 
