1089 
Mr. Crinean. I see. 
You mentioned that in formulating policy that you found the Na- 
tional Council useful, I think was the word that you used. Could you 
give us a little idea of what role the Council plays in helping to co- 
ordinate agency policy with regard to seabeds? 
Mr. Potuack. The Marine Council has served as the principal forum 
in which the various agencies of the Government have met both at the 
Cabinet level, at senior policy level, and at working level on a wide 
range of matters relating to the seabed. 
It has been, among other things, a forum in which this Government’s 
examination of what its role might be in the international decade has 
taken place. It has reviewed the questions of policy with respect to 
management of the coastal zone. 
We have examined from time to time questions of international co- 
operation in oceanographic activities independently of the decade, and 
we have occasionally made presentations to the entire Council which 
covers a broader governmental spectrum than is involved actually in 
the international field of the positions, and developments that have 
taken place in the international arena. 
So that it has served both as a vehicle of effective communication 
and development of coherent understanding, but it has also served as 
a stimulus for action on these matters. 
Mr. Curneéan. I will not ask you to state any position which has 
been developed there, but has there been a consensus among the Coun- 
ceil with respect to limitation of the Continental Shelf or regions be- 
yond that point ? 
Mr. Potrack. No, sir. That question has not been put to them. 
Mr. Crincan. The Commission did come up with a recommendation. 
Mr. Potiack. But that question has not been put to the Council in a 
form that would lead to development of a consensus. 
Mr. Crincan. The Commission has formed an opinion on that. Has, 
to your knowledge, the National Petroleum Council formed an opin- 
ion on it? 
Mr. Pottack. Yes, the National Petroleum Council has issued a 
report. 
Mr. Crincan. Has the American Bar Association formed an 
opinion ? ! 
Mr. Potiacn. Yes, the American Bar Association has addressed it- 
self to that. 
Mr. Crryean. Has the Marine Council formed an opinion ? 
Mr. Poritack. The Marine Council has not. 
Mr. Lennon. Mr. Pollack, how many civilian agencies of the Fed- 
eral Government do you happen to contact from time to time related 
to matters concerning the ocean bed, or the Continental Shelf, or 
many of the other things that we are concerned with here ? 
Mr, Poriack. There are about five or six that have a principal in- 
terest in the question of the seabed boundary and regime, the ques- 
tions that are under discussion at the U.N. There are another half dozen 
that have inputs and would be consulted, depending upon the specific 
question. 
If, for example, we would concern ourselves with the question of 
scientific research, then the National Science Foundation, the ESSA 
side of the Department of Commerce, even the Smithsonian Institution 
