1192 
In the discussions which have proceeded before this subcommittee, 
within the executive branch, and in the public press about the Com- 
mission proposals the question of Government reorganization has re- 
ceived a great deal of attention. I will therefore address myself to the 
question of organization, and return to some of the more important 
substantive programs later. 
Needless to say, I am not an expert on Government organization and 
there are very few remarks I need to make on this subject. The Strat- 
ton report, as you know, proposes some quite sweeping changes in the 
organization of the Government in the areas of marine and atmos- 
pheric sciences through the creation of a new agency designated a Na- 
tional Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency (NOAA). 
In this new agency it is proposed that many existing bureaus and 
activities scattered among various departments be coalesced into a 
single unit. Such a move would have a major impact on the depart- 
ments concerned, and yet even so NOAA would not include all of the 
activities of Government encompassed within the area of the oceans. 
and the atmosphere and especially would not include many of the 
problems and activities related to the earth’s environment generally. 
As you know, many proposals have been made by other individuals 
and groups for changes in the organization of Government to accom- 
plish various purposes. President Nixon, recognizing the complexity 
of many of these proposals, has formed a Council on Executive Orga- 
nization headed by the distinguished industrialist, Mr. Roy Ash. It 
would clearly be improper for a member of the administration to make 
specific proposals about NOAA until the Ash Council has completed 
its organization studies. The proposals relating to NOAA will be care- 
fully considered by the Ash Council. 
Mr. Lennon. Could I interject at that point ? 
Dr. DuBrincr. Yes. 
Mr. Lennon. “The proposals relating to NOAA will be carefully 
considered by the Ash Council.” The question is: When ? 
Dr. DuBriper. I think they are at work on it now, sir. 
Mr. Lennon. I won’t comment on it further. I won’t take your time. 
Go ahead. 
Dr. DuBriner. I can only say that it is very tempting when one 
considers any broad national problem to raise the question of whether 
a new Government agency or department should be created to deal 
with the problem. There are, of course, important precedents for 
such action. 
One thinks immediately of the Atomic Energy Commission and 
the National Aeronautics and Space Administration which have 
done such an outstanding job in their respective areas. It should be 
pointed out, however, that these agencies do not necessarily consti- 
tute a precedent in other areas. 
Atomic energy and space were wholly new areas of science and 
technology which at the time of their creation had not become the 
responsibility of other departments or agencies of Government. A 
brandnew area of human endeavor resulting from recent research 
and development stimulated each of these two independent agencies 
and they were created by the Congress in response to the very evi- 
dent urgent national need for large-scale activities in these fields. 
