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duplication of effort, would be a most effective step in insuring maximum benefit 
from whatever funds are allocated to this area of activity. If all that was done 
now was merely the enactment of a National ocean agency with an advisory 
committee and an interagency mechanism, this in itself would do much to get 
the nation to move in the right direction. 
The National Projects and requests for additional research and for funda- 
mental technology programs would require increased expenditures in the future. 
On the other hand, many of the Commission recommendations which deal with 
the removal of legal/regulatory impediments do not involve the expenditure of 
large funds and, in fact, can be implemented in a short amount of time. Finally, 
and of equal importance, many of the recommended new oceanic efforts are 
aimed at other national goals which encompass many social and economic prob- 
lems. These include health (the need to prevent further pollution and initiate 
restoration of our estuaries and Great Lakes) and the rebuilding of many of 
our port and harbor facilities which are simultaneously related to such nationally 
recognized priority areas as urban renewal and the need to rebuild our merchant 
marine. The recommended oceanic program is also directed towards related 
national goals as represented by more extensive recreation facilities that will 
benefit the underprivileged, food from the sea as a factor in the fight against 
hunger, and important contributions to our defense capabilities. 
Because of the reasons we just stated and the ones cited earlier, we favor 
establishment of a National ocean agency at the earliest possible time. 
The question has been raised by many as to whether or not an advisory com- 
mittee should be set up at the same time as a National ocean agency. We believe 
that the two entities should be created simultaneously. However, the point has 
been made that political difficulties may unduly delay the creation or designation 
of a National ocean agency, which suggests that the advisory committee should 
then be permitted to be established prior to the agency. 
On balance, OSTAC suggests that we not move too quickly to establish an 
advisory committee prior to a National ocean agency. We should try to get both 
established at the same time, whether created through Executive Order or by 
legislation, in order to reap the maximum advantages of the combination of an 
advisory committee, a National ocean agency and the Federal interagency 
mechanism. If an undue delay occurs in the creation of ia National ocean agency, 
then we suggest taking action towards the establishment of a National advisory 
committee to be attached to the Executive Office of the President. 
As mentioned earlier, OSTAC recommends that senior policy officials from 
key Federal agencies, as well as regional State representatives, should be 
requested to serve as non-voting participants on the advisory committee. 
If the Federal members were included as full voting participants, they might 
be constrained in their official votes by Administration policy, i.e., they might 
personally feel one way but would be obliged to vote in accordance with their 
department’s or the Administration’s official position. Also, since one of its 
duties is to assess the performance of Government efforts, Federal voting repre- 
sentatives would in effect be asked to grade their own efforts. This situation 
arose with the Commission where the Government members abstained in voting 
upon the recommendations concerning Government organization. 
However, the Commission did find it valuable to have Federal members avail- 
able to inject their knowledge and experience without the necessity of being 
required to register a formal vote. 
The State or regional representatives will be very important participants. 
However, as in the case of the Federal participants, we believe they can be 
most effective if they are not asked to vote on matters that might conceivably 
be in conflict with an official position of their State government. 
Continuation of the Council 
Pending determination of the question of organization of the Federal marine 
activities, it is suggested that the present Council remain in existence until its 
coordinating and related functions can be appropriately assigned to whatever 
merchanism is set up to handle a National ocean program. 
Focal Point in the Congress 
In OSTAC’s original study submitted to Dr. Frosch and the Commission in 
the fall of 1967, we urged that ‘consideration be given by the Congress to the 
establishment of overall House and Senate Committees on Marine Sciences that 
would have the responsibility of reviewing and approving programs recommended 
by the new Executive Department mechanism and providing for proper budget- 
