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tions, processes data, and provides oceanographic predictions and 
warnings. In addition, there are eight weather facilities which provide 
oceanographic services as required mainly in support of aviation 
operations or local staffs. Several facilities have special functional 
oceanographic responsibilities, for example, Suitland concentrates on 
ice formation. The hub, and central computer site, of Naval Weather 
Service Command is at the Fleet Numerical Weather Central, Mon- 
terey, which devotes a significant portion of its operations and re- 
sources to oceanographic predictions, particularly as related to anti- 
submarine warfare and national defense. Security considerations 
constrain a more detailed description of these functions here. 
In fulfilling its oceanographic prediction responsibilities, the Naval 
Weather Service deals mainly with physical oceanography—tem- 
perature, salinity, motion, and other characteristics of the ocean. 
However, a significant number of the driving forces are atmospheric 
in origin. Therefore, it is possible to predict changes in selected ocean 
parameters by integrating the total exchange of heat and momentum 
occurring at the ocean/atmosphere interface. The Naval Weather 
Service, with a dual mission responsibility for both oceanographic 
and meteorological predictions, is structured and operates specifically 
to accommodate this interface solution. 
The Naval Oceanographic Office (NAVOCEANO) conducts applied 
military oceanographic work to provide the fleet with operational 
environmental data. It has the responsibility for the acquisition of 
survey data and the related technology for the Defense Mapping 
Agency (DMA). 
DEFENSE MAPPING AGENCY (DMA) 
DMA has the responsibility for all DOD mapping, charts, and 
geodesy. Its Hydrographic Center produces marine charts and related 
products and publications for fleet and commercial use. 
The marine science programs of the Corps of Engineers support 
coastal and Great Lakes investigations of water and related land 
resources. The broad spectrum of corps civil works responsibilities 
in these. areas include comprehensive long-range planning, pre- 
authorization project development, design, construction, operation 
and maintenance of projects, and regulatory activities. Project pur- 
poses include navigation, beach and shore erosion protection, coastal] 
flood control, water quality improvement and flew control, water- 
based recreation, fish and wildlife conservation and enhancement, 
floodplain management services, and other purposes authorized by 
law. 
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE 
Two agencies of the Department of Commerce, the National Oceanic 
and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Maritime Admin- 
istration (MARAD), contribute to the Federal ocean program. 
The basic missions of NOAA are the development, operation, 
and maintenance of a national system for observing and predicting 
the state of the atmosphere, rivers, and oceans, and the conduct 
of research and development that contributes to the exploration, 
conservation, and development of marine resources. Additionally, an 
essential part of the NOAA program is the development of the neces- 
