340 



This morning we will be hearing about the first year's results of 

 task force activity. 



The Biological Task Force has been presented a unique opportu- 

 nity to study at close hand and from the beginning the impacts of 

 oil and gas activities. It is unfortunate that where there are poten- 

 tial threats to the marine environment; such exhaustive monitor- 

 ing and study is not the rule, rather than the exception. 



And so, with the future of Georges Bank oil and gas activities 

 very much in question, we are here today at a pivotal juncture, not 

 only for the effort to recover mineral resources, but also for this 

 unique monitoring effort. 



I look forward to the testimony. I welcome the witnesses we have 

 here this morning. 



We have divided our witnesses into three panels. The first panel 

 consists of Mr. William Beller, chairman of the Biological Task 

 Force and a representative of the Environmental Protection 

 Agency. Also Mr. Elmer P. Danenberger, who is the North Atlantic 

 District Supervisor, Minerals Management Service, Department of 

 the Interior. 



We had expected to hear from Mr. John B. Rigg, an Associate 

 Director of the Minerals Management Service. I guess we were no- 

 tified rather recently, Mr. Danenberger, that you were going to fill 

 the bill. 



If you can, I would like to know why we had that last-minute 

 switch. 



STATEMENTS OF WILLIAM S. BELLER, CHAIRMAN, BIOLOGICAL 

 TASK FORCE FOR GEORGES BANK, AND CHIEF, OCEAN PRO- 

 GRAMS BRANCH, U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY, 

 AND ELMER P. DANENBERGER, ON BEHALF OF HON. JAMES G. 

 WATT, SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR 



Mr. Danenberger. I really don't have any information other 

 than he had another commitment for today. 



Mr. D' Amours. Not a prior commitment, obviously. 



Mr. Danenberger. I am not sure what the conflict was. 



Mr. D'Amours. At any rate, I welcome you, Mr. Danenberger, 

 and I welcome you, Mr. Beller. 



I am going to suggest to the extent that you can you summarize 

 your testimony. I can assure you that I have read every bit of your 

 testimony, every word of it, and other committee members will also 

 be familiar with your testimony. If you can, in the interests of 

 time, please summarize, and your full testimony will be made a 

 part of the record. 



So you can begin in whatever order you may decide amongst 

 yourselves. I guess, Mr. Beller, you are scheduled to go first. 



STATEMENT OF WILLIAM S. BELLER 



Mr. Beller. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. 



I want to tell you that, speaking for the Biological Task Force, I 

 am very pleased to be here to present some of the work that they 

 have done. I feel it has been quite constructive, probably a mile- 

 stone in cooperation amongst the three agencies. 



