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Task Force in one way or another. So it is important that we 

 obtain this information. 



I am sure that Mr. Danenberger, who has been with Interior for 

 some time, and Secretary Watt, would not be terribly offended if 

 you expressed views that did not fully agree with them as to their 

 deep water intentions at this point. 



Mr. Beller. Well, I can comment on the basis of information I 

 have at hand. I suspect I could judge Interior's intentions with re- 

 spect to the Georges Bank and North Atlantic area by noting that 

 Interior has asked the task force, which was restricted to sale 42, to 

 expand its interests and work to encompass sale 52, which certain- 

 ly shows Interior's environmental intentions. 



Mr. D'Amours. Let's leave Interior's motives and Interior's good 

 intentions aside for the moment. 



Do you think it would be a good idea to get out off the coast of 

 Maryland, have the Interior Department or someone else and con- 

 duct studies for the purpose of developing baseline figures to help 

 determine environmental impacts of the work that is going to be 

 done in the deep water area? 



Mr. Beller. I would say that any research that could help us un- 

 derstand deep waters, whether it is in Maryland or Georges Bank, 

 would certainly help in our evaluation of the impact of oil and gas 

 drilling. To that extent, I would agree with you, Mr. Chairman. 



Mr. D'Amours. All right. 



So you agree that it would be useful to get into the Baltimore 

 Canyon, this 110-mile site, specific site, and to begin gathering in- 

 formation? 



Mr. Beller. It indeed would be helpful. 



Mr. D'Amours. Does that change your mind, Mr. Danenberger? 



Mr. Danenberger. I agree 100 percent. I think it would be very 

 helpful. But you have to have a plan for a study program. That is 

 what the Biological Task Force is working on for deep water up 

 here. There is a Biological Task Force in the Mid- Atlantic. They 

 did not recommend such a study. 



I agree 100 percent it would be useful. I think there is a possibil- 

 ity that one is being planned. I don't think it is critical that it be 

 on the first well — it is a several-well deep water program. It is 

 more critical that the study be well-planned. 



Mr. D'Amours. All right. I am a little bit concerned. You are 

 talking about planning, and the work is going to begin in a matter 

 of weeks. 



Mr. Danenberger. Initial work. 



Mr. D'Amours. Have the plans been reviewed by Interior? Has 

 Mr. Watt looked at these plans? If so, has he given approval or con- 

 ditional approval? 



Mr. Danenberger. The exploration plans have been reviewed by 

 Interior. 



Mr. D'Amours. No. I am talking about the environmental work. 



Mr. Danenberger. You mean is Interior considering whether or 

 not the studies are 



Mr. D,' Amours. No, no. I am talking about the work that you say 

 is being planned for the Baltimore Canyon. 



Mr. Danenberger. This is a deep water program in general. I 

 think the way my understanding is, is that the environmental stud- 



