the Committee would turn elsewhere for this purpose. Most certainly 
an independent agency would serve the ocean policy need if it could be 
created. 
Functions of an Agency for Marine and Atmospheric Affairs 
We wish once again to emphasize function as the basic principle. In 
this section we explain what we mean in somewhat greater detail than 
we did in last year’s report. Drawing for the most part on statements 
found in current budget justifications for the agencies involved in marine 
and atmospheric affairs and grouping them appropriately, we have the 
following major functional groupings and their breakdowns. 
Marine Resource Development and Conservation: This function covers 
responsibility for establishing resource production and usage goals in 
recognition of supply and demand projections, determining the appropriate 
means required to achieve these goals, and bringing these means to bear 
in light of policy constraints regarding national priorities and laws gov- 
erning the protection of the environment. Included specifically are: 
@ the assessment and management of marine fisheries resources and 
marine mammals; 
the provision of assistance to the commercial fishing industry; 
the stimulation and support of marine sport fishing and recreation; 
the assessment and management of marine nonliving resources; 
the provision of assistance to commercial energy and mineral industries 
operating in the marine environment. 
Marine, Atmospheric, and Coastal Zone Affairs Coordination, Regula- 
tion, and Enforcement: This function covers responsibility for determining 
the economic and social consequences of proposed marine and coastal 
development activity, determining the probable impacts on other develop- 
mental efforts and the environment, determining the tradeoffs of alternative 
development plans or policies, regulating development execution in ac- 
cordance with law and established policies, and the planning, funding, 
and arranging for the conduct of marine-related public works of national 
importance. Specifically: 
¢ the protection and multiple-use management of the coastal zone 
and its resources; 
© the supervision of exploration and development under mineral leases 
and permits on Federal coastal and offshore submerged lands; 
e the enforcement of Federal marine laws and regulations and promotion 
of marine safety; 
® the minimizing and assisting in the resolution of use conflicts in the 
marine environment by the provision of advice and counsel to Federal 
and State agencies on questions of multiple use; 
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