committee for amalgamation, with the exception of those of the 
U.S. Coast Guard, are presently contemplated for assembly in 
the Department of Energy and Natural Resources. The Admin- 
istration strongly feels that Energy and Natural Resources repre- 
sent the logistical departmental grouping in a world in which 
natural resources are growing increasingly short and their man- 
agement and development require an overall institutional struc- 
ture. The Administration believes that natural resources, 
whether they are of oceanic, terrestrial or atmospheric origin, 
should be considered together so that comprehensive long-range 
national planning for their acquisition and conservation can be 
made in the light of economic, environmental, and foreign pol- 
icy trade-offs. Similarly, the Administration feels that manage- 
ment of land as well as coastal and ocean areas is closely inter- 
twined and should be considered within the context of a single 
department. Such a department would be complemented in its 
work by the activities of the Department of Defense, the En- 
vironmental Protection Agency, and the National Science Foun- 
dation. 
Without debating the details of the specific functions that 
will reside in various units of the new Department of Energy 
and Natural Resources, I am convinced that bringing about the 
department is indeed the quickest way towards achieving objec- 
tives set forth by NACOA. 
AFTER CARACAS/VIENNA—WHAT? 
The committee once again brings focus to the vital impor- 
tance of the Law of the Sea Conference in Caracas, Venezuela, 
and urges that the United States plan in detail for possible out- 
comes of this conference so that legislation and other appropriate 
actions can be rapidly implemented to protect legitimate United 
States interests in the oceans in the event of conference success, 
failure, or lengthy delay. 
The suggestion that the Executive Branch take adequate steps 
to deal with whatever situation may follow the Law of the Sea 
Conference is well taken. I can assuré the committee and the 
Congress that the policy issues arising out of the Law of the Sea 
Conference will receive the highest level of attention. The De- 
partment of State and the Under Secretaries’ Committee of the 
National Security Council are prepared to deal with the issues. 
