187 



Dr. Kavanagh. Yes ; we have been adviser to them. We have advised 

 the Navy in studying- their programs, a great many programs of this 

 type. We have been with the Corps of Engineers on their coastal pro- 

 grams. These are the types of things. 



Mr. Lennon. How about relating your relationship to the Depart- 

 ment of the Interior in an advisory capacity related to oceanography. 



Dr. KAVAN2VG11. The Bureau of Commercial Fisheries and the Bureau 

 of Mines. We have been operating with them because these are areas 

 in which our panels are extremely active. That is the mineral resources 

 of the ocean, and the living resources. The Federal Water Pollution 

 Control Administration (FWPCA) , we are doing a current study for. 



Mr. Lennon. I note that on page 1 in your comments that you refer 

 to the report of the Commission on Marine Science, Engineering, and 

 Resources, "Our Xaticni and the Sea," chaired by Dr. Stratton. as an 

 outstanding document. 



Then you subsequently refer to their objectives. You did not com- 

 ment when the question was raised by the gentlemen from California, 

 Mr. Leggett, as to what is the position of your committee with respect 

 to the specific recommendations made by the so-called Stratton report. 



No. 1, what is your feeling about the establishment by legislative act 

 of NACO, the National Advisory Committee of the Oceans ? ^Yha.t is 

 your reaction to that. Doctor ? 



Dr. IvAVAisTAGH. We have not taken a position on this specifically, 

 Mr. Chairman. However, certainly we endorse the idea that some 

 agency and advisory reorganization in the Government is necessary 

 at this time. It would be folly perhaps 



Mr. Lennon. NACO is, of course, not a Government structure, as 

 you know. It is an advisory commission, to be appointed by the Presi- 

 dent, of 15 individuals, confirmed by the Senate, outside of the sphere 

 of Government, from the private sector primarily. Some of our wit- 

 nesses have indicated that in their judgment that should be the first 

 priority for the consideration of this committee. 



Has your group, since you have been involved in the advisory capac- 

 ity on oceanography for some six of the Federal agencies, taken a 

 position with respect to the fact that this is the right approach ? Since 

 you have been intimately involved in advising a number of our Gov- 

 ernment agencies in oceanography has your group taken any position 

 with respect to the projected recommendations of Dr. Stratton's com- 

 mission ? 



Dr. Kavanagh. Our group has not taken such a position, sir. 



Mr. Lennon. Who would be in a better position to take a position, 

 Doctor, since jou have been inexorably involved in an advisory capac- 

 ity to some seven of our Government agencies from the State Depart- 

 ment on down? Why isn't your oganization in a position to make a 

 study in depth of this report and give the benefit to this committee of 

 your deliberations and judgments ? 



I am just trying to get something for the record. Where do you 

 stand ? 



Dr. Kavanagh. I would be pleased to take this up with the com- 

 mittee, sir, and suggest this as a course of action. 



Mr. Lexxon. The report has been out since January. I know it has 

 been available to you since January and also to the other members 

 of your committee. 



