243 



I might also say that there were 22 agencies, bureaus, and offices 

 reporting to 30 committees in the Congress, both in the House and 

 Senate, involved in the ICO. 



At the present time, in 1969, the Federal funding for our ocean pro- 

 gram stands at $471.5 million, with $528 million planned for fiscal 

 year 1970. 



Under Public Law 89^54, the National Council on Marine Re- 

 sources and Engineering Development assumed the coordinating role 

 previously undertaken by the ICO, with the Vice President as chair- 

 man, and members comprising Cabinet officers. The Council has done 

 an outstanding job of keeping the program moving, and in initiating 

 action in new fields of activities requiring urgent, timely, and imme- 

 diate attention. 



Public Law 89-454 of June 17, 1966, established the national policy 

 with reference to the oceans as follows : 



Sec. 2. (a) It is hereby declared to be the policy of the United States to 

 develop, encourage, and maintain a coordinated, comprehensive, and long-range 

 national program in marine science for the benefit of mankind to assist in pro- 

 tection of health and property, enhancement of commerce, transportation, and 

 national security, rehabilitation of our commercial fisheries, and increased uti- 

 lization of these and other resources. 



The law defines "marine science" as follows, in section 8 : 



Sec. 8. For the purposes of this act the term "marine science" shall be deemed 

 to apply to oceanographic and scientific endeavors and disciplines, and engineer- 

 ing and technology in and with relation to the marine environment ; and the 

 term "marine environment" Shall be deemed to include (a) the oceans, (b) the 

 Continental Shelf of the United States, (c) the Great Lakes, (d) seabed and 

 subsoil of the submarine areas adjacent to the coasts of the United States to the 

 depth of 200 meters, or beyond that limit, to where the depths of the super- 

 .iacent waters admit of the exploitation of the natural resources of such areas, 

 (e) the iseabed and subsoil of similair submarine areas adjacent to the coasts of 

 islands which comprise U.S. territory, and (f) the resources thereof. 



The Commission on Marine Science, Engineering and Resources was 

 instructed to review and analyze the current programs in the marine 

 enviromnent and "to recommend an adequate national marine science 

 program that will meet the present and future national needs with- 

 out duplication of effort" * * * together with, and finally the most im- 

 portant, "a governmental organizational plan with estimated costs." 



The program recommended by the Commission encompasses a broad 

 effort in the oceans, including, strong Navy and strong civilian par- 

 ticipation. The Commission cites the need for scientific and engineering 

 knowledge in order to provide the basis for making decisions on 

 alternative courses of action with reference to the resources of the seas, 

 and emphasizes the requirement for a strong civil marine technology 

 program. 



It recommends the establishment of university-national labora- 

 tories to undertake global and regional programs, coastal zone lab- 

 oratories and a general expansion of the Navy's oceanographic effort 

 in order for our Nation to increase our understanding of^he iDlanetary 

 oceans. 



In marine technology, the Commission recommends a significantly 

 increased capability to utilize the Continental Shelf and the Conti- 

 nental Slope down to a depth of 2,000 feet, and to explore the depths 



