266 



from existing departmental structures. With an independent agency there will 

 be no doubt about the intent of Congress with respect to a new mission. 



The administrator of the new agency should be provided with a National Ad- 

 visory Committee on the Oceans much as is described on page 245 of the Com- 

 mission Report and he should be designated as federal coordinator of ocean re- 

 lated programs much as is outlined in the Commission Report on page 231. 



The mission of the new agency should be to stimulate the development of tech- 

 nology for and the capability of operating in and of doing things within the ocean 

 for non-defense purposes ; and to gain an understanding of the ocean environment 

 necessary for predicting its behavior and for regulating and using the technology 

 that is developed. It is essential that this new agency contain the core elements 

 of a capability for approaching the complex problems of ocean development on a 

 comprehensive scale. The new ocean agency must support science, develop an 

 ocean technology which expands our national capability in the oceans, support 

 conservation of resources, develop manpower through appropriate educational 

 goals, provide knowledge that will protect the coastal zone from unwise ex- 

 ploitation, and in large measure, coordinate the activities of all federal agencies 

 concei'ned with oceans. 



The element of this new agency which was not emphasized suflSciently in the 

 Commission's Report is that it must be capable of developing a new capacity for 

 ocean activities in a way which no present federal agency is prepared to do. 



Some component pafts from existing marine activities within the federal 

 structure might he assembled within the new agency. While I have opinions on 

 this point, I feel that specific identification of these elements should be deter- 

 mined in consultation with the agencies concerned, taking into account the 

 manner in which these existing marine activities serve non-ocean missions. 



I would like to clarify the point that I recognize the need for some atmospheric 

 sciences activities to be closely integrated with the ocean sciences. However, the 

 federal program for the atmospheres is a hroad program in its own right and 

 goes heyond ocean-related problems. I foresee that the eventual department of 

 natural resources and environments would provide within its structure for a 

 department of the oceans and a department of the atmosphere. My point here 

 is not to differ conceptually with the intent of the Commission, but rather to 

 emphasize that a new ocean agency must have suflScient identity and Strength 

 to develop a major new thrust in marine resources and ocean development with- 

 out being encumbered with non^ocean problems. 



I also support the concept that the Commission program can best be imple- 

 mented if there is a consolidation of Congressional committee activities support- 

 ing ocean agency activities. An appropriate way to provide this overview in 

 Congress would he to establish within Congress a joint committee for the oceans 

 or a single committee in each House at the time that the new ocean agency is 

 established. In this way, appropriate overview of and support for the new agency 

 would be enhanced. 



Although the recommendations with respect to federal organization are im- 

 portant there are other recommendations of the Commission which are of equal 

 importance to the furtherance of ocean science and which should not be over- 

 looked. Some of these require legislative action. Others do not, but would benefit 

 from clear Congressional support. 



I suggest that the appropriate committees of Congress take whatever action is 

 necessary on the Commission'is recommendations with respect to the establish- 

 ment of university-national laboratories (page 27) and with respect to coastal 

 zone laboratories (page 29). The arguments made for these two kinds of facili- 

 ties, both in the Commission Report and in the Panel reports, are compelling and 

 well documented. Several states have already demonstrated interest in creating 

 coastal ^one authorities and coastal zone laboratories in response to the Com- 

 mission's recommendations. Early action by Congress to implement these recom- 

 mendations would take advantage of this initiative by the states. 



Iln summary, I am concerned that iCongress provide a national ocean develop- 

 ment mission, new funding support to advance the use and knowledge of the 

 oceans most effectively and a federal organizational structure for ocean affairs, 

 in that order of importance. As an ocean scientists, I am prepared to work fully 

 with the administrative sitructure which Congress determines to be best, and I 

 think my scientific colleagues feel the same. As your Committee formulates spe- 

 cific legislation, I will be pleased to provide such comment and advice as I am 

 competent to give. 



Sincerely yours, 



John 0. Calhoxtn, Jr. 



