282 



arrive at somewhat different conclusions. This likelihood does not im- 

 ply that the recommendations of the Commission in this area are 

 improper. Eather it is merely indicative of the fact that there are a 

 number of possibly equally valid ways of organizing the effort toward 

 attaining mastery, both from the standpoint of knowledge and use, 

 of the marine environment. 



Again, I thank you for this opportunity to present these opinions 

 concerning the national program in marine science, engineering, and 

 utilization. 



(A letter of Dr. Wayne Burt follows :) 



Oregon 'State University, 

 Department op Oceanography, 



Corvallis, Oreg., May 17, 1969. 

 Hon. Alton A. Lennon, 



U.S. House of Representatives, Rayburn House Office Building, 

 Washington, D.C. 



Dear Representative Lennon : Dr. John Oallioun, Chairman of the National 

 Academy of Sciences/National Research Council Committee on Oceanography, 

 wrote to you on May 13 summarizing the Committee's views on the Report of 

 the Commission on Marine Science, Engineering, and Resources. 



I wish to take this oportunity to speak up for the Commission's recommenda- 

 tion that the advancement of understanding of the planetary oceans te established 

 as a major goal of the national ocean program. This recommendation, along with 

 several others, was endorsed by the Committee on Oceanography in Dr. Calhoun's 

 letter to you. 



The solution of every applied problem concerning the ocean depends upon our 

 knowledge of the fundamental processes going on in the oceans. Thus the rapid 

 growth of our fund of basic knowledge must be assured as a first step in any 

 major ocean program. The nation cannot economically sustain an expanding 

 program of exploitation of the ocean resources Without a sound knowledge of 

 what is there, how it changes, and the interrelationships between the factors 

 involved. ^ 



Perhaps some of the most important missing links in our knowledge of the 

 oceans have to do with underwater weather and climate. The primary driving 

 force of our oceans and the atmosphere is heat from the sun which is first 

 absorbed by the oceans and then returned to outer space via the atmosphere. 

 Irregular changes in the rates and routes of tliis heat as it moves about in the 

 oceans and the atmosphere control the driving forces which establish and regulate 

 our climate and weather, both in the oceans (water) and in the atmosphere 

 above. There is strong evidence that changes in the heat storage of the tropical 

 Pacific Ocean presage mid-latitude weather changes. As onr understanding of 

 these relationships builds up, we are getting closer and closer to the day when 

 long range weather forecasting will become a reality. We should be able to 

 forecast six months to a year in advance when warm water will bring good 

 tuna catches off Oregon and Washington, or when any part of the United States 

 will be isubstantially warmer, wetter, or colder than normal. 



iMany lother examples could toe cited where basic resiearcih today will have 

 practical results tomorrow, and some are referred to in the Commission reports. 

 Very truly yours, 



Wayne V. Burt, 

 NAS/NRC Committee on Oceanography. 



Dr. Calhoun. Mr. Chairman, we had hoped to have another mem- 

 ber of our Committee with us. Dr. Wayne Burt of Oregon State Uni- 

 versity. He was not able to be with us, but he has addressed a letter 

 under date of May IT to you, and it is available for the record, and I 

 would like to have it introduced. 



He speaks specifically to the need for ocean science. But since it 

 covers much of the same ground that we have covered, I won't bather 

 to read it. 



