381 



We don't get too many papers of this kind, Mr. Pierce. 



Let me just say, Mr. Chairman, in addition to that, that I was most 

 interested in liis proposal on page 4 where lie proposes or suggests a 

 means of setting up the new organization or the new agency, NOAA. 



I think, Mr. Chairman, it has given us a new dimension to consider 

 in setting up the agency because he has delineated a plan that may 

 well be less difficult for us to accomplish in the initial legislation by 

 proposing that we set up NOAA first without attaching to it immedi- 

 ately, all of the components of the various agencies that are today work- 

 ing in the field of oceanography. 



It may well be, Mr. Pierce, that this is the most expeditious, al- 

 though it appears to be a bits and pieces suggestion ; it might be the 

 most expeditious one for us to follow. At any rate, I think it is cer- 

 tainly worth our looking at and considering. 



I want to thank you very much for bringing to our attention this 

 new possibility. 



Mr. Pierce, it is not also true that in addition to those commercial 

 possibilities yon see for work under the sea that one of the first things 

 we will probably have to do is to establish rather sophisticated under- 

 sea laboratories to do the basic and applied research that must be done 

 properly, prior to the time that we can in fact extract some of the 

 mineral wealth, prior to the time that we can in fact extract some of 

 the food wealth we know exists in great quantities in the ocean ? 



So, I would assume that you are also thinking about rather complex 

 and sophisticated research laboratories in the initial phases of oceano- 

 graphic research. 



Mr. Pierce. Yes ; I think that is also a very necessary component. 



Mr. Karth. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. 



Mr. Lennon. Thank you. 



The gentleman from New York, Mr. Biaggi. 



Mr. Biaggi. Thank you, Mr. Pierce, for your presentation. 



On page 3, you say that the public will accept this program with as 

 much enthusiasm as the national space effort. I think in view of the 

 development economically and the progress we have made in the space 

 effort, that is a question that remains to be answered. 



I have several other questions. 



You mentioned something about offshore drilling and farming, and 

 the like, and mining. How far offshore are you talking about ? 



Mr. Pierce. In the deepest water on the Continental Shelf of 1,000. 

 1,200 feet, for that type of operation. 



However, these structures I suggested could be used in any depth 

 of ocean. For example, if you were going to use one for a fish process- 

 ing factory, it could be put wherever the fish are regardless of the 

 depth. 



Mr. Biaggi. Would these be permanent buildings? 



Mr. Pierce. The concept that I have is that they would be towed to 

 site and lield in place dynamically, much like the Mohole platform or 

 the Gloinar Challenger ship. They could essentially be pennanent if 

 you wanted them to be. If not, you could move them around by towing. 



Mr. Biaggi. Frankly, I think the mobile feature of it is more attrac- 

 tive than the permanent. 



When you talk in terms of cities, I envisage structures that are per- 

 manently established and w^hen the utilization is completed, you are 

 left with a ghost city. 



