382 



Thus, the mobile feature seems more desirable. 



On page 4, you say something about a layman seeing the possibilities 

 of almost immediate economic returns. 



Would you be kind enough to spell out to me some of those economic 

 returns? 



Mr. Pierce. First, by immediately, I am speaking of the next 4 to 5 

 years. I would say the field of food processing would be one of the 

 areas ; also mining and offshore oil as well as synoptic ocean data net- 

 works and weather forecasting which could provide economic benefit 

 to the various people who are interested in the worldwide picture of the 

 weather. 



Those are some of the things that I believe would result in economic 

 benefits. It is probably substantial when you relate it to minerals, and 

 oil, and food. 



Mr. BiAGGi. Are you in a position to estimate what the initial cost 

 would be? 



Mr. Pierce. No ; I am not. 



Mr. BiAGGi. That is all. 



Thank you, Mr. Pierce. 



Mr. Lennon. Thank you very much. 



Mr. Pierce, I want to go back for a minute, if I may, to the colloquy 

 between you and Mr. Karth of Minnesota, where on line 8, on page 4, 

 I quote : 



However, I would suggest that, first the Congress authorize and establish NOAiA. 

 with at least the level of funding now being spent by the Government in 

 oceanography. 



Now, I am trying in my own mind to envision what that would en- 

 tail. I assume that you are suggesting that legislation be passed estab- 

 lishing an independent agency such as recommended by the 

 Commission, NOAA, but yet not transfer to NOAA of any of the 

 agencies which are existing in Government today which involve any 

 facet of oceanography. 



Is that true ? 



Mr. Pierce. That is correct. 



Mr. Lennon. But you say at the same time authorize a level of fund- 

 ing in NOAA that is now being enjoyed by the various agencies and 

 departments of the Federal Government who are involved to some 

 degree in the marine sciences. 



Just how could that be done ? 



For instance, who is to tell and when are we to tell in point of time 

 that NOAA is going to recommend that Agency A be transferred to 

 NOAA but in the meantime you have defunded an agency, that is 

 still engaged in a field of oceanography ? 



If we take the funds and put them in NOAA and leave them out in 

 limbo until a year or two later NOAA recommends that they be brought 

 in NOAA, then we have to go back through the legislative and execu- 

 tive process to get them in NOAA. 



I wish you would clear that up for me. 



Mr. Pierce. It was my intention to state that when NOAA is formed 

 and when they have their initial program set, that these programs 

 start with the level of funding that you have right now. 



