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in the early stages of formation. Designed to represent an especially 

 important but, heretofore, largely silent segment of the Nation's total 

 "oceanographic" effort — ^the official State oceanographic programs, the 

 council is in the process of developing its charter and organization 

 based upon plans made and actions taken at the November 1968 con- 

 ference — sponsored by the chairman's home State, the State of Florida 

 and Governor Kirk — entitled "The Sea and the States : Mutual Prob- 

 lems and the Solutions." 



Later meetings in Oregon — ^the "Coastal States Conference on a 

 Multiple Use Approach to Ocean Mining Law" called by Governor 

 McCall — and in Washington, D.C. — in association with the National 

 Security Industrial Association — OSTAC annual meeting — have been 

 arenas for further action. 



At these meetings the various representatives designed by the Gov- 

 ernors' offices have met and discussed this program. 



I wish also to make several comments on behalf of the Common- 

 wealth of Virginia and its principal oceanographic research, service 

 and educational agency, the Virginia Institute of Marine Science. 



The Executive Committee of the Council of Maritime States, Com- 

 monwealths, and Territories met in Washington on April 23 and 24, 

 1969, and arranged the following statement and authorized me to make 

 it on behalf of the council. The 'States of Alaska, Florida, Georgia, 

 North Carolina, Virginia, Rhode Island, and Maine were represented. 

 (Representation included four of the seven members of the executive 

 committee.) 



'Despite the fact that State governments, and this is the statement 

 of the council, have not been well represented in the development of 

 the national oceanographic program thus far, they should be because 

 they are the chief beneficiaries and managers of that most important 

 segment of the oceans, the coastal zone. 



Hopefully, the council will help remove this lack. Along with in- 

 dustry, the Federal Government, and the academic community, the 

 States are essential to any truly national oceanographic program. 



During and between these meetings, the members of our executive 

 committee have carefully reviewed the reports of the Stratton Com- 

 mission (COMSER). We have also heard opinions from some of the 

 Commissioners, themselves (Dr. Sullivan in the audience has talked 

 with us), as well as from interested Congressmen, Federal executive 

 agency representatives, and industry. 



Regardless of the fate of the specific recommendations of the Com- 

 mission, this body is convinced that much greater attention must be 

 given to the marine environment and its resources and their problems 

 than they have received thus far. 



The future well-being of our country depends, in large measure, on 

 the sea. If accomplishment of this vital objective so requires, we recom- 

 mend that a coordinating and action organization — called the National 

 Oceanographic and Atmospheric Agency in the COMSER report — be 

 established within the Federal Government for this purpose. It must 

 be given the stature, structure, financial support, and permanence of 

 security to permit effective action. 



There is no doubt that this agency must incorporate the functional 

 responsibilities and operating capabilities now scattered widely among 

 several Federal departments, agencies, administrations, and bureaus 



