10 



actiAnties of Federal, State, and local government agencies and of 

 private corporations and persons. 



Dr. Knauss in just a moment will amplify on the recommendations 

 which were made by the commission in reference specifically to the 

 coastal zone. Tom thought that it might be useful if I were to fill in 

 the back.orround on the commission's overall assignment and the man- 

 ner in which it went about it in its proposal for a national ocean 

 program. 



The legislation which established the commission designated as 

 Public Law 89-454, was enacted in June, 1966. This law set the over- 

 all policy framework for an expanded marine effort; called upon 

 the President, aided bv a Cabinet-level council, to make immediate 

 improvements in the Federal Government's planning and program- 

 ing for mari]ie affairs; and provided that the President should ap- 

 point a public commission to provide a firmer basis for planning over 

 the longer teiiw. ]More specifically, Public Law 89-454 gave the com- 

 mission four major tasks: 



To examine the Nation's stake in the development, utilization, and 

 presentation of our marine environment. 



To review all current and contemplated marine activities and as- 

 sess their adequacy in reference to the overall goals established in the 

 1966 act. 



On the basis of these studies, to formulate a comprehensive, long- 

 term national program for marine affairs, and finally — 



To recommend a plan of Government organization for such a pro- 

 gram's implementation, together with estimated costs. 



The commission was a temporaiy body composed of 15 members 

 under the chairmanship of Dr. Julius Stratton of the Ford Founda- 

 tion and previously the president of Massachusetts Institute of Tech- 

 nology. Membership was drawn from Federal and State Govern- 

 ments, industry, and the univeisities, and it had a very broad geo- 

 graphical base. I think it was a truly representative commission. All of 

 the members assumed their duties as commissioners in addition to their 

 other responsibilities. 



Yet it was a working commission, one that spent 2 to 4 days every 

 month, and many of the meinbers much more time than that, in pre- 

 pai'i ng the studies and report. 



The commission's final report to the Pi-esident and tlie Congress was 

 submitted last January after 2 years of intensive inquiry, expressed 

 the commission's unanimous conclusion that the Nation's marine inter- 

 ests required major strengtliening of existing programs and initiation 

 of certain new activities (such as coastal manasrement) under the 

 leadership of a new National Oceai\ic and Atmospheric Agency- 



Tliroughout its work, the commission enjoyed the close and cordial 

 cooperation of the national council, yet the two bodies were inde- 

 l^erident of ojie another and each separately reached its own judgments 

 on matters Avithin its purview. The commission also benefited sig- 

 nificantly in liaving the support and help of four congressional ad- 

 AHsers ("two from the Senate and Mr. Tjcnnon and Mr. Mosher appointed 

 from the House), who o-puerously make themselves available to advise 

 and assist the commission in numerous ways, although refraining, per 

 the statute, from participating directly in its work. 



A large number of excellent studies and reports had preceded the 

 formation of the commission and provided a secure foundation for its 



