186 



Another problem encountered in the United States is this country's 

 apparent inability to ratify conventions and amendments and enact 

 implementing legislation in a timely manner. The Civil Liability and 

 Oil Fund Conventions, which I mentioned a few moments ago, illus- 

 trate this point. One was adopted in 1969, the other in 1971. The U.S. 

 Government participated extensively in the drafting and adoption of 

 both. 



Most positions urged by the United States were adopted. While 

 they are not absolute perfection, when measured by objective stand- 

 ards, they represent a significant step forward in the protection of the 

 environment. And yet they remain unratified and unimplemented. 



What will happen when the Marine Pollution and Law of the Sea 

 Conferences have been concluded, and the conventions have been 

 brought back to Washington ? It is likely that these documents will 

 contain possible imperfections and compromises, too. Will this result 

 in their being placed on the back burner until 1980 or longer? 



I simply do not know the answers to the last few qeustions I have 

 asked, Mr. Chairman, but I do feel that they would be well worth your 

 future consideration. The members of our association and I deeply 

 appreciate the invitation to appear before you today, and hope that 

 our views will be given favorable consideration. 



That is the end of this brief prepared statement, Mr. Chairman. If 

 there are questions, we will be glad to answer them. 



Senator Stevenson. We are glad to hear from you. I regret that I 

 arrived late and did not have a chance to hear all of it. I will read it. 



We have no questions. I would hope that we might, if we do have 

 questions, get in touch with you later on it. We will keep the record 

 open. 



Mr. Reynolds. Thank you. 



Senator Ste\^nson. We have run out of time, and we also have run 

 out of Senators. I am 15 minutes late for a meeting. I regret the in- 

 convenience that we have caused our next witnesses, but I am going 

 to have to accept for the record their written statements and ask that 

 they be available to answer any questions the committee may have. 



Thank you, Mr. Reynolds, and thank also, Mr. Salmon, iSIr. Green- 

 berg, and Admiral Benkert, and I apologize for the inconvenience to 

 which we have put them. 



If we have the statements, they will be entered in the record without 

 objection, and we may have questions which I hope you will be able 

 to answer for us. 



[Whereupon, at 11 :15 a.m., the hearing was adjourned, subject to 

 the call of the Chair.] 



