laboratories. However, a certain percentage of 

 every mission-oriented laboratory program has also 

 been devoted to basic research related to its 

 mission. The 1966 National Academy of Sciences 

 Report addressed itself to this problem in some 

 detail.' We concur that these Federal laboratories 

 are necessary and that they should continue to 

 devote some of their effort to basic research 

 problems. Such a practice is necessary if these 

 laboratories are going to be responsive to the 

 opportunities as well as the needs of basic science. 

 Such practices are also necessary if the laboratories 

 are to attract and maintain a high level of scientific 

 competence within their organizations. 



In recent years, most Federal laboratories de- 

 voted to marine problems have been built adjacent 

 to academic centers with strong marine programs. 

 In fact, the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, 

 which established the Federal Water Pollution 

 Control Administration states: 



"Insofar as practicable, each facility shall be 

 located near institutions of higher learning in 

 which graduate training in research might be 

 carried out." 



In most cases, there is active cooperation 

 between adjacent laboratories from which both 

 profit. Senior staff often serve as lecturers or 

 adjunct professors in the university. Graduate 

 research is supported through the Federal labora- 

 tories. Facilities are frequently shared. The prac- 

 tice of siting new Federal laboratories close to 

 university centers should be encouraged. 



The panel is interested in the size, distribution, 

 and management of Federal laboratories, and it 

 sees the need for Federal laboratories large enough 

 to meet the Government's needs. A number of new 

 Federal laboratories have been authorized and 

 some have new buildings, but almost without 

 exception they are understaffed and under- 

 financed. We favor fewer, stronger, adequately 

 equipped and staffed Federal laboratories. 



Oceanography 1966, National Academy of Sciences- 

 National Research CouncU, Pub. No. 1492, 1967. 



Testimony in panel hearings indicates the need 

 for better management systems for Federal labora- 

 tories. There is concern on the part of Federal 

 laboratory scientific directors about the degree of 

 autonomy and fiexibility which they possess. We 

 detect that paperwork, red tape, government 

 regulations all mitigate against the establishment 

 of a proper atmosphere for attracting good scien- 

 tists and carrying out scientific research. 



A laboratory director or project leader knows 

 the capabilities of his staff and often has a better 

 understanding of the details of problems than his 

 superiors in Washington; thus, he is better able to 

 marshal the resources of his laboratory to develop 

 a meaningful research program. On the other hand 

 he is perhaps less likely to be responsive to broad 

 new opportunities and needs of the Nation which 

 by their nature will change the focus of the 

 laboratory. The problem is a perennial one and is 

 not unique to oceanography. In matters of scien- 

 tific research it is better to err on the side of 

 decentralization, fully recognizing that within 

 every agency there comes from time to time the 

 need to focus on new and different problems and 

 that until such redirection is accomplished a more 

 centralized authority may be required. The panel 

 encourages the Federal agencies responsible for 

 these laboratories to take whatever steps are 

 possible to minimize these constraints which scien- 

 tists find so onerous. 



The role of the Federal laboratories is critical 

 not only to the missions of the Federal agencies 

 but to the entire national marine science enter- 

 prise. 



Recommendation : 



Federal laboratories should be strengthened by 

 moving in the direction of fewer but stronger 

 laboratories adequately funded and staffed with 

 even closer an affiliation with academic institu- 

 tions. Steps should be taken to provide an atmos- 

 phere in these laboratories conducive to attracting 

 first-rank scientists by providing the necessary 

 flexibility at the scientific leadership level. 



1-51 



