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port <>f research to further conserve marine mammals; developing a body of 

 Information on which to base international negotiations related to marine 

 mammal conservation; carefully and objectively exercising Its overview re- 

 sponsibilities; guiding agencies in responsibly addressing critical Issues: 

 insuring that agencies effectively enforce the provisions of the Act; and re- 

 sponsibly providing the overview analysis of activities being conducted pur- 

 suant to the Act. The record, developed through Commission recommenda- 

 tions, consultation with agencies, and participation In hearings, shows that 

 i ho Commission has been essential in improving implementation of the Act, 

 and that continued efforts by the Commission are essential. As marine mam- 

 mal issues become more complex and the pressures upon marine mammal 

 populations become more intense, the value of the Marine Mammal Commis- 

 sion will increase proportionately. 



The funds herein requested will be adequate for the Commission to effi- 

 ciently and effectively fulfill its obligations under the Marine Mammal Pro- 

 tection Act of 1972. 



Mr. Leggett. Is it correct that you want to delete the language 

 calling for a one-third/two-tliirds administration/research split in 

 your authoriaztion \ 



Mr. Twiss. It is, Mr. Chairman, and I can explain in detail why 

 I feel it necessary. 



Mr. Leggett. All right. 



Why was the language originally put in there? 



Mr. Twiss. It was put in to keep the Marino Mammal Commission 

 from becoming an overstaffed bureaucratic burden upon everyone. 



Mr. Leggett. You certainly have not done that. 



Mr. Twiss. Well, before the Commission got under way. concern 

 was expressed that we might. There was also concern that adequate 

 sums might not be devoted to research the studies. 



We have assidiously devoted two-thirds of our budget every year 

 to research problems. The problem for this coming year is, at the 

 requested level of $900,000. our operating expenses are going to be 

 about $446,000. 



Although $$-2,000 is directly chargeable to the research and studies 

 programs, the balance remaining exceeds the allowable one-third by 

 about $04,000. 



Mr. Leggett. If we gave you the $2 million, then you would not 

 need that section repealed, would you? 



Mr. Twiss. If we were actually appropriated $2 million, we would 

 not. However, at an appropriation of anything less than about 

 $1,050,000, it would be necessary. 



Mr. Leggett. The last sentence of your statement, I think, is the 

 one we want to get to. 



You are asking to transfer $100,000 of your budget over to Com- 

 merce. Why do you do that? 



Mr. Twiss. It is the administration's view that the Marine Mam- 

 mal Commission can effectively fulfill its responsibilities while de- 

 creasing its expenditures on research problems by $100,000 in fiscal 

 year 1078. 



Mr. Leggett. Do you think that Commerce can do the research 

 better than you can? 



Mr. Forsyttie. Would the chairman yield? 



Mr. Leggett. Yes — let him answer that question first. 



Mr. Twiss. No. "Rut with our careful guidance and counsel, I 

 believe that they could probably do reasonably well. 



