TABLE I: Total Federal Program by Purpose and Organization------ TABLE II: Total Federal Program-Department and Agency Summaries__ B. Vessels and Manpower for Selected Ocean Industries. INTRODUCTION A New National Policy For marine sciences, the year 1966 was a significant turning point. Through the Marine Resources and Engineering Development Act, the 89th Congress developed, and the President approved, a new national policy to intensify the study of the sea, and to convert to practical reality its inherent promise for man's benefit. This national policy is unprecedented in its breadth. It continues the quest for scientific knowledge of the marine environment. It also marks a significant transition toward strengthening ocean engineering and stimulating new ocean technologies: -to contribute to national security; -to enhance commerce and transportation; -to rehabilitate domestic fisheries and increase the harvest from the sea; -to develop seashore resources and to reduce pollution of the Great Lakes, bays, estuaries, and nearshore waters; -to improve forecasting of weather and ocean conditions; -to supplement continental sources of oil, gas, and minerals; -to promote international understanding and cooperation through the use of the oceans. The Marine Resources and Engineering Development Act, Public Law 89-454, calls on the President to develop a comprehensive, long-range, and coordinated national program in marine science, with the assistance of a National Council on Marine Resources and Engineering Development, and an advisory Commission on Marine Science, Engineering, and Resources. The Council is composed of the Vice President, who serves as Chairman, five members of the Cabinet and three heads of other Federal agencies. It has statutory responsibility to advise and assist the President in policy planning and coordination of the marine science programs of eleven Federal agencies. First Council Report This initial report by the Marine Sciences Council to the President communicates some new steps taken to meet the needs and opportunities in the ocean, and thus to accelerate marine sciences toward objectives laid down by law. It outlines the Council's interpretation of scope of this aggregate of activities whose statutory terms of reference extend the coverage beyond what previously had been designated the Federal Government's "National Oceanographic Program." The report discusses nine priority efforts or emphases in marine sciences recommended by the Council to the President in response to his request for initial proposals by this January. The resulting decisions are reflected in the President's budget for fiscal year 1968, now before Congress. To place these priority efforts in the perspective of ongoing efforts, the report also discusses marine science activities of the Government as a whole and tabulates funding estimates for all agencies in considerable detail. Areas for special attention were chosen after screening proposals from numerous public and private sources, considering public needs to which marine science could contribute and the many continuing efforts that could be effectively mobilized around a smaller number of explicit goals. The Council thus evaluated current Federal marine science activities, identified initial priorities, clarified agency responsibilities, and endeavored to strengthen coordination of multiagency programs. Categories of Public Need As the new scope of marine science affairs was studied and defined, categories were established to reflect more clearly the end purpose of Federal expenditures in marine science and technology. Accordingly, the President's estimate of funds required in this area by all Federal agencies for fiscal year 1968 is delineated in this report by purpose. Many of the goals and programs were found by the Council to cut across agency lines. The report discusses actions to designate a lead agency to take responsibility in developing certain areas and in providing Government-wide leadership. The report concludes with a brief commentary on next steps by the Council through its long-range studies to identify potential benefits of marine science activities, appropriate goals of the Federal Government, and resources needed for their accomplishment; to review ongoing activities and develop a comprehensive program. These functions anticipate an independent set of recommendations to be submitted by the Commission on Marine Science, Engineering, and Resources to the President, through the Council, and to the Congress, for an adequate program to meet national needs and a Government organizational plan. Limitations While the Council has selected some programs for special emphasis in fiscal year 1968, the limitations of time since its creation have not permitted more than a beginning on its total job. The many con Not all of the policy issues and relationships between marine activities and corresponding land activities have been explored. The balance between various Federal programs and functions has not been fully analyzed. A comprehensive program is now only in its formative stage. This report, however, reflects steps taken by the Marine Sciences Council following enactment of the Marine Resources and Engineering Development Act on June 17, 1966. 75-954 O-67-2 |