funding is necessary to avoid significant downsizing involving over 270 employees and the closure of a number of NMFS

facilities. This downsizing would result in a loss of scientific expertise, data and information in every geographic region and would affect the management of most major fisheries, including the implementation of existing Fisheries Management Plans, nationwide and in-season allocation adjustments, as well as delays in the development, review and implementation of endangered species listings and recovery plans. For example, without adequate base funding, NOAA cannot maintain the availability of adequate data to support its allocation decisions or fully implement existing plans for market-based access control systems--actions that affect the economic well-being of many of our Nation's coastal communities.

Reauthorizations of the Magnuson Fishery Conservation and Management Act, the Endangered Species Act and the Marine Mammal Protection Act are pending and may lead to additional

requirements, such as those specified in previous

reauthorizations (e.g., Secretarial responsibility for Atlantic highly migratory pelagics management), being placed on NMFS in FY 1994, requiring productivity gains and increased program

efficiency to meet these responsibilities.

It is critical to

ensure adequate funding of NMFS' on-going activities before these increased responsibilities are added.

Program increases of $3.5 million in the FY 1994 budget request of $148.8 million are essential for maintaining current operations and staffing for the National Ocean Service (NOS). Without the basic operational funds requested, NOS would be forced to cut back on geodetic activities related to the National Geodetic Reference System, necessary for the rebuilding of the Nation's infrastructure. Moreover, there would not be sufficient funds to operate and maintain the tide gauges, resulting in degradation of the network. This in turn would lead to deterioration in the accuracy of tide predictions, nautical charts, and storm surge predictions. The Circulatory Program

would not be able to keep pace with circulation changes in the Nation's estuaries, bays and coastal areas. These impacts could result in a visible drop in the quality of the tide and current tables which are vital for the safety of maritime commerce. Finally, the requested increase would enable NOS to continue to analyze and distribute global sea level data and products derived from satellite altimeter measurements.

Increased funding totalling $7.7 million in the Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR) FY 1994 request of $214.1 million would be used to maintain on-going activities in several areas. The funds would maintain the global greenhouse gas measurements program and address scientific issues associated with the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990. The funds would reinstate advanced forecast development and refine remote sensing technologies for

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observing and predicting severe weather and precipitation conditions. They would fund full operation (24 hours/day,

7 days/week) of the Space Environmental Services Center which provides space weather data, forecasts, and warnings crucial to satellite operations, space exploration, international navigation, high altitude polar flights, high frequency radio communications, remote surveillance, and electric power distribution. Included in the OAR request is an increase of $2.1 million for activities of the Regional Marine Research Program. This funding would provide peer-reviewed research proposals to increase understanding and assessment of our Nation's marine resources.

Full funding of $145 million should be provided for Program Support otherwise the administrative services supporting all NOAA line offices such as procurement, personnel and grants

administration will be adversely affected.

Investments in the Future

Funding for investments in FY 1994, tailored to our global environment, is another high priority of both NOAA and the Administration.

Highlighted at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) held in June 1992, global issues are

addressed by the U.S. Global Change Research Program (USGCRP) of

which NOAA's Climate and Global Change Program plays an important role. The document Putting People First notes that the U.S.

must, "Exert international leadership to advance our own nation's interest in a healthier global environment, a stable global

climate, and global biodiversity..."

NOAA's FY 1994 request includes an increase of $23 million for NOAA's Climate and Global Change Program, bringing the total funding for the program to $70 million. of the $23 million requested, $19 million would be used to continue high-priority research programs supported in FY 1993 with monies appropriated to the Department of State and subsequently transferred to NOAA. The remaining $4 million would allow NOAA to begin implementing U.S. support for the International Research Institute for Climate Prediction, a commitment the United States made at UNCED.

The FY 1994 request includes $2.6 million for the FCCSET program in High Performance Computing and Communications (HPCC). These funds would make possible major improvements in the Nation's ability to forecast weather and predict climate change, while, at the same time, stimulating gains in U.S. industrial competitiveness through the use of evolving high performance computing and high speed networking technologies. More accurate and more timely assessment of the future impact of climate change would be possible. Finer resolution in global and regional

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models will result in improved weather forecasting and warning services, especially for hazardous weather and flight safety.

Recognizing the Importance of Other NOAA Programs

I want to emphasize that for the first time in 12 years, funding Requests have not been reduced for the Sea Grant program and the Coastal Zone Management (CZM) program. The funding request for these two important programs, $39.8 million for Sea Grant and $33.5 million for CZM will assure the continuation of these activities. Also, more states and territories are expected to participate in the CZM program in FY 1994.

For the first time, the National Undersea Research Program (NURP) is included in the President's budget request. Funding of

$2 million has been proposed to continue core work undertaken with the ALVIN submersible and deep diving facilities, research in diving safety, and technology development.

Fleet Modernization Status

Modernization of the NOAA fleet began in FY 1992 and continues through FY 1994 with: the performance of critical and routine maintenance; the identification of detailed repair and construction requirements; the preparation of design and technical specifications; the transfer of two nearly new, surplus Navy ships and the conversion of one of those ships to support oceanographic research; and the performance of repairs-to-extend