WATER RESOURCES RESEARCH CENTERS TUESDAY, JULY 23, 1963 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SUBCOMMITTEE ON IRRIGATION AND RECLAMATION, OF THE COMMITTEE ON INTERIOR AND INSULAR AFFAIRS, Washington, D.C. The subcommittee met, pursuant to recess, at 9:55 a.m., in room 1324, Longworth Building, Hon. Walter Rogers (chairman of the subcommittee) presiding. Mr. ROGERS. The Subcommittee on Irrigation and Reclamation will come to order for further consideration of pending business. Our first witness this morning is Dr. Randal M. Robertson, Associate Director (Research), National Science Foundation, accompanied by Dr. Richard G. Ray, Program Director for Geology. Dr. Robertson, if you will come forward. Before you start your testimony let the Chair make this observation. Congressman Kenneth Gray had asked to appear, but it seems that some other matters have intervened and without objection Mr. Gray will be permitted to insert his statement in the record immediately following the testimony of Dr. Robertson and Dr. Ray. Dr. Robertson, you are recognized. STATEMENT OF DR. RANDAL M. ROBERTSON, ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR (RESEARCH), NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION; ACCOMPANIED BY DR. RICHARD G. RAY, PROGRAM DIRECTOR FOR GEOLOGY, AND CHARLES B. RUTTENBERG, DEPUTY GENERAL COUNSEL Dr. ROBERTSON. Mr. Chairman and members of the subcommittee, I am pleased to appear before this committee to give the views of the Foundation on proposed water resources research legislation. I have with me this morning Dr. Richard G. Ray, on my left, who is Program Director for Geology in our Earth Sciences Section and Mr. Charles B. Ruttenberg on my right, our Deputy General Counsel. In We view the water resources field as one of outstanding importance for the future of this country, and believe that increased emphasis on scientific research relating to the problems in this field is essential. our opinion, enactment of the proposed legislation would be a long step toward mobilizing our scientific strength to attack the many problems which we face. The principal job of the National Science Foundation is to make the United States strong in science. Anything less than full realization of our scientific potential is too modest a goal for our country. We regard water resources research as relatively underdeveloped field which must be strengthened. Although the Foundation supports only basic research, we are much interested in the application of new knowledge to practical problems. Hence, the Foundation is ready to work closely with agencies having responsibilities for applied research and development in this area. Apart from our assigned responsibility for weather modification research, the National Science Foundation has no program whose objective is the solution of specific problems in water resources. However, many of our basic research grants in mathematics, physics, chemistry, engineering, atmospheric sciences, earth sciences, biology, and the social sciences will contribute to the store of basic knowledge which is essential to progress toward the specific goals of such a program. Likewise, many of our programs in support of education in the sciences will improve the basic scientific training on which sound specialization is built. In addition to these general background programs we are supporting a number of projects directly related to the area of water resources. I have before me a list of these grants, which can be made part of the record if you so desire. Mr. ROGERS. How long is that list? Dr. ROBERTSON. It is a list of eight or nine pages. How many projects would you say? Dr. RAY. Probably 100 or thereabouts. Dr. ROBERTSON. Up to 100 individual grants which relate to the field of water resources. Mr. ROGERS. Without objection, it will be included in the record as part of your statement. (The material to be furnished follows:) Basic research grants and contracts related to water resources made by National Science Foundation in fiscal year 1963 Relations of quaternary lakes of Salton Basin and lower Colorado River. Photography of northwest North American glaciers. |