The U.S. House Science, Space, and Technology Committee today held a hearing on discussion draft legislation that, among other things, would establish NOAA as an independent executive branch agency and require a study examining the feasibility of transferring all or part of the Endangered Species Act and Marine Mammal Protection Act management functions to the Interior Department.
In his opening statement, Chairman Frank Lucas (R-OK) called NOAA “one of the most important agencies” under the Committee’s jurisdiction, while stating that it “has a curious origin that has prevented the agency from reaching its full potential” and operates “with complex organizational challenges and, at times, an ill-defined mission.”
Support for establishing NOAA as an independent agency was offered by witnesses including former Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and NOAA Administrator Dr. Conrad Lautenbacher, Jr., former Acting Under Secretary and Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and Acting Administrator Dr. Tim Gallaudet, and former Acting NOAA Administrator Dr. Neal Jacobs.
