February 11, 1969, Statement--Pollution of the California Coastline

FINAL DRAFT - - 2/11/69 This morning Secretary Hickel and I met and discussed the pollution of the California coastline in the wake of the Santa Barbara tragedy. Our conversation ranged beyond the current situation. It included discussion of how to prevent such occurrences in the future. Acting at his recommendation, I have today instructed the President's Science Adviser, Dr. DuBridge, to bring together at the earliest possible time a panel of scientists and engineers. They will recommend to me ways and means in which the Federal Government can best and most rapidly assist in restoring the beaches and waters around Santa Barbara. They will also submit their views as to how best to prevent this future. suiden kind of and pollution m assive in the The obligation to develop our natural resources carries with it the duty to protect our human resources. This country can no longer afford to squander valuable time before developing answers to pollution and oil slicks from wells, tankers or any other source. Every method in existing technology must be developed to control and remove oil pollution. We must also identify those avenues areas to which of research/ where research resources will be mo st profitably committed These In solving this publem. considerations will be among the issues taken up by the group which Dr. DuBridge will assemble. Secondly, Secretary Hickel has recommended and I have endorsed completely, a full-scale review within his department with regard to existing regulations covering such drilling.