LETTER TO PHILIP M. KLUTZNICK FROM SECRETARY

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP10M02313R000703980021-1
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 23, 2016
• Document Release Date: July 9, 2012
• Sequence Number: 21
• Publication Date: June 18, 1980
• Content Type: LETTER

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United States Department of the Interior
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20240
JUN 18 1980
Honorable Philip M. Klutznick
Secretary of Commerce
Washington, D.C. 20230
Dear Secretary Klutznick:
We have reviewed the Transition Plan for Civil Operational Land Remote Sensing
prepared by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for
submission to the Office of Management and Budget, as called for in Presiden-
tial Directive/NSC-54. Your staff is to be commended for their analysis of
the many complex policy and technical issues that are discussed in the document.
We are in agreement with all of the major recommendations of the Plan.
Specific recommendations that are important to the Department of the Interior
(DOI) include:
1) Capability of the Core System: Our analysis of the suggested core system
indicates that the performance characteristics are appropriate objectives.
We are aware that some technology developed by the National Aeronautics
and Space Administration (NASA) and design studies by NOAA are necessary
to meet these objectives. We will want to continue to have our technical
people work closely with NOAA as the design studies progress, and we urge
that efforts be made to accelerate the time schedule for launch of the
core system configuration to avoid the consequences of other countries,
such as Japan and France, pulling ahead of the U.S. with an improved and
more cost-effective land remote sensing system.
2) Funding for the Core System: The core system should be implemented to
serve a broad group of users that are within and outside the Federal
Government. Like many other systems of broad national use, the capital
investment required to implement the system should be provided as an appro-
priation to the agency which is responsible for the system (i.e., Depart-
ment of Commerce). In our view, it would not be prudent for agencies such
as DOI to seek new funds for a portion of this capital investment. An
approach where several agencies are expected to seek new funds to cover the
capital costs ofa national system would have little chance of success when
the internal budget reviews and congressional appropriations process are
considered.
The resources of user agencies should be focused on data use from the
system and not on procurement of general purpose flight hardware.
DOI has been, and plans to continue to be, an active user of the data. ,
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We also agree that special capabilities, in excess of the core system,
should be funded by the agencies or organizations that have the special
requirements that demand these capabilities. For Federal agencies,
these would be specific items that should be justified through the
appropriation process.
3) Ownership of Data and Price Increases: All users can participate in
supporting the Civil Operational Land Remote Sensing System by
recognizing the necessity to increase prices and abide by the rules
that are established for paying a royalty fee for data that is reproduced.
Our experience in Landsat and aircraft data distribution over the past
decade has convinced us that granting exceptions is counterproductive to
sound system financing. Care should be taken, as recommended in the
report, not to increase prices too fast and not to make the prices so
high that users are not able to purchase data and lose the benefits of
the program.
4) Operation of the System by a Government Corporation: Within the guide-
lines that have been given in PD/NSC-54, this management alternative
appears appropriate. It represents a position where transition to the
private sector is possible after the program has had time to mature,
without taking the risk of probable failure to achieve total private
financing initially because the system may not be profitable in the
immediate future.
5) Future role of the EROS Data Center (EDC): Your letter to me of
April 29, 1980, suggested a meeting between NOAA Associate Administrator
George Benton and Assistant Secretary Joan Davenport to consider
alternatives for the future role of EDC. This meeting has taken place
and both NOAA and DOI are proceeding to implement their agreed position
that is discussed in the transition plan. This agreement calls for an
orderly transfer of the Landsat data archiving and distribution functions
to NOAA by fiscal year 1984, and the reconfiguration of EDC as an Interior
Remote Sensing Science Center.
The EROS Data Center is the backbone of DOI's application of satellite
land remote sensing data. The Center has had, and must continue to
have, a key role in the development of DOI required applications
techniques; the transfer of land remote sensing technology to DOI users;
the processing and distribution of DOI unique satellite data products;
and the archiving, reproduction, and distribution of large quantities
of DOI acquired aerial mapping photography.
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We feel that this agreement provides for supporting the early phases
of NOAA's transition to an operational program and will strengthen
DOI's role as an effective user of the data.
We look forward to continued close cooperation with NOAA as the next
phases of this important program develop. Your excellent transition
plan is a start. We are prepared to assist the Department of Commerce
in gaining acceptance of the Plan. Implementation of the Plan, once it
is accepted, will take several years. We plan to participate actively
with you during this implementation phase and look forward to a fully
operational capability as soon as possible.
Sincerely,
141.4,41.4.121), /21641.444.4..
SECRETARY
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