Oceanographic Commission of Washington

The Oceanographic Commission of Washington (1967-1981) came into being during a period of growing interest in ocean exploration; its demise came in an era of state policy changes and economic problems. In the mid-1960s, Americans, corresponding to the national experience of reaching into outer space, focused their attention upon the promised research and economic potential, as well as the need for systematic protection of another frontier: mankind's aquatic environment. The Commission received its impetus from the efforts of the Puget Sound Oceanographic Action (or Study) Committee headed by state Sen. Wes Ulman. This committee was sponsored by the Seattle Area Industrial Council and the Seattle Chamber of Commerce. The State of Washington was already rich in the expertise of marine resource development, marine biology, and ocean engineering. Industrial development and educational institutions and varied businesses had a stake in the oceanographic field. Thus, the study committee sought a means by which to coordinate local skills, experiences, and initiative to establish the Puget Sound as a national oceanographic center. The committee's approach was influenced by the successful government-corporate partnership which directed the 1962 Seattle World's Fair. It published "A Proposal for a Washington State Commission for Oceanography (1965)." This report recommended the creation of a unique organization which could blend the talents of the public and private sectors. This concept was enthusiastically endorsed by Gov. Daniel J. Evans and the state legislature. It formed the basic framework for Senate Bill 49, passed by the 40th Legislature of the State of Washington, which created the Oceanographic Commission of Washington (also referred to as the OCW) and its private, non-profit "action arm," the Oceanographic Institute of Washington (also referred to as the OIW).

Governor Evans, at the Commission's first meeting, indicated that it was essential for the new organization to create a public awareness of the need for Washington State to assert leadership in oceanographic activities. Dixy Lee Ray, an OIW member, served as temporary secretary at this initial assemblage. John Haydon, a Seattle Port Commissioner and marine publisher who had chaired the Puget Sound Oceanographic Action Committee and who would later serve as governor of American Samoa, became the Commission's first chairman. Jon Lindbergh, son of aviator Charles Lindbergh, a commercial diver and manager of the Seattle-based Oceans Industries Incorporated, became vice-chairman. Commission membership consisted of eleven commissioners; three appointed from each legislative branch and five by the governor. The governor's appointees consisted of citizens-at-large, who served without pay and provided an informational source on oceanographic activities and marine resource affairs for private citizens, public and private agencies, and business and industry. Three of the governor's appointees were required individually to represent labor, marine industry, and higher education. The OCW professional staff, which shared offices with the OIW staff in Seattle, consisted of four full-time employees: Executive Secretary, Administrative Assistant IV, Educational Assistant, and a Private Secretary of Clerk-Stenographer. OCW commissioners approved OIW articles of incorporation and elected eight more commissioners from the public sector to serve on the OIW Board of Trustees. Trustees served four year terms and were voted into the office by the OCW commissioners. Shortly after beginning its operations, the Oceanographic Commission came into conflict with state law because of the makeup of its original membership. Legislative members who were serving as commissioners were challenged as to their eligibility due to the fact that they had created the Commission. On 22 Jan. 1969, the Washington State Supreme Court ruled that they were, indeed, ineligible to serve. For nearly six months the Oceanographic Commission, minus six commissioners, continued only to function on a limited, routine basis. All policy matters were postponed and the Institute temporarily ceased to function.

Once this legal matter was resolved, the OCW resumed its efforts to meet its legislative mandate. To encourage, assist, develop, and maintain a coordinated oceanography program, its specific duties entailed: promoting the growth of private oceanographic educational programs, undertaking projects to keep Washington's citizens informed, and assistance in creating studies pertaining to waterfront development, pollution control, oil and hazardous substance transportation, ocean resource development, and public usage of parks and recreational areas. Its private connection, the Institute, gave the Oceanographic Commission a rather unusual structure. The line distinguishing the two entities was somewhat hazy since all commissioners also served as Institute trustees. In turn, the Commission's Executive Secretary served as the Institute's Executive Director. Joint meetings were also held. Still, the two bodies were distinct. Unlike the Commission, the Institute received no direct state appropriations and supported itself primarily through non-state contracts with private establishments. Nearly eighty percent of the Institute's total contracts were through non-state sources.

Formed to provide a focal point for marine activities and development, the Commission delegated certain functions to the OIW and itself. As a non-regulatory and non-landlord organization, as well as a rather small scale operation, the Commission primarily concentrated on serving as an advisor and information source on marine matters for the public and private sector. Having vast responsibilities, and empowered to designate duties, function, and jurisdictional aspects of the OIW, the Commission relied heavily upon the Institute's professional expertise as a source to attract national recognition for the state's oceanographic resource capabilities. Thus, in large part, the Commission chose to delegate technical study matters to the skilled Institute personnel. The OIW conducted some seventy projects for local, state, regional and national clientele. On the other hand, the OCW concentrated on conducting public forums to air marine issues and concerns. In its fifteen year existence, the Commission staff members conducted sixty-seven public meetings in twenty-one western Washington cities and towns. Some 2,500 private citizens, civil and professional leaders, industrial representatives, local, state and federal government officials attended. Over 150 oceanographic-related speeches were delivered to professional organizations, civic groups, technical societies, and governmental entities. In Dec. 1980, Governor Ray recommended zero-funding for the Oceanographic Commission for the 1981-83 Biennium. The OCW was not considered to be an essential public service. It was not a regulatory body, not revenue-producing, and not essential for public health and safety. The Commission's daily operations ceased on 30 June 1981.