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$150,000 of appropriated funds provided in FY 1979. The remaining phases provide about 13,000 square feet of space and will be initiated through the budget process as appropriate. They include an administration/research facility (Phase III, $1,275,000) and a dormitory (Phase IV, $336,000). At the Bay Center's Poplar Island field station, efforts have been made to provide for low-cost shoreline erosion control. It now appears unlikely that large-scale efforts at controlling erosion will be economically feasible, and ultimate abandonment of this facility must be considered.

In FY 1981, $250,000 will be requested to upgrade the water supply and distribution systems at the Center. Approximately $2,725,000 additional funding will be sought over the balance of this planning period.

[[underlined]] Tropical Research Institute [[/underlined]]

Details to be developed in the coming year for the Panama Canal Treaty implementation, scheduled to go into effect on October 1, 1979, and a land management and facilities plan for the Barro Colorado Nature Monument will have a future impact on the Tropical Research Institute's renovation and improvements program. In addition, the Institute may find it desirable over this time to plan for more consolidated research and support facilities than exist at present.

The Institute's research facilities on Barro Colorado Island, as well as those at Naos Island, Galeta Point and other locations, continue to offer unique research opportunities to scientists and students throughout the world. These facilities provide minimum comfort and laboratory space, and are under constant attack by the environment. Maintenance, repairs, and improvements are difficult and costly because of the logistical problems associated with these remote tropical locations. Preservation of these facilities requires constant support to protect and improve them for future generations.

Presently, a new wet laboratory and saltwater distribution system is being installed at Naos Island (Pacific) and will provide improved facilities for marine research, particularly multi-ocean ecological studies. In FY 1980, renovation for consolidation and upgrading of other research facilities at Naos will undergo planning and design ($60,000), and construction will be phased between FY 1981 and FY 1985 ($950,000). This planning period also will emphasize upgrading of deteriorated and inadequate buildings at Barro Colorado Island ($900,000) and renovation and improvement of laboratory facilities at Galeta Point on the Atlantic ($300,000). In FY 1980, library facilities at Ancon will be improved and expanded ($195,000), and about $500,000 will be sought for laboratory renovations between FY 1981-1983 at this location.