Foreign Relations of the United States, 1969–1976, Volume E–1, Documents on Global Issues, 1969–1972

305. Memorandum From the Deputy Assistant to the President (Whitaker) to Secretary of State Rogers¹ ²

Washington, January 14, 1971.

Since the abolition of the Cabinet Committee on the Environment by Reorganization Plan No. 2, the status of its standing committees has not been clear. The International Standing Committee, under your Chairmanship, continues. to perform a very useful function. We are hereby transferring to you all responsibilities relating to the International Standing Committee and request that it continue to operate as an interagency Committee on International Environmental Affairs reporting to you.

We would expect you, in carrying this work forward, to rely on the Council on Environmental Quality for substantive guidance on international environmental matters.

John C. Whitaker
Deputy Assistant to the President

1. Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970-73, SCI 41. No classification marking. A copy was sent to Train.
2. Rogers was authorized to continue the International Standing Committee on the Environment even though its parent Cabinet Committee had been abolished.