Woods Hole Lab To Escape Budget Ax

Reports in yesterday's Boston Herald that the Clinton Administration surprised lawmakers with a proposal to cut nearly $1 million from the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole, Mass., were misleading, congressional and lab officials said yesterday.

Some Harvard faculty members work at the lab during summers and would be affected by any drop in funding, but the proposed budget "cut" is a misnomer, a lab official said.

John E. Burris, director of the lab, said he was "absolutely surprised that we were even in the budget." He said past money was allocated for the construction of a marine resources center, which is "essentially complete." "We cut the ribbon on [the center] in June of 1992," Burris said, citing this lack of need as the reason behind the funding "cuts."

"There isn't any issue," Burris said. "I don't think it will affect anybody from Harvard."

According to yesterday's Herald, the proposed budget cuts include "a nearly $1 million cut in funding for the Woods Hole marine biology lab, which lawmakers described as an unexpected setback."

The article also said that "an aide to Rep. Gerry [E.] Studds (D-Mass.) said the funding cut was a surprise."

But Brendan Daly, spokesperson for Rep. Studds, said the proposed million-dollar cut was not unexpected. "I don't know why they said we were surprised by it," he said.

Among Harvard professors who have been affiliated with the Woods Hole lab is John E. Dowling '57, Cabot professor of the natural sciences and master of Leverett House.

The lab may yet receive new federal funding if a bill currently in Congress becomes law. The bill would reallocate up to $10 million to 10 marine research centers across the country, according to a statement from Studds' office.

The Woods Hole lab, "which opened an $11 million high-tech facility for research on marine animals last year, would be one of the top contenders for the money," according to the statement.

Studies on non-mammal marine animals have "proven to be just as effective, with no pain or suffering by mammals," the press release said

Among Harvard professors who have been affiliated with the Woods Hole lab is John E. Dowling '57, Cabot professor of the natural sciences and master of Leverett House.

The lab may yet receive new federal funding if a bill currently in Congress becomes law. The bill would reallocate up to $10 million to 10 marine research centers across the country, according to a statement from Studds' office.

The Woods Hole lab, "which opened an $11 million high-tech facility for research on marine animals last year, would be one of the top contenders for the money," according to the statement.

Studies on non-mammal marine animals have "proven to be just as effective, with no pain or suffering by mammals," the press release said