FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Max Croes,
Deputy Press Secretary
Aug. 3, 2009
(202) 224-3004 office
2009-172
(202) 224-9578 cell
Begich Introduces Seven-Bill Arctic Package in Senate
Focus on sustainable development, contending with climate change
Recognizing that the Arctic will play a major role in the nation's
commerce, foreign policy, and energy independence over the next 50 years,
U.S. Sen. Mark Begich today introduced a legislative package of seven
bills designed to plan and prepare for the changes and challenges in the
region. Begich devoted his "maiden" speech on the Senate floor to the
issue because of its importance to Alaska.
Called the Inuvikput legislation after the Inupiaq expression meaning
"the place where we live," Begich's package of bills deal with oil
exploration, climate change, shipping, health, and diplomacy in America's
arctic. Begich said the Arctic holds enormous natural resource wealth
which should be carefully developed to create American jobs and help
ensure the nation's energy independence.
"This century, and the next 50 years of Alaska statehood, brings great
challenges and great opportunities," Begich said in a speech illustrated
with dramatic pictures of Alaska's Arctic. "To succeed, we must address
the broader policy implications of an ice-diminishing Arctic on the
diplomatic, scientific and national security fronts."
Begich said Alaska is "Ground Zero" for the effects of global climate
change, citing such examples as villages being wiped away by erosion due
to the diminishing arctic icepack; melting sea ice that is devastating
for species such as the polar bear, walrus, and seals; thawing permafrost
causing homes to buckle; ocean acidification weakening the marine food
chain; and warming water temperatures that are changing the migration
patterns of many species of fish.
He pointed to a recent study by the University of Alaska's Institute of
Social and Economic Research that estimates the impacts of climate change
will increase the cost of maintaining or replacing current public
infrastructure in Alaska by as much as $6 billion.
"Although Alaskans are well aware of the impacts of climate change in our
state, national decision makers are just starting to come to grips with
its challenges and opportunities," Begich said. "Today I am introducing a
package of seven bills to address challenges facing the Arctic, almost
all of which have been caused by, or are exacerbated by, climate change."
Begich's seven bills include:
· Arctic Science, Coordination and Integration Act - Numerous
scientists and agencies conduct important and needed research into
various aspects of the Arctic but concerns remain that these efforts are
not well coordinated and leave gaps in our understanding of Arctic
issues. This bill calls on the National Research Council to undertake a
study toward a comprehensive strategy to coordinate Arctic research and
make recommendations to Congress on a long-term Arctic Ocean research
plan.
· Arctic Ambassador Act - Russia, Canada, Norway and other Arctic
nations are represented at the ambassadorial level before the Arctic
Council and U.S. interests would benefit from an enhanced diplomatic
presence in Arctic matters. This bill is intended to strengthen U.S.
representation before the Arctic Council and other international forums
by appointment of a U.S. ambassador to the Arctic.
· Arctic Marine Shipping Assessment Implementation Act - As the
polar icecap recedes, the Arctic region is increasingly accessible to
shipping and tourism. This bill is designed to ensure safe and reliable
maritime transportation in the Arctic and protect its waters. It would
boost the nation's investment in needed infrastructure, including
replacement of America's aging fleet of icebreakers and building new
forward operating air bases for the Coast Guard to assert our national
interest in the region.
· Arctic Oil Spill Research and Recovery Act - Vast energy
reserves are believed to lie beneath Arctic waters and it is vital that
any development of such resources be conducted in a responsible manner
that protects the environment upon which residents of the region depend.
This bill directs the Secretary of Commerce to conduct research to
improve oil spill prevention, response and recovery in Arctic conditions
and requires the Coast Guard to assess and reduce risk from such
development.
· Arctic OCS Revenue Sharing Act - Alaska Natives who have
subsisted on marine mammals and other arctic resources for thousands of
years would bear the direct risks of increased commercial activity in
their waters. This bill directs a portion of federal revenues from
offshore oil and gas development - the same share Louisiana receives from
drilling in the adjacent Gulf of Mexico - to the State of Alaska with a
percentage of those funds directed to those most affected.
· Arctic Health Research Act - People of the Arctic suffer from
increased rates of alcohol abuse, diabetes, high blood pressure, and
death from injury and suicide. This act would initiate a study into the
mental, behavioral and physical health problems in the Arctic, institute
an Arctic health assessment program at the Centers for Disease Control
and create an "Arctic desk" at the National Institute of Health that was
called for in 1984 but has never been established.
· Arctic Climate Change Adaptation Act - Alaska villages and
public infrastructure are already suffering from coastal erosion,
flooding, permafrost melting and other impacts of climate change. This
bill would help the State of Alaska, Alaska Native organizations,
affected Arctic communities and the private sector adapt to the impacts
of climate change and assist in dealing with habitat restoration, clean
energy development and other economic development activities.
As part of his package, Begich also called for the ratification of two
international treaties that would dramatically improve America's ability
to address Arctic climate change. They include the Convention on the Law
of the Sea, which would give the U.S. a seat at the table with other
nations when decisions are made about international claims to the
arctic's continental shelf. The second is the treaty to regulate
Persistent Organic Pollutants. These pollutants, such as PCBs, dioxin and
DDT, are carried by wind and sea currents to the Arctic where they are
trapped by the ice and accumulate in the fatty tissues of fish and marine
mammals.
Begich said he is considering introducing an additional piece of
legislation focused on providing the people of Alaska's Arctic with more
of a voice in the decisions affecting their lives. The bill would
establish an Arctic Regional and Citizens Advisory Council, modeled after
similar councils which successfully operate in the Prince William Sound
and Cook Inlet regions of Alaska. At the request of the North Slope
Borough mayor, Begich said he held off introducing the bill pending
further discussions with the people of Alaska's North Slope, as well and
industry and regulatory stakeholders.
Begich closed his presentation saying while great knowledge has been
gained over the past century about the Arctic, there is still much not
understood. His Inuvikput package is designed to improve that
understanding.
"We must make the needed investments to ensure the United States
maintains its leadership role at the top of our globe," the senator said.
"And we must listen to and address the needs of the residents of the
Arctic."
Senator Begich is currently introducing the legislation on the senate
floor. Coverage of the speech is on C-SPAN2.
###
Max Croes
Deputy Press Secretary
Office of Senator Mark Begich
202-224-9578 (Office)
_
Vicky Hoover
staff, Alaska Task Force
85 Second St., 2nd floor
San Francisco, CA 94105-3459
(415)977-5527
fax:(415)977-5799
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