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
[log in to unmask]