Survey, the National Science Foundation, the National Aero- 

 nautics and Space Administration, and the National Oceanic 

 and Atmospheric Administration) and from involved scientific 

 organizations and institutions. The Working Group is coordina- 

 ting the entry of references to data sets from each member's 

 organization into the data directory. Once this process is 

 completed, training courses and publications will be established 

 to ensure that the data directory is available to the research 

 community and other users. 



Arctic Logistics 



Many Arctic areas of particular scientific interest are 

 inaccessible except by icebreaking ship, aircraft, or satellite. 

 Arctic research is generally more expensive than research in 

 lower latitudes because of the logistic requirements. No 

 single agency has all the required logistic support or respon- 

 sibility for coordination of Arctic logistics. Facilities 

 and platforms generally are managed by individual agencies 

 according to agency responsibilities, budget, need, and sche- 

 dule. Consequently, other agencies and researchers often are 

 unaware of existing platforms and facilities. Logistical 

 platforms that require multi-agency commitments for development, 

 maintenance, or use — e.g., a dedicated polar research vessel 

 — are particularly difficult to obtain and support. Yet, 

 the lack of such facilities inevitably limits the scientific 

 capabilities of the scientists and institutions, the agencies, 

 and the Nation. 



The Arctic Research and Policy Act requires the Arctic 

 Research Commission and the Interagency Arctic Research Policy 

 Committee to consider the logistical planning and support of 

 Arctic research, as well as scientific research programs 

 themselves. In July 1988, the Arctic Research Commission 

 issued a report on logistic support of Arctic research. Among 

 other things, the report notes that an Arctic logistical 

 system should be developed to support scientific opportunity 

 and national needs, not to dictate scientific priorities. The 

 report also recommends that the United States charter an 

 Arctic research vessel with icebreaking capabilities with an 

 option to purchase over the long-term. In 1988, the Interagency 

 Arctic Research Policy Committee established a sub-group, 

 chaired by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 

 to evaluate Arctic logistics and to compile a directory of 

 all logistic facilities and platforms available through Federal 

 and state agencies to support Arctic research. Directory 

 entries will provide information on ownership, management, 

 and availability. A draft report is expected early in 1989. 



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