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Testimony: Charles Tedfcrd Pace 7 



be used to establish improved basic communication links between 

 Alaska and its neighbors for normal interaction and emergency 

 response. Finally, we urge the Federal government to support 

 Russian participation in the N'orthern Fcrum and ether international 

 agreements established to protect our arctic environment, and the 

 health and well-being of the circumpolar residents. Too often. 

 international meetings are held, and Russians lack the means to 

 attend. If the aid package is to have meaning to this part of the 

 world, we must use it to encourage communication and ensure basic, 

 necessary improvements to the environment and the public health 

 through local exchanges. We support the efforts Senator Murkowski 

 has made already to include an environmental component and a role 

 for the State in the aid package. Regional and local governments 

 are where the people are, not deep in a Moscow bureaucracy.' 



In summary, prompt notification is required for future nuclear 

 incidents. A basic environmental radiation monitoring system, 

 estimated to cost appro.ximately $285,000 in capital funds, is 

 necessary for Alaska to establish a background level of radiation 

 and to subsequently monitor elevated risks. We will do our best to 

 cover increased operations through existing resources and co- 

 operative agreements, although it would be appropriate to allocate 

 permanent operating funds. Appropriate monitoring of water, 

 animals, plants, fish, walrus and people for radioactive material 

 should be initiated, and preventive and response strategies 

 developed through working directly with the facilities in Russia 

 which pose potential threats. 



