423 



gin of Siberia, and it's heading towards the Bering Strait. This is 

 an area that, of course, we need to investigate furi:her in the fu- 

 ture, but it shows the potential for some transport of pollution 

 along the Siberian margin. There are also other pathways through 

 the Arctic Ocean system. 



There's another potential transport pathway which is through 

 sea ice. Sea ice is transported basically in the same directions as 

 the surface water is transported. There is an important circulation 

 pattern here, this gyre that you see. Any particulates that are 

 transported off the Siberian margin and land onto the sea ice could 

 move into the area along the northern coast of Alaska and melt. 

 Most of the sea ice that melts along the coast of Alaska actually 

 is formed in place. But there is a possibility that some of the sea 

 ice from the central Arctic will be transported into this coastal re- 

 gion as well. 



I'd just like to close with a few further remarks. There are nu- 

 merous threats facing the Arctic environment today. And I would 

 hope that this hearing will be the first in a series to try to uncover 

 the exact extent of the risks and to develop a coordinated plan for 

 addressing them, in addition to the threat of nuclear waste. 



As far as dealing with the nuclear reactors that have already 

 been identified in the vicinity of Novaya Zemlya, at this point I be- 

 lieve that there are two possibiHties. First of all, we'll find out that 

 the reactors are found to be leaking. In that case, we must assist 

 the Russians with appropriate technology to either raise the reac- 

 tors or to cap them in place. We would also have to support the 

 Russians in their efforts to try to contain the leaks. If they are not 

 leaking, then we must also decide whether to deal with them on 

 the sea floor or to remove them. Therefore, at this point, we feel 

 that it is crucial to involve our nuclear and environmental engi- 

 neers as well as those of Russian to assess the risks posed by the 

 reactors and to design plans to deal with the risks. And we hope 

 to hear in the final panel today that such an action plan has al- 

 ready been put in place. 



The Arctic Research Commission and the Interagency Arctic Re- 

 search Policy Commission should develop a coordinated national 

 monitoring and response program. We were pleased to hear that 

 the State Department is interested in placing more emphasis on 

 the Arctic and we hope that they would play a central role at a 

 high level in directing the overall intergovernmental efibrt. 



And finally, we agree that lASC, the International Arctic Science 

 Committee, has an important role to play, and the governments of 

 the Arctic rim countries should rely on its expertise. Thank you. 



Senator Murkowski. Thank you, Dr. Pfirman. 



Scott Hajost. 



STATEMENT OF SCOTT HAJOST, ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE 



FUND 



Mr. Hajost. Thank you Senator, It's a pleasure to be here today. 

 I am the International Counsel for the Environmental Defense 

 Fund. I just have a few brief policy points to make in addition to 

 what Stephanie has had to say. 



The first point has to do with communications we've had with 

 the International Maritime Organization recently, with respect to 



