506 



Thank you. Gocxi morning Mr Chairman. Members of the 

 committee. My name is Calvin Simeon. I represent the 

 Association of Village Council Presidents, a regional non- 

 profit consortium of 56 Native villages in southwest Alaska, 

 We rely on our marine resources for sustenance and we are 

 very concerned about the presence of heavy metals and 

 radionuclides in our waters. These elements represent the 

 greatest threat to us since the epidemics that decimated 

 entire villages in Alaska at the turn of the century. 



Our needs, with respect to this forum, are basic: What is 

 the extent of contamination, how might it affect us and 

 when will it get here? This is an entirely achievable goal 

 in the near future. This country has a significant amount of 

 data within the Dept. of Defense. However, it's classified 

 status prevents a wholly-coordinated effort at deciphering 

 the total extent of deunage. We urge, in the strongest terms 

 possible, that the Office of Naval Research de-classify 

 this data. I request this committee to urge the former 

 Soviet Union to release their data for our acquisition. 



Other nations also hold a certain amount of 

 responsibility for the deterioration in the Arctic and we 

 are glad to see them assume their full share. Sadly, this 

 nation also has a considerable level of involvement in 

 polluting the arctic. I can think of no task more difficult 

 than an internal accounting but it must be done. We may not 



