22 



Pressures on the Antarctic from human activity have risen fairly 

 dramatically since research activities intensified now over the last 

 say 40 years. 



There are more scientific stations on the continent, housing more 

 scientists, support personnel, and in addition, the number of tour- 

 ists is increasing quite rapidly. 



That produces not only an important constituency in favor of the 

 Antarctic but additional pressure on a very fragile environment. 



And so the need to move forward on implementing the Protocol 

 really is pressing. And the United States, as has been said earlier, 

 has a crucial role to play in this regard. 



We have been a leader in Antarctic conservation for decades. We 

 have been leaders in environmental stewardship. We have helped 

 to bring along other nations of the world. 



We do now, if the delegates, if the U.S. delegation to the upcom- 

 ing meeting is in fact able to say to the other uncommitted coun- 

 tries that the United States is going to move forward with imple- 

 mentation of the Protocol this session, or is likely to do so, then I 

 too believe that the likelihood of moving the remaining consultative 

 parties that have yet to finish the ratification process is good. 



Many have played very important roles in crafting the com- 

 promise that's set forth in H.R. 3060 from the National Science 

 Foundation and the State Department to the Antarctica Project 

 and Greenpeace. 



And in addition, Mr. Chairman, your help in moving the imple- 

 mentation process forward by sponsoring H.R. 3060 and holding 

 these hearings has really been terrifically valuable and I want to 

 thank you on behalf of the environmental community for doing 

 that. 



So I would just urge that the Committee vigorously pursue pas- 

 sage of this legislation so that the final stages of ratification of the 

 Protocol can go forward. 



All of us in the environmental community look forward to contin- 

 ued cooperation, both with the Administration and with the Con- 

 gress on Antarctic conservation, safeguarding it for our future. 



Thank you. 



[The prepared statement of Ms. Fuller follows:] 



STATEMENT OF KATHRYN S. FULLER 

 PRESIDENT, WORLD WILDLIFE FUND 



before the 



Committee on Science 



U.S. House of Representatives 



April 18, 1996 



Mr. Chairman, thank you for the opportunity to testify today on H.R. 3060, "The 

 Antarctic Environmental Protection Act of 1996" which would implement the Proto- 

 col to the Antarctic Treaty on Environmental Protection. The Protocol seeks both to 

 provide comprehensive environmental protection for Antarctica and to ensure that 

 important international scientific research and cooperation in Antarctica continue. 

 Passage of H.R. 3060 and implementation of the Protocol will help safeguard Ant- 

 arctica's pristine environment and provide critical, renewed momentum to the hand- 

 ful of other countries that have not yet ratified the Protocol. 



