26 



col be implemented in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 

 1969 (NEPA). Compliance with the NEPA process will ensure consideration in the 

 planning process of all reasonable and practical alternatives. We also accept H.R. 

 3060's exemption from NEPA for activities carried out jointly by the U.S. with an- 

 other country, since we anticipate that the Protocol's environmental impact assess- 

 ment provisions will be followed by the lead nation when a cooperative activity is 

 proposed. 

 III. CONCLUSION 



The Treaty Parties' commitment to "the comprehensive protection of the Antarctic 

 environment and its dependent and associated ecosystems" is the beginning of a 

 new period in Antarctic policy and its negotiation is a credit to the Consultative 

 Parties. The millions of members of World Wildlife Fund and of the other members 

 of the Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition are eager to work with the Treaty 

 nations to implement the Protocol's provisions. Yet ratification of the Protocol has 

 remained elusive for over four years. Until it is implemented fully, the Protocol can- 

 not secure comprehensive protection for the Antarctic environment and safeguard 

 the region's global scientific status. 



Fortunately, there is broad, bipartisan agreement in the United States on the 

 need to act now to protect the Antarctic environment. It is an issue that has consist- 

 ently enjoyed bipartisan support. The Environmental Protocol itself is a direct result 

 of the Antarctic Protection Act of 1990, which passed with virtually unanimous sup- 

 port. H.R. 3060 boasts an impressive bipartisan list of cosponsors and, in addition 

 to our coalition, currently has the support of the scientific community as a whole, 

 the National Science Foundation, and the Administration. 



By moving forward with H.R. 3060, the United States can play an influential role 

 in realizing the potential of the Protocol. We therefore urge your Committee to vig- 

 orously pursue passage of H.R. 3060 and complete the final stages of the ratification 

 process. The environmental community looks forward to continued cooperation with 

 the Congress and the Administration to achieve our common goal of safeguarding 

 the Antarctic. 



The Chairman. Thank you very much. 



And you had submitted more comprehensive testimony which is 

 excellent testimony. And without objection, that will be entered 

 into the record at this point. 



Ms. Fuller. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. 



The Chairman. I now recognize Dr. Rutford. Thank you for being 

 with us. 



STATEMENT OF DR. ROBERT H. RUTFORD, EXCELLENCE IN 

 EDUCATION FOUNDATION CHAIR, PROFESSOR OF GEO- 

 SCIENCES, UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT DALLAS 



Dr. Rutford. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. 



I come to you as a general representative of the Antarctic science 

 community. I first went to Antarctica in 1959 as a graduate stu- 

 dent, did my PhD dissertation on the Ellsworth Mountains in the 

 continent, and last returned to Antarctica in January of 1995 to 

 conduct research in the Royal Society Range across from McMurdo 

 Station. 



The passage of this piece of legislation, H.R. 3060, will enable the 

 United States to become a party to the Protocol. The environmental 

 Protocol reinforces the role of Antarctica as a place for science of 

 global significance and for peaceful purposes. It further reflects the 

 linkage between the protection of the Antarctic environment and 

 the future conduct of science on the continent. 



This linkage has long been recognized by the scientific commu- 

 nity. The scientific group that came together to plan the Inter- 

 national Geophysical Year in the early 1950s became the Scientific 

 Committee on Antarctic Research following the International Geo- 



