13 



Dr. Lane. I'll answer from a scientific point of view, and ask my 

 colleague, Eileen Claussen, to add her comment. 



Scientifically it is important, I think, for three reasons. 



One is that it is an absolutely unique environment on the earth 

 in which to study global processes, and I mentioned global change, 

 ozone hole. That's where that particular interesting ozone hole is 

 located. And other kinds of research activities that can be best car- 

 ried out there, but effect our understanding of the entire globe, its 

 atmosphere, its oceans. And those are important to us wherever we 

 live. 



A second reason is that it's a unique platform to do certain kinds 

 of research that again you can't do in any other inhabited part of 

 the world. The quality of the air, the elevation of the South Pole, 

 the dryness of the air, clearness of the air is such that you can do 

 a kind of astronomy there from the ground that otherwise we have 

 to do in space. 



I mentioned the examples of the muon neutrino detection. Be- 

 cause you have the clear ice, you can do that detection there. So 

 it's a unique experimental platform. 



And finally, the third item is you have an opportunity to explore 

 a geographical region of the earth that in itself is unique and your 

 example, Mr. Chairman, of those wonderfully comfortable fish that 

 generate their own antifreeze a very good reason. 



So for many, many scientific reasons, it's very, very important. 



Eileen, would you like to add anything? 



The Chairman. Yes, if you would like to comment, Ms. Claussen, 

 on just kind of the geopolitical reasons for being there as well? 



Ms. Claussen. If we're going to move forward in protecting the 

 global environment, we need sound science, and this is a wonderful 

 laboratory for getting sound science. 



So I can't tell you how strongly we feel about the importance of 

 continuing activities here. 



The Chairman. Good, thank you very much. 



And Dr. Lane, same question to you. Are there any changes that 

 you know of that ought to be made to H.R. 3060? 



Dr. Lane. No, Mr. Chairman. We're very pleased with the bill as 

 it stands. 



The Chairman. Thank you very much. 



Mr. Brown? 



Mr. Brown. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. 



After listening to your tightly focused and yet comprehensive 

 questions, I have absolutely nothing that I can contribute addition- 

 ally. 



[Laughter.] 



So I jdeld back the balance of my time. 



The Chairman. Thank you. 



Mr. Ehlers? 



[No response.] 



The Chairman. I'm trying to figure out who is here. 



Mr. Davis? 



Mr. Davis. I just have one question. 



A lot of the parties to this have overlapping claims to portions 

 of Antarctica. Just tell me again how does this Protocol treaty ad- 

 dress that? 



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