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1993 which implemented the Protocol's comprehensive waste management require- 

 ments. NSF also removes virtually all of its waste from Antarctica. This aggressive 

 waste minimization, segregation, and recycling effort of the USAP is without prece- 

 dent. Nearly 70% of the waste removed for disposal is reused or recycled — more 

 than twice the average rate of U.S. cities. 



NSF has also issued environmental assessment regulations in compliance with 

 the Protocol. An environmental review is conducted for all planned activities and ap- 

 propriate documentation is prepared consistent with both the Protocol and the Na- 

 tional Environmental Policy Act. 



To implement its management and stewardship responsibilities, the NSF has ap- 

 pointed and trained Antarctic Conservation Act Enforcement Officers to ensure com- 

 pliance and to educate citizens working in or visiting the Antarctic. 



Last year a U.S. Antarctic Treaty inspection team visited eight nations' research 

 stations across the Antarctic continent. In their report, the inspection team con- 

 cluded that McMurdo Station, the USAP's largest research station, "meets the high- 

 est standards in both the science it supports and in the environmental practices it 

 observes." I might add as a sidelight that USAP received a Gold Medal Clean Seas 

 International Award in recognition of its role in organizing an emergency spill-re- 

 sponse team comprised of experts from the Navy, NOAA, Coast Guard and private 

 contractors to clean-up the Bahia Paraiso oil spill. 



Mr. Chairman, NSF believes that H.R. 3060 comprehensively and effectively im- 

 plements the Protocol. We strongly support passage of this bill, because it achieves 

 the appropriate balance between sound environmental practices and unique sci- 

 entific research in the Antarctic; it builds upon NSF's many years of experience in 

 managing the Antarctic Program and in administering the Antarctic Conservation 

 Act; it authorizes NSF to promulgate regulations necessary or appropriate to imple- 

 ment the provisions of the Protocol generally, thereby allowing NSF to address new 

 environmental issues as they arise; and it takes advantage of the expertise of other 

 agencies such as the State Department, the Environmental Protection Agency, the 

 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the Coast Guard. NSF an- 

 ticipates a productive and cooperative working relationship with these agencies as 

 together we fully implement the requirements of the Protocol. 



I wish to thank the Committee for its hard work in developing this bill and help- 

 ing to obtain broad support for this legislation from the environmental community, 

 the scientific community and relevant Federal agencies. 



The Chairman. Thank you very much, Dr. Lane. 



First of all, I remember when I was in Antarctica about 15 years 

 ago, they were doing some of the first findings of those antifreeze 

 proteins that you referred to in your testimony, and that is an ex- 

 citing bit of research that has come out of Antarctica. 



Ms. Claussen, in your testimony, you indicate that the passage 

 of this legislation would not only enable the United States to be- 

 come a party to the Protocol, but also help in pressuring the re- 

 maining five consultive partners to ratify the Protocol. 



Can you give us any kind of an assessment as to how long it 

 might take the other five to come on board, once the U.S. has 

 acted? 



Ms. Claussen. Well four of them are already involved in their 

 own parliamentary processes. And I believe a little push from us 

 will probably put them over the edge and get them into this very, 

 very soon. 



The one that we are less sure about is Russia, but I think if we 

 were to move ahead, we are in the best position to pressure them, 

 which we would do. And I believe that maybe within a year or 

 something after we move forward, we could probably get them on 

 board, and at the same time we think everyone else will be moving 

 ahead as well. 



The Chairman. What happens if any of them would fail to act? 



Ms. Claussen. Well, I mean, we have a problem because it's a 

 consensus process and everyone has to act, which is one reason 

 why, if we wish to be leaders on this, as we have been from the 



