I am Eileen Claussen, Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans 

 and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs. 



I have some brief opening remarks and, with your permission, 

 will submit my entire official statement for the record. 



The Chairman. Without objection. 



Ms. Claussen. Thank you for the opportunity to testify on H.R. 

 3060, the Antarctic Environmental Protection Act of 1996. 



This legislation implements the Protocol on Environmental Pro- 

 tection to the Antarctic Treaty, a central objective of U.S. and Ant- 

 arctic policy since ratification of the Protocol by the Senate in 1992. 



The Protocol achieves two important goals. First, it extends 

 standards for environmental protection to all Antarctic activities, 

 both governmental and non-governmental, including tourism. 



Second, it raises these standards for all nations active in Antarc- 

 tica to levels that we are already implementing within our own 

 Antarctic program. 



We very much appreciate the initiative that you and members of 

 the Committee have taken in introducing H.R. 3060 and moving 

 expeditiously to schedule this hearing. 



As you know, the United States is only one of six countries yet 

 to become a party to the Protocol. 



Let me talk for a moment about the importance of the Antarctic 

 as an international resource. 



Comparatively free from pollution or other human disturbance, 

 Antarctica is an unparalleled natural laboratory for scientific re- 

 search. 



As an example, it's icepack contains a record of the earth's cli- 

 mate dating back more than 160,000 years and providing us an in- 

 valuable source of knowledge about past and present global atmos- 

 pheric trends. 



The southern ocean which encircles Antarctica supports the 

 world's largest coherent ecosystem including a new 12 million 

 square mile whale sanctuary which, combined with an adjacent In- 

 dian Ocean sanctuary, is home to three-quarters of the world's 

 whales. 



The animal species that inhabit Antarctica are superbly adapted 

 to live in frigid climates. Many of those adaptations could have 

 practical application for modem science, technology and health, de- 

 veloping non-toxic alternatives for antifreeze and deicing solutions. 



Antarctica also represents a model for international cooperation 

 as it has never been fought over despite the competing claims of 

 several nations. 



The Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Trea- 

 ty safeguards these and other benefits derived from promoting 

 peace and science in Antarctica. 



H.R. 3060 represents a clear and concise approach to implement- 

 ing the Protocol. It builds up existing legislation to provide the au- 

 thority necessary to give full effect to all of the Protocol's provi- 

 sions. 



Mr. Chairman, I would like to convey the Administration's strong 

 support for enactment of H.R. 3060. For the past four decades, the 

 United States has led the conduct of cutting edge research in Ant- 

 arctica and in the effective and peaceful governance of the con- 

 tinent through the Antarctic Treaty. 



