Briefly, H.R. 3060 provides the legislative authority necessary for 

 the United States to implement the 1991 Protocol on environ- 

 mental protection to the Antarctic Treaty. The Protocol which re- 

 sulted from the United States' initiative represents an important 

 addition to the uniquely successful system of peaceful cooperation 

 and scientific research that has evolved under the Antarctic Treaty. 



The U.S. Senate gave its advice and consent to ratification of the 

 Protocol in 1992. All that remains for the United States to become 

 a party to the Protocol is to enact the necessary implementing leg- 

 islation. The Protocol will activate when all 26 of the Antarctic 

 Treaty consultative parties implement it. 



So far 20 of the consultative parties have done so. The United 

 States ratification will provide impetus for the remaining five to 

 join as well. 



Implementation of the Protocol has been a priority of both Re- 

 publicans and Democrats since the Protocol was negotiated in 1991. 



The Protocol builds upon the Antarctic Treaty to improve the 

 treaty's effectiveness for ensuring the protection of the Antarctic 

 environment. 



The Protocol reaffirms the treaty's use of Antarctica exclusively 

 for peaceful purposes and accords priority to scientific research 

 among the permitted activities. 



The Protocol prohibits mineral resource activities other than sci- 

 entific research in Antarctica. Its annexes, which form an integral 

 part of the Protocol, set out specific rules on environmental impact 

 assessment, conservation of Antarctic fauna and flora, waste dis- 

 posal and management, the prevention of marine pollution and the 

 area protection and management. 



H.R. 3060 is a good bill. I hope to bring this bill before the Com- 

 mittee very soon, and I look forward to its passage. 



Before recognizing our first panel, I would like to turn to the 

 Ranking Minority Member, Mr. Brown, for any opening remarks 

 that he might have. 



Mr. Brown. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. I will com- 

 pliment you on bringing it to this point, and I am very pleased that 

 we're moving in a cooperative and felicitous way toward passage. 



I ask unanimous consent to insert the rest of my remarks in the 

 record. 



The Chairman. Without objection. 



[The prepared statement of Mr. Brown follows:] 



