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Mr. Chairman, members of the subcommittees, I thank you for the opportunity to 

 testify today. 



U.S. Goals and Objectives 



I would like to address with you today DoD's unique role in this effort, the criteria 

 for our involvement, and our work to date. The Department's primary goal is security. In the 

 Arctic, security means protecting human health and safety. It also means ensuring that the 

 Arctic ecosystem remains healthy and resilient. Keeping the Arctic healthy avoids tension 

 between adjacent nations who depend upon its resources for food, economic benefit, 

 transportation and research. It also ensures that the Arctic environmental resources will be 

 available for generations to come. DoD has developed strategic partnerships with other U.S. 

 agencies and with members of the international community to further these security goals. 



Department of Defense Role 



The Department of Defense role begins with national security. The threat of 

 widespread contamination, real or perceived, is a threat to security. Nations concerned with 

 the quality of the air blowing over their soil, the cleanliness of the water at their shores or the 

 health of the fish feeding their populations, cannot work together harmoniously. Protecting 

 the environmental resources all states share is thus a critical component to protecting security. 

 Additionally, DOD has an operational interest in retaining access to the Arctic sea lanes. 

 Public sentiment opposed to Russian radioactive waste dumping could lead to restrictions on 

 Arctic transit. To safeguard access for the U.S. military, we need to promote environmental 

 stewardship by all militaries that operate in the Arctic. 



DOD has an array of environmentally friendly tools upon which to draw. We have a 

 Navy patrolling global waters, undertaking sophisticated scientific research in the course of its 

 operations. We have environmental professionals deployed on U.S. bases around the world. 

 And we have the wisdom borne of 25 years of experience in integrating environmental 

 protection into military activities. Our soldiers, sailors and airmen work cooperatively with 

 militaries with a long history of environmental protection, such as the Norwegian Ministry of 

 Defense; and with those new at ecosystem management, such as the Russian Ministry of 

 Defense. The Department's activities are guided fundamental policy goals. Executive Orders, 

 and by specific agreements such as the Agreement between the Government of the United 

 States of A merica and the Government of the Russian Federation on Cooperation in the Field 

 of Environmental Proection and Natural Resources of June 1994, and the Agreement between 

 the United States of America and the Government of the Russian Federation on Cooperation 

 in the Prevention of Pollution in the Arctic of December 1994. 



Before I describe how the Department of Defense has applied these capabilities in the 

 Arctic region, let me address the criteria for DOD involvement. 



