67 



DoD Criteria 



In the Arctic as elsewhere, the Department must continuously scrutinize its activities 

 to ensure that we achieve maximum return on investment for our national security dollar. 

 The criteria for judgment in the Arctic are: 



o First, minimize political tensions generated by real or perceived pollution. Radioactive 



waste has attracted the most attention in this regard. 



o Second, minimize the real threat to human health and the natural environment in the 



Arctic by military activities. 



o Third, realize the best return for our investment of time and resources; or more 



colloquially, to maximize the "bang for our environmental security buck." 



o Fourth, address environmental problems according to a risk-based analysis. 



The source of much of the environmental security concern in the Arctic today stems 

 from the Russian military. The Russian Northern Fleet has operated for decades with little 

 regard for the environment. The Fleet leadership asserts that it is working toward halting 

 nuclear dumping and improving management practices, but much more needs to be done. 

 That brings me to the fifth criteria: 



o Measurably improve Russian military environmental management of nuclear and 



hazardous wastes. 



The good news is that the Department's studies indicate the immediate threat to human 

 health and the food chain in the Arctic is negligible. But good news should not lull us into 

 complacency. The Arctic remains vulnerable to a host of commonplace toxins, such as heavy 

 metals and persistent organic pollutants. Environmental disasters, once visited upon the 

 Arctic, can take decades or centuries to reverse. We have a responsibility to do all we can to 

 help ensure an environmental disaster never occurs. 



Cuirent DOD Activities 



Let me now briefly describe how we've set DoD's unique capabilities to work with 

 others in the Arctic region. 



The Gore-Chernomyrdin Commission (GCC), under the leadership of Vice President 

 Gore, provides an enduring forum for bilateral cooperation. Because the Vice President and 

 Russian Prime Minister meet several times a year, there is a plentiful and predictable stream 

 of political will to form lasting relationships, and present results. I have personally had the 

 opportunity to present the Department of Defense's environmental program to Russian defense 

 and environment officials at a Moscow meeting of the GCC. Within the Environmental 



