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curring isotopes, such as polonium-210 in fish, are 100 times high- 

 er than that fi-om contaminated sources at present in Alaskan wa- 

 ters, both Arctic and Pacific. Our measurements of marine life thus 

 far, and it tracks around the world, show that there are naturally 

 occurring radioactive sources throughout the world that today we 

 measure at 100 times the effects that we are seeing from any man- 

 made, and that includes the nuclear weapons testing. 



If disposal is controlled in the future, the main risk will be ex- 

 treme contaminant releases from existing waste sites, particularly 

 along the major rivers. This possibility remains one of the most in- 

 tensive areas of research within our program. A major progi*am 

 goal was to develop innovative monitoring techniques and tech- 

 nologies. I think that some of the other witnesses said we need to 

 have continuing monitoring and we are trying to assess and de- 

 velop innovative technology and monitoring techniques to allow us 

 to put in place a cost-effective monitoring strategy for critical 

 transport and food chain pathways. 



While United States monitoring efforts are aimed at waters near 

 Alaska, this program is also working with the Russian investiga- 

 tors to develop monitoring strategies for Russian coastal waters. 



The program is currently working on a formal, integrated risk 

 assessment of the radioactive waste in the Arctic environment. 

 This assessment is being accomplished by a team of individuals 

 from institutions, laboratories which have had experience in this 

 area. The first iteration of the risk assessment will be completed 

 by late spring/early summer 1996 and our intent is to submit that 

 for peer review by the scientific community to get any potential 

 criticisms and be able to address them appropriately and incor- 

 porate them in our final risk assessment, which I believe, as I said, 

 will be out in about spring 1997. 



This program and the Navy, as a matter of policy, will ensure 

 the prompt and accurate communication of the research results 

 and the final risk assessment to the citizens of the State of Alaska, 

 and we have had quite a bit of interaction with them as they are 

 one of the concerned parties from the United States, and the Amer- 

 ican public and policy makers, of course. The details of environ- 

 mental studies and all environmental concerns are clearly of the 

 utmost importance to the Navy and to our national interests. Inter- 

 action with Alaskan Native groups is ongoing, and every effort is 

 being made to integrate the local populus into the process and ad- 

 dress their concerns. 



Clearly, both research and monitoring must continue to guard 

 against the threat of contamination of both domestic waters and 

 international waters. We also recognize that potential contami- 

 nants include a broader spectrum of substances than the radio- 

 nuclides investigated by direction in our program. The program's 

 research will produce an initial integrated risk assessment that can 

 be used to develop an effective research and monitoring strategy. 

 Implementing such a strategy must be a multiagency endeavor. 

 Interagency Arctic Research Policy Committee has begun this proc- 

 ess, and the Navy will continue its active role in interagency co- 

 ordinated activities. 



The U.S. Navy is in a strong position to support any future ef- 

 forts in this area, providing both innovative technology, sampling 



35-799 96-4 



