[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 119 (Monday, August 3, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Pages S8685-S8687]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. BEGICH:
  S. 1560. A bill to amend the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to 
provide for the sharing of certain outer Continental Shelf revenues 
from areas in the Alaska Adjacent Zone; to the Committee on Energy and 
Natural Resources.
  Mr. BEGICH. Mr. President, I rise today for the first time on this 
floor to mark the 50th anniversary of Alaska's statehood and to draw 
the attention of my colleagues to an urgent issue that affects not only 
my State but all of our States--the issue of global climate change.
  This year, thanks to actions taken in this very Chamber, Alaska is 
celebrating its golden anniversary of statehood. Acquiring the rights 
and responsibilities of full citizenship was the culmination of a dream 
for citizens of the 49th State. Statehood granted us the ability to 
exercise control over our vast natural resources and gave us a full 
voice in our national government. In the half century since, Alaska has 
grown from the Nation's largest supplier of salmon to become the 
Nation's storehouse of both seafood and energy.
  Because of its strategic location near the top of the globe, Alaska 
plays a critical role in our Nation's defense. During the Cold War, the 
superpowers stared down each other across the frozen polar ice cap. 
Thanks to a thaw in the geopolitical climate, the ``ice curtain'' 
separating Alaska and Russia melted some 20 years ago. Today, it is a 
change in the climate itself that present serious new challenges--and 
great opportunities--to my State and our Nation.
  Alaska is now at Ground Zero for the effects of global climate 
change. I take this opportunity today to detail how that is affecting 
the lives of Alaskans. I will describe a package of legislation I am 
introducing to prepare my State and the Nation for the next 50 years. 
During that time, the Arctic will play an even larger role in the 
Nation's commerce, foreign policy, and energy independence.
  Mr. President, to me there is no more dramatic illustration of global 
warming in Alaska than these two pictures taken at Portage Glacier, 
just about 50 miles south of Anchorage. The top photo, taken by my dad 
in 1970, shows me and two of my brothers and a sister. The glacier is 
clearly in view. The bottom photo was taken 35 years later, in 2005. It 
is of my son, Jacob, standing in the exact same spot at the same time 
of year. The glacier is nowhere to be seen because it has dramatically 
receded due to global warming.
  Today in the Arctic, the sea is melting so fast that most of it could 
be gone in 30 years. You can clearly see it in this polar projection of 
the Arctic. The implications of the loss are enormous. Devastating for 
species such as the polar bear, walrus, and seals, which depend on ice 
for their very survival; life-altering for Arctic residents who have 
depended on marine mammals for their nutritional and cultural needs for 
thousands of years; literally earth-shattering for entire Alaskan 
Arctic communities, which are being wiped away by erosion and thawing 
permafrost.

  When this global air-conditioner is knocked off kilter, it 
accelerates climatic changes we are already witnessing around the globe 
that neither science nor our political systems can stop.
  Consider these examples.
  Storms raging over waters that once were frozen solid but which are 
now ice-free for much of the year are eroding sections of the Alaska 
shoreline at rates of 45 feet per year or more. This undermines entire 
coastal villages like Shishmaref and Kivalina.
  Thawing permafrost is causing roads and the foundations of homes to 
buckle.
  A recent study by the University of Alaska's Institute of Social and 
Economic Research estimated that the impacts of climate change will 
increase the cost of maintaining or replacing just today's public 
infrastructure in my State by $6 billion.

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  The potential release of massive amounts of methane now sealed in the 
permafrost threaten to accelerate the pace of climate change. That is 
known to scientists as ``Arctic Feedback.''
  Warming water temperatures are pushing cold water species north and 
attracting warm water species from the south. Fishermen in Sitka are 
encountering the giant Humboldt squid from Mexico.
  Tuna--whose usual habitat favors the tropics--have been caught near 
Homer. And invasive species such as green crab are moving steadily 
northward.
  Ocean acidification--the result of absorption of carbon into our 
marine waters--weakens shellfish, coral, and even plankton, the very 
first link of the marine food chain.
  At the G-8 Summit last month in Italy, developing nations agreed to 
the principle of limiting the average increase in the Earth's 
temperature to no more than 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial 
levels.
  In the American Arctic, we exceeded that long ago. The diminishing 
ice creates opportunities in the Arctic, but even these pose new 
challenges. For example, the Beaufort and Chukchi seas are believed to 
contain almost twice as much oil as already has been produced from the 
North Slope.
  Arctic oil and gas development has been conducted safely on-shore in 
Alaska. Alaskans also have the technology to safely produce it off-
shore.
  But subsistence users who rely on marine mammals for their way of 
life are legitimately concerned about the special challenges of how to 
prevent and respond to an oil spill in broken sea ice.
  The diminishing Arctic ice pack could open new grounds to commercial 
fishing, which can create new jobs. This also presents challenges to 
manage fish stocks in this region as we learn more about the impact of 
fishing in these previously inaccessible waters.
  Opening the Northwest Passage, the Northern Sea Route and eventually 
the polar sea, will bring an increase in shipping and even tourism to 
the Arctic. This means new economic development and additional jobs to 
the northern part of our state.
  Our neighbors have taken notice of the warming Arctic, too. This 
picture of a Russian submersible planting that country's flag on the 
North Pole's ocean floor was shocking to Americans and other Arctic 
nations.
  The Swedish Foreign Minister, whose nation is president of the 
European Union this year, demonstrates that Europe understands these 
changes when he recently said the melting polar sea ice is creating 
revolutionary new transportation possibilities between the Atlantic and 
Pacific.
  Although Alaskans are well aware of the impacts of climate change in 
our State, national decisionmakers are just starting to come to grips 
with its challenges and opportunities.
  A proposed American Arctic policy was adopted in the final days of 
the Bush administration. While not perfect, it highlights many areas 
that need further focus.
  Here in the Congress, climate change has risen to a high priority in 
these Halls and in the Obama administration.
  I commend these many initiatives and pledge my cooperation with other 
Members of this body and the national administration.
  To advance that effort, today I am introducing a package of seven 
bills to address these challenges, almost all of which have been caused 
by, or made worse by, climate change.
  I call this package--Inuvikput. It is a word from the Inupiaq Eskimos 
of the Alaska North Slope which means ``the place where we live.''
  I can think of no more appropriate term coming from the very people 
who are being affected every day by climatic changes in America's 
Arctic, the place they have called home for thousands of years.
  Mr. President, my package starts with improving our fundamental 
understanding of the region. We need to invest in basic science to 
better understand Arctic oceanography, meteorology, biology of its fish 
and marine mammals, as well as natural resources and oil and gas 
potential.
  We need a coordinated research plan. It should start with baseline 
observations and include better science supporting Arctic-specific oil 
spill prevention and response.
  This plan also must include local and traditional knowledge. After 
all, some of the first and most accurate predictions of Arctic climate 
change were from Native elders.
  My bill calls on the Secretary of Commerce to undertake a 
comprehensive strategy to coordinate Arctic research, to make 
recommendations to Congress on a long-term Arctic Ocean research plan 
and to provide the resources for this vital mission.
  We also need to promote Pan-Arctic research, especially with our 
Russian and Canadian neighbors, to address scientific issues that span 
international borders.
  My second bill would provide the United States equal standing with 
other Arctic nations when it comes to our participation in the 
international Arctic Council and other forums.
  Other leading Arctic nations--Russia, Canada, Norway--are represented 
by ambassador-level diplomats on the Council.
  I appreciate the dedication of those who have represented us before 
the Arctic Council and other forums. I also thank Secretary Clinton and 
other high level diplomats for their interest in the Arctic. But the 
United States needs a permanent representative on an equal footing with 
the representatives of other nations in these important forums. Our 
Ambassador should advocate American interests in science, sustainable 
development, transportation and our defense posture.
  The third piece of legislation deals with preparedness for the coming 
expanded use of the Arctic. We must increase our investment in basic 
infrastructure to maintain a permanent presence in the Arctic, for 
scientific, economic development and national security missions.
  Critical to that is the need to replace our fleet of icebreakers. The 
Polar Sea and the currently idled Polar Star have both served beyond 
their 30-year life. The Healy is newer, but designed primarily for 
scientific research.
  That scientific mission is important. But we need an icebreaking 
fleet to assert our national interests by patrolling our Arctic waters, 
monitor increased traffic, and respond to search and rescues, oil 
spills and other incidents.
  In addition to their life-saving mission, the Coast Guard is a vital 
partner with Alaska's commercial fishing industry. This $4 billlion 
industry is one of our Nation's truly American industries, providing 
58,000 jobs. Our Coast Guard needs facilities to serve as a base for 
aerial surveillance, spill prevention and emergency response 
capabilities in the Arctic.
  Currently, our closest Coast Guard air base is located in Kodiak, a 
900-mile commute just to reach the Arctic Coast. That's like patrolling 
the Gulf of Mexico from air bases in New York.
  I applaud the stamina of our Coast Guard crews who have kept our C-
130s in the Arctic skies by performing maintenance work on the ramp in 
subfreezing conditions. The least we could do is provide them with a 
heated hangar. My legislation would address that need and other 
critical infrastructure needs.
  Fourth, we must achieve a balance in environmentally responsible 
resource development in the Arctic. A diminished ice cap may clear the 
way for more affordable development of the enormous energy reserves the 
U.S. Geological Service says lie beneath Arctic waters. This region 
contains an estimated 30 billion barrels of oil and 220 trillion cubic 
feet of natural gas.
  These resources can create thousands of American jobs and help assure 
our national energy security.
  We must get the science right and provide the infrastructure 
necessary to protect human and animal life and the environment.
  To help achieve that, my measure calls on the Coast Guard to assess 
Arctic development and develop the necessary infrastructure.
  It also requires the Secretary of Commerce to direct research to 
prevent and improve oil spill recovery in Arctic waters.
  My fifth bill deals with the benefits of energy development in the 
Arctic. Most Alaskans support oil and gas exploration in the Outer 
Continental Shelf. We can do development there in the right way, as 
shown here.
  Another example is BP's Liberty field, located off Alaska's northern

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coast. To minimize impacts, directional drilling from this island pad 
can tap oil reserves 8 miles away in the water.
  As a part of this package, my bill extends to Alaskans the same share 
of Federal revenues that residents of the gulf coast States currently 
receive. It would direct a portion of those revenues to those most 
affected--the residents of Alaska's North Slope--where communities have 
depended on marine mammals from these same waters for thousands of 
years. I believe the Arctic's resources belong to the people of the 
Arctic and should be shared among them.
  My sixth bill deals with a critical omission from the new 
Presidential directive on the Arctic--addressing the health problems of 
Arctic people.
  Alaskans and others who live in Northern latitudes experience 
numerous health problems, including higher rates of alcohol abuse, 
diabetes, high blood pressure and, tragically death from injury and 
suicide.
  In many cases, it is unclear what causes these problems. More 
research is necessary into prevention and treatment.
  This bill proposes a study of mental and behavioral health issues in 
the Arctic. It would create an ``Arctic desk'' at the National 
Institutes of Health that was called for in Federal legislation in 1984 
but has never been established.
  Finally, it would institute a health assessment program at the 
Centers for Disease Control focused on the Arctic. This vital research 
will not only benefit residents of my State but citizens across the 
country.
  The seventh bill in this package addresses the huge losses of coastal 
Alaskan territory, as a result of dramatic climate change. A June 2009 
Government Accountability Study on this issue says: ``most of Alaska's 
more than 200 Native villages are affected to some degree by flooding 
and erosion.'' In some cases, entire Arctic villages in my State are at 
risk of serious erosion or of being washed into the sea.
  To make matters worse, some of the most severe flooding in recent 
history occurred this spring. Millions of dollars in damage was done to 
Alaska communities, prompting State and Federal disaster declarations.
  To address these issues, I propose creation of an Arctic adaptation 
fund. This fund would help the State of Alaska, Alaska Native 
organizations, affected Arctic communities, and the private sector deal 
with the impacts of climate change. This includes flooding, erosion, 
permafrost melting, and damage to public transportation systems and 
buildings. The fund also would assist in dealing with habitat 
restoration, clean energy development, and other economic development 
activities.
  Mr. President, I am considering introducing an additional piece of 
legislation in this package. It focuses on providing the people of 
Alaska's Arctic with a greater voice in development decisions affecting 
their lives.
  This bill would establish on Arctic Regional Citizens Advisory 
Council. It would be modeled after similar councils operating 
successfully in the Prince William Sound and Cook Inlet regions of 
Alaska.
  At the request of North Slope Borough Mayor Edward Itta and our 
constituents there, I agreed to hold off on this bill for now so we can 
continue the conversation with the people of the region, along with 
industry and regulatory stakeholders.
  In addition to the legislation I am introducing today, Senate 
ratification of two treaties would dramatically improve our Nation's 
ability to address Arctic climate change.
  The first is the Convention on the Law of the Sea. Negotiated in 
1982, this treaty is designed to settle long-standing disputes over 
national rights to offshore waters and resources. The Senate's 
ratification of this treaty would put the United States at the table at 
a time of great change in the Arctic.
  I note support for the Law of the Sea Treaty comes from a broad 
spectrum of organizations, from environmental groups and oil companies 
to the U.S. military.
  I strongly support ratification of the Law of the Sea Treaty and will 
be proud to cosponsor this measure.
  The second key international agreement the Senate should ratify to 
address Arctic health issues is the Treaty on Persistent Organic 
Pollutants, or POPs.
  These pollutants--PCBs, DDT, dioxin, and even fire retardants--are 
carried by wind and sea currents to the Arctic. They are then trapped 
by the ice and are stored in the fatty tissue of fish and marine 
mammals that are a main component of the local subsistence diet.
  The POPs treaty was adopted in 2001. But like the Law of the Sea, it 
has never been ratified. It is time that changed. I am honored to be a 
cosponsor of Senator Harkin's bill, S. 519, to implement provisions of 
this treaty.
  I look forward to working with the chairman and ranking member of the 
Foreign Relations Committee and the Obama Administration to bring these 
treaties forward to the Senate for consideration as soon as possible.
  Mr. President, because of Alaska, America is an Arctic nation. My 
State has over 700 miles of shoreline along the Arctic Ocean, and over 
100 million acres above the Arctic Circle. If you define Arctic by 
temperature, it encompasses an even broader area that includes the 
Bering Sea and the Aleutian Islands.
  Through the diligent work of many scientists, we have learned much 
over the past century. But there is much we still do not understand.
  This century, and the next 50 years of Alaska statehood, brings great 
challenges and even greater opportunities. To succeed, we must address 
the broad policy implications of an ice-diminishing Arctic on the 
diplomatic, scientific, and national security fronts.
  We must make the needed investments to ensure the United States 
maintains its leadership at the top of our globe. We must listen to and 
address the needs of the residents of the Arctic.
  With this Inuvikput package of legislation, we will take a major step 
toward achieving these important goals.
  As they say in America's Arctic, Quyanaqpak. Thank you.
                                 ______