[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1992, Book I)]
[February 14, 1992]
[Pages 244-245]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Message to the Senate Transmitting the Antarctic Treaty Protocol on 
Environmental Protection

February 14, 1992
To the Senate of the United States:
    I transmit herewith, for the advice and consent of the Senate to 
ratification, the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic 
Treaty, with Annexes, which was done at Madrid October 4, 1991, and an 
additional Annex, done at Bonn October 17, 1991. I also transmit for the 
information of the Senate the report of the Department of State with 
respect to the Protocol.
    The Protocol designates Antarctica as a natural reserve, devoted to 
peace and science, and provides for an indefinite ban on mineral 
resource activities there. It specifically prohibits all activities 
relating to Antarctic mineral resources, except for scientific research, 
with the proviso that this prohibition cannot be amended by less than 
unanimous agreement of the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Parties for at 
least 50 years after entry into force of the Protocol.
    The Protocol requires Parties to protect Antarctic fauna and flora 
and imposes strict limitations on disposal of wastes in Antarctica and 
discharge of pollutants into Antarctic waters. It also requires 
application of environmental impact assessment procedures to activities 
undertaken in Antarctica, including nongovernmental activities, for 
which advance notice is required under the Antarctic Treaty. Parties are 
further required to provide for response to environmental emergencies, 
including the development of joint contingency plans.
    Detailed mandatory rules for environmental protection pursuant to 
these requirements are incorporated in a system of annexes, forming an 
integral part of the Protocol. Specific annexes on environmental impact 
assessment, conservation of Antarctic fauna and flora, waste disposal 
and waste management, and the prevention of marine pollution were 
adopted with the Protocol. A fifth annex on area protection and 
management was adopted October 17, 1991, by the Antarctic Treaty 
Consultative Parties at the Sixteenth Antarctic Treaty Consultative 
Meeting. Provision is also made for additional annexes to be developed 
following entry into force of the Protocol. The Protocol establishes a 
Committee on Environmental Protection to provide advice and 
recommendations to the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meetings on the 
implementation of the Protocol.
    The Protocol incorporates provisions to ensure effective compliance 
with its requirements, including compulsory and binding procedures for 
settlement of disputes relating to mineral resource activities, 
environmental impact assessment and emergen-

[[Page 245]]

cy response action, as well as over the detailed rules included in the 
annexes.
    I believe the Protocol, with its Annexes, to be fully in the U.S. 
interest. Its provisions advance basic U.S. goals of protecting the 
environment of Antarctica, preserving the unique opportunities 
Antarctica offers for scientific research of global significance, and 
maintaining Antarctica as a zone of peace. Its conclusion represents an 
important step in strengthening the Antarctic Treaty and the unique form 
of international cooperation it has fostered.
    I recommend that the Senate give early and favorable consideration 
to the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty, 
with Annexes, and give its advice and consent to ratification.

                                                             George Bush

The White House,
February 14, 1992.