Presidential Directives Issued for Arctic Region Policy

In the closing hours of the Bush Administration, new National Security and Homeland Security Presidential Directives were issued that address arctic region policy for the United States. A key statement found in the documents reinforces the notion that the United States is an Arctic nation.

The directives that are available for viewing on the White House website take in a number of developments occurring in the arctic regions of the United States. Concerns speak to policies on security and defense, effects of climate change, increasing human activity in the north, work of the Arctic Council, and natural resource development.

Speaking of the new directives, Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard Admiral Thad Allen says, “The new Arctic policy signed by the President today re-affirms our Nation’s obligation to protect the Arctic domain, its environment, and those who work and live in it. The retreat of annual sea ice has created new areas of open water where the Coast Guard has statutory responsibilities. The new policy is recognition of changing conditions in the Arctic region and the implications for our Nation. This directive will guide our current operational activities in the region and guide the allocation of current and future resources to meet mission demands. We look forward to continuing to work closely with our interagency partners, the people of Alaska and the Arctic nations to ensure safe, secure and sustainable activities in the Arctic region.”

White House Policy for the Arctic

Six broad policy guidelines are outlined in the White House document. They are concerned with homeland security, protection of the arctic environment, sustainable natural resource development, strengthening relationships with other northern nations, empowerment of indigenous people, and scientific research.

• National Security and Homeland Security Interests – The United States has significant security interests in the north. These involve missile defense schemes, maintaining a maritime presence, ensuring freedom of navigation, and preventing future terrorist attacks
• International Governance – The United States is a member of several organizations that have an interest in the protection and development of the arctic. Chief among these is the Arctic Council that is tasked with a mission of environmental protection and sustainable development. A recommendation is made that Congress ratify the United Nations 1982 Convention on the Law of the Sea
• Extended Continental Shelf and National Boundary Issues – The north is a region rich in natural resources and the Arctic seabed is seen as a future source of natural gas, oil and minerals. Under the United Nations 1982 Convention on the Law of the Sea, further exploration and surveying is needed to establish the limits of the continental shelf. Boundary issues remain to be resolved with Russia and Canada
• Promoting International Scientific Cooperation – The interests of the United States can only be best served by promotion of scientific research in the Arctic. It is vital to this end for researchers to share access to facilities operated by various countries throughout the north. There needs to be continued leadership by the country to promote research and facility access through strengthened bilateral agreements with other Arctic nations
• Maritime Transportation in the Arctic Region – We have seen the dream of the Northwest Passage become a reality. The United States recognizes that to protect maritime commerce and the marine environment that there must be an effort to facilitate safe and reliable navigation in the Arctic. The Coast Guard has already taken steps during 2008 to evaluate their ability to operate in the Arctic Ocean and begin to support the actions detailed in these directives
• Economic and Energy Issues – The White House acknowledges that the north is a difficult environment in which to operate. Energy demands will drive development in the Arctic and such work must go forward on a sustainable basis. Relations with groups like the Arctic Council, International Maritime Organization and International Standards Organization will support this goal
• Environmental Protection and Conservation of Natural Resources – The Administration understands that the Arctic environment is changing and is being stressed through a number of outside influences. Interests of the United States in the north include development of commercial fishing, protection of living marine resources, pursuing ecosystem based management schemes, and study of pollutants entering the Arctic

President Bush concludes these directives with a statement that implementation will require the commitment of appropriate assets and resource by the United States to succeed. Bush states elements of these directives are to be implemented consistent with Federal law and that the Administration’s staff will work to identify the resources needed to realize these goals. We can only help that the incoming Administration reviews these directives and insures they have the best interests of the north at heart.

Copyright © 2009 by Alan Sorum