RTT News: Sen. Murkowski Introduces Bill To Study Establishing Arctic Deep Water Port
Senator Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, unveiled legislation Tuesday authorizing a study to determine the feasibility of building a deep water port in the Arctic.
Dubbed the Arctic Deep Water Sea Port Act, the legislation would direct the Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the Secretary of Homeland Security, to conduct the study in an effort to protect U.S. strategic interests in the region.
The two-year study would seek to determine what strategic capabilities a deep water port could provide as well as the best location to site such a facility.
In addition, the study would look at the resource and time frame needed to establish such a port, given the complex environmental constraints that the Arctic marine environment provides.
"The United States needs to be able to guard its territorial claims and its economic interests in the Arctic, especially as a decrease in seasonal ice is leading to increased marine activity in the region," Murkowski said.
She added, "With the high potential for further industrial and commercial activity in the Arctic region, the United States must ensure that it is prepared to protect human life as well as the vulnerable Arctic environment."
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Source: Published by RTT News on December 08, 2009
