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NSF & Congress
Hearing
Summary: House Science Committee Basic Research Subcommittee, House Science Committee Hearing on the US Antarctic Program
June 9, 1999
On June 9th the House Science Committee's
Subcommittee on Basic Research held an oversight hearing
on the future of the U.S. Antarctic Program (USAP),
focusing on modernization of the South Pole Station,
the transfer of logistical support for the Navy to
the Air National Guard (ANG), long-term reconstruction
plans for McMurdo; tourism, satellites, weather, and
air traffic control. Witness included Dr. Karl A.
Erb, Director, Office of Polar Programs, NSF; Brigadier
General Archie J. Berberian II, Chief of Staff, NYANG;
and Dr. Donal Manahan, Chairman, Polar Research Board,
National Research Council and Director, Marine Biology,
Department of Biological Sciences, USC.
Dr. Erb stressed the continuing need to find balance
between the increasing pressure from scientists to
do research in Antarctica and the logistics needed
to support that research in a safe and efficient manner
-- while emphasizing the importance of this research
to issues of global concern. He noted that the future
of the program depends on the ability to modernize
the U.S. stations that support this important research,
namely South Pole, McMurdo and Palmer. These modernization
efforts not only include physical structures, but
also weather forecasting, air traffic control, satellite
coverage, etc. The South Pole Station modernization
was approved following recommendations made by a task
force headed by Norm Augustine in 1997. Dr. Erb stated
that Congressional actions to date have allowed for
advanced procurements which, in turn, are helping
to keep the modernization efforts and environmental
upgrades on time and on budget.
General Berberian gave a brief background of the ANG's
involvement in logistics support in Antarctica, noting
that with the three-year transition from the Navy
complete, NSF should achieve economies of scale because
of the by-polar mission of the ANG to support Arctic
as well as Antarctic missions. This ability, he said,
should meet the USAP/DOD needs for more than 20 years.
Touching on issues of air traffic control and weather
forcasting, he noted NSF's diligent efforts to work
with its contractors to improve weather forecasting.
A recent risk management assessment by the 109th ANG,
Air Force and NSF of flight operations, management
operations and logistics and maintenance procedures,
he said, will lead to a comprehensive list of procedures
to follow.
Dr. Manahan strongly emphasized that American scientists
feel the USAP is the best program in the world. The
Polar Research Board surveyed scientists from many
different fields on the impact South Pole Station
modernization would have on their science, and how
the modernization would affect science over the next
few years. Geoscientists noted the most impact since
their research takes them all over the continent,
requiring more support, yet they also felt the impact
is manageable. Overwhelmingly scientists feel that
the modernization will improve scientific opportunities
in the future.
Members of the Committee expressed their desire to
visit Antarctica and inquired broadly about the USAP.
Chairman Smith asked how research conducted in Antarctica
is chosen and how these projects are funded. Dr. Erb
stated that all research projects are subject to peer
review with most awards for three-year durations with
60% of the budget committed in a year, leaving 30%
for new programs. When questioned on how the USAP
uses GPRA to study support for science, Dr. Erb stated
that GPRA fits well with USAP plans and is a useful
management tool. Ranking Member E.B. Johnson addressed
the issue of aging stations and safety, including
Y2K. Dr. Erb explained the environmental and modernization
efforts at South Pole and the benefits this will provide
for the next 25 years, as well as current NSF efforts
to address Y2K. Rep. Johnson also questioned whether
NSF had established research priorities in order to
spread the pain during South Pole construction, to
which Dr. Manahan noted this is being done, especially
in the geosciences.
Rep. Morella asked about the ratification of the Antarctic
environmental treaty, and Dr. Erb noted that this
was a good experiment. Although many countries have
territorial claims, it is agreed that a nation's presence
on the continent should be to promote scientific research
or environmental stewardship. Addressing the issue
of international collaboration, Dr. Erb discussed
the U.S. participation in the Cape Roberts project
lead by New Zealand, as well as collaborative efforts
with Russia and France at Siple Dome on global warming
issues. General Berberian addressed the flight environment
for international collaboration noting that all nations
generally use the same procedures.
Rep. Woolsey focused her remarks on risk management,
the risk to the environment vs. the benefits of the
science. Dr. Erb noted that personal and environmental
risks are kept to a minimum and discussed the use
of environmental permits and training sessions for
tour operators. Dr. Manahan added that the size of
operations at McMurdo is equivalent to a large high
school - the footprints are small. General Berberian
said the transition to the ANG has also left smaller
footprints. Rep. Rivers addressed the subject of tourism
and the effect this has on research. Dr. Erb noted
two different groups of tourists, large ships and
adventure tourists. It is this second group, he said,
that gets into the most trouble sometimes requiring
resources (mainly aircraft) to be diverted for rescue,
but that these costs are recovered. He added that
disruption of science is kept to a minimum.
Rep. Etheridge asked about the degree of international
cooperation and whether the Congress should fund more
or fewer large research projects. Dr. Erb stated that
international collaboration will be increasingly important
in the future, and that the next challenge is to get
funding agencies to work together. Dr. Manahan said
scientists from other countries are staggered by the
U.S. program and want to be more involved. On the
issue of expanding our base with other countries,
Dr. Manahan cautioned that hard feelings might ensue
should American scientists be denied spaces to foreign
scientists.
In closing, Rep. Morella noted how refreshing it is
to hold a hearing on an oversight program that is
going so well with so few problems.
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