PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 349.
Congressional Research Service
Version 01 · Reported to Senate with amendment(s) · Jan 25, 1994
Antarctic Scientific Research, Tourism, and Marine Resources Act of 1993 - Sets forth environmental principles for U.S. activities in Antarctica. (Sec. 5) Makes it unlawful for any person to: (1) engage in or provide assistance to any Antarctic mineral resource activity; (2) receive, transport, offer for sale, sell, purchase, import, or export, or have custody or control of any Antarctic mineral resource which that person should have known was recovered as a result of Antarctic mineral resource activity; (3) introduce any prohibited product onto land or ice shelves or into water in Antarctica; (4) dispose of any waste onto ice-free land areas or into fresh water systems in Antarctica; (5) dispose of any prohibited waste in Antarctica; (6) engage in open burning of waste in Antarctica after March 1, 1994; (7) dispose of waste by landfill in Antarctica; (8) transport passengers to, from, or within Antarctica by any vessel not required to comply with the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships unless the person has an agreement under which the vessel owner or operator is required to comply with Annex IV to the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty (Protocol); (9) fail to notify all members of the environmental protection obligations of this Act if organizing, sponsoring, operating, or promoting a nongovernmental expedition to Antarctica; (10) damage or remove a historic site or monument; (11) refuse permission to any authorized U.S. employee to board a U.S. vessel, vehicle, or aircraft (or one subject to U.S. jurisdiction) for purposes of searches or inspections in connection with this Act's enforcement, interfere in such searches or inspections, or resist or interfere with a lawful arrest or detention for any prohibited act; or (12) violate any regulation or permit term under this Act or attempt to commit any prohibited act. Makes it unlawful, unless authorized by a permit, to: (1) dispose of any waste in Antarctica, except as authorized under the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships; (2) introduce into Antarctica any member of a non-native species; (3) enter or engage in activities within any Antarctica specially protected area; (4) engage in any taking or harmful interference in Antarctica; or (5) receive, transport, offer for sale, sell, purchase, import, export, or have custody or control of any native bird, mammal, or plant which the person should have known was taken in violation of this Act. Makes exceptions to specified prohibited acts in emergency circumstances. (Sec. 6) Authorizes the Director of the National Science Foundation, with the concurrence of other Federal officials, as appropriate, to issue permits for specified activities and to establish application fees. Lists conditions for certain activities and requirements for regulations to implement the Protocol. (Sec. 8) Applies environmental impact assessment requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act to proposals for Federal agency activities occurring and affecting the quality of the environment in Antarctica. Permits activities determined to have less than a minor or transitory impact on the environment to proceed under specified conditions. Requires the Secretary of Commerce to promulgate regulations to provide for the environmental impact assessment of nongovernmental activities. (Sec. 10) Amends the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships to apply Annex IV of the Protocol to all vessels over which the United States has jurisdiction, except for warships, naval auxiliary, or other ships owned or operated by the United States when engaged in noncommercial service or other |hips specifically excluded by the MARPOL Protocol. (Sec. 11) Requires the Secretary of State to designate a U.S. officer or employee to be the U.S. representative to the Committee for Environmental Protection under the Protocol. (Sec. 12) Directs the Secretary to conduct inspections of the U.S. Antarctic Program at intervals between two and five years. Requires the inspection team to report on the compliance of the Program with this Act and the Protocol. Requires the Secretary to convene an Antarctic Program Review Group at least biannually to provide general oversight and review of: (1) proposals on major U.S. logistic support facilities in Antarctica; (2) environmental monitoring activities in Antarctica; (3) activities of Federal agencies and other persons under U.S. jurisdiction to ensure compliance with this Act and the Protocol; and (4) cooperation among Federal agencies in carrying out this Act. (Sec. 13) Directs the Department of State to coordinate an interagency study of tourism in Antarctica to determine whether additional measures should be taken with respect to Antarctic tourist activities. (Sec. 15) Sets forth provisions concerning citizen suits. (Sec. 16) Establishes enforcement and penalty procedures. (Sec. 24) Provides that this Act shall prevail over any inconsistent provision of the Deep Seabed Hard Mineral Resources Act. Repeals the Antarctic Conservation Act of 1978 and the Antarctic Protection Act of 1990. (Sec. 25) Authorizes appropriations.
People & committees
Sen. Kerry, John F. [D-MA] · D–MA
Legislative record
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Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 349.
Committee on Commerce. Reported to Senate by Senator Hollings with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 103-222.
Committee on Commerce. Reported to Senate by Senator Hollings with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 103-222.
Committee on Commerce. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Committee on Commerce. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 103-780.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce.
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S10914-10915)
Introduced in Senate
Primary sources
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