Arctic Ocean Research and Supporting Facilities: National Needs and Goals (1995)

Summary: The Arctic is a region of greater economic and environmental importance than is suggested by its relatively small area and remoteness. Because of the great commercial and environmental significance of the region, it is of vital importance to gain fundamental knowledge about the Arctic Ocean and adjacent ice-bearing seas, as well as the processes that link this area to the global system. As a nation bordering the Arctic Ocean and a leader in ocean science, the United States must maintain a significant role in arctic science. The committee developed recommendations to promote the efficient conduct of arctic science by U.S. scientists. The committee presents several potential configurations for a bipolar research fleet and the relative costs to the National Science Foundation of various combinations of ships but did not examine the optimal configuration of the entire U.S. oceanographic fleet or the total costs of the polar fleet to the U.S. government.