 Seeks Senate Approval of Treaty to Limit Air and Waterborne Pollutants May 14, 2002
"Although Alaska's environment is among the most pristine in the world, we are now discovering low levels of persistent organic pollutants such as pesticide Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and dioxins, in Alaska's Arctic," Knowles said in his letter to Senate leaders. "These chemicals are not produced in Alaska but are transported here by water and air currents from the developing world where they are still manufactured and used." The treaty is aimed at reducing the release of persistent organic pollutants in the environment by countries agreeing to eliminate and reduce the production and use of these dangerous chemicals linked to cancer and birth defects. These toxins include several pesticides such as DDT and industrial chemicals such as PCBs. The treaty will also provide financial and technical assistance to developing countries to reduce their use of these toxins and eliminate them over time. "The treaty has special significance to Alaska Natives who have voiced increasing concern about whether POPs pose a threat to their subsistence foods," Knowles said. "Many of these contaminants have a tendency to accumulate in the fatty tissues and organs that are an enormous part of the subsistence diet and cultural traditions of many Native peoples of the Arctic." The
treaty was signed by 127 nations during a ceremony on May 23,
2001, in Sweden. In his letter, Knowles said he also supported bundling the POPs treaty with the Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution and the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure. In addition, the State of Alaska supports provisions for including new additions to the POPs list. "Without such a provision, the inclusion of a new chemical will entail a lengthy administrative and legislative process," Knowles said. "The last process took over four years; I believe that the process to list new chemicals should be considerably quicker. I encourage this committee to recommend legislation that implements the Stockholm Convention and also includes a critical mechanism to address future harmful pesticides and chemicals not currently listed." According to the news release, the Bush administration chose not to include such provisions in its proposed legislation as they felt it might hold up the implementing legislation. "I understand that the administration wants to pass this legislation in an expeditious manner. However, I believe the U.S. Senate can do better by reinserting language that will allow for chemicals not listed in the convention, and any that might be produced in the future, to be added administratively to the treaty," Knowles said. "In this way, we can ensure the highest level of protection for not only the Arctic and the Native peoples dependent on its resources, but all the people of our planet." Knowles' letter was sent to members of the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works including Chairman James Jeffords (I-VT), Robert C. Smith (R-NH), and Barbara Boxer (D-CA). The committee held hearing on the treaty this morning.
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