Sec. 601. Findings
262 words·~1 min read·
/bill/114/s/1611/is/section-601A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
Congress finds as follows: Major shipping traffic is increasing through the Bering Strait, the Bering and Chukchi Seas, and the Arctic Ocean and will continue to increase whether or not development of the outer Continental Shelf of the United States is undertaken in the future and will increase further if such outer Continental Shelf development is undertaken. There is a compelling national, State, Alaska Native, and private sector need for permanent infrastructure development and for a presence in the Arctic region of Alaska by appropriate agencies of the Federal Government, particularly in proximity to the Bering Strait, to support and facilitate search and rescue, shipping safety, economic development, oil spill prevention and response, protection of Alaska Native archaeological and cultural resources, port of refuge, Arctic research, and maritime law enforcement on the Bering Sea, the Chukchi Sea, and the Arctic Ocean.
The United States owns a parcel of land, known as Point Spencer, located between the Bering Strait and Port Clarence and adjacent to some of the best potential deepwater port sites on the coast of Alaska in the Arctic. Prudent and effective use of Point Spencer may be best achieved through marshaling the energy, resources, and leadership of the public and private sectors. It is in the national interest to develop infrastructure at Point Spencer that would aid the Coast Guard in performing its statutory duties and functions in the Arctic on a more permanent basis and to allow for public and private sector development of facilities and other infrastructure to support purposes that are of benefit to the United States.