Presidential Directive on U.S. Arctic Policy

The United States expects increased human activity in the Arctic region, including tourism, and is making preparations to better safeguard U.S. interests in the region. 

Shortly before his term ended, former U.S. President George W. Bush signed a National Security Presidential Directive setting out new policy guidelines for the United States in the Arctic region. 

The directive, known as NSPD-66, states: 

Human activity in the Arctic region is increasing and is projected to increase further in coming years.  

It goes on to say: 

This requires the United States to assert a more active and influential national presence to protect its Arctic interests and to project sea power throughout the region.

It then directs the Secretary of State to 

Consider, as appropriate, new or enhanced international arrangements for the Arctic to address issues likely to arise from expected increases in human activity in that region, including shipping, local development and subsistence, exploitation of living marine resources, development of energy and other resources, and tourism;

Meanwhile, Adm. Thad Allen, Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard, commented in a statement, saying, "This directive will guide our current operational activities in the region and guide the allocation of current and future resources to meet mission demands."

The Obama administration does not appear to have followed up on this new policy directive. It will be interesting to see what develops along these lines. 

In particular, it will be interesting to see what role will be assigned to surface transportation infrastructure in the Arctic and sub Arctic regions. The Bering Strait, the 53-mile (85-km) stretch of water between Alaska and Russia's Chukotka Autonomous Okrug, lies just below the Arctic Circle.