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EO 12501Executive OrderReagan · R

Executive Order 12501

Arctic Research

This executive order establishes the Arctic Research Commission and the Interagency Arctic Research Policy Committee to develop and coordinate a national Arctic research policy. It defines membership, functions, and reporting requirements for both bodies, with the National Science Foundation serving as lead agency.

50 FR 4191
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Impact dates

  1. Commission annual report to President and Congress

  2. Commission annual statement of goals and objectives

  3. Interagency Committee biennial reports thereafter

  4. Interagency Committee first report to Congress

Key directives

  • Establish Arctic Research Commission with 5 voting members plus NSF ex officio member
  • President designates Chairperson from voting members
  • Initial appointments: one 2-year, two 3-year, two 4-year terms; subsequent terms 4 years
  • Commission must hold at least one annual public meeting in Alaska
  • Commission shall submit annual report to President and Congress by January 31 each year
  • Federal agencies must consult with Commission before major Arctic research actions
  • Establish Interagency Arctic Research Policy Committee with NSF as lead agency
  • Interagency Committee to develop 5-year plan to implement national policy
  • Interagency Committee to submit first report to Congress by January 31, 1986, then biennially

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

  • Establishment of Arctic Research Commission
  • Establishment of Interagency Arctic Research Policy Committee

Near term (90d)

  • Initial appointments to Commission with staggered terms
  • Interagency Committee begins surveying Arctic research

Long term

  • Development of 5-year national Arctic research plan
  • Biennial congressional reports begin January 1986
  • Annual Commission reports and goal statements each January 31

Risks & tensions

  • Potential tension between indigenous resident representative and private industry representative on Commission
  • NSF dual role as Commission ex officio member and Interagency Committee lead agency may create coordination challenges
  • Reimbursement requirement for agency facility use (Sec. 5(b)) could limit Commission resources
  • Foreign policy coordination with State Department (Sec. 9(a)(7)) may slow international research agreements
  • Vague 'major Federal actions' threshold in Sec. 5(c) consultation requirement leaves implementation uncertain
Executive Order 12501: Arctic Research · Executive Orders