25 April 2001

Norway-Russia-US Arctic Military Environmental Program to Meet

The U.S. Defense Department issued a media advisory concerning the April 26-27 meeting in Norfolk, Virginia, on the Norwegian-Russian-United States Arctic Military Environmental Cooperation (AMEC) program.

"One of AMEC's major, long-term projects is the safe transport and storage of spent nuclear fuel from decommissioned Russian strategic nuclear submarines," the media advisory noted.

Following is the text:

United States Department of Defense
Press Advisory
April 25, 2001
U.S., Norway, Russia to Meet on Arctic Environmental Cooperation

The principals of the trilateral Norwegian-Russian-United States Arctic Military Environmental Cooperation (AMEC) program will meet on April 26-27, 2001, in Norfolk, Va.

A media availability to discuss the AMEC program is scheduled from 10-10:30 a.m. EDT in Perry Hall, Bldg 851, at the Norfolk Naval Base. Hosting the meeting is Rear Adm. Larry C. Baucom, director of the Navy's Environmental Protection, Safety and Occupational Health Division.

Established in 1995, AMEC's purpose is to reduce the environmental impact of military operations in the Arctic. AMEC projects cover radiological and non-radiological waste issues. The U.S. Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency provide technical management and support for AMEC projects.

Expected to attend are Lt. Gen. Boris Nikolaevich Alekseyev, chief of environmental security of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation and Rear Adm. Ole-Gerhard Ron, commander of Naval Forces North Norway.

One of AMEC's major, long-term projects is the safe transport and storage of spent nuclear fuel from decommissioned Russian strategic nuclear submarines. Items also to be discussed include project close-out procedures, the status of ongoing projects, the workability of proposed new projects, plans for the fourth annual Technical Guidance Group meeting, information exchange annex to the Program Management Manual, and the status of AMEC legal discussions.

Projects that will be fully completed upon the issue of a closeout report are the development and manufacture of a prototype transportable interim storage container for spent naval nuclear fuel; demonstration of sealant technology for radiological waste storage buildings in Arctic environments; and personnel radiation monitoring and safety methods.

During a visit to the naval station's waterfront, the AMEC principals are scheduled to examine pollution prevention equipment, such as solid waste processing equipment, plastic waste processors, pulpers and shredders, aboard USS Barry (DDG 53). They also will visit shore installations in the Norfolk area where they will be briefed on various environmental programs being carrier out there.

For more information contact Easter Thompson at (703) 604-5426.