Treadwell heads Arctic research group

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, congratulated Alaskans Mead Treadwell and Vera Metcalfe July 19 on their presidential appointments to the U.S. Arctic Research Commission. Treadwell, who has been a commissioner since 2001, has been named chairman. Metcalfe has been appointed to serve as the indigenous representative through 2009.

President Bush announced the nominations July 17.

Murkowski said she has known Treadwell for most of his professional career. “His knowledge of the Arctic will help the United States continue its work with other Arctic nations to establish policies and goals that will advance the entire circumpolar region,” she said.

Murkowski said Metcalfe brings “local knowledge and perspective to the organization. Her background as executive director of the Alaska Eskimo Walrus Commission will serve her well in this role.”

The U.S. Arctic Research Commission was established by the Arctic Research and Policy Act of 1984.

It’s principal duties are to establish the national policy, priorities and goals necessary to construct a federal program plan for basic and applied scientific research with respect to the Arctic; to promote Arctic research, to recommend Arctic research policy; to work with the National Science Foundation as the lead agency responsible for implementing the Arctic research policy; to give guidance to the Interagency Arctic Research Policy Committee to develop national Arctic research projects; and to interact with Arctic residents, international Arctic research programs and organizations and local institutions including regional governments in order to obtain the broadest possible view of Arctic research needs.