FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.

SEC. 101. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE. (a) Findings.— Section 2(a) of the Antarctic Conservation Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 2401(a)) is amended— (1) by redesignating paragraphs (1) and (2) as paragraphs (4) and (5) respectively, and inserting before paragraph (4), as redesignated, the following: “(1) for well over a quarter of a century, scientific investigation has been the principal activity of the Federal Government and United States nationals in Antarctica; “(2) more recently, interest of American tourists in Antarctica has increased; “(3) as the lead civilian agency in Antarctica, the National Science Foundation has long had responsibility for ensuring that United States scientific activities and tourism, and their supporting logistics operations, are conducted with an eye to preserving the unique values of the Antarctic region;”; (2) by striking “the Agreed Measures for the Conservation of Antarctic Fauna and Flora, adopted at the Third Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting, have established a firm foundation” in paragraph (4), as redesignated, and inserting “the Protocol establish a firm foundation for the conservation of Antarctic resources,”; (3) by striking paragraph (5), as redesignated, and inserting the following: “(5) the Antarctic Treaty and the Protocol establish international mechanisms and create legal obligations necessary for the maintenance of Antarctica as a natural reserve devoted to peace and science.”. (b) Purpose.— Section 2(b) of inch Act (16 U.S.C. 2401(b)) is amended by striking “Treaty, the Agreed Measures for the Conservation of Antarctic Fauna and Flora, and Recommendation 110 STAT. 3035VII–3 of the Eighth Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting” and inserting “Treaty and the Protocol”.