Nov. 15, 2011
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HANOVER, N.H. - The U.S. Arctic Research Commission (USARC) members and their staff visited ERDC's Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory (CRREL) recently to learn more about the lab's research expertise, programs and facilities to help guide the direction of future work aimed at addressing high-priority goals and objectives for Arctic research.
Commissioners and staff were welcomed by CRREL Director Dr. Robert Davis and presented with brief overviews of the lab's basic and applied polar research program and CRREL's work in Alaska. The morning session wrapped up with a facilities tour, which included biochemistry, mobility studies in the Frost Effects Research Facility, a vehicle simulator demonstration, a briefing on library functions and capabilities, and a walk-through of the Ice Engineering Facility that included a presentation on shoreline protection in Barrow, Alaska.
CRREL polar researchers have and continue to provide dedicated support to the USARC in the development and achievement of high priority national Arctic research goals and objectives.
"I believe the commissioners and staff came away with a much better understanding of the enthusiastic commitment our staff has in addressing problems that are of concern in the cold regions environment and beyond, and the unique facilities we have to help us get the job done," said CRREL Senior Polar Researcher Jackie Richter-Menge. "With this perspective, the USARC will be in a much better position to leverage CRREL's contributions to developing and implementing the U.S. Arctic Research plan."
Established by the Arctic Research and Policy Act of 1984, the USARC's primary duties are to develop and recommend an integrated national Arctic Research Policy and to assist in establishing a national Arctic Research Program plan to implement the policy. The commissioners facilitate cooperation among the federal, state and local governments, and other nations with respect to basic and applied Arctic research.