Park ManagementCooperative AgreementsEstablishment of a Joint Center for Research and Public InformationThe United States and the Soviet Union would each recommend areas to promote the protection, understanding, and enjoyment of the common heritage of Beringia. The international designation would be accomplished when both sides have established a protected unit in Beringia.
Because of its international significance, after joint designation the United States and the Soviet Union should explore the establishment of a biosphere reserve or a world heritage site.
Park Management
Cooperative Agreements
Establishment of a Joint Center for Research and Public Information
Once the international park units were disgnated, regular meetings should be scheduled between the individual directors or superintendents to establish joint programs and to direct common activities that would be mutually beneficial. Such meetings should occur at least annually. The meetings could design scientific and cultural programs to be undertaken by other organizations for the benefit of the international park and the preservation of Beringian heritage.
The managers of U.S. and U.S.S.R. park units that would be designated as part of the international park should be granted broad authority to pursue cooperative agreements. Such cooperative agreements could include provisions for mutual work in planning, design, and architecture, as well as research in linguistics, ethnography, archeology, native arts, history, and prehistory. Many opportunities for mutual work also are envisioned in natural resource research and management. The products of these agreements would increase the opportunities for education in Beringia and beyond.
These cooperative agreements could include other governmental agencies or ministries, Alaska native corporations, state farms, ivory carvers, universities, and academies to carry out and support the terms of the agreements. The cooperative agreements would be one means to extend the preservation and understanding of the common heritage beyond the boundaries of the designated parks.
Upon successful negotiation of a cooperative agreement between the parties, barriers to transportation and communication should be reduced. Eased restrictions could include the right to movement between Chukotka and the Seward Peninsula without a visa. Scientists, natives, and others involved in the protection and promotion of the Beringian heritage would be included, if covered by the terms of a cooperative agreements.
To promote scientific and cultural research and to provide public information about Beringia, a joint center, or centers, should be established. The center would work on projects relevant to resources of the common heritage and would provide scientific support for the international park. Information gained in doing the scientific work would be stored at the center. Such activities could include cultural festivals, exhibits, demonstrations of carving, seminars, and classes on issues affecting common resources.
The center could be established in cooperation with existing institutions already active in the research and public information fields. The program of the center would be determined by regular meetings of the director and superintendents of the international park.