; and (E) vessel operations, such as United States icebreaking capabilities. (12) The Arctic offers economic value to the United States through commercial shipping and international trade routes, energy, mining, commercial fishing, tourism, and tug and barge operations. The Arctic offers environmental and cultural value through ecological significance, unique wildlife, indigenous peoples and Alaskan communities, and scientific research. The Arctic offers security value to the United States as a way to move United States vessels and forces between the world’s oceans, and through other waters. While the United States does not support mandatory tariffs in this region, it does not currently have a way to collect voluntary tariffs for providing assistance to vessels crossing through the Bering Strait or the Arctic Ocean. (13) Reinvesting into infrastructural and environmental demands with funds collected from international shipping fees will be essential to the long-term viability of the Arctic. (14) Environmental protection of the Arctic takes the form of pollution prevention, clean-up, and accident response. (15) Arctic prevention and clean-up involves all feasible efforts to remove or mitigate pollutants from the environment. Arctic ecosystems are more susceptible to biological damage from pollutants than more temperate climates. Existing removable hazards, such as dumped radioactive waste and other toxic substances, must be handled. (16) Arctic pollution prevention takes collective adherence to regulations and best practices. United States leadership on clean practices in the Arctic will be essential in the ecosystem’s sustainability. Provision of bunkering facilities to enable the use of clean LNG fuels for ships will strengthen pollution prevention. (17) Environmental response capabilities in the Arctic are weak, sparse, and have only begun to be internationally coordinated. Transportation of oil and gas and maritime traffic is expected to increase significantly in the Arctic, which will increase the risk of