U.S. Antarctic Program Environmental Stewardship

Protection of the environment has high priority for nations that operate in the Antarctic. The Antarctic Treaty system, with its Agreed Measures for the Conservation of Fauna and Flora (1964) and its Protocol on Environmental Protection (1991), prescribes comprehensive protective measures.

The U.S. Government is pledged to uphold these principles. NSF operates the U.S. Antarctic Program in accordance with U.S. and international requirements regarding protection of the environment. Environmental protection and waste management procedures have been improved significantly in recent years. Cleanups have largely removed the waste that had accumulated during earlier decades. Following are summaries of the treaties and laws that apply to Antarctica and of recent actions taken in the U.S. Antarctic Program.

TREATIES AND LAWS THAT PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT

The Antarctic Treaty (1959) prohibits military fortifications, nuclear explosions, disposal of radioactive waste, and testing of weapons. The United States is a signatory.

The Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty (1991) prohibits any activity, other than scientific research, relating to mineral resources and tightens standards for assessing impacts, conserving fauna and flora, managing waste, and preventing marine pollution. On 2 October 1996, the President signed the Antarctic Science, Tourism, and Conservation Act of 1996 (PL 104-227), which implements the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty. The protocol, which representatives from the United States and the 25 other Antarctic Treaty Consultative Parties signed in October 1991, must be ratified by all 26 countries before it enters into force. The United States ratified the Protocol in April 1997, leaving only Japan and Russia. Both countries ratified the Protocol by the end of 1997. The Protocol and the first four annexes entered into force on 14 January 1998. Annex V on Area Protection and Management entered into force on 24 May 2002. Annex VI, Liability Arising From Environmental Emergencies, was adopted by the 28th ATCM in Stockholm on 14 June 2005 and is being ratified by the Consultative Parties.

The Antarctic Conservation Act of 1978 (Public Law 95-541), and the regulations issued under it, govern the taking of fauna and flora; entry into protected areas; introduction of nonnative species; material management and waste disposal; and use of designated pollutants. A permit system enables investigators to apply to collect specimens and enter protected areas for compelling scientific purposes. The system provides for public comment on each application.

The Antarctic Marine Living Resources Convention Act of 1984 (Public Law 98-623) makes it unlawful to harvest marine species in a way that would damage ecological relationships among harvested, dependent, and related populations.

CONSERVATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROCEDURES

NSF requires every scientist proposing research in Antarctica to analyze the environmental impact of the proposed project. NSF carefully reviews the proposal and does not give approval unless the project (sometimes modified for this purpose) complies with Antarctic environmental standards.

Activities planned in USAP, science support, construction, operations, logistics, and facilities maintenance, are (a) subjected to environmental analysis specific to the proposed action or (b) governed by a program wide environmental impact statement issued in 1980 and revised in 1991. More than 120 specific environmental documents, which are public, have been issued.

NSF administers the Antarctic Conservation Act permit system, which enables qualified scientists to obtain access to fauna and flora and specially protected areas on a controlled basis. Public comment is solicited (in the Federal Register) about each application, and permit requests and final reports are public information.

The Foundation produces and disseminates documents and videos to educate U.S. citizens about their environmental protection responsibilities in Antarctica and the penalties for noncompliance. Audiences include USAP participants and nongovernmental entities such as tourists, tour operators, and adventurers.

All program participants sort and recycle waste at their work sites and their living areas. Waste management is now a "cradle-to-grave" function that has been integrated into U.S. Antarctic operations from procurement to disposal.