Title : Balloon Payload building Type : Antarctic EAM NSF Org: OD / OPP Date : October 02, 1991 File : opp93034 DIVISION OF POLAR PROGRAMS OFFICE OF THE ENVIRONMENT 202/357-7766 MEMORANDUM Date: October 2, 1991 From: Environmental Officer, DPP Subject: Environmental Action Memorandum (Balloon Payload Assembly Building, Williams Field) To: Facilities Engineering Projects Manager, DPP Field Projects Manager, DPP Science Projects Manager, DPP Files (Environment - S.7) INTRODUCTION While the use of research balloons in the U.S. Antarctic Program (USAP) has had a long history, current research initiatives in a wide range of disciplines are being planned to capitalize on the myriad values of ballooning. Increasingly, the study of antarc- tic middle and upper atmosphere physical and chemical processes and phenomena, as well as changes in global climate and environ- mental quality is benefiting from use of research balloons. Additionally, investigations in such disciplines as astronomy, astrophysics, aeronomy, and meteorology are being broadened through use of these research support tools. In its long-range science plan, the Division of Polar Programs' Advisory Commit- tee highlighted advantages of long-duration balloon studies. The Advisory Committee noted that: "The Division of Polar Programs and NASA signed a memorandum of understanding in September 1988 that expressed the agencies' mutual interest in pursuing long- duration balloon studies in Antarctica. Since that time, NASA has chosen Antarctica as the primary site for U.S. balloon activities, and the agency is planning a series of flights of very large balloons (12 to 28 million cubic feet). Projects planned include auroral x-ray studies, gamma ray spectroscopy of the sun and other celestial objects, comprehensive solar studies as part of Max '91, cosmic ray isotope studies and a joint U.S. and USSR effort to compare Mars geochemistry instruments. At the present time, there are no launch facilities at the polar stations capable of supporting balloon projects on the scale envisioned for complex astrophysical and atmospheric physics payloads. Such facilities must be built. Logistic strategies for the recovery of expensive payloads from the plateau are under consideration." To begin to address the abovementioned support need for ballooning research projects near McMurdo Station, the USAP proposes to install a new Balloon Payload Assembly Building at Williams Field. The Environmental Officer posed a set of questions relating to the new balloon payload assembly facility and the potentially affected environment to the civilian contractor's Environmentalist. These questions were responded to on October 1, 1991, and are shown below: Environmental Assessment Queries and Responses LAND USE 1. What is the specific purpose of the proposed activity? Installation of a balloon payload assembly building is proposed to support the increasing number of complex, long duration balloon projects being conducted at Williams Field. The new building would be an 88 foot (27 meters) diameter fabric, tent-like structure with a height of about 38 feet (12 meters). It will be equipped with a tracked crane to support balloon payloads while they are assembled. The building will be installed on a surface of leveled snow. The structure may be disassembled and recovered for storage when no longer required for dedicated support of ballooning projects (Figure 1). What alternatives has the contractor considered? Two alternatives have been considered: 1) the proposed action; and, 2) no action. Adoption of the no action alternative would constrain the achievement of USAP's, and other Federal agency, goals for long duration ballooning near McMurdo Station. Without the new payload assembly facility, payloads would continue to be assembled in the vehicle maintenance shop at Williams Field. The increasing sophistication and complexity of balloon payloads and ballooning projects makes continued use of the vehicle maintenance shop unacceptable. In addition, when used for the assembly of payloads, the vehicle maintenance shop becomes unavailable for its intended function. Installa- tion of the proposed facility at Williams Field is the only feasible alternative capable of meeting the needs of the long duration ballooning projects conducted near McMurdo Station. 2. What is the specific location of the proposed activity? The proposed facility would be located at Williams Field, situated on the Ross Ice Shelf, about 6 miles (10 kilo- meters) from McMurdo Station (Figure 2). What alternative locations has the contractor considered? No other locations for the facility were considered. 3. Will aesthetic impacts of the area be handled? If so, how? The area at Williams Field is characterized by a high level of human activity as it provides accommodations and support facilities for staff operating and maintaining the skiway. Undue aesthetic impacts associated with the construction of the proposed facility will be addressed through careful clearing of any construction debris; and, the area around the proposed facility will be maintained by the civilian contractor to preserve a clean, uncluttered appearance. Will the activity have any other indirect impacts on the environment? The proposed activity is expected to have no other indirect impacts to the environment. 4. Will the activity change the traditional use of the chosen site? No, the area is characterized by the relatively high level of human activity associated with operation of the Williams Field skiway. Introduction of a science support facility for assembly of long duration balloon payloads is not viewed by USAP as altering the traditional use of the area. 5. Are the physical or environmental characteristics of the land suitable for the activity? Yes, the land area surrounding the proposed facility is on a relatively flat ice shelf that supports no significant assemblages of antarctic wildlife. POLLUTION 6. Has protection of the environment and human health from unnecessary pollution been considered for the activity (includes such considerations as pollution abatement or mitigation, and waste management [e.g., of noise, dust, fuel loss, disposition of one-time-use materials, construction wastes])? Yes. The proposed facility is intended to support long duration balloon projects only. No personnel will be housed at the site, precluding the need for sewage hookups. Any debris generated during construction of the building or during assembly of the payloads will be properly handled, packaged and turned in to the retrograde unit at McMurdo Station by the civilian contractor. In addition, hazardous or toxic materials will neither be stored nor used at the site. 7. Will the activity change ambient air quality at the site? No changes to ambient air quality associated with the installation or operation of the proposed facility are expected. 8. Will the activity change water quality or flow (drainage), at the site? No changes to water quality or flow associated with the installation or operation of the proposed facility are expected. 9. Will the activity change waste generation or management at the site? Yes. The addition of such a facility will introduce a small amount of non-hazardous solid waste that will be turned in to the waste retrograde unit at McMurdo Station by the civilian contractor. Such waste materials will be packaged and stored so as to prevent them from being scattered to the open until they have been properly transferred for retrograde. 10. Will the activity change energy production or demand, personnel and life support, or transportation requirements at the site? No changes to these requirements are expected. 11. Is the activity expected to adversely affect scientific studies or locations of research interest (near and distant, short-term and long-term)? No, in fact, scientific research will be enhanced. 12. Will the activity generate pollutants that might affect terrestrial, marine or freshwater ecosystems within the environs of the station or inland camp? No, the proposed facility is not expected to generate such potential pollutants. 13. Does the site of the activity serve as habitat for any significant assemblages of Antarctic wildlife? No, there are no known assemblages of antarctic wildlife that would be affected by the installation or operation of the proposed facility. HUMAN VALUES 14. Will the activity encroach upon any historical property of the site? No. 15. What other environmental concerns are potentially affected by the activity at the site? None, other than the indirect concern about the ability of USAP to develop strategies to help assure the recovery of valuable scientific payloads carried away from the proposed facility during ballooning studies. FINDING The Environmental Officer believes that installation and operation of the proposed Balloon Payload Assembly Building at Williams Field will help to satisfy the recognized need for improved support of balloon-aided scientific investigations. No significant impact to the environment is envisioned for the pro- posed activity; and, installation and operation of the facility is approved. Sidney Draggan Attachments Figure 1 (Location of Balloon Payload Facility at Williams Field) Figure 2 (Map of McMurdo Station Vicinity)