Title : Camp construction, Upstream Bravo Type : Antarctic EAM NSF Org: OD / OPP Date : November 4, 1993 File : opp94010 NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION OFFICE OF POLAR PROGRAMS WASHINGTON, D.C. ENVIRONMENTAL DOCUMENT AND FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT AND NOT GREATER THAN MINOR OR TRANSITORY IMPACT Construction of a New Upstream Bravo (UPB) Camp on the Unicorn Side of the Dragon Shear Margin, Marie Byrd Land, Antarctica November 4, 1993 I. FINDINGS The National Science Foundation (NSF) has prepared an Initial Environmental Evaluation and an Environmental Assessment, a combined environmental document, for the construction of 292.3 square meters of support facilities for the 1993-94 season near the Dragon Shear Margin, located along the moving glacier of Upstream Bravo, Marie Byrd Land, Antarctica. Based on the analyses in the environmental document, NSF Office of Polar Programs (OPP) has determined the proposed action, implementation of Alternative A, is not a major federal action, within the meaning of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 nor is the action one which would have a greater than minor or transitory effect on the antarctic environment within the meaning of the NSF's implementing regulations for the Environmental Protocol to the Antarctic Treaty (45 CFR 641). Therefore, an environmental impact statement and/or a comprehensive environmental evaluation will not be prepared. The selected alternative, A, provides for an energy efficient, and safe temporary camp to continue the field activities of four glaciology and geophysics projects. This proposed action is consistent with NSF's efforts to promote scientific investigations while protecting the antarctic environment. [signed]__________ [4 November 1993]____ Mr. Erick Chiang Date Manager Polar Operations Section Office of Polar Programs II. PURPOSE AND NEED The proposed project, construction of a temporary field camp adjacent to Ice Stream Bravo, would serve as a base of operations for four independent, but collaborating research projects. The site is located approximately 1000 kilometers from McMurdo Station and 700 kilometers from the South Pole. Because the site is very remote, a facility to house personnel is needed. A camp was established in 1983. However, it cannot be used for this season's work because it is on the opposite side of the ice stream margin, a zone of intense crevassing that can only be crossed by exercising extreme caution. It is estimated that the project would require a four-person construction team on-site for two weeks. The proposed camp is located near the Dragon Shear Margin on the Unicorn side (83 degrees 36.3'S, 137 degrees 57.5'W) of the glacier at Upstream Bravo. (See attached map.) The camp is designed to support up to 28 people at one time. It would consist of seven buildings: one science building (for equipment and computers), approximately 4.8 meters (m) x 16.8 m; one galley structure, 4.8 m x 18 m; one generator building, 6 m x 6 m; two latrine buildings, 1.2 m x 1.2 m each; one berthing building, 4.8 m x 12 m; and a shower/general purpose building, 6 m x 4.8 m. Sleeping quarters for the grantees would be in small tents, while the camp staff and Twin Otter aircrew would share the 4.8 m x 12 m structure for berthing. All building materials, cargo, food, and passengers would be flown by LC-130 to the site. The construction of the camp would take place during early to mid-November 1993. The camp would operate until late January 1994. At the end of the season, all material at the site would be retrograded to McMurdo Station. III. ALTERNATIVES Two alternatives are discussed, 1) build the camp at the new location, and 2) No Action, do not build the camp. A third alternative, build several smaller camps, was considered. This alternative would require additional flights to resupply the camps. It would also require additional building materials and supplies. Building one temporary camp is more efficient and has less impact on the overall environment than the use of two or more facilities. For these reasons, this third alternative was not further considered. Alternative A - Building the UPB Research Camp on the Unicorn side of the Dragon Shear Margin This is the only proposed location for the UPB research camp because the surrounding area is heavily crevassed. This location provides good access to the research sites and is a safe area to operate large aircraft (LC-130). Alternative B - No Action In this alternative, the UPB camp would not be constructed and, therefore, no field activities would take place this season. IV. ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS AND MITIGATING MEASURES A. Air Quality The activities at the proposed campsite would temporarily change the local ambient air quality. The generator used to support the camp would produce emissions. The two tracked Tucker SnoCats and one CAT 931 would also create minor quantities of emissions. B. Aesthetics Any negative aesthetic impacts associated with the construction of the proposed facility would be temporary and would be removed by clearing of any construction debris. The area would be maintained by a contractor, Antarctic Support Associates, to maintain a clean, uncluttered appearance. C. Ecological Resources 1. Wildlife The site of the proposed activity does not serve as a habitat for any assemblages of Antarctic wildlife. This is a remote site near the glacier Upstream B in Marie Byrd Land. 2. Water Quality Precipitation (about 30 cm/yr) at UPB is snow and all natural waters at UPB are frozen as snow or ice. Water for personnel use would be made by melting snow with snow melters. The site is near level and construction of the buildings would not affect drainage of the minor amounts of water used for cooking and cleaning equipment. 3. Ecosystems - Terrestrial, Marine, and Freshwater The ecosystem in this region of the polar plateau is very stable and unlikely to be disturbed by the minor activities associated with the temporary camp or studies. D. Fire Fire protection is provided with smoke detectors and fire extinguishers in each of the buildings except the latrines. E. Energy Use and Waste Management Fabrication and painting would take place before transporting the building panels from McMurdo Station to reduce, the size of the construction crew on-site, the possibility of chemical spills, and on-site construction wastes. The building panels and canvas structures could be reused at another site when the camp is decommissioned. Most of the waste generated from the proposed construction would be generated at McMurdo Station during the prefabrication process. Except for gray water and human waste, all waste products will be returned to McMurdo Station for proper recycling, reclamation, or disposal. The site currently has no capability to produce energy or support life. Electrical power would be generated by one 12 kw diesel generator. Heating requirements would be met with fuel oil stoves (preways). About 125 liters per week of JP-8 fuel for camp support would be required. Air pollutants released by heaters, tracked vehicles, and power generators would disperse into the atmosphere and would not pose a pollution problem. Steps would also be taken to prevent chemical spills. If a chemical spill should occur, it would be cleaned up quickly to avoid contaminating nearby pristine snow. Spill kits and sorbents would be available at sites where fuel is stored. Secondary containment systems would be in place for fuel bladders. Drip pans would be installed under generators. Fuel efficient stoves would be used to heat the structures. Any fuel loss (such as a leaking spout while fueling a snowmobile) would be immediately shoveled into an overpack drum. Noise would be controlled to the fullest extent possible by exhaust mufflers. All solid waste generated at the field site would be segregated, labeled, and returned to McMurdo Station. Human waste at the site would be deposited into two icepits. Gray water from the galley and shower would be discharged into the firn. These methods of disposing human waste and gray water are acceptable under both the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty and the Waste Regulations (45 CFR 671.f) for the for the Antarctic Conservation Act of 1978. Wastes would be deposited approximately 200 kilometers from the nearest seawater. Effects from waste discharges are minor and pose no significant degradation of environmental quality or risks to human health. F. Scientific Studies The proposed activity will not adversely affect scientific studies or locations. This project will enhance scientific study by providing necessary support for up to 28 researchers at UPB. G. Short-Term Impacts The short-term effects from Alternative A would be air emissions from the use of generators, drilling equipment, aircraft, and vehicles. These emissions would occur during the three months while the camp was in operation. Aircraft and generators would produce noise, but no wildlife exist there so none would be disturbed. The aesthetics of the area would be temporarily altered with the presence of the camp and drilling operation. This impact would only last for the duration of the camp operation. Short-term impacts would result from construction and operation of the proposed facility. They would be temporary because the entire camp would be retrograded at the completion of the field season; no debris or waste would remain. There would be no short-term effects from Alternative B. H. Long-Term Impacts There would be no long-term effects from either Alternatives A or B. I. Cumulative Impacts If a significant scientific discovery occurs, science parties may wish to return to the area. If projects were selected for studies in the area, the potential for indirect impacts, such as increased emissions from aircraft operations or risk of fuel spills could increase. After the camp is decommissioned there should be no discernable environmental effects. Decommissioning of the temporary structures would be relatively simple. The panels would be taken apart and flown to McMurdo Station over a few days. All other equipment would also be returned. IV. CONSULTATION WITH OTHERS Mr. Robert S. Cunningham Manager, NEPA Compliance, OPP Dr. Jane Dionne Acting Environmental Officer, OPP Mr. Simon Stephenson Science Projects Manager, OPP Ms. Carol Andrews Environmental Engineer, Antarctic Support Associates (ASA) Mr. Terry Johnson Environmentalist, ASA Mr. John Sherve Senior Construction Coordinator, ASA Mr. Richard J. Campbell Operations Coordinator, ASA