Title : Operation of a Sanitary Waste Disposal Facility Type : Antarctic EAM NSF Org: OD / OPP Date : January 18, 1994 File : opp94013 ENVIRONMENTAL DOCUMENT AND FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT AND NOT MORE THAN MINOR OR TRANSITORY ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECT Operation of Sanitary Waste Disposal Facility at McMurdo Station, Antarctica Finding The National Science Foundation (NSF) has prepared an Initial Environmental Evaluation (IEE) and an Environmental Assessment (EA) as a combined environmental document, for the operation of a sanitary waste disposal system at McMurdo Station, Antarctica. Based on the analyses of this environmental document (IEE/EA), the NSF Office of Polar Programs (OPP) has determined that implementation of Alternative B is not a major federal action which would have a significant effect on the human environment, within the meaning of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 nor is the action one which would have more than minor or transitory effect on the antarctic environment, within the meaning of the NSF implementing requirements for the Protocol on Environmental Protection in Antarctica. The selected alternative, B, provides for the disposal for the next 60 days of up to ten, 208-liter drums per day of urine and grey water at the disposal facility constructed at Winter Quarters Bay adjacent to McMurdo Station, Antarctica. The selected action will eliminate a backlog of approximately 400 drums of stored and frozen sanitary wastewater. After elimination of the backlog, the disposal rate would decrease to approximately five drums per day on an intermittent basis throughout succeeding austral summers. Disposal of sanitary wastewater is consistent with NSF's efforts to provide a safe and healthful work environment for United States Antarctic Program participants and protect the antarctic environment. /s/ Erick Chiang January 18, 1994 _______________________________ ____________________ Mr. Erick Chiang Operations Manager Office of Polar Programs National Science Foundation 4201 Wilson Boulevard Arlington, Virginia 22230 Purpose and Need for the Proposed Action The National Science Foundation (NSF) proposes to temporarily increase the discharge of urine and grey water into McMurdo Sound through the Human Waste Disposal Facility (HWDF) located on McMurdo Sound at McMurdo Station, Antarctica, until a backlog of approximately 400, 208-liter drums containing urine and grey water currently stored nearby are emptied. Presently, approximately five, 208-liter drums are discharged per day. The discharge is proposed to be increased up to ten drums per day to eliminate the backlog within 60 days. Installation and operation of the HWDF was described in an Environmental Action Memorandum (EAM) of September 22, 1992. At that time, it was concluded that the facility could not be used to thaw and discharge more than five, 208-liter drums of sanitary wastewater per day. Subsequent use of the facility has shown that up to ten drums per day can be successfully thawed, emptied, and rinsed for future use. Due to the priorities to complete other tasks, a backlog of 400 drums has developed over the last three years. A discharge rate of five drums per day during the austral summer is sufficient to dispose of all urine and grey water collected throughout the year. However, that rate is insufficient to remove the backlog of stored drums in less than three seasons of disposal. Elimination of the stored sanitary waste would provide much needed storage space, reduce the need for inspection of drums in the storage yard, and reduce the concern some people may have regarding the public health of storing urine and grey water in frozen steel drums. Alternatives and Effects Alternative A. No Action. In this alternative, the drums would be treated with brine as described in the EAM of September 1992. Current practices of discharging approximately five drums per day would continue throughout the austral summers. As discussed in the EAM, the environmental effects of the addition of nutrients to McMurdo Sound was described as minimal. Use of the HWDF has proven to be successful, environmentally benign, and safe for operating personnel. The net effect of continuing the current rate of discharge of drums lengthens the time that grey water and urine must be stored in frozen drums at McMurdo Station. Continued storage of drums consumes valuable storage space that could be used for other purposes. Alternative B. In this alternative, up to ten, 208-liter drums would be discharged per day at the HWDF for up to 60 days during the austral summer until a backlog of approximately 400 drums was eliminated from storage. As described in the September, 1992 EAM, a discharge of five, 208-liter drums was considered to be an insignificant addition to receiving waters. Although the rate of discharge could be twice that initially envisioned from the HWDF, the net effect is inconsequential and represents only 0.7 percent of the total wastewater flow (near 300,000 liters per day for peak population at McMurdo Station) now discharged to McMurdo Sound. The net "strength" or concentration of plant growth nutrients and other constituents such as trace metals and salts from the mix of drums containing urine and grey water is expected to be greater than the strength of wastewater flows from McMurdo Station. The latter has been mixed with water from flush toilets and would not be expected to be as "strong". Considering the size and circulation of receiving waters, an addition of up to 1,000 liters per day from up to five additional drums of grey water and urine is inconsequential and poses no environmental hazard or unusual risk to receiving waters. Consultation with Others Dr. Jane Dionne, Acting Environmental Officer, National Science Foundation, Office or Polar Programs (NSF-OPP); Mr. Robert Cunningham, NEPA Compliance Officer, NSF-OPP; and Mr. Terry Johnson, Environmentalist, Antarctic Support Associates (ASA) were consulted in the preparation of this environmental document. In addition; Mr. Ted Patenaude and Mr. John Hatcher, Solid and Hazardous Waste Managers, respectively, for ASA were consulted. REVIEW OF ENVIRONMENTAL DOCUMENT AND FINDING INITIAL ENVIRONMENTAL EVALUATION/ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT (IEE/EA) I have reviewed the attached environmental document (IEE/EA), including the finding and conclude that the information presented in the document is factual and a realistic representation of: The proposed action; The purpose of and need for the proposed action; Reasonable alternatives including the alternative of no action; Anticipated environmental effects based upon identified issues; and A complete listing persons consulted. The environmental document, focused on relevant issues and environmental effects, provides a clear basis of choice among alternatives which fulfil the purpose of and need for the proposed action. /s/ Jane Dionne Dr. Jane Dionne January 18, 1994 Acting Environmental Officer Office of Polar Programs National Science Foundation /s/ Robert S. Cunningham Mr. Robert S. Cunningham January 18, 1994 NEPA Compliance Manager Office of Polar Programs National Science Foundation