DIVISION OF POLAR PROGRAMS MEMORANDUM Date: July 16, 1991 From: Environmental Officer, DPP Subject: Environmental Action Memorandum (Use of an All-Terrain Vehicle for Science Support of DPP-88-20591 [S-025/] at Lake Bonney) To: Files (S.7 - Environment)
REF: Environmental Action Memorandum (All-Terrain Vehicle Use at McMurdo Station, Antarctica and its Environs), Dated May 15, 1991. BACKGROUND As noted in the May 15, 1991, Environmental Action Memorandum, all-terrain vehicles provide many useful functions related to Antarctic scientific and logistic activities. Nonetheless, their use must be carefully planned and governed due to potential environmental impacts associated with their uncontrolled use. A report, "All-Terrain Transporters for Antarctica," was prepared in April 1991 by the U.S. Army Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory. Nowhere in the report was consideration given to the environmental impacts associated with their use. A basic scientific research project, headed by J. Priscu, scheduled for the upcoming 1991-1992 austral research season has requested access to an all-terrain vehicle to facilitate studies at Lake Bonney. The unique ecosystem of Lake Bonney, and the terrestrial ecosystem surrounding Lake Bonney, are susceptible to impacts that might accrue from use of this vehicle. In particular, petroleum products of combustion could pose stresses to both ecosystems; and perturbations to substrates, should the vehicle be used on land, would affect the terrestrial ecosystem for long periods of time. Nonetheless, if used with care, only on the lake surface ice, the vehicle may have a beneficial effect on the amount of science that can be accomplished at the Lake Bonney site. Environmental Assessment Queries and Responses The Environmental Officer posed a set of questions relating to the vehicle and the potentially affected environment to the civilian contractor's Environmentalist. These questions were responded to on June 28, 1991, and are shown below: LAND USE A science event (S-025) has requested the use of one all-terrain vehicle (ATV) to support its science operations. The single ATV would be solely used to transport scientific equipment, supplies and personnel across the surface of Lake Bonney. What alternatives has the contractor considered? The alternative is no action at all. This would mean that scientists will transport their equipment and supplies as has been done in the past--on foot, using sleds. Lake Bonney located in the Dry valleys, Antarctica. What alternative locations has the contractor considered? N/A Yes, the potential for aesthetic and other impacts will be mitigated through strictly controlled use requirements. The use of the ATV will be limited to the ice surface of Lake Bonney; use of the vehicle on the terrestrial (i.e., terra firma) surface is prohibited. There shall be no exception to this requirement; and, use on terra firma shall result in removal of the vehicle from the area as well as issuance of a notice of deficiency to the Principal Investigator and members of the field team. Will the activity have other direct impacts on the environment? Yes. Since the vehicle is operated on a mixture of fuel and oil, there will be an increase in hydrocarbon and associated emissions from the burning of the fuel mixture. Also, there will be the potential for fuel and oil spills associated with transporting, storing and handling petroleum products in the area. The use of the ATV will introduce noise pollution on a regular basis. Yes. In the past, motorized vehicles have not been used on the surface of Lake Bonney. Introduction of the ATV in the Dry valleys sets a new precedent for the U.S. Antarctic Program (USAP). Yes. The surface of Lake Bonney is snow packed. The particular ATV selected is designed to operate on such a surface. The vehicle is also designed to operate on dry surfaces, but such land use shall not be authorized. While the ATV's land capability presents a temptation for the operators, they shall be fully advised of the consequences of such use as noted above. POLLUTION Yes. As mentioned, strict controls for the use of the ATV shall be implemented to restrict its usage only to the lake's surface. In addition, the operators will be instructed on, and credentialed for, the safe operation of the ATV, as well as the safe transport and use of fuel and oil. The operators shall be instructed on, and responsible for, cleaning up any fuel spilled in the area. Materials to respond to and clean up fuel spills shall be part of the project's field supplies and shall be provided by the civilian contractor. Noise pollution shall be addressed by the civilian contractor through periodic maintenance of the factory-installed muffler. Yes. Introduction of the ATV to the area will increase air emissions associated with its operation. If care is taken by the operators to prevent fuel and oil spills, there should be no change in water quality. Water flow will not change. Yes. There will be an increase in the use of fuel and oil at the site. This will require additional resources for waste petroleum product containment and management. There will be a manageable increase in empty containers which must be retrograded from the site. Yes. The activity will increase energy demand in terms of additional petroleum products needed at the site. No. The activity has been proposed to enhance scientific studies; and, if the ATV is operated as intended and if petroleum products are handled in a safe manner, there should be little or no impact on future scientific activity at the area. Yes. The activity will involve and generate additional pollutants which, if improperly handled, can affect the ecosystems located at the site. The levels of air emissions associated with the authorized use of the ATV should have little or no impact on the ecosystem. Yes. Plankton algae, bacteria and yeast occur in Lake Bonney in relatively low numbers. Some species of fungi, mosses and lichens are likely to inhabit sheltered niches within terrestrial substrates. HUMAN VALUES No. The proposed use of this single ATV is intended as a demonstration of its practical and environmentally compatible use in an area of unique antarctic aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. There is no question that should this demonstration be authorized there will be additional requests for the use of ATVs in the Dry Valleys area. The use of ATVs in the Dry Valleys, should they be permitted, will require close monitoring and additional study on their potential environmental impact. Included in this should be an analysis of the benefits to science as compared to the environmental impacts as well as consideration of the message the USAP wants to convey to the international community by introducing additional motorized, petroleum powered vehicles to the Dry Valleys than are already routinely employed. FINDING As noted in the May 15, 1991, Environmental Action Memorandum, the Environmental Officer is skeptical about the advisability of authorizing the use of an ATV within the unique ecosystems of Antarctica's Dry Valleys. The Environmental Officer believes strongly that field research at such unique sites, of necessity, imposes a burden of minimal environmental impact. In this light, field parties may have to forego use of certain research support aids (e.g., all-terrain vehicles) to assure environmental protection in especially sensitive areas. So as not to unilaterally constrain potential scientific opportunities, the Environmental Officer authorizes approval of the procurement, and use (as defined in the Environmental Action Memorandum), of the subject ATV for the 1991-1992 austral summer season. This authorization shall be contingent upon adherence to strict requirements placed on the operation, fueling and maintenance of the single ATV proposed for use by S-025. These requirements shall include: Sidney Draggan
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