ENVIRONMENTAL DOCUMENT AND FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT AND NOT MORE
THAN MINOR OR TRANSITORY ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
Removal of Geophysical Sampling Equipment at
Don Juan Pond [77o34'S, 161o11'E] Wright Valley and Site Reclamation at
Lake Vida [77o 23'S, 161o57'E] Victoria Valley, Antarctica
[MCDV980X.DEA]
I. FINDING
The National Science Foundation (NSF) has prepared an Initial Environmental Evaluation (IEE) as an Environmental Assessment (EA) as a combined environmental document, for the removal of geophysical sampling equipment at Don Juan Pond. In addition, a damaged geophysical borehole located at Lake Vida is to be sealed by a welded metal cap. Diesel fuel-contaminated soil and loose ice are to be removed from the Lake Vida site to McMurdo Station in accordance with USAP Field Camp Oil Spill Response Guidebook. Alternatives of no action (A), removal of equipment only (B), removal of equipment and partial site reclamation (C), and an alternative of equipment removal and total site reclamation (D) were considered.
The selected alternative, C, removes sampling equipment from Don Juan Pond. A damaged, steel-cased borehole containing an estimated 2,170 liters (573 gallons) of diesel fuel is to be sealed and diesel fuel-contaminated soil and loose ice removed from Lake Vida during the 1997/98 field season. To avoid future impacts, the Lake Vida site will be visited periodically during the field season by an authorized USAP participant over the next several years to assess potential leakage of diesel fuel and subsequent contamination of adjacent soil and/or lake ice. If extensive leakage is evident, additional remedial action will be considered.
Based on the analyses in the environmental document (IEE/EA), the NSF Office of Polar Programs (OPP) has determined that implementation of Alternative C 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. The action is not one which would have more than a minor or transitory effect on the Antarctic environment, within the meaning of the NSF’s implementing regulations for the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty. Therefore, an environmental impact statement and/or a comprehensive environmental evaluation will not be prepared.
The proposed action is a reasonable mitigation of the lingering impacts of completed scientific investigation, promotes Antarctic science and education, and protects the Antarctic environment for current and future human use and enjoyment.
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II. PURPOSE AND NEED FOR THE PROPOSED ACTION
Considerable scientific interest and research activity has taken place within the McMurdo Dry Valleys in Victoria Land, Antarctica over the last several decades. A recently developed protocol for conduct of science and education among National Antarctic Program participants has been adopted by the United States Antarctic Program (USAP).1 The procedures aid maintenance of the scientific and educational value of the nearly pristine environment of the McMurdo Dry Valleys. One of the measures calls for the removal of sampling equipment when it is no longer needed and removal can be completed without harm to the environment. In addition, all newly installed equipment is to be tagged to ensure that it remains available for its intended use and scheduled for removal at an appropriate time.
To further the objectives of all National Antarctic Programs, the National Science Foundation (NSF), Office of Polar Programs (OPP) proposes to remove most abandoned geophysical sampling equipment at Don Juan Pond in the Wright Valley, Antarctica. In addition, a damaged geophysical borehole located at Lake Vida in Victoria Valley, Antarctica is proposed to be sealed by welding a metal cap over the end of the borehole at the ground level. Diesel fuel-contaminated soil and loose ice around the borehole is to be gathered by hand tools, packed in drums, and transported to McMurdo Station, Antarctica for remediation or removal from Antarctica. Attachment 1 describes the location of both sites within the McMurdo Dry Valleys near McMurdo (United States) and Scott (New Zealand) National Antarctic Research Stations.
Description of the Sites
Don Juan Pond
Don Juan Pond is an intermittent, supersaturated, saline pond situated in a closed basin in the south fork of Wright Valley. It has a maximum depth of approximately 0.75 meters (2.5 ft). The pond’s water is a result of a positive groundwater flux and intermittent surface water flow from snow melt during a few weeks of the year. The level of the pond, which has no surface water outlet, fluctuates in response to surface and subsurface water flows and annual weather. Because of its origin and water chemistry, Don Juan Pond has been the subject of several geophysical and biological studies employing sampling instruments, some of which remain even though sampling has ceased.
Attachment 2 depicts the location of sampling devices at Don Juan Pond. Geophysical sampling devices are believed to have been installed in the early 1970’s during the International (United States, New Zealand, and Japanese) Dry Valleys Drilling Project. There is no known need for continued use of most of the sampling equipment. 2 Within and near the pond, there are approximately 29 wooden stakes, 23 narrow iron piezometers (1-2 cm [0.39-0.78 in] in diameter), 7 polyvinyl chloride (PVC) piezometers (4-5 cm [1.6-1.9 in] in diameter), and 1 iron pipe (4-5 cm in diameter) installed vertically in the soil (see Attachment 2). The iron piezometers, instruments used to measure hydrostatic head or water elevations, were probably installed by hammering the top of each with a mallet. Total installation depths are between 0.5 to 2.2 meters (1.6 to 7.2 ft) below the bottom of the pond. The installation depths of the other devices are unknown. However, many could be manually moved back and forth in the soil, indicating that they are also shallow sampling devices. 3
Two boreholes were drilled at Don Juan Pond by the International Dry Valleys Drilling Project in January 1973 and 1975 (Harris, et al, 1981). Borehole #5 was drilled to a depth of 3.5 meters (11.5 ft) without casing. Soon after development, the borehole filled in with saturated soil from the lake bottom. The borehole is no longer identifiable. Borehole #13 was drilled to a depth of 75 meters (246 ft) and encased by iron pipe to a depth of 13.5 meters (44.3 ft) (ibid.). The water in this borehole has an upward pressure gradient of between 0.2 to 0.5 meters (0.6 to 1.6 ft) above ground level and is saline. The well was sealed by welding a cap on top the well casing in December, 1978. Unlike other boreholes in the area, Borehole #13 was not filled with diesel fuel to prevent freezing. Water in the borehole remains unfrozen due to its high salt content. The borehole is still usable for geophysical sampling such as temperature gradient measurement.
The corrosive saline waters of Don Juan Pond have begun to degrade the iron pipes and color the plastic and wooden sampling devices. As the iron pipes corrode, they release iron oxides and other compounds into the otherwise natural environment. Such releases could confound future scientific investigations and reduce the overall scientific and educational value of the site. The removal of sampling devices would improve the aesthetics of the Don Juan Pond, returning the area to its former pristine appearance. 4
3 Electronic communication with Scott Perkins, Environmental Engineer, Antarctic Support Associates, the prime contractor for the United States Antarctic Program (11/13/96).
4 Electronic communication with Dr. John Priscu, Professor and Principal Investigator for the Long-Term Ecological Research project in the McMurdo Dry Valleys (9/8/97).
Lake Vida
Attachments 3 and 4 provide detailed descriptions of a borehole at Lake Vida. Similar to the boreholes drilled at Don Juan Pond, Borehole #6 at Lake Vida, was installed in December 1973. The borehole was drilled 306-meters (1,004-feet) deep and encased with 14-cm diameter iron pipe throughout its length. Borehole #6 was filled with 2,210 liters (584 gallons) of diesel fuel to ensure that ice would not form within the metal casing and that the borehole would be available for future scientific investigations (Parker, 1974).
Soon after installation of the borehole, diesel fuel-contaminated soil and ice was observed near the site. Within days after the observation, over 40, 208-liter (55-gallon) drums of diesel-contaminated soil and ice were gathered from the site and transported to McMurdo Station (Cameron, 1974). Is was reported that diesel fuel-stained soil and ice remained in addition to a noticeable diesel fuel odor adjacent to the site (ibid.). On-site researchers estimated that 40 liters (11 gallons) of diesel fuel leaked from the metal casing creating the reported soil and ice contamination (ibid.). Up to 2,170 liters (573 gallons) of fuel may remain in the borehole. However, some of all of that fuel could have leaked from the metal casing.
At some time after installation and the early 1990's, the metal casing, which extended approximately 61 cm (2 ft) above the lake's surface, was bent by the force of moving ice surrounding the casing. Diesel fuel-stained soil and fuel odors were observed in 1993, 1995, and 1996. 6 Approximately 30 kg (13.6 lb.) of diesel fuel-contaminated soil was removed from the site during the 1993-1994 austral summer. Samples taken in November, 1996 were analyzed through a semi-quantitative enzyme immunoassay procedure (an accurate, quick, and inexpensive on-site analytical test), confirmed that petroleum contamination exists in the surficial soil at least 1.5 meters (4.9 ft) surrounding the borehole. Samples contained at least 100 mg/kg of total petroleum hydrocarbons (see Attachment 3).
The metal casing is plugged with ice (NSF, 1994). In November, 1996, the ice in the metal casing was drilled to a depth of 61 cm (2 ft) where the casing was bent. The drill bit could not reach beyond the bend in the casing and it was not possible to determine if fuel remained within the borehole. Because the contaminated soil is periodically covered by the lake, it is possible that water from the lake seeped into the casing and displaced the diesel fuel. Diesel fuel could have moved from the soil into the surrounding water and ice. Also, high winds in the area could have transported contaminated soil to the surface of the lake or to other sites within Wright Valley. However, there is no evidence of widespread dispersal of diesel fuel within Lake Vida. Yet, diesel fuel-contamination of the area adjacent to the borehole remains. It is unknown if the borehole is continuing to leak diesel fuel or if all leakage has stopped and the area is now recovering from the initial spill.
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6 The site was visited on November 29, 1993, November 30, 1996, and November 13, 1996 by Antarctic Support Associates and NSF Office of Polar Programs personnel. Trip reports and electronic messages are on file in the Environmental Compliance Office.
Unresolved Conflicts (Issues) Related to the Proposed Action
When considering the proposed action and its purpose and need, it is important to search for unresolved conflicts regarding other uses of available resources (CEQ, 1992). 7 Most importantly, it is appropriate to determine if a change in the initial proposal could improve benefits or lessen undesirable results. Certainly, the potential impact of the proposed action upon ongoing or future scientific research and the overall effectiveness and costs of the proposal should be evaluated. Alternatives to the proposed action provide a convenient way to seek resolution of conflicts in the use of available resources. In addition, it is appropriate to consider the possible short- or long-term environmental impacts that the proposed action may create along with cumulative impacts from the past, present, or future actions of USAP or others. These unresolved conflicts or issues associated with implementing the proposed action can be summarized as:
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III. ALTERNATIVES
Alternative A: No Action
In this alternative, no actions would be taken. No follow-up visits to the sites to evaluate possible contamination by diesel fuel would take place.
Alternative B: Remove Most Sampling Devices at Don Juan Pond and Cap the Borehole at Lake Vida.
At Don Juan Pond all wooden stakes, piezometers, and pipes would be removed and returned to McMurdo Station for disposal. All wooden stakes, and many of the other devices, would be manually removed. Some of the devices may have to be removed by a portable tripod and pulley assembly. The saturated soil surrounding the sampling devices would quickly cave-in as sampling devices are removed. No back filling would be required to reclaim the area to a near natural condition.
Borehole #6 at Lake Vida would be sealed by welding the present temporary cap to the iron borehole casing at the ground surface. If, over time, the frozen lake were to rise over the borehole casing, the cap would not become dislodged. Also, rising lake levels would not continue to bend the borehole casing because the casing would be capped at ground level. Geographic coordinates for the site would be maintained on record so that the integrity of the cap could be checked periodically. All other hardware and materials would be returned to McMurdo Satation. A single metal pole and flag would be hammered into the ground next to an engraved plate installed during the 1995/1996 field season to mark the location of the borehole.
Alternative C: Remove Most Sampling Devices at Don Juan Pond.
Seal Borehole #6 and Remove Fuel Contaminated Soil
and Ice Not Encased in Permafrost at Lake Vida.
In this alternative, all actions of Alternative B would be implemented. In addition, all soil and ice with a discernable fuel odor or stain at Lake Vida that is accessible by hand tools would be dug up, placed in drums, and returned to McMurdo Station. Soil and ice frozen in permafrost that cannot be readily removed by hand tools would be left in place. The accessible soil and ice to be removed by hand tools would be left in place. The accessible soil and ice to be removed is similar to that displayed in Attachment 3. Handling, storage, and disposition of the contaminated soil would be in accordance with the USAP Field Camp Oil Spill Response Guidebook (OPP, 1994). Follow-up environmental samples would be taken soon after the site is reclaimed to determine the extent to which diesel fuel contamination remained in the surrounding soil and ice. Lake ice and water would also be sampled. Soil samples would be analyzed for total extractable hydrocarbons and polycyclic, aromatic hydrocarbons (petroleum products from crude oil). Water and ice samples would be analyzed for volatile organic compounds, semi-volatile organic compounds, and total extractable hydrocarbons.
Alternative D: Implement Alternative C and Remove all Soil With Detectable
Levels of Petroleum Contamination at Lake Vida.
In this alternative, all provisions of Alternative C would be followed. In addition, at Lake Vida samples would be taken and analyzed to determine the lateral extent of fuel-related contamination in all directions. Samples would be taken well beyond the apparent extent of the spill. Analytical results aid in determination of the volume of contaminated soil. In addition to the actions of Alternative C, contaminated soil encased in the permafrost would be removed. Mechanical equipment airlifted or traversed by motor sled from McMurdo Station would be required. It is anticipated that explosives would be necessary to loosen the frozen soil for removal by hand tools. Handling of soil and follow-up environmental sampling would occur as in Alternative C. Table 1 compares issues among alternatives through a rating of relative impact from low to high.
Table 1. Comparison of Impacts of Issues Among Alternatives
Issues Alt. A Alt. B Alt. C Alt. D Science and Education High Moderate Low Low Cost None Low Low High Short-term Effects Moderate Low Low High USAP Field Long-term and Cumulative Effects Moderate and Moderate Moderate and Moderate Low and Moderate Low and Low
IV. ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS AND MITIGATION
At Don Juan Pond, Alternatives B, C, and D are very effective in eliminating any potential damage to ongoing or future science or education projects. Because no need has been established for continued use of most of the sampling devices, it is very unlikely that their removal will harm any scientific investigations. Alternative A could hinder future science or education due to the possible contamination of the pond by rusting iron pipes. Each alternative leaves an on-site borehole in place for future scientific investigations. Oxidation of the metal casing of the borehole is not considered to be a potential problem for future scientific investigations.
At Lake Vida, the existence of diesel fuel-contaminated soil and the suspected existence of contaminated lake water and ice could have a detrimental impact upon ongoing or planned scientific research and ancillary education opportunities. Specifically, research on lake water chemistry and/or micro-biological life could be compromised by the fuel-related contamination. The proximity of the spill to the lake shoreline makes it very likely that fuel-related constituents may have migrated into the lake water and ice. The migration of the fuel to the soil and ice may continue. However, fuel leakage may have ceased and the site may be undergoing natural attenuation of the contamination. It is recognized that the attenuation process is very slow because of low temperatures and the low number of microbes and available nutrients within the Antarctic environment. Removal of some or all of the contaminated soil and ice will ameliorate potential damage to future science or education projects.
Alternative D would remove most of the contaminated soil at Lake Vida and all sampling devices at Don Juan Pond except for the usable Borehole #13. In addition, Alternative D, like Alternatives B and C, would greatly reduce the likelihood that Borehole #6 at Lake Vida would leak diesel fuel. These actions would benefit science and/or education projects and opportunities. However, the net benefit of Alternative D is similar to that of Alternative C in that it is not know if diesel fuel-contaminated soil and/or ice within permafrost will damage future scientific investigations. Alternative B is less effective than Alternatives C or D because readily available and transportable contaminated soil and ice would not be removed. Alternative A has the most negative impact.
Alternatives B and C have similar, reasonable costs and can be funded within the current program budget. Labor requirements for Alternatives B and C are approximately 32 and 96 person-hours, respectively. Alternative D costs are high and may require additional funds. An estimate of the total cost and labor required for Alternative D is not currently available. However, its implementation would require in excess of 22 hours of helicopter flight time and other resources depending on the mechanical equipment required and its method of transportation to Lake Vida. Also, alternatives, other than D, require little USAP management resources for their implementation. Alternatives B and C require approximately 5 and 9 hours of helicopter flight time, respectively. Alternative A has no direct financial cost.
Alternative D could create substantial short-term impacts if it became necessary to use explosives and mechanical equipment to loosen frozen contaminated soil and/or ice at Lake Vida. The potential impact at Lake Vida would be less than that described during the drilling of Borehole #6 (Parker, 1974) in 1973. It is assumed that soil disruption, air emissions, and the potential impact on lake water quality would be short term, dissipating within a few days. Other alternatives would create negligible short-term environmental impacts. At Don Juan Pond only the minimal impact of footprints left in the bed of the pond and the temporary re-suspension of sediment would occur in Alternatives B, C, and D.
At Don Juan Pond, Alternative A, leaving the devices in place, would have a detrimental environmental impact in the long term. The iron sampling devices would slowly corrode, introducing non-native materials into the environment. The impact is in addition to the aesthetic impact of approximately 60 devices sticking out of the ground scattered throughout the otherwise pristine environment.
Besides the sampling devices installed in the early 1970’s, no other sampling devices are known to be located at Don Juan Pond or near Lake Vida Borehole #6. There are no known plans for the addition of sampling instruments. However, it is reasonable to assume that science and education projects will continue at both sites in the future. By following agreed upon environmental protection measures and appropriate removal of sampling devices, damaging long-term or cumulative impacts at or near either site are not anticipated.
At Lake Vida, the persistence of petroleum hydrocarbons in the soil and ice, and possibly lake water, as well as the aesthetics of stained soil and ice are a concern. In general, the more contaminated soil that is removed, the less likely is the occurrence of a long-term environmental impact. Diesel fuel-contaminated soil may be a toxicological threat to local micro-biological populations in the soil. The potential for hydrocarbon migration into the adjacent Lake Vida is high and it could harm local aquatic micro-biological populations. However, as noted previously, widespread contamination of Lake Vida has not been observed. Considering the history of the site, human-caused impacts to the environment may by naturally attenuating.
Alternative D may be the most effective in the elimination of long-term and cumulative environmental impacts. However, Alternative C may prove to be as effective. It is expected that Alternative B is less effective than Alternatives C and D. Alternative A is least effective of all alternatives in reducing the likelihood of long-term and cumulative impacts at both sites.
National Science Foundation/Office of Polar Programs:
Antarctic Support Associates:
VI. REFERENCES CITED
Cameron, et. al, 1974. DVDP Environmental Monitoring as reported by M.G. Mudrey, Jr. in Appendix B-1, Summary of Field Activities of the Dry Valley Drilling Project 1972-1973 and 1973-1974 in Environmental Appraisal for the Dry Valley Drilling Project, Phase V by Bruce Parker, 1974.
Council on Environmental Quality, Executive Office of the President (CEQ), 1992. Regulation For Implementing the Procedural Provisions Of The National Environmental Policy Act, reprint 40 CFR Parts 1500-1508.
Harris et. al, 1981. Antarctic Research Series, Vol. 33, Hydrology of the Don Juan Basin, Wright Valley, Antarctica.
National Science Foundation, 1994. Environmental Document and Finding of No Significant and Not More the Minor or Transitory Effect, "Clearing Ice Blockages Within the Dry Valley Drilling Project Boreholes", [MCDV9502.EAF] signed December 13, 1994.
Office of Polar Programs, National Science Foundation, 1994. USAP Field Camp Oil Spill Response Guidebook.
Parker, Bruce, 1974. Environmental Appraisal for the Dry Valley Drilling Project, Phase V (1995-76) file copy maintained at the National Science Foundation, Office of Polar Programs, Environmental Compliance Office.
VII. ATTACHMENTS
Attachment 1 – Site Map
Attachment 2 – Don Juan Pond Instrument Locations
Attachment 3 – Extent of Contamination at Lake Vida
Attachment 4 – Profile of Lake Vida Borehole
Mr. Art Brown
SEH Manager
Polar Research Support
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1 Ms. Joyce Jatko, OPP Environmental Officer, is coordinating implementation of an operational protocol applicable to each National Antarctic Program operating within the McMurdo Dry Valleys.
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2 Electronic communication with Ms. Emma Waterhouse, Environmental Officer, (8/13/97) and Dr. Clive Howard-Williams, Researcher, (13/8/97) Antarctic New Zealand and Dr. John Priscu, Professor and principal investigator for the Long-Term Ecological Project sponsored by the United States Antarctic Program within the McMurdo Dry Valleys (9/8/97).
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5 This observation is based upon unpublished data provided by Dr. Scott Borg of the Office of Polar Programs at the National Science Foundation.
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7 Section 102(2) E of the National Environmental Policy Act states, "all agencies of the federal government shall – (E) study, develop, and describe appropriate alternatives to recommended courses of action in any proposal which involves unresolved conflicts concerning alternative uses of available resources."
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V. CONSULTATION WITH OTHERS
(703)306-1030
Dr. Scott Borg
Manager, Glaciology
sborg@nsf.gov
Mr. Art Brown
Manager, Special Support Services
abrown@nsf.gov
Mr. Robert S. Cunningham
Manager, NEPA Compliance
Rcunning@nsf.gov
Ms. Joyce Jatko
Environmental Officer
jjatko@nsf.gov
Ms. Kristin Larson
Assistant NEPA Compliance Manager
(no longer on the staff)
(303)790-8606
Mr. Eric Juergens
Director, SEH
juergeer.asa@asa.org
Mr. Terry Johnson
Environmentalist
johnsote.asa@asa.org
Mr. Ted Patenaude
Solid Waste Manager
patenate.asa@asa.org
Mr. John Hatcher
Hazardous Waste Manager
hatchejo.asa@asa.org
Mr. Scott Perkins, P.E.
Environmental Engineer
perkins.asa@asa.org
Mr. Joe Seibert
Environmental Technician
seiberjo.asa@asa.org
Ms. Vicki Kraus
Environmental Engineer
krausvi.asa@asa.org
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