TRACKING# MCDV9900.R01

RECORD OF ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW (ROER)

Background Information

Stage of Action: Initial Decision ___ SIP _X_ Revised Scope ___ In-the-field change ___

Group sponsoring activity (i.e.; event #, proposal #, WBS#) BM-118-O (Wharton)

Scope/type of activity (i.e.; geology, tower relocation, traverse) Research Diving

Principal contact(s) Dr. Robert Wharton, Dr. Peter Doran

Activity location(s) Lakes Hoare and Fryxell in the McMurdo Dry Valleys

Intensity and Scope

Duration of activity (approximate dates): Jan. 4, 1999 to Jan. 27, 1999

Activity will occur in an area with special environmental and/or scientific management standards? Yes _X_ No ___

If yes, the site is located in: ____________________________ sector of the South Pole Station.
Lakes Hoare and Fryxell area of the Dry Valleys
____________________________ (name) rookery
____________________________ (name) SSSI or SPA
____________________________ (name) other special area

Is the activity consistent with current operations or long-range plans in terms of size, personnel, and/or footprint?
Yes _X_ No ___

Are complex, cumulative, large-scale, or irreversible effects likely? Yes ___ No _X_

Is activity likely to preclude or conflict with other foreseeable activities? Yes ___ No _X_

Activity is expected to create no significant (positive or negative) effects on the following environments/resources:
air ___ aquatic ___ marine ___ terrestrial ___ glacial ___ historic ___ aesthetic ___

Are there EMI or EMR issues associated with this project? Yes ___ No _X_

Environmental Documentation

ACA permit required for: Flora/Fauna ___ SSSI/SPA ___ Not required _X_

Activity fits into a category of exclusion Yes ___ No _X_
If yes, which one? Small scale collection of geological ___ and/or biological specimen ___
Routine, laboratory-based research ___
Seismic research utilizing explosives ___
Renovation and/or remodeling of existing facilities ___
Deployment of retrievable instrumentation ___
Use of weather/research balloons ___
Use of radioisotopes (in compliance with applicable laws) ___

If no, is additional assessment required? Yes ___ No _X_
If yes, for which activities?__________________________________________________________

Do existing environmental document(s) adequately describe likely effects? Yes _X_ No ___
If yes, list file name(s) of environmental document(s): Lake Vanda Diving Programme, 1997-99, K081. Report on environmental impact during 1997/98, and evaluation of likely impacts during 1998/99 (New Zealand) and Effects of Research Diving on a Stratified Antarctic Lake (Wharton et. al.)

This Environmental Review was prepared by: Terry L. Johnson, ASA EnvironmentalistDate: 7/7/98
Signature Block
This Environmental Review for the stage of the action cited on line one is adequate for the action to proceed as noted.
Yes ___ Yes, with mitigation (attached) _X_ No ___

If no, why? ____________________________________________________________________________________________

Responsible Official: Date:
S/ Polly Penhale 10/20/98
Research Diving in Dry Valleys Lakes – 1998-1999 Field Season

This ROER documents the adoption of protocols to minimize the environemntal impacts of diving in McMurdo Dry Valleys lakes, The protocols are based on infomraiton from a manuscript recently submitted to the journalLimnology and Oceanography by Ray Kepner et al., which theoretically and empirically addresses the impact of research dive activities on Lake Fryxell and the 1998/99 Lake Vanda Diving Porgramme environmental impact, safety and scientific justification prepared by Ian Hawes. The document produced by Hawes is an update of the NZ Environmental Impact Assessment provided before the 1997/98 field season.

Planned diving activities during the 1998-99 field season include three divers and approximately 20 dives in Lake Hoare to complete the sediment colonization experiment initiated in 1996 at a 13 m deep site near the Lake Hoare camp and also to collect shallow water sediment cores and benthic algal mats in aerobic zones. Approximately 5 dives are planned in shallow water (< 10 m) zones in Lake Fryxell to initiate sampling in moat areas for the 13C moat experiment described in the recent MCM LTER proposal approved by NSF. Dive protocols and safety procedures will be the same as those employed in previous seasons in which LTER researchers have been diving in the Dry Valleys lakes.

Diving activities will be conducted in a manner that will minimize the possibility of impacts to the lakes, shown in the reference documents to be of minimal impact if properly conducted. Additional restrictions will be observed for any diving in Lake Vanda, as noted in the Diving Protocol. Additionally, a report will be provided to the NSF Environmental Officer at the end of the season documenting the diving activities and any associated environmental impacts, and providing recommendations for future diving events.

Attachments:

  1. Diving Protocols to Minimize Environmental Impact in McMurdo Dry Valley Lakes.

  2. Kepner, R., A Kortyna, R. Wharton, P. Doran, D. Anderson, E. Roberts, "Effects of Research Diving on a Stratified Antarctic Lake", in publication.

  3. Lake Vanda Diving Programme, 1998/99; environmental impact, safety and scientific justification

Go to: MCM Dry Valley environmental issues MCM LTER home page