Title : Addendum to Liquor EAM Type : Antarctic EAM NSF Org: OD / OPP Date : January 13, 1992 File : opp93055 DIVISION OF POLAR PROGRAMS OFFICE OF THE ENVIRONMENT 202/357-7766 MEMORANDUM Date: January 13, 1992 From: Environmental Officer, DPP Subject: Environmental Action Memorandum (Addendum to Environmental Action Memorandum (New Liquor Storage Facility at McMurdo Station, Antarctica) - Dated December 19, 1991) To: Files (S.7 - Environment) Background On December 19, 1991, the Environmental Officer authorized construction of a new liquor storage warehouse adjacent to existing Building 121 at McMurdo Station, Antarctica. Since that authorization, a change in the building design has been proposed that would require regrading of the site and removal of approxi- mately 150 cubic yards of fill. As this proposed action is inconsistent with the information originally submitted regarding this project the following Environmental Action Memorandum adden- dum was prepared. The proposed work would take place during the 1991-1992 austral summer season. The civilian support contrac- tor's Environmental Engineer developed the basic information for the addendum on December 29, 1991. Environmental Assessment Queries and Responses GENERAL Based on information submitted by the civilian contractor, the initial Environmental Action Memorandum (EAM) on this proposed work states: "Regrading of the site would only require leveling the existing grade by rearranging on-site fill. No new fill or removal of fill from the location would be required." After the date when the civilian contractor submitted information regarding the proposed project, an additional change in the design of the building was proposed. Specifically, it is propos- ed to increase the size of the building from approximately 2,200 to 3,000 square feet. The larger design was originally approved by the Manager, Operations Section, Division of Polar Programs and has been deemed necessary by the Morale, Welfare and Recreation Department of the Naval Support Force, Antarctica. The increase in size would require regrading a larger area than previously planned, and would include removal of approximately 150 cubic yards of substrate. Transfer of this substrate to the area just East of the building for use in providing earth fill material to level an area for installing new fuel tanks for Building 155 is included in the proposal. An EAM covering the proposed tank installation will be submitted during the early planning phase for the Building 155 fuel tank facility. Any extra fill would be taken to McMurdo's earth fill storage area for use in the future. Based on the questions contained in the standard EAM format the potential impact of the proposed change has been considered. A summary of responses to relevant questions follows: What alternatives were considered? Two alternatives were considered: 1) building a smaller facility; and, 2) the proposed alternative. A building with the dimensions initially proposed cannot fit within the available level area beside building 121. The newly proposed, larger building cannot be constructed, therefore, without removing fill from the site. What would be the probable impacts? Regrading the site would affect water drainage within the immediate area. Depending on the soil conditions and weather, fugitive dust emissions during earth moving opera- tions is probable. In addition, construction equipment would consume fuel and would emit exhaust gases. What actions would be taken to mitigate the probable impacts? Before regrading begins a contour plan for the area showing the proposed final grades and drainage patterns would be developed and submitted to the Environmental Officer, DPP; the Environmental Engineer, DPP and the ASA Environmental Engineer for review. Regrading shall promote drainage from the area to an existing ditch or culvert system. The drainage system shall be orderly, use shallow slopes or other measures to avoid flow velocities that would cause erosion at the proposed site. It is recognized that the proposed site is and will continue to be an area character- ized by high levels of pedestrian and vehicle traffic. Of necessity, to prevent fugitive dust emissions during regrading a water truck would be used to moisture-condition the area using brine discharged by the water treatment plant. How would the planned activity change the traditional use of the site? The traditional and characteristic use of the site would not be changed by the proposed action. Is the activity expected to adversely affect scientific studies or locations or research interest? Are the physical or environ- mental characteristics of the land suitable for the proposed activity? The area to be excavated and regraded is currently a dead- end street which has obviously been regraded before. The area is currently vacant. On occasion it is likely the area has been used for temporary storage of materials. However, the site is not a designated cargo lot and does not provide significant storage area. Finding The Environmental Officer has reviewed the initial EAM and the information presented for this addendum. The Program's concern for conservative, selective and wise use of earth fill materials at McMurdo Station is encouraging. Reference should be made to the Environmental Action Memoranda on: "Review of "Environmental Assessment for Collection [and Placement] of Earth Fill Materi- al", dated November 17, 1990; and "Assessment of Additional Earth Fill Materials Available at McMurdo Station, Antarctica", dated January 10, 1991. Also, attention should be given to Safety, Environment and Health Program Policy Memorandum 90-2. Subject: Authorization and Reporting Procedures for, Gathering and Use of Fill and Associated Activity, at McMurdo Station, Antarctica; dated October 1, 1990. The contractor shall consider the benefits of assuring that the fill material collected to provide adequate level space for the newly proposed, larger liquor storage building (and to be used in connection with the proposed Building 155 fuel tank facility) is re-worked so as to possesses an aggregate size that is well graded, and that when wetted, exhibits a cementing quality that sets up as a hard surface requiring less frequent replacement. In addition, the contractor shall consider the benefits of assuring that any substrate placed around the newly proposed, larger liquor storage building is well graded, and when wetted, exhibits a cementing quality that sets up as a hard surface requiring less frequent replacement. Also, consideration shall be given to establishing clearly marked and regularly maintained walkways and waiting-line areas around the proposed liquor storage building. The area around the building is expected to be characterized by a high level of pedestrian traffic and should be designed to minimize the impacts of such activity. In light of the abovementioned EAMs and USAP policy, and fill preparation and area use considerations, the Environmental Officer authorizes adoption of the newly proposed actions associated with liquor storage facility. The Environmental Officer believes that the proposed actions would have no more than minor and transitory impacts on the environment. Sidney Draggan Attachment New Site Plan cc: Head, Safety, Environment and Health Implementation Team, DPP Environmental Engineer, DPP