Title  : Byrd Surface Camp Relocation
Type   : Antarctic EAM
NSF Org: OD / OPP
Date   : May 07, 1990
File   : opp93004


                                       DIVISION OF POLAR PROGRAMS
                         OFFICE OF SAFETY, ENVIRONMENT AND HEALTH
                                                     202/357-7766
MEMORANDUM

   Date:  May 7, 1990

   From:  Environmental Officer, DPP

Subject:  Environmental Action Memorandum on Byrd Surface Camp
            Relocation

     To:  Files (OSEH S.7)








Byrd Surface Camp (80ø01'S Latitude; 119ø32'W Longitude)
functions as an emergency diversion landing and support station
for antarctic intracontinental flights, a weather observation
site, and a remote aircraft refueling station for Siple Station
support flights.

The U.S. Antarctic Program proposed at its 1980-1990 Post Season
Conference to relocate four of the six sled-mounted units that
comprise the Byrd Surface Camp.  The units, which are used for
berthing and a galley, currently are off level by as much as
twenty degrees due to subsidence of the underlying snow pack.

This Environmental Action Memorandum details environmental impact
considerations concerning the relocation that took place during
the conference.  A subgroup at the conference, met to discuss
the relocation plan in detail.
Background

During the 1981-1982 operating season, a modular, sled-mounted
camp was planned, engineered, and constructed.  It consists of
sled beds, walls, floor and ceiling partitions prefabricated at
McMurdo Station for subsequent transport and final construction
at the site.  The six-unit camp includes a self-contained water
production unit, and units interconnect providing a consolidated
living structure.  The camp was designed to allow disconnection
of the units--such that they may be placed on berms at the end of
each operating season to negate the effects of drifting snow
accumulation.  This incarnation of the camp is a significant
improvement over the Jamesway camp used in past seasons.  During
this season, the Navy recommended relocating and reposition the
complex during the 1983-1984 operating season so that it would be
more accessible to the skiway and oriented so as to minimize snow
drifting.

During the 1983-1984 operating season, the camp module was moved
to new berms adjacent to the skiway between the 5000- and
7000-foot markers.  The entire move was accomplished in little
more than 24 hours beginning on December 1, 1983.

The camp again was relocated on November 29, 1986, to a new site
approximately 50 ft from last year's camp.  The current Byrd
Surface Camp was originally sited on an uneven surface.
Differential settling of the sled-mounted berthing, caused by
heat radiating from the galley (and probably the proximity of the
camp's wastewater outfall to the sleds), has caused minor
structural damage to the galley and bathroom unit.

During the 1988-1989 operating season, differential settling of
the module continued to pose problems--doors, could not fit
correctly in frames, floor buckling progressed between units, and
roof shifts increased.  Camp relocation was recommended.

Current Plan

USAP proposes to move the camp's 40 foot x 80 foot module a
distance of no more than ~40 feet in the southeastern direction
(see Figure 1) during the 1990-1991 operating season (approximate
date:  late November 1990).  The module will be dug out of the
snow pack, and a new berm will be planed and compacted to
accommodate the module.  The Jamesway at the site also will be
moved ~40 feet in the same direction.  It was noted that snow
movement is a regular activity at the camp, particularly when it
is opened after the antarctic winter.  Also, it was pointed out
that the increase in manpower to effect the relocation will be
minimal; and that the actual move should take less than one day.
Subgroup's Finding

From the subgroup's discussions, the planned move is consistent
with activities regularly taking place at Byrd Surface Camp.  The
subgroup members agreed that significant impact to the environ-
ment was not expected to be associated with the relocation.



                                Sidney Draggan


cc:  Safety, Environment and Health Officer, DPP
     Head, Safety, Environment and Health
       Implementation Team, DPP
     Manager, Polar Operations Section, DPP
     Commander, Naval Support Force Antarctica
     Manager, Civil Engineering, Antarctic Support
       Associates