Title : Recovery of D-8 tracked vehicle Type : Antarctic EAM NSF Org: OD / OPP Date : November 20, 1990 File : opp93013 DIVISION OF POLAR PROGRAMS OFFICE OF SAFETY, ENVIRONMENT AND HEALTH 202/357-7766 MEMORANDUM Date: November 20, 1990 From: Environmental Officer, DPP Subject: Environmental Action Memorandum (Recovery of D-8 Track Vehicle) To: File S.7 (Environment) On November 13, 1990, the Environmental Engineer, DPP prepared and submitted the following information which forms the basis for this Environmental Action Memorandum: DATE PREPARED: 13 November 1990 NAME OF PREPARER/TITLE/ORGANIZATION: I. Sam Higuchi, Jr.; Environmental Engineer; NSF/DPP/Polar Operations Section RESPONSIBLE ENTITY FOR PROJECT: Antarctic Support Associates PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Recovery of D-8 track vehicle sank in Winter Quarters Bay off of Hut Point. Recovery will be done by dragging the vehicle to shore in February when the Bay becomes ice free. ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING: The vehicle broke through the annual sea- ice, and is located in the ice transition area off of Hut Point. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF THE PROJECT: o The dragging operation will disturb the benthos in the immediate area. MITIGATION MEASURES PROPOSED TO MINIMIZE THE IMPACTS: o The disturbed area will be minimized by retrieving it this season, as opposed to waiting until next season. -2- ALTERNATIVES TO THE PROPOSED PROJECT: o No action. This is not acceptable, because the fuel tanks will corrode through and release fuel oil. o Two season project. Wait until the ice breaker comes to McMurdo and have it tow the vehicle away from the transition ice working platform. This will disturb two bottom areas. Further, the vehicle will have more time to settle into sediment mud and be more difficult to recover. CONCLUSION: Recommend the project be implemented as planned. Sidney Draggan cc: Safety, Environment and Health Officer, DPP Environmental Engineer, DPP