Title : All-terrain vehicle at Lake Bonney Type : Antarctic EAM NSF Org: OD / OPP Date : July 16, 1991 File : opp93032 DIVISION OF POLAR PROGRAMS OFFICE OF SAFETY, ENVIRONMENT AND HEALTH 202/357-7766 MEMORANDUM Date: July 16, 1991 From: Environmental Officer, DPP Subject: Environmental Action Memorandum (Use of an All-Terrain Vehicle for Science Support of DPP-88-20591 [S-025/] at Lake Bonney) To: Files (S.7 - Environment) Manager, Polar Biology and Medicine, DPP Manager, Science Projects, DPP J. Priscu (S-025) REF: Environmental Action Memorandum (All-Terrain Vehicle Use at McMurdo Station, Antarctica and its Environs), Dated May 15, 1991. BACKGROUND As noted above in the May 15, 1991, Environmental Action Memorandum, all-terrain vehicles provide many useful functions related to Antarctic scientific and logistic activities. None- theless, their use must be carefully planned and governed due to potential environmental impacts associated with their uncontroll- ed use. A report, "All-Terrain Transporters for Antarctica," was prepared in April 1991 by the U.S. Army Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory. Nowhere in the report was consideration given to the environmental impacts associated with their use. A basic scientific research project, headed by J. Priscu, scheduled for the upcoming 1991-1992 austral research season has requested access to an all-terrain vehicle to facilitate studies at Lake Bonney. The unique ecosystem of Lake Bonney, and the terrestrial ecosystem surrounding Lake Bonney, are susceptible to impacts that might accrue from use of this vehicle. In parti- cular, petroleum products and products of combustion could pose stresses to both ecosystems; and, perturbations to substrates, should the vehicle be used on land, would affect the terrestrial ecosystem for long periods of time. Nonetheless, if used with care, only on the lake surface ice, the vehicle may have a bene- ficial effect on the amount of science that can be accomplished at the Lake Bonney site. Environmental Assessment Queries and Responses The Environmental Officer posed a set of questions relating to the vehicle and the potentially affected environment to the civilian contractor's Environmentalist. These questions were responded to on June 28, 1991, and are shown below: LAND USE 1. What is the specific purpose of the proposed activity? A science event (S-025) has requested the use of one all- terrain vehicle (ATV) to support its science operations. The single ATV would be solely used to transport scientific equipment, supplies and personnel across the surface of Lake Bonney. What alternatives has the contractor considered? The alternative is no action at all. This would mean that scientists will transport their equipment and supplies as has been done in the past--on foot, using sleds. 2. What is the specific location of the proposed activity? Lake Bonney located in the Dry Valleys, Antarctica. What alternative locations has the contractor considered? N/A 3. Will aesthetic impacts of the area be handled? If so, how? Yes, the potential for aesthetic and other impacts will be mitigated through strictly controlled use requirements. The use of the ATV will be limited to the ice surface of Lake Bonney; use of the vehicle on the terrestrial (i.e., terra firma) surface is prohibited. There shall be no exception to this requirement; and, use on terra firma shall result in removal of the vehicle from the area as well as issuance of a notice of deficiency to the Principal Investigator and members of the field team. Will the activity have other direct impacts on the environ- ment? Yes. Since the vehicle is operated on a mixture of fuel and oil, there will be an increase in hydrocarbon and associated emissions from the burning of the fuel mixture. Also, there will be the potential for fuel and oil spills associated with transporting, storing and handling petroleum products in the area. The use of the ATV will introduce noise pollution on a regular basis. 4. Will the activity change the traditional use of the chosen site? Yes. In the past, motorized vehicles have not been used on the surface of Lake Bonney. Introduction of the ATV in the Dry Valleys sets a new precedent for the U.S. Antarctic Program (USAP). 5. Are the physical or environmental characteristics of the land suitable for the activity? Yes. The surface of Lake Bonney is snow packed. The particular ATV selected is designed to operate on such a surface. The vehicle is also designed to operate on dry surfaces, but such land use shall not be authorized. While the ATV's land capability presents a temptation for the operators, they shall be fully advised of the consequences of such use as noted above. POLLUTION 6. Has protection of the environment and human health from unnecessary pollution been considered for the activity (includes such considerations as pollution abatement or mitigation, and waste management [e.g., of noise, dust, fuel loss, disposition of one-time-use materials, construction wastes])? Yes. As mentioned, strict controls for the use of the ATV shall be implemented to restrict its usage only to the lake's surface. In addition, the operators will be instructed on, and credentialed for, the safe operation of the ATV, as well as the safe transport and use of fuel and oil. The operators shall be instructed on, and responsible for, cleaning up any fuel spilled in the area. Materials to respond to and clean up fuel spills shall be part of the projects field supplies and shall be provided by the civilian contractor. Noise pollution shall be addressed by the civilian contractor through periodic maintenance of the factory- installed muffler. 7. Will the activity change ambient air quality at the site? Yes. Introduction of the ATV to the area will increase air emissions associated with its operation. 8. Will the activity change water quality or flow (drainage), at the site? If care is taken by the operators to prevent fuel and oil spills, there should be no change in water quality. Water flow will not change. 9. Will the activity change waste generation or management at the site? Yes. There will be an increase in the use of fuel and oil at the site. This will require additional resources for waste petroleum product containment and management. There will be a manageable increase in empty containers which must be retrograded from the site. 10. Will the activity change energy production or demand, personnel and life support, or transportation requirements at the site? Yes. The activity will increase energy demand in terms of additional petroleum products needed at the site. 11. Is the activity expected to adversely affect scientific studies or locations of research interest (near and distant, short-term and long-term)? No. The activity has been proposed to enhance scientific studies; and, if the ATV is operated as intended and if petroleum products are handled in a safe manner, there should be little or no impact on future scientific activity at the area. 12. Will the activity generate pollutants that might affect terrestrial, marine or freshwater ecosystems within the environs of the station or inland camp? Yes. The activity will involve and generate additional pollutants which, if improperly handled, can affect the ecosystems located at the site. The levels of air emissions associated with the authorized use of the ATV should have little or no impact on the ecosystem. 13. Does the site of the activity serve as habitat for any significant assemblages of Antarctic wildlife (in particular, mosses or lichens)? Yes. Plankton algae, bacteria and yeast occur in Lake Bonney in relatively low numbers. Some species of fungi, mosses and lichens are likely to inhabit sheltered niches within terrestrial substrates. HUMAN VALUES 14. Will the activity encroach upon any historical property of the site? No. 15. What other environmental concerns are potentially affected by the activity at the site? The proposed use of this single ATV is intended as a demonstration of its practical and environmentally- compatible use in an area of unique antarctic aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. There is no question that should this demonstration be authorized there will be additional requests for the use of ATVs in the Dry Valleys area. The use of ATVs in the Dry Valleys, should they be permitted, will require close monitoring and additional study on their potential environmental impact. Included in this should be an analysis of the benefits to science as compared to the environmental impacts as well as consideration of the message the USAP wants to convey to the international community by introducing additional motorized, petroleum powered vehicles to the Dry Valleys than are already routinely employed. Finding As noted in the May 15, 1991, Environmental Action Memorandum, the Environmental Officer is skeptical about the advisability of authorizing the use of an ATV within the unique ecosystems of Antarctica's Dry Valleys. The Environmental Officer believes strongly that field research at such unique sites, of necessity, imposes a burden of minimal environmental impact. In this light, field parties may have to forego use of certain research support aids (e.g., all-terrain vehicles) to assure environmental protec- tion in especially sensitive areas. So as not to unilaterally constrain potential scientific opportunities, the Environmental Officer authorizes approval of the procurement, and use (as defined in this Environmental Action Memorandum), of the subject ATV for the 1991-1992 austral summer season. This authorization shall be contingent upon adherence to strict requirements placed on the operation, fueling and maintenance of the single ATV proposed for use by S-025. These requirements shall include: 1) sole use of the ATV upon the ice surface of Lake Bonney for the science support purposes of S-025, with no exception; 2) maintenance of a "Lake Bonney ATV Use" logbook that shall report to the NSF Representative, McMurdo Station, to the USAP's Safety, Environment and Health Technical Council, and to the civilian contractor's Environmentalist: - any deviations from the sole use of the ATV upon the ice surface of Lake Bonney for the science support purposes of S-025; - dates, approximate routes and distances, and duration of all uses of the ATV (logbook shall include an area map); - types, ratios and amounts of petroleum products used in the ATV, and dates of fillings; - amounts of waste petroleum products collected from the ATV, dates of collection, and disposition of such wastes; - date and time of any spillage of petroleum products (or other automotive fluids) associated with the ATV; - dates of maintenance performed on the ATV along with description of any problems noted; - dates of any mishaps, accidents, or injuries associated with the use of the ATV; and, a full account of same indicating the outcome or resolution; and - the results of any environmental sampling conducted in association with the placement and use of the ATV at Lake Bonney. 3) storage of the ATV at a single location when not in use for the science support purposes of S-025. The storage site shall be underlain with an appropriate absorbent material; or, shall provide for containment of any leakage of petro- leum products (or other automotive fluids) associated with the ATV; 4) the Principal Investigator for S-025 shall consult with the Environmental Officer, the contractor's Environmentalist, and Dr. Alan B. Crockett of Idaho National Engineering Laboratory on appropriate and limited aquatic, terrestrial and atmospheric environmental sampling (including pre-ATV sampling) that may be possible. Should it be determined that such limited sampling is feasible, the Principal Investigator for S-025 (or designee) shall conduct such sampling and arrange for analysis, interpretation and reporting of results of the sampling. Sidney Draggan