Title : Temp. Satellite Earth Station, McMurdo Type : Antarctic EAM NSF Org: OD / OPP Date : December 30, 1991 File : opp93048 DIVISION OF POLAR PROGRAMS OFFICE OF THE ENVIRONMENT 202/357-7766 MEMORANDUM Date: December 30, 1991 From: Environmental Officer, DPP Subject: Environmental Action Memorandum (Temporary, Transportable Satellite Earth Station in the Area of McMurdo Station, Antarctica) To: (Files S.7 - Environment) This Environmental Action Memorandum describes the need for, and location of, a temporary, transportable telecommunications link for the U.S. Antarctic program (USAP) in the vicinity of McMurdo Station, Antarctica. The Environmental Officer posed a set of questions relating to the proposed project, and to the poten- tially affected environment. These questions were responded to by the Division of Polar Programs' Electronics Engineer and Mr. W. L. Godley of Antarctic Support Associates on August 2, 1991; the questions and responses are shown below: Environmental Assessment Queries and Responses GENERAL During the 1991-1992 austral summer season, the USAP has proposed to establish a transportable INTELSAT Earth Station (FLY-AWAY) in support of a Memorandum of Understanding between the National Science Foundation and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (i.e., the Antarctic as an Analog for Space Exploration Initiative). Part of the Initiative involves operation of a remotely-operated vehicle (ROV) in the Dry Valleys. The ROV would be piloted remotely from Ames Research Center at Moffett Field, CA. LAND USE AND PLANNING: 1. What is the specific purpose of the proposed activity? To provide a temporary telecommunications link, via satellite to the U.S., during the planning for, and install- ation of, a permanent link (for the 1992-1993 austral summer season). What alternatives has the contractor considered? Continue use of the existing INMARSAT telecommunications link. Under this alternative, the operating costs would exceed the acquisition and operating costs of the temporary link--with less service available. 2. What is the specific location of the proposed activity? Several locations are being considered. See below. What alternative locations has the contractor considered? Existing telecommunications site at Black Island; Area on the Ross Sea Ice Shelf near the Pegasus Site; and Area on the Ross Ice Shield near White Pass. 3. How will aesthetic impacts to the area be handled? The temporary facility would be visible; but, it is transportable and would be removed after two austral seasons of service. 4. Will the activity have any other indirect impacts on the environment? No. The facility is transportable and un-manned. The impact of human activity will be negligible. 5. Will the activity change the traditional use of the chosen site? If the Black Island site or the Pegasus site is chosen the traditional use will not be changed. If the White Pass site is chosen, this will constitute a new use of the land area. 6. Are the physical or environmental characteristics of the land suitable for the activity? Yes. IMPACT OR POLLUTION POTENTIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 7. 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. The proposed activity is expected to create no uncontrolled wastes or pollutants. Diesel products will be required to operate and maintain the facility's power generation. Personnel will be instructed in the required handling and retrograde of any waste materials. Spill response supplies (e.g., adsorbent pads, a shovel, and a 55- gallon waste staging drum) will be provided in the event of an accidental spill. 8. Will the activity change ambient air quality at the site? Yes. Exhaust gases from a 6 kw diesel electric generator will alter local ambient air quality by a negligible amount. 9. Will the activity change water quality or flow (drainage), at the site? No. 10. Will the activity change waste generation or management at the site? Yes. Diesel fuel and maintenance products will require immediate removal from the site as well as proper processing at McMurdo Station. 11. Will the activity change energy production or demand, personnel and life support, or transportation requirements at the site? No. The site would be unattended, energy self-sufficient and emergency-life-support self-sufficient; and, transporta- tion will occur only when attending the equipment and will not occur on site regularly. 12. Is the activity expected to adversely affect scientific studies or locations of research interest (near and distant, short-term and long-term)? No. 13. Will the activity generate pollutants that might affect terrestrial, marine or freshwater ecosystems within the environs of the station or inland camp? No. Pollution would occur only in the event of accidental fuel spills. Instruction on proper fuel handling, response to environmental accidents, and retrograde of wastes will be provided to personnel responsible for maintaining the facility. The actions of those personnel will be monitored carefully by the civilian support contractor. 14. Does the site of the activity serve as habitat for any significant assemblages of antarctic wildlife (for example, mosses or lichens, or antarctic birds or marine animals)? No. Occasionally, skuas and penguins have been seen in the areas. Algae, and lichens and mosses exist at Black Island where snow is not present; but, should the temporary facil- ity be emplaced there, it is unlikely to impact these organisms. HUMAN VALUES 15. Will the activity encroach upon any historical property of the site? No. 16. What other environmental concerns are potentially affected by the activity at the site? For example, have impacts associated with decommissioning of the activity been considered (and how)? Electromagnetic radiation will be significant in the line- of-site of the antenna up to approximately 500 feet. Since the antenna points upward, a warning area will be established 100 feet in front of the antenna. Finding The Environmental Officer, after reviewing the information presented above, believes that the proposed activity poses neither potentially minor nor transitory impacts to the antarctic environment. The contractor is authorized to proceed with the proposed activity. Sidney Draggan