Title : "STARS" at Black Island Comms. Type : Antarctic EAM NSF Org: OD / OPP Date : December 31, 1991 File : opp93051 DIVISION OF POLAR PROGRAMS OFFICE OF THE ENVIRONMENT 202/357-7766 MEMORANDUM Date: December 31, 1991 From: Environmental Officer, DPP Subject: Environmental Action Memorandum (Installation of a Transportable Earth Station ("STARS") at the Black Island Telecommunications Facility Near McMurdo Station, Antarctica) To: (Files S.7 - Environment) Electronics Engineer, DPP REF: Environmental Action Memorandum (Black Island Telecommunications Facility Upgrade) Dated April 1, 1991 This Environmental Action Memorandum describes the need for, and location of, a transportable satellite communications earth station at the U.S. Antarctic Program's (USAP) Black Island Telecommunications Facility near McMurdo Station, Antarctica during the 1991-1992 austral summer season. The Environmental Officer posed a set of questions relating to the proposed pro- ject, and to the potentially affected environment. These questions were responded to by the civilian support contractor's Environmentalist and by its Information Systems Manager on October 28, 1991; the questions and responses are shown below: Environmental Assessment Queries and Responses LAND USE AND PLANNING 1. What is the specific purpose for the proposed activity? The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), with the concurrence of the National Science Foundation (NSF), signed a contract with Satellite Transmission and Reception Specialists (STARS) to provide a transportable INTELSAT satellite earth station at the Black Island Telecommunication Facility. This earth station would provide four telephone circuits and a 56 kilobit per second digital data circuit between McMurdo Station and the continental United States, during the 1991-1992 season. Performance data collected will be used in support of a permanent earth station (USES) proposed for installation during the 1993-1994 austral summer season. Antarctic Support Associates (ASA), has been tasked with aiding STARS in the installation of the transportable earth station. The effort would include installation of footings and bases for the 6.1 meter antenna for the proposed trans- portable earth station; two diesel electric generators; and a power source shelter for the generators. All additional support equipment will be installed in previously approved and existing buildings at the proposed Black Island site. What alternative has the contractor considered? The primary subcontractor, STARS, and their earth station were chosen by NASA/NSF to perform the installation to collect performance data with regards to Black Island and INTELSAT. As this is site specific, and no other commer- cial service is available, no alternatives (other than no-action) exist. 2. What is the specific location of the proposed activity? The proposed site is the existing INMARSAT/HF receive telecommunication facility near Mt. Melania on Black Island, E166 degrees 15' 00" Latitude, S78 degrees 07' 00" Longi- tude. What alternative locations has the contractor considered? When the existing facility was selected in 1984, extensive site surveys were conducted with Black Island chosen over Arrival Heights, Cape Royds, White Island, Daily Island, Marble Point and Tent Island. The Black Island site provides an unobstructed horizon of the Pacific Ocean Region (POR) geostationary satellites plus safe year-round ground access of which none of the other sites provide. The STARS ground station would acquire space segments on the existing geostationary satellites in the POR to which the existing site provides good access. 3. Will the aesthetic impacts of the area be handled? If so, how? Yes. All off road access will be prohibited and all waste shall be retrograded to McMurdo Station by the civilian support contractor in accordance with USAP requirements. Will the activity have any other indirect impacts on the environment? None are anticipated. 4. Will the activity change the traditional use of the chosen site? No. 5. Are the physical and environmental characteristics of the land suitable for the activity? Yes. The area near Mt. Melania provides a very good unobstructed equatorial horizon; ample level terrain for large HF antennas; minimal flight operations; and, reduced electrical or mechanical interference from sources at McMurdo Station. Additionally, the site has very good natural wind conditions for wind generation equipment which minimizes annual fuel consumption considerably. POLLUTION POTENTIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 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. A propane fired toilet would be used for solid human wastes. Grey water would be stored in drums and all other wastes would be returned to McMurdo Station for proper processing. The existing, steel fuel tanks (two 5000- gallon tanks) and two additional 5000-gallon, steel tanks would be protected within a fuel containment berm capable of holding the entire 20,000 gallon capacity. A fuel flow/control valve system would monitor the output of the fuel supply and automatically shut off the supply in the event of a broken or leaking fuel line. All off road vehicular travel would be prohibited and strictly controlled. By retaining the unmanned design concept of the Black Island site the facility would continue to have a very low potential for environmental impact. 7. Will the activity change ambient air quality at the site? Such change is not expected. 8. Will the activity change water quality or flow (drainage), at the site? Such change is not anticipated. 9. Will the activity change waste generation or management at the site? Yes. The Black Island site is an unmanned facility with little to no waste generation during normal operation. During the construction phase an increase in the number of people would be inevitable, requiring very strict site management in accordance with USAP requirements by the civilian support contractor . Once the installation is complete, the site would be returned to its normal, unmanned state. 10. Will the activity change energy production or demand, personnel and life support, or transportation requirements at the site? Yes. There will be temporary increases in all such areas during the construction phase. Once the installation is completed, the existing power plant would be augmented by the diesel generators. The testing period should be completed by February 2, 1992, at which time the diesel generators and power shelter will be removed. This would restore the existing power plant to its original configur- ation. 11. Is the activity expected to adversely affect scientific studies or locations of research interest (near and distant, short-term and long-term)? No. This project is designed to provide engineering data for future communications links supporting the transfer of scientific data and remote control of scientific equipment. However, it should be noted that the overland traverse route to and from McMurdo Station skirts Site of Special Scien- tific Interest No. 18, on the north-west shore of White Island. All travel to and from the station will be restricted to the existing traverse road. 12. Will the activity generate pollutants that might affect terrestrial, marine or freshwater ecosystems within the environs of the station or inland camp? No. 13. Does the site of the activity serve as habitat for any significant assemblages of Antarctic wildlife (in particular, mosses or lichens)? Drinking water is obtained from a small lake on the NW end of the island. The lake is known to contain algae. The amount of water used traditionally has had no identified impact on the algae or other microorganisms inhabiting the lake. 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? None have been identified. 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 Attachment Map