Title  : Addition to the Greenhouse at McMurdo Station, Antarctica
Type   : Antarctic EAM
NSF Org: OD / OPP
Date   : January 18, 1994
File   : opp94014


                   ENVIRONMENTAL DOCUMENT AND
           FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT AND NOT MORE THAN
             MINOR OR TRANSITORY ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECT


                  Addition to the Greenhouse at
                   McMurdo Station, Antarctica


I.   Finding

     The National Science Foundation (NSF) has prepared an
Initial Environmental Evaluation (IEE) and an Environmental
Assessment (ED) as a combined environmental document, for the
construction of a glass enclosed addition to the greenhouse at
McMurdo Station, Antarctica.  Based on the analyses in the
environmental document (IEE/ED), the NSF Office of Polar Programs
(OPP) has determined that implementation of Alternative B is not
a major federal action which would have a significant effect on
the human environment, within the meaning of the National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 nor is the action one
which would have more than minor or transitory effect on the
antarctic environment, within the meaning of the NSF implementing
requirements for the Protocol on Environmental Protection in
Antarctica.

     The selected alternative, B, provides for the addition of
22.3 square meters of enclosed naturally lighted space for the
growth of plants for personal use of McMurdo Station residents.
After a trial of the utility of the addition is completed or
within five years, the addition is to be decommissioned and
recycled and/or removed from Antarctica.  The selected action is
consistent with the NSF's efforts to provide for the well being
of participants in the United States Antarctic Program and
protection of the antarctic environment.









/s/Erick Chiang
_________________                       January 18, 1994
Mr. Erick Chiang
Operations Manager
Office of Polar Programs
National Science Foundation
4201 Wilson Boulevard
Arlington, Virginia  22230

II.  Purpose and Need for the Proposed Action

     The National Science Foundation proposes to advocate and
allow the construction of a 22.3 square meter glasshouse addition
to the south east corner of the McMurdo Station Greenhouse during
the late austral summer and fall of 1994.  The addition to the
greenhouse would be used to evaluate the use of natural lighting
during the summer for plant growth.  The pilot study of plant
growth and glasshouse construction would provide information to
improve future design and construction of similar facilities.  If
results prove favorable, a larger addition to the McMurdo Station
Greenhouse may be undertaken.

     The addition is expected to improve the aesthetics of the
greenhouse because plants will be visible from the exterior of
the greenhouse.  There will be a small space for visitors and
volunteers to sit inside the addition and enjoy the pleasant
surroundings.

     Use of the glasshouse will enable residents to determine
whether plants may be grown during the austral summer using only
natural lighting.  If successful, more fresh produce could be
grown than is now cultivated at McMurdo Station while using less
imported fossil fuels.

III. Alternatives

Alternative A.

     In this alternative, no action would be taken to construct
the glasshouse addition.  Because the environmental effects of
construction of the proposed facility are minimal, this
alternative, often used in environmental analyses for comparisons
of effects, is not further evaluated or described in detail.

Alternative B.

     The glasshouse addition would be attached to building No.147
on the south east corner and extend out 2.44 meters from the
building.  The L-shaped (4.88 x 6.71 x 2.44 meter) structure
would be constructed after hours by volunteer labor using mostly
recycled building materials.  For example, wood to construct the
floor would be obtained from the waste wood storage area and
glass salvaged from the interior renovation of Dormitory 202.
Heating of the structure will come from the heat given off by the
lighting in the existing greenhouse facility.  This heat is
presently discarded.  Because the heat source for the addition is
waste heat from the electric lights at the existing greenhouse,
no on-site fuel storage is required.

     The new structure will generate fresh produce during the
summer from natural lighting.  The plants placed in the addition
would include hydroponically-grown species similar to those grown
in the existing greenhouse.  The addition will allow a 20 percent
increase in the total number of plants grown in the greenhouse.

     The structure would be decommissioned at the conclusion of
an evaluation period of the design and use of the facility or
within five years.  Decommissioning would be completed as with
other facilities at McMurdo Station.

IV.  Environmental Effects and Mitigating Measures

     Minor levelling of the site is required along with the
addition of approximately two cubic meters of fine fill.  Dust
emissions would be suppressed using water, if needed.

     Waste created during construction would be mostly wood.
Because construction lumber would be obtained from the waste wood
pile, the net impact of the project would be to reduce the amount
of waste wood which must be retrograded.  Some minor noise would
be noticeable during construction.  However, it would not be
unusual in the McMurdo Station environment.

     There would be a small increase in water vapor emissions
from the transpiration from the added plants.  This may be
considered an air quality improvement because it provides a
facility where station personnel may breathe humid air.

     Discarded plant material and used nutrient solution are
wastes generated by use of the greenhouse.  The greenhouse
addition could create more plant waste.  However, the net
increase in wastes would be minor.  The waste generated by the
greenhouse includes approximately one triwall per year of used
vermiculite and one-half a triwall of plants per year.  The
hydroponic nutrient solution is the only wastewater produced at
the greenhouse.  Less than 110 liters of this solution must be
discarded approximately once per month when the concentration of
certain micro-nutrients get too high.  The nutrient solution is
presently evaporated and would continue to be treated in the same
manner.

     Costs to construct and operate the facility are expected to
be minimal.

V.   Consultation with Others

Mr. Robert Cunningham    NEPA Compliance Manager, National
                         Science Foundation, Office of Polar
                         Programs (NSF-OPP)

Dr. Jane Dionne          Acting Environmental Officer, NSF-OPP

Mr. Terry Johnson        Environmentalist, Antarctic Support
                         Associates (ASA)

Mr. Philp Sadler         Heavy Equipment Operator, ASA  Project
                         volunteer


          REVIEW OF ENVIRONMENTAL DOCUMENT AND FINDING
   INITIAL ENVIRONMENTAL EVALUATION/ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
                            (IEE/EA)





     I have reviewed the attached environmental document
(IEE/EA), including the finding and conclude that the information
presented in the document is factual and a realistic
representation of:

     The proposed action;
     The purpose of and need for the proposed action;
     Reasonable alternatives including the alternative of no
     action;
     Anticipated environmental effects based upon identified
     issues; and
     A complete listing persons consulted.

The environmental document, focused on relevant issues and
environmental effects, provides a clear basis of choice among
alternatives which fulfil the purpose of and need for the
proposed action.









/s/ Jane Dione
Dr.  Jane Dionne                        January 18, 1994
Acting Environmental Officer
Office of Polar Programs
National Science Foundation






/s/ Robert S. Cunningham
Mr. Robert S. Cunningham                January 18, 1994
NEPA Compliance Manager
Office of Polar Programs
National Science Foundation