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