LOGISTICS & EXPEDITIONS ADVENTURE NETWORK INTERNATIONAL

Environmental Documentation Union 2013-14

Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions LLC Adventure Network International Inc 3478 South Main Street Salt Lake City, Utah 84115 USA Tel: +1 (801) 266 4876 Fax: +1 (801) 266 1592 E-mail: [email protected] Web: www.antarctic-logistics.com E-mail: [email protected] Web: www.adventure-network.com

ALE Environmental Documentation , 2013 January 2014 Update

Contents

Multi-Year IEE of Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions Activities-2013 Update ...... 3 Vehicle Expedition to Supplementary Information 2013 ...... 77 Fuel Caching by Airdrop Supplementary Information 2013 ...... 83 National Science Foundation Waste Management Permit Application ...... 90 WMP ACA 2011-WM-002 M1...... 101 Advance Notification ...... 103 DOS Determination, August 21, 2013 ...... 109

Cover image: Kenn Borek Air Twin Otter DHC6-300 landing at Union Glacier

© Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions LLC 2014 No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without the prior written permission of Antarctic Logistics and Expeditions LLC

Page 2 of 109 ANTARCTIC LOGISTICS & EXPEDITIONS LLC Submission to the US Environmental Protection Agency

Multi-Year Initial Environmental Evaluation of Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions Activities

2013 Update v3

ANTARCTIC LOGISTICS & EXPEDITIONS LLC 3478 South Main Street Salt Lake City, UT 84115 USA Tel: +1 (801) 266 4876 Fax: +1 (801) 266 1592 E-mail: [email protected] Web: www.antarctic-logistics.com

Page 3 of 109 ANTARCTIC LOGISTICS & EXPEDITIONS LLC Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions Environmental Documentation 2013

NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY This Initial Environmental Evaluation is submitted by Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions LLC to the US Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Federal Activities, to meet the requirements of Article 8 and Annex I of the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty and the provisions of 40 CFR Part 8, “Environmental Impact Assessment of Nongovernmental Activities in ; Final Rule”. The IEE is a multi-year application, as provided in Section 8.4(e) of the Environmental Protection Agency's Final Rule at 40 CFR Part 8, and contains details of ALE’s proposed activities in Antarctica for the five year period from the 2010–11 to the 2014–15 season. Advance Notification will be provided to the US State Department and an application to the National Science Foundation for a Multi-Year Waste Management Permit will be submitted. ALE is a Member of the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators.

1.1 Description of the Proposed Activity Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions LLC (ALE) proposes to offer standard programs, such as Flights, Mt Vinson, Ski South Pole All the Way, Last Degree, Ski Antarctica, etc., to the tourist market, and proposes to support expeditions that wish to travel in these areas. ALE also offers support to National Operators and peer-reviewed scientific expeditions. Large transport aircraft will be used for intercontinental flights between , and naturally formed, blue-ice runways at the . Ski aircraft will be used for transport within Antarctica.

1.2 Alternatives Five alternatives to the proposed activities have been examined and assessed for their likely environmental impacts:  Establishment of Permanent Facilities  Changes to Itineraries  Changes in Intensity and Duration of Site Visits  Changes to type of aircraft and vehicles used  Don't Go Alternative All these alternatives were rejected for environmental, logistic or commercial reasons.

1.3 Assessment of Potential Impacts Likely impacts resulting from the proposed activities have been assessed, including emissions to air; fuel & oil spills; domestic waste water; solid waste; noise; physical disturbance; introduction of alien species and translocation of diseases; associated and dependent ecosystems. Cumulative impacts of the proposed activities are considered.

1.4 Minimization and Mitigation Measures to minimize and mitigate adverse impacts of the proposed activities are described. Potential impacts will be minimized by strict adherence to Antarctic Treaty Measures, Resolutions and Recommendations, the U.S. Antarctic Conservation Act, and IAATO guidelines. Standard procedures have been prepared and minimization will be further enhanced by contracting qualified staff, who will receive thorough training, client briefings, low client to guide ratios, and careful monitoring.

1.5 Conclusion Direct, indirect and cumulative impacts of the proposed activities and alternatives are considered. It is concluded that the proposed activities, provided minimization and mitigation measures are followed, will have no more than a minor or transitory impact upon the Antarctic environment.

Page 4 of 109 ANTARCTIC LOGISTICS & EXPEDITIONS LLC Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions Environmental Documentation 2013 Contents NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY ...... 4 1.1 Description of the Proposed Activity ...... 4 1.2 Alternatives ...... 4 1.3 Assessment of Potential Impacts ...... 4 1.4 Minimization and Mitigation ...... 4 1.5 Conclusion ...... 4 1. Contact Details ...... 8 2. Introduction ...... 8 2.1 Environmental Documentation ...... 8 2.2 Consolidation of Environmental Documentation ...... 8 2.3 Legislation, Standards and Guidelines...... 8 2.4 Site Coordinates and Acronyms ...... 9 3. Proposed Activities—General Information ...... 9 3.1 Union Glacier Blue- ...... 9 3.2 Duration of ALE’s Activities...... 11 3.3 Extent of ALE’s Activities ...... 13 3.4 Operational Overview ...... 13 3.5 Camp Overview ...... 14 3.6 Runways ...... 16 3.7 Location of Main Activities ...... 18 3.8 Aircraft ...... 21 3.9 Flights to and from Antarctica ...... 22 3.10 Flights within Antarctica...... 23 3.11 Vehicles and Other Combustion Engines ...... 24 3.12 Fire safety Equipment ...... 25 3.13 ALE’s Environmental Policy ...... 25 3.14 Policies and Standing Procedures ...... 26 3.15 Operator versus Contractor ...... 26 3.16 Search and Rescue, and Medical Evacuation ...... 28 3.17 Fuel, Caches and Fuelling ...... 29 3.18 Waste Collection and Disposal ...... 30 3.19 Renewable Energy Sources ...... 32 3.20 Compliance with Protected Areas, Management Plans and Guidelines ...... 32 4. Clients and Staff ...... 32 4.1 Clients ...... 32 4.2 Assessment of Clients ...... 33 4.3 ALE Staff ...... 33 4.4 Working Language ...... 35 5. Program Itineraries ...... 35 5.1 Activities from Union Glacier Base Camp ...... 37 5.2 Visits to the Geographic South Pole—General Procedures ...... 39 5.3 South Pole Flight Program ...... 40 5.4 Ski Expedition Programs ...... 40 5.5 Ski South Pole All the Way Programs ...... 41 5.6 Last Degree Expedition Programs ...... 43 5.7 Overland Vehicle Expeditions to the Geographic South Pole ...... 43 5.8 Mountaineering Programs ...... 44 5.9 Ski Antarctica and Climb Antarctica ...... 45 5.10 Emperor Penguin and Emperors and Explorers ...... 46 5.11 Marathon ...... 46 5.12 Antarctic Odyssey ...... 47 5.13 Skydiving ...... 47 5.14 Collection of Scientific Data ...... 48

Page 5 of 109 ANTARCTIC LOGISTICS & EXPEDITIONS LLC Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions Environmental Documentation 2013 6. Description of the Affected Environment ...... 48 6.1 Available Baseline Data...... 49 6.2 Protected Areas and Historic Sites and Monuments ...... 49 6.3 Union Glacier...... 50 6.4 Patriot Hills ...... 51 6.5 Ellsworth Mountains and ...... 52 6.6 Hercules Inlet–South Pole ...... 53 6.7 South Pole ...... 54 7. Alternatives to Proposed Activities ...... 54 7.1 Establishment of Permanent Facilities ...... 54 7.2 Changes to Itineraries ...... 54 7.3 Changes in Intensity and Duration of Site Visits ...... 54 7.4 Changes to Type of Aircraft and Vehicles Used ...... 55 7.5 Don't Go Alternative ...... 55 8. Likely Impacts, Assessment, Minimization and Mitigation of Proposed Activities ...... 55 8.1 Assessment of Impacts ...... 55 8.2 Analysis of Impacts ...... 56 8.3 Emissions to Air ...... 57 8.4 Fuel & Oil Spills ...... 60 8.5 Domestic Waste Water ('Grey' water) ...... 61 8.6 Solid Waste ...... 62 8.7 Noise ...... 64 8.8 Physical Disturbance ...... 65 8.9 Introduction of Alien Species and Translocation of Diseases ...... 66 8.10 Associated Ecosystems ...... 67 9. Cumulative Impacts ...... 67 10. Monitoring and Verification ...... 68 11. Conclusion ...... 69 12. References...... 69 13. Appendices ...... 70 13.1 Statement of ALE’s Environmental Policy ...... 70 13.2 ALE guidance on Biosecurity & Equipment Cleaning ...... 71 13.3 Tables ...... 72

Tables Table 1 National Operators’ caches and facilities at Patriot Hills ...... 11 Table 2 Seasonal operational overview ...... 13 Table 3 Position and reporting periods for weather stations ...... 16 Table 4 Aircraft to be used for transport to/from and within Antarctica for 2013–14 Season ...... 21 Table 5 Intercontinental flight schedule for 2013–14 season ...... 22 Table 6 Vehicles to be used 2013–14 season ...... 24 Table 7 Other Mechanical Equipment and sleds to be used 2013–14 season ...... 24 Table 8 Contents of Environmental Documentation section of ALE’s Staff Manual ...... 25 Table 9 Contents of Policies and Procedures section of ALE’s Staff Manual ...... 26 Table 10 Proposed logistic services and expedition support (ALE as “Contractor”), 2013–14 ...... 27 Table 11 Primary fuel cache locations and use ...... 29 Table 12 Secondary and occasional cache locations and use ...... 30 Table 13 Sample staff list based on the 2013–14 season ...... 34 Table 14 Proposed staff numbers, 2013–14 season ...... 34 Table 15 Typical staff skills and experience ...... 34 Table 16 Advertised programs and dates for 2013–14 season ...... 36 Table 17 Projected program client numbers for 2013–14 season ...... 37 Table 18 Zone Classification System for Union Glacier ...... 39 Table 19 Sample notification sheet for arrivals at Amundsen–Scott Station ...... 39

Page 6 of 109 ANTARCTIC LOGISTICS & EXPEDITIONS LLC Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions Environmental Documentation 2013 Table 20 Extract from daily expedition report log ...... 41 Table 21 14 CFR Part 105—§105.17 Flight visibility and clearance from cloud requirements...... 47 Table 22 Skydiving Procedure ...... 48 Table 23 Description of ‘Environment O’ from Keys and others (2007) ...... 48 Table 24 Environmental Domains where ALE has significant activities (Keys and others, 2007) ... 49 Table 25 Location of meteorite find sites in – (from AMLAMP) ... 53 Table 26 Criteria for assessing likely impacts ...... 56 Table 27 Potential environmental exposures from analysis of likely impacts ...... 57 Table 28 Fuel usage by aircraft for 2007–2010 ...... 58 Table 29 Fuel usage by vehicles, stoves, etc., for 2009–10 ...... 58 Table 30 Estimated fuel use for 2013–14 ...... 58 Table 31 Likely emission load for activities during 2013–14 season ...... 59 Table 32 Estimated annual use of batteries ...... 62 Table 33 Types of waste generated by ALE’s activities and proposed disposal routes ...... 62 Table 34 Outbound cargo by Group, 2005–2008 ...... 63 Table 35 Site Coordinates (From Alberts, 1995) ...... 72 Table 36 Acronyms used in this IEE...... 73 Table 37 Matrix of Likely Environmental Impacts ...... 74

Figures Figure 1 Wind roses for SCPZ Runway 24M, Patriot Hills and SCGC Runway 18M, Union Glacier .. 10 Figure 2 ALE’s general area of activities (extract from BAS LIMA map) ...... 12 Figure 3 SCGC Runway 18M, Union Glacier, following test flights during the 2009–10 season ..... 17 Figure 4 Ford F350 personnel transporters fitted with wheels ...... 18 Figure 5 Examples of camp tents and waterless urinal ...... 19 Figure 6 Men’s and women’s toilet units at ...... 19 Figure 7 Proposed camp layout for Union Glacier ...... 20 Figure 8 Sample slide from ALE client briefing ...... 33 Figure 9 Estimated total number of Clients, Staff and Aircrew, 2013–14 season...... 37 Figure 10 Locations at Union Glacier...... 38 Figure 11 Ski South Pole start points and routes ...... 42 Figure 12 Union Glacier location map based upon RADARSAT mosaic from ...... 51 Figure 13 Remains of 1962 USGS food and fuel cache and 1962–63 survey marker ...... 51 Figure 14 Lichen assemblage on Pt 942 between Henderson and Union ...... 53 Figure 15 Summary of ALE programs and government support for 2000–2010 ...... 68 Figure 16 Trends in landed tourists in Antarctica - 2000–2010 (IAATO, 2010) ...... 68

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2. CONTACT DETAILS This Multi-Year Initial Environmental Evaluation (IEE) was prepared by Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions LLC (ALE), which is the initial point of contact. Copies of this document and previous environmental documentation can be requested from ALE at the address below: ANTARCTIC LOGISTICS & EXPEDITIONS LLC Tel: +1 (801) 266 4876 3478 South Main Street Fax: +1 (801) 266 1592 Salt Lake City E-mail: [email protected] UT 84115 [email protected] Web: www.antarctic-logistics.com USA www.adventure-network.com ALE LLC is a privately owned company registered in the USA that has a seasonal office in Punta Arenas, Chile. The company was formed in August 2003 and later purchased Adventure Network International Inc. (ANI). Programs are marketed under the ANI name.

3. INTRODUCTION 3.1 Environmental Documentation

This IEE has been prepared to meet the requirements of Article 8 and Annex I of the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty and the provisions of 40 CFR Part 8, “Environmental Impact Assessment of Nongovernmental Activities in Antarctica; Final Rule”. This is a multi-year application, as provided in Section 8.4(e) of the Environmental Protection Agency's Final Rule at 40 CFR Part 8, and contains details of ALE’s proposed activities in Antarctica for the five year period from the 2010–11 to the 2014–15 season. An application for a multi-year Waste Management Permit has been submitted to the US National Science Foundation (NSF) and a 2013 update submitted. Each year up to the allowed maximum of five years, ALE will reference this multi-year document and submit Advance Notification to the Department of State. Post-activity reports will be prepared following each season and submitted to NSF. In future years, activities not covered by this IEE will be submitted as supplementary information. All environmental documentation, including post-activity reports, will be copied to the International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators (IAATO) as a requirement of membership.

3.2 Consolidation of Environmental Documentation Reference will be made to Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) prepared by other organizations operating or who have operated in the Antarctic, in order to minimize unnecessary paperwork. These include: ANI. 2002. Multi-Year IEE Application to the US Environmental Protection Agency. Newport Beach, California, Adventure Network International [unpublished]. Poles Apart. 1994. Initial Environmental Evaluation of Adventure Network International: Antarctic airborne operations. Beaconsfield, U.K., Adventure Network International [Unpublished].

3.3 Legislation, Standards and Guidelines This IEE has been prepared to meet the general obligations contained in the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty (referred to hereafter as the ‘Environmental Protocol’) and the specific obligations contained in Annex I (Environmental Impact Assessment). Attention has been given to Antarctic Treaty Recommendations, Measures and Resolutions that apply to non-governmental activities in Antarctica. The Environmental Protocol and relevant Recommendations, Measures and Resolutions can be found in the Antarctic Treaty database at www.ats.aq. This assessment includes compliance with the following annexes of the Environmental Protocol:  Annex II (Conservation of and Fauna)  Annex III (Waste Disposal and Waste Management)  Annex V (Area Protection and Management)

Page 8 of 109 ANTARCTIC LOGISTICS & EXPEDITIONS LLC Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions Environmental Documentation 2013  Annex VI (Liability Arising from Environmental Emergencies) And with specific US laws:  14 CFR Part 91 (2008) General Operating and Flight Rules: §91.155, Basic VFR weather minimums  14 CFR Part 105 (2008) Parachute Operations: §105.17, Flight visibility and clearance from cloud requirements  14 CFR Par 139 (2004) Certification of Airports: §139.315, Aircraft rescue and firefighting  45 CFR Part 670-672 (1996) Antarctic Conservation Act Regulations  45 CFR Part 674 (2003) Antarctic Meteorites  48 CFR Part 252 (2009) Solicitation Provisions and Contract Clauses: §236-7005 Airfield safety precautions Aircraft operations fall under a number of international and national regulations. Aircraft will be fully certified in their country of registration. ALE will follow relevant legislation, applying international and national regulations where required and using best practice in Antarctica. International aeronautical legislation relevant to this IEE include:  Recommendation 20 (1989) ATCM XV, Paris—Air Safety in Antarctica  Convention on International Civil Aviation (Chicago Convention) 1947 o Annex 11 – Air Traffic Services: Air Traffic Control Service, Flight Information Service and Alerting Service o Annex 14 – Aerodromes: Volume I Aerodrome Design and Operations. International Standards and Recommended Practices. o Annex 16 – Environmental Protection o Resolution A33-7: Consolidated statement of continuing ICAO policies and practices related to environmental protection ALE is a Member of IAATO and abides by the Association’s Bylaws. ALE follows published IAATO guidelines for tourism to Antarctica.

3.4 Site Coordinates and Acronyms The coordinates of locations used in this report are given in Table 35. Acronyms used in the text are given in Table 36.

4. PROPOSED ACTIVITIES—GENERAL INFORMATION ALE operates a seasonal intercontinental air service between Punta Arenas, Chile, and Ellsworth Mountains, Antarctica, landing large transport aircraft, such as Ilyushin IL-76 or Lockheed Hercules L-381G on blue-ice runways. Ski aircraft, such as De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter or Douglas DC3-TP67, will be used to transport clients, expeditions and research groups within Antarctica. ALE also operates a variety of over snow tractors, vehicles and snow blowers for aircraft support such as loading/unloading, runway preparation, placement of caches, and for supporting long-range expeditions. ALE’s programs will be operated within the general area of the Ellsworth Mountains including Vinson Massif, the sector to the South Pole, the Filchner–Ronnie including , the coast of Coats Land, the and the general route from to the South Pole (see Figure 2). Within this general area of operations, ALE operates standard programs, such as South Pole Flights, Ski South Pole All the Way, Last Degree, Ski Antarctica, etc. (see paragraph 6), and offers support to expeditions that wish to travel in these areas. ALE also offers support to National Operators and peer- reviewed scientific expeditions.

4.1 Union Glacier Blue-Ice Runway ALE, and previously Adventure Network International, have operated intercontinental wheeled aircraft successfully to a naturally formed blue-ice runway adjacent and parallel to Patriot Hills, , since 1988. The blue- results from an Easterly airflow crossing the Independence and Patriot Hills. It is this same airflow that causes a crosswind on the runway and may also cause turbulence. Dirección

Page 9 of 109 ANTARCTIC LOGISTICS & EXPEDITIONS LLC Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions Environmental Documentation 2013 General de Aeronáutica Civil de Chile (DGAC) certified Patriot Hills runway 24M in the late 1980s for landing aircraft and allocated the ICAO reference locator SCPZ (hereafter, Patriot Hills runway is referred to as SCPZ Runway 24M). High tail plane aircraft, such as the Ilyushin IL-76TD currently used by ALE for intercontinental flights, are susceptible to crosswinds. Crosswinds can be linked to the condition, or “slipperiness” of the runway, to generate a runway friction index (Transport Canada, 2006). This measure is a useful tool to establish landing criteria for aircraft. Typical maximum crosswind component for runway SCPZ Runway 24M for an Ilyushin IL-76TD is 18kt (9.3 m s-1). To operate within good safety parameters, therefore, conditions at the blue-ice runway must be within the correct wind speed and direction ranges, be stable for the duration of the approach flight, turn-around and takeoff time, and within the correct visibility range. The most variable of these parameters is crosswind and it is this criterion that frequently leads to flight delays. ALE has invested considerable research into locating a runway with improved parameters for landing intercontinental jet aircraft. Compacted snow runways were investigated in 2006 (ALE, 2006). Concurrently, searches were made for alternative blue-ice locations. ALE identified in 2006 an extensive blue-ice field about 60 km to the North of Patriot Hills at Union Glacier, Ellsworth Mountains (79° 45'S 083° 14'W). The area was surveyed during the 2007–08 and 2009–10 seasons by land surveyors contracted by ALE and Chilean scientists from Centro de Estudios Científicos (CECS). Weather data taken at the location (see Figure 1) indicated that an into-wind runway can be marked out on the extensive blue-ice area.

Figure 1 Wind roses for SCPZ Runway 24M, Patriot Hills and SCGC Runway 18M, Union Glacier During November 2008 the Chilean civil aviation authority (DGAC) department responsible for runway certification, Dirección de Aeródromos y Servicios Aeronáuticos (DASA), visited the location and, in coordination with FACh (Fuerza Aérea de Chile—Chilean Air Force) and INACH (Instituto Nacional Antártico Chileno), certified the runway. DGAC provided Exemption Certificate No. 03241 for a public aerodrome. DGAC do not re-certify runways, however, they do undertake periodic inspections but not at any specified interval. DGAC do not certify or inspect seasonal ski-runways. Union Glacier runway 18M has been allocated the ICAO reference locator of SCGC (hereafter, Union Glacier runway is referred to as SCGC Runway 18M). Union Glacier was searched in 2008 for potential camp locations and a site on the glacier beneath Mt Rossman (Spot Height 1450) selected. A remote weather station was installed at this location during December 2009.

Page 10 of 109 ANTARCTIC LOGISTICS & EXPEDITIONS LLC Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions Environmental Documentation 2013 ALE conducted trial landings by Ilyushin IL-76TD at SCGC Runway 18M in December 2009 and January 2010. Following the successful trials, ALE commenced the move of camp equipment from Patriot Hills to Union Glacier so that operations can commence early in the 2010–11 season at SCGC Runway 18M. SCGC Runway 18M at Union Glacier will bring the following advantages: 1. More predictable flight schedule. Presently, intercontinental flights to Patriot Hills suffer delays due to unsuitable weather conditions at SCPZ Runway 24M, with consequential effects on passenger and scientific support flights. 2. Increased maximum wind speed operating limit. Planned operational limit at Union Glacier would be 35 knots. 3. Enhanced logistic support for scientific research in this sector of West Antarctica. The proposed runway will give more predictable and reliable flight schedules. 4. Enhanced medical evacuation to Chile and increased SAR support in Antarctica. More predictable and reliable intercontinental flights will minimize the possibility of delays before evacuation to the excellent medical facilities in Chile. 5. Support of Chilean commitments to provide enhanced SAR in the Chilean Search and Rescue Region (SRR) of Antarctica. 6. Improved runway parameters will give the potential to land different aircraft types. At present many types are restricted due to length, roughness and cross-wind component on SCPZ Runway 24M at Patriot Hills.

The remaining equipment and fuel caches at the old Patriot Hills camp location will remain for the next two to three seasons. Fuel caches will be consumed but a limited amount of equipment will be stored at Patriot Hills to provide an emergency cache and to support activities in the area. Details of proposed activities at Patriot Hills will be provided in Advance Notification and in supplemental documentation. Clean-up activities, and monitoring and verification of the state of the old camp site were conducted during the 2010–11 and 2011–12 seasons. Various National Operators have caches and facilities at Patriot Hills that ALE has maintained for a number of years. The main items are shown in Table 1. ALE has commenced discussions with the respective National Operators about their intention for these facilities and caches. Several have indicated they may request ALE to move their equipment to Union Glacier.

Table 1 National Operators’ caches and facilities at Patriot Hills Fuel cache Ejército de Chile Vehicles Fuerza Aérea de Chile Parodi station and fuel cache Instituto Nacional Antártico Chileno “Melon” field hut National Science Foundation Fuel cache 4.2 Duration of ALE’s Activities Activities will follow a similar pattern each season and dates will be reported in Advance Notification. The Punta Arenas Operations Office will open in mid-October and ski aircraft will arrive at Carlos Ibañez del Campo International Airport (SCCI), Punta Arenas shortly after for preparation for Antarctica. Ski aircraft will depart for Antarctica on or about October 16th, or as soon as suitable weather allows, and will open Union Glacier camp and prepare the blue-ice runway SCGC Runway 18M for the first intercontinental flight over the next few days.

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Figure 2 ALE’s general area of activities (extract from BAS LIMA map) Blue shading shows main areas of program activity The first intercontinental transport flight, carrying ALE staff and camp equipment, will typically depart for Antarctica in late October, and the first passenger flight will depart shortly after. ALE will schedule 16–18 intercontinental flights each season (see Table 5 for the 2013–14 flight schedule) and, in addition, will operate fuel and hazardous cargo flights as required. Extra cargo flights may be made by ALE acting as a contractor (see 4.15.2) if requested by expeditions or national operators. Programs will commence with the arrival of the first passenger aircraft from Punta Arenas and will continue until the final scheduled intercontinental flight in late January. Ski aircraft will depart Antarctica as soon as they have been notified that the final intercontinental flight has landed safely in South America.

Page 12 of 109 ANTARCTIC LOGISTICS & EXPEDITIONS LLC Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions Environmental Documentation 2013 During the Antarctic operational period, the Operations Office in Punta Arenas will maintain a 24 hr radio, satellite communications and emergency response watch over all ALE activities. This office will also be a key coordinating center for any medical evacuation, SAR or other emergencies. The expected duration of ALE’s operations in Antarctica for each year of this multi-year IEE will likely be similar to the 2010–11 season. Any modifications to these dates will be reported in Advance notification.

4.3 Extent of ALE’s Activities ALE’s operations will center around:  Union Glacier—for inter-continental flight support, main Antarctic operations center;  Patriot Hills—as alternate inter-continental flight support and support of activities in Patriot Hills area  Ellsworth Mountains—for support of Mt Vinson climbs and activities in the area;  general route from Hercules Inlet to South Pole—for ski expeditions over all or part of route;  general route from Berkner Island to South Pole—for ski expeditions;  last degree and up to 5 degrees—for ski expeditions to the South Pole  general route from the Ross Ice Shelf to the South Pole—for ski expeditions over all or part of route to South Pole; and  Amundsen–Scott South Pole Station—for visitation. 4.3.1 Site Selection and Itinerary Planning Site visitation must meet the requirements of the Environmental Protocol, Antarctic Treaty Measures, Resolutions, Recommendations, and to meet IAATO standards. ALE’s criteria for selection of sites includes the presence of wildlife and vegetation, ongoing research use and past visitation. Sites are only selected where the likelihood of harmful interference or impacts on flora, fauna, or geological features will be no more than minor or transitory. New sites will be checked that they meet ALE’s safety and environmental criteria, and the existing environment will be documented, noting areas to be visited or avoided. Sites are verified that they do not form part of, or adjoin, a protected area. All sites used in ALE programs have been visited previously. This experience has been used to determine whether sites will meet ALE’s site selection criteria. The information and actions to be taken before, during and after expeditions detailed in Recommendation XVIII-1 (ATCM, 1994) and Resolution XXXIV-3 (ATCM, 2011) will be followed, and particular attention paid to Resolution XXVII-2 (ATCM, 2004) on the operation of aircraft. Itineraries for the 2010–11 and subsequent seasons will be planned to meet relevant Treaty regulations and guidelines, and to be consistent with safe and commercially viable activities. The number of clients and guides, the duration of programs, and the locations to be visited will be managed according to considerations of safety, weather, environment, schedules, and the abilities of clients. This approach allows a high degree of flexibility and makes possible incorporating changing parameters as they develop.

4.4 Operational Overview Standard procedures have been developed by ALE to manage activities throughout each season. Table 2 is an overview of an established sequence of events leading to the start, operation and closure of the season. Various activities are described in greater detail in subsequent sections, for example, the selection of clients and staff is described in Section 5; program itineraries are given in Section 6, etc. Table 2 Seasonal operational overview Activity Comment Pre-season staff and client checks Résumés, Medical and Personal forms submitted and checked. Operations Office Punta Arenas Communications networks established and maintained for duration of opens season. Ski aircraft arrive Punta Arenas Aircraft cleaned and prepared prior to departure to Antarctica. Staff Arrive Punta Arenas for 3 day training course and briefings run in Punta Arenas including training / briefing environmental, first aid, standard procedures, program briefings, rescue techniques. Ski aircraft dispatch Flight plans submitted to Dirección General de Aeronáutica Civil

Page 13 of 109 ANTARCTIC LOGISTICS & EXPEDITIONS LLC Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions Environmental Documentation 2013 Activity Comment (DGAC) and Regional Coordination Centre (RCC). Skytrac (GPS tracking system) activated. Ski aircraft open Union Glacier On arrival at Union Glacier, flight crew and ALE staff set a basic camp and establish communications with Union Glacier. Runway preparation Ski runway groomed and main runway prepared, marked, weather station installed and activated. First intercontinental jet flight Flight plans submitted to DGAC and RCC. Flight on standby until confirmation that Union Glacier systems are ready and suitable weather. Flight transports start-up cargo, food, staff, etc. Union Glacier camp Staff construct tented camp—may take several weeks in inclement weather. All services activated in preparation for first passenger flight. Vinson Base Camp Once Union Glacier camp is part-established, ski aircraft flight to Branscomb Glacier to open Vinson Base Camp. Clients arrive Punta Arenas When each group of clients arrives in Punta there are two days of environmental, safety and operational briefings. Gear and clothing are checked for biosecurity and suitability. Hire equipment is issued. ALE carries stock of clothing and equipment for poorly equipped clients. First passenger flight For this and all subsequent flights, plans are submitted to DGAC and RCC. Scheduled passenger flights will be reported in Advance Notification. Fuel and hazardous cargo flights are scheduled on suitable weather days. Flight Arrival On arrival, passengers transfer to main camp, where they are given a camp briefing, fed and settled into their tents. Cargo is unloaded/loaded and the aircraft leaves within 2–4 hrs of landing. Expedition programs start Long-range expeditions, such as Ski All The Way are the first to start as they require the longest . Main programs start Living with Emperor Penguins is the first non-expedition program. Climbing programs, e.g. Mount Vinson, start in the last week of November. The other programs operate in December and January when conditions on the polar plateau are more favorable. Season’s activities Union Glacier and Vinson Base camps are established by the end of November. Fuel caches are re-stocked by flight and tractor. Fuel and hazardous cargo flights. Vinson Base Camp closed The mountain is cleared and camps removed by the end of January. Vinson Base Camp is disassembled and cached for the last flight back to Union Glacier. All waste is removed. Union Glacier Camp closed Once the last expeditions are recovered and final programs completed, Union Glacier camp is disassembled and cached. Final intercontinental jet flight All remaining passengers and staff embark. All waste is removed. Ski aircraft depart Union Glacier Ski aircraft remain in Antarctica until the final Ilyushin flight has landed in South America. They then depart for Punta Arenas Operations Office Punta Arenas Charter aircraft depart. closes Punta Arenas Office runs for two to three weeks after Union Glacier camp closes to finalize season’s activities, repair/clean equipment and store for winter. 4.5 Camp Overview ALE’s operation is driven by the requirement to fly all equipment, stores and fuel into Antarctica. Seasonal camps will be constructed from a combination of large insulated tents with solid floors, typically used for general service areas; two-person, double–walled tents with solid floors used for client sleeping; double- walled mountain tents used as staff sleeping accommodation and for client overflow; and large storage

Page 14 of 109 ANTARCTIC LOGISTICS & EXPEDITIONS LLC Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions Environmental Documentation 2013 tents with or without floors used for support services such as vehicle and aircraft maintenance, waste storage, etc. All of these tents and floors will be collapsed for the winter and stored in caches. ALE has also flown a number of 20ft ISO containers into Antarctica for use at base camp. These will be used for the communications office, dry and cold food storage; storage for oils, lubricants and engine spares; and workshops. ISO containers provide secure storage of equipment caches over winter; better containment for oils and lubricants over winter and during the season than storage on snow; and a sheltered and fire safe place to work on vehicles and field equipment. Pontoon sleds or the Hammer Lift will be used for moving containers. A number of units, based on the 20ft ISO container footprint, have been pre-fabricated outside Antarctica and will be flown in to be assembled on site. These include toilet and shower blocks, kitchen, and Operations center for Union Glacier camp, and a small toilet for the Thiel Mountain cache. This last item will make a significant improvement to the comfort of staff, aircrew and clients at the Thiel Mountain cache stopover for fueling aircraft. The current arrangement utilizing a small tent as a toilet has proved to be awkward and urination marks on the snow surface have been recorded. A better toilet arrangement will help to ensure that all human liquid and solid waste generated at the cache site will be removed for disposal outside Antarctica. In the event of ALE ceasing to operate, close-down plans will include the removal of all this equipment from Antarctica and clearing of the sites occupied. ALE does not carry insurance for the removal of the camp and equipment, however, this consideration forms part of the financial reserves that, under best business practices, ALE holds in case of unforeseen incidents.

4.5.1 Communications The key to safe and responsible operations in Antarctica is good communications equipment and protocols. ALE’s base camp and ski runways have proved helpful to National Operators that transit or work in the region. Good communications are therefore necessary not only for ALE’s activities that take place over a wide area but also to coordinate ALE’s activities with National Program flights and activities in the region. The main seasonal communications centers will be based at Union Glacier Base Camp; adjacent to the blue-ice runway, SCGC Runway 18M; and at Vinson Base Camp. The communication center at Union Glacier Base Camp will be housed in an ISO container adjacent to a new Operations Office that was installed during the 2012–13 season. The center beside SCGC Runway 18M is in a pre-fabricated unit installed during the 2010–11 season and the Vinson Base camp center is housed in the main living tent. Communications will be maintained using regulated frequencies in HF and air bands, and by Iridium satellite communication systems. The main centers above will use base station sets for all three systems to provide security and back-up to communications. Typically, expeditions and remote camps will communicate by hand-held Iridium phones and data links. Vehicles will have HF, VHF and Iridium systems installed. Local communications at the main centers will be by hand-held VHF radios where cover can be maintained, or by hand-held Iridium phones. The need to maintain good communications requires suitable antennas at the main centers. A 15m jackable mast will be installed at Union Glacier Base Camp that will support a variety of HF antennas to provide communications within Antarctica and to the operations office in Punta Arenas. The mast will be sited on a weighted box to provide stability and to overcome antenna vibration issues. Satellite communications at Union Glacier camp will be by Iridium OpenPort® system. This allows multi- channel simultaneous data and phone transmission. The system requires a small antenna (570 x 230 mm) similar to that used on ships. The antenna will be mounted on snow on a 2m mast. The jackable HF and Iridium masts will be collapsed at the end of the season for winter storage. Local VHF communications at Union Glacier and Vinson Base Camp will be enhanced by repeater units. Experience has shown that there were a number of radio “black-spots” in both areas that will be overcome by the use of repeaters. These will be sited to give the optimal coverage of the main work areas. The VHF repeater position at Union Glacier will be determined once signal strength analyses have being calculated. A unit was installed on a main ridge to Vinson summit in 2009 and has proved useful in maintaining contact

Page 15 of 109 ANTARCTIC LOGISTICS & EXPEDITIONS LLC Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions Environmental Documentation 2013 between mountain groups and base camp on a number of occasions and enhancing safety on the mountain. The repeater units are housed in weatherproof boxes with integral battery units powered by solar panels. They are designed to require minimal maintenance and will be left in place over winter. The units will be checked each season and removed if required.

4.5.2 Meteorology A second strand to safe operations in Antarctica is monitoring and forecasting weather conditions. ALE has funded the purchase and maintenance of two synoptic Automatic Weather Stations (AWS), detailed in Table 3. These stations also have web cams that provide images of nearby runways. The stations are essential to safe air operations and data is transmitted by Iridium data link. Further information is given in The International Antarctic Weather Forecasting Handbook (Turner and Pendlebury, 2009). ALE also operates a number of lower grade remote AWS that will be placed at suitable locations each season to provide additional meteorological information.

Table 3 Position and reporting periods for weather stations Station Station No./Operator Coordinates / Elevation Reporting Period WX-7, Union Glacier 89081 / UK S79° 46.1' W083° 16.1' 771m continuous WX-8, Thiel Mountains 89087 / UK S85° 12.0’ W087° 53.0' 1634m continuous

ALE will use weather satellite receivers to monitor real time conditions, and will receive real-time mesoscale and synoptic forecast products from the Antarctic Mesoscale Prediction System (AMPS). A new satellite receiver will be installed during the 2013–14 season, the Seaspace® 0.61m Horizon-Polar. This will provide greatly enhanced reception of weather satellite images from NOAA, MetOp and other polar orbiting satellites. ALE meteorological staff received training on the Seaspace® receiver during July 2013. A forecaster will be contracted each season, who will compare weather models to determine suitable weather conditions for flight activities and to produce various meteorological outputs including:  TAF Bulletin daily and on request, for ALE activities and supplied to various NAPs  METAR Bulletin when flights are pending or operating, for ALE activities and supplied to various NAPs  Camp weather forecast in plain language  Medium Range Wind and Weather Forecast used for planning operations  Forecast for Mount Vinson area to support the local guides/rangers/climbers  Pilot briefings on request for ALE activities and various NAPs  Expedition weather forecasts on request During the season ALE will maintain links with forecasters based at Rothera and Halley Stations (UK), Neumayer Station (), and McMurdo and South Pole Stations (US). Meteorological information and forecasts (METARs and TAFs) will be routinely exchanged with these stations. Out of season, the ALE forecaster will regularly attend AMPS meetings.

4.6 Runways ALE operates a mix of wheeled and ski aircraft (see Table 4) and requires different runway types to service these activities. Wheeled aircraft, used for intercontinental flights, require a hard runway surface. There are extensive, naturally formed blue-ice areas in the Ellsworth Mountains and since 1988 ALE, and previously ANI, have successfully operated wheeled and ski-wheel aircraft from runways on these blue-ice areas. Ski aircraft require prepared snow runways to land and ALE maintains several ski runways at its main operations centers. Standard procedures for the preparation, marking and use of runways have been developed, and emergency procedures for aircraft incidents developed.

4.6.1 Blue-Ice Runway Preparation The naturally formed blue-ice areas require very little preparation for landing wheeled aircraft. Both of the blue-ice runways operated by ALE (SCPZ Runway 24M, Patriot Hills and SCGC Runway 18M, Union Glacier)

Page 16 of 109 ANTARCTIC LOGISTICS & EXPEDITIONS LLC Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions Environmental Documentation 2013 have been certified by Dirección General de Aeronáutica Civil de Chile (DGAC). The process of researching, surveying and certifying blue-ice runways is given in paragraph 4.1. Over time, blue-ice areas remain clear of snow through a mix of the effects of wind scour and . Intercontinental aircraft have a low tolerance for snow on runways and an amount of snow blowing is required during the season to maintain a clear runway. Typically, winter storms may have left hardened drifts on the runway and these will require clearing before the first intercontinental flight of the season. The effect of repeated snow blowing over several seasons will lead to a slightly smoother ice surface but this is preferred by pilots (see Figure 3). Black and red marker flags will be used to identify the edge of the runway, and to show the threshold and rollout zones. An approach and departure map has been prepared, indicating clear flight routes and no-fly areas. Structures near blue-ice runways will be positioned and marked according to ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices (ICAO, 2006).

Figure 3 SCGC Runway 18M, Union Glacier, following test flights during the 2009–10 season (Also see Title page image)

SCGC Runway 18M, Union Glacier was inspected by an experienced Gulfstream GV pilot in January 2011 who indicated the runway was suitable for landing long range large corporate jet aircraft. Several developments resulted from this inspection. ALE purchased a runway friction assessment device, a Vericom RFM4000X Decelerometer, that meets FAA Airport Winter Safety and Operations, Appendix 3 & 4, Performance Standards for Decelerometers. Since November 2012 an assessment of runway friction is made before every Ilyushin landing, reported to the pilot and compared to the runway friction index (Transport Canada, 2006). Improved fire safety equipment will be deployed during the 2013–14 season (see section 4.12) for all intercontinental flight landings.

4.6.2 Ski Runway Preparation Ski runways are an essential part of ALE’s operations and will be prepared and maintained at Union Glacier, Patriot Hills and Thiel Mountains. Ski runways will be prepared by towing a Mogul Master Multi-Blade Planer® (groomer) by tractor along the length of the ski runway. This will level any small sastrugi or bumps that form over winter or during the season. Large drifts may have to be removed before grooming by

Page 17 of 109 ANTARCTIC LOGISTICS & EXPEDITIONS LLC Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions Environmental Documentation 2013 blading or tilling. Structures near ski runways will be positioned and marked according to ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices (ICAO, 2006). At other locations, aircraft will land on unprepared snowfields. At new locations or when a ski runway has not been used for some time, aircraft will make one or more passes to judge the terrain. A smoke flare may be used if the pilot has any concerns about wind conditions. Aircraft will shut down engines on landing and a simple snow anchor tie down prepared if the stay is for more than a few hours.

4.7 Location of Main Activities Activities will be centered at several locations in Antarctica (see 4.3): Union Glacier, Patriot Hills and Vinson Base Camp. Temporary campsites may be set, e.g. at caches that require digging up or other management. Camps will also be set and used by the operation of programs and a camp may be set at the South Pole for the use of expeditions waiting for aircraft pick-up. The main areas of activity are described in detail in the following sections.

4.7.1 Union Glacier Blue-Ice Runway The distance between the blue-ice runway, SCGC Runway 18M. and the main camp on Union Glacier is sufficiently far, c.9km, that facilities will be required beside the runway to provide support for activities at the runway, shelter in case of inclement weather, oil spill containment equipment and emergency supplies. Facilities at SCGC Runway 18M will need to be completely self-contained to prevent any spillage or loss onto the blue-ice area of any waste, fuels, oils, grey or black water. A Berg Manufacturing Inc. Expandable Shelter System (ESS) will be purchased and used at the runway for accommodation and support for staff working at the runway and as a shelter for passengers during intercontinental flight changeovers. A double walled fuel tank with integral shut of valves will be sited at the runway for fuelling vehicles needed for runway activities. All wastes generated at the camp will be contained. Grey water and human waste will be pumped into IBC and solid wastes will be stored in closed bins. All wastes will be removed from Antarctica.

4.7.2 Union Glacier Camp The main operational camp for ALE’s seasonal activities will be established on Union Glacier beneath Mt Rossman. The camp will be set during November, over a period of several weeks. It is occupied during November through January and is completely disassembled for winter storage just prior to the final flight. Delicate items and equipment needing repair will be returned to Punta Arenas on the final flight. The remaining camp equipment will be cached at the location for winter storage. The camp will accommodate up to 100 passengers and staff, and will have emergency supplies for up to 200 people. All personnel pass through this camp site, which is located c.9 km to the East of SCGC Runway 18M. 15 seat wheeled vehicles will be used to transport personnel between the two locations and to support activities in the local area (see Figure 4).

Figure 4 Ford F350 personnel transporters fitted with wheels

Page 18 of 109 ANTARCTIC LOGISTICS & EXPEDITIONS LLC Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions Environmental Documentation 2013 The main camp structures will be constructed from large insulated Weatherhaven® tents with solid floors. These will be used for messing, rest areas, washing facilities and storage. Pre-fabricated units will be used for the kitchen, operations center, toilets and shower block. Containers will be used to house workshops, operations and communications office, toilets and storage. Containers and pre-fabricated units will over winter at Union Glacier. Clients will sleep in 2-person tents and staff will be accommodated in smaller individual tents (see Figure 5).

Figure 5 Examples of camp tents and waterless urinal The main Weatherhaven® tent will house a dining/sitting area where staff and clients can meet, have daily briefings and have space to rest. An expedition Weatherhaven® tent will be provided for ski expeditions and mountaineering programs where food will also be served. A smaller library/lecture Weatherhaven® tent will provide a quiet area for reading, pre-activity briefings and for lectures. The tents, containers and pre-fabricated units will be heated by stoves that burn aviation fuel or by wall- mounted propane stoves. Water is supplied by self-contained units that use Webasto heaters to melt snow and maintain it at sufficient temperature to minimize Legionnaires infections. As far as possible, waste fuel or residues from drums will be used for tent heaters and snow melters. Toilets will come in two forms: traditional toilet tents set with plastic lined storage bins to contain solid human waste and empty drums for urine collection; and pre-fabricated urinal and toilet stalls that rely on passive radiant solar heating (see Figure 6). Liquid waste will be pumped into intermediate bulk containers (IBC). IBCs will be shipped to Punta Arenas where they will be emptied into the licensed aircraft black- water reception system.

Figure 6 Men’s and women’s toilet units at Union Glacier camp.

Page 19 of 109 ANTARCTIC LOGISTICS & EXPEDITIONS LLC Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions Environmental Documentation 2013 A large tent will be used as a stores reception and waste storage facility between flights. As far as is practicable, all human waste and other waste will be stored for removal from Antarctica by air to Punta Arenas. Grey water from the kitchen and washrooms will be filtered and drained into a snow pit. Only biodegradable cleaners will be used. The location and GPS co-ordinates of grey water pits will be recorded. Union Glacier Communications center will house the main HF radio and satellite communications system for maintaining contact with aircraft, Vinson Base Camp, program groups, expeditions and Punta Arena Operations Office. A separate pre-fabricated Operations Centre, adjacent to the communication center, will house field operations and flight activity managers. These units will utilize renewable power sources, e.g. solar panels and wind generators, backed-up by gasoline generators. The move of the main camp to Union Glacier has allowed the camp layout to be reviewed (see Figure 7). Better separation of quiet and noisy, and between pedestrian and transport areas will be achieved. A ski runway suitable for ski aircraft operations will be maintained to one side of camp. The ski runway will be designed and placed so that it can be easily extended if required to land NSF ski Hercules aircraft. A groomed and marked snow road network will be made around the camp and to the blue-ice runway. Marked routes will also be groomed to the main areas for visitor activities. Union Glacier is active and has a number of crevassed areas. The whole area will be zoned to indicate safe and unsafe areas to work and travel. A winter storage area will be used to the East of the summer camp to minimize snowdrift, and therefore snow clearing, over the camp area. The ice cave storage used at Patriot Hills will be replaced by surface dry-store and buried cold-store containers. The latter will have a small solar-powered lift to bring stores to the surface.

Figure 7 Proposed camp layout for Union Glacier

4.7.3 Patriot Hills Camp The main camp and equipment from the Patriot Hills location was moved at the end of the 2009–10 season to Union Glacier. Remaining at the site are the existing ALE fuel cache and a small cache of equipment and

Page 20 of 109 ANTARCTIC LOGISTICS & EXPEDITIONS LLC Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions Environmental Documentation 2013 emergency supplies stored in the old Cessna hanger. In addition there are caches used by National Operators (see Table 1). The ALE fuel cache will be drawn down during the next 2–3 years leaving a small cache for local operations. Clean-up activities were commenced at the end of the 2009–10 season and will continue over the next two seasons. The aircraft hangar (ANI, 2002) has been retained to cache equipment and emergency supplies, and any National Operators’ caches.

4.7.4 Vinson Massif Camp A camp has been operated for a number of seasons on the Branscomb Glacier at the base of Vinson Massif (78º28'S 86º05'W) to support groups attempting the mountain. The camp is c.150 km north of Union Glacier at an elevation of 2137m. The camp provides support and communications for all climbing programs on Mt Vinson, Antarctica's highest peak, and a center for coordinating SAR or other emergencies in the area. A member of ALE staff will remain at the camp while expeditions are in the area. The camp consists of a large Weatherhaven® insulated tent that houses the operations center, stores and kitchen area for ALE staff. Clients use individual mountain tents an usually, a communal tent is erected for each group. Each group caters for themselves, assisted by their guide. There will be no large communal tents, such as erected at Union Glacier. A small water generator will be used at the base camp. All waste generated at Vinson Base Camp, except grey water and urine, will be returned to Union Glacier for removal from Antarctica. A considerable effort is expended to keep mountain routes clean. Climbers will bring all waste off the route, except grey water and urine (see 9.6) for storage at Vinson Base Camp before return to Union Glacier and eventual removal from Antarctica.

4.8 Aircraft The types of aircraft that will be used during the 2013–14 season for intercontinental transport between Punta Arenas and Union Glacier and for flights within Antarctica are shown in Table 4. Typically, ALE charters one Ilyushin, and two or three ski aircraft of type De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter and Douglas DC3-TP67 aircraft for the season. The type and number of aircraft, registration and other details will be included in Advance Notification for each season. Intercontinental aircraft will be fully certified in their country of registration and will be insured for the number of passengers to be carried. These aircraft will also have third party and environmental liability insurance for the duration of Antarctic activities. The aircraft will carry a survival pack, including tents and sleeping gear on all flights as laid down in ALE’s and the charter company’s operational manuals. Other types of intercontinental aircraft may be chartered, such as Lockheed Hercules L-382G, depending on the availability and cost of aircraft on the international charter market.

Table 4 Aircraft to be used for transport to/from and within Antarctica for 2013–14 Season Flight Aircraft Type No. National Fuel capacity Crew / Passenger Registration / Type capacity Inter- Ilyushin IL-76TD 1 Kazakhstan 86 tonnes / 9 / 60 continental Jet-A1 Inter- Dassault Falcon 7X 1 Luxembourg 14.5 tonnes / 2 / 16 continental Jet-A1 Within De Havilland DHC-6 1/2 Canadian 1.6 tonnes / 2 / 12 Antarctica Twin Otter Ski equipped Jet-A1 Within Douglas DC3-TP67 Ski 1 Canadian 2.5 tonnes / 3 / 18 Antarctica equipped Jet-A1

ALE has been reviewing the possibility of landing long range large corporate jet aircraft, commonly called executive jets, at SCGC Runway 18M, Union Glacier (see 4.6.1). Typically, these jets have greater fuel economy and lower emissions than comparable commercial airliners. Examples include the Dassault Falcon 7X, Gulfstream GV and Gulfstream G550, all of which are large cabin, 8–16 passenger capacity, and exceed current aircraft environmental standards.

Page 21 of 109 ANTARCTIC LOGISTICS & EXPEDITIONS LLC Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions Environmental Documentation 2013 Long range large corporate jet aircraft may land at SCGC Runway 18M, Union Glacier, during 2013–14 or 2014–15 seasons. Prior to the first landing, ALE will require the pilot to visit and inspect SCGC Runway 18M, Union Glacier, in conjunction with our highly experienced Ilyushin pilots. To January 2013, over 100 blue-ice runway landings have been made by ALE. ALE will have a minimum of two ski-equipped aircraft operating in Antarctica to provide logistic support and search and rescue back-up to the various programs, chartered from Kenn Borek Air Ltd, Calgary, Canada. Aircraft are registered in Canada and certified to meet Transport Canada’s requirements and will have passenger and liability insurance cover. Each aircraft will carry a survival pack, including tents and sleeping gear, fuelling and spill equipment as laid down in ALE’s and the company’s operations manuals.

4.9 Flights to and from Antarctica ALE will schedule a number of intercontinental passenger flights each season and, in addition, will operate two or three fuel and hazardous cargo flights as required and when weather conditions allow. The proposed schedule will be included in Advance Notification. Table 5 shows the planned schedule for the 2013–14 season. The route will take about 4.5 hrs and will fly at an altitude of 9,100–10,600m (30,000–35,000ft). Once over Drake Passage, the route passes over the , crossing the Antarctic coastline at the Ronne Entrance at about 72°S 74°W. If conditions prevent landing at Union Glacier, the aircraft will return over the same route to Chile. All flights depart from Carlos Ibañez del Campo International Airport (IATA: PUQ / ICAO: SCCI), Punta Arenas, Chile, and most will land at SCGC Runway 18M, Union Glacier. Several flights a season will land at SCPZ Runway 24M, Patriot Hills, either directly from Punta Arenas or via SCGC Runway 18M, Union Glacier. All flights carry passengers unless otherwise indicated. All Antarctic flights require good weather to run and delays are possible. Intercontinental flights will only called when a suitable weather period is forecast at the blue-ice runways and conditions fall within agreed flight parameters. If conditions deteriorate during the flight and fall outside agreed parameters, it will be cancelled and the aircraft will return to Punta Arenas. The intercontinental aircraft used can make the round trip Punta Arenas–Antarctica–Punta Arenas without fuelling and so a landing can be cancelled, even during the final blue-ice runway approach, if conditions deteriorate. Weather monitoring and forecasting processes deployed and used by ALE are described in Section 4.5.2.

Table 5 Intercontinental flight schedule for 2013–14 season Date Flight Aircraft Notes 27-Oct-13 1 Ilyushin IL76 Return flight to Union Glacier 31-Oct-13 2 Ilyushin IL76 Return flight to Union Glacier 04-Nov-13 3 Ilyushin IL76 Cargo to Union Glacier. Passengers to Punta Arenas 08-Nov-13 4 Ilyushin IL76 Cargo to Union Glacier. Passengers to Punta Arenas 11-Nov-13 5 Ilyushin IL76 Return flight to Union Glacier 15-Nov-13 6 Ilyushin IL76 Cargo to Union Glacier. Passengers to Punta Arenas 19-Nov-13 7 Ilyushin IL76 Return flight to Union Glacier 23-Nov-13 8 Ilyushin IL76 Return flight to Union Glacier 27-Nov-13 9 Ilyushin IL76 Return flight to Union Glacier 01-Dec-13 10 Ilyushin IL76 Cargo to Union Glacier. Passengers to Punta Arenas 05-Dec-13 11 Ilyushin IL76 Return flight to Union Glacier 08-Dec-13 12 Ilyushin IL76 Cargo to Union Glacier. Passengers to Punta Arenas 11-Dec-13 13 Ilyushin IL76 Return flight to Union Glacier 14-Dec-13 14 Ilyushin IL76 Cargo to Union Glacier. Passengers to Punta Arenas 17-Dec-13 15 Ilyushin IL76 Return flight to Union Glacier 21-Dec-13 16 Ilyushin IL76 Cargo to Union Glacier. Passengers to Punta Arenas 29-Dec-13 17 Ilyushin IL76 Return flight to Union Glacier 04-Jan-14 18 Ilyushin IL76 Return flight to Union Glacier 10-Jan-14 19 Ilyushin IL76 Return flight to Union Glacier

Page 22 of 109 ANTARCTIC LOGISTICS & EXPEDITIONS LLC Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions Environmental Documentation 2013 Date Flight Aircraft Notes 13-Jan-14 20 Ilyushin IL76 Cargo to Union Glacier. Passengers to Punta Arenas 16-Jan-14 21 Ilyushin IL76 Cargo to Union Glacier. Passengers to Punta Arenas 19-Jan-14 22 Ilyushin IL76 Cargo to Union Glacier. Passengers to Punta Arenas 22-Jan-14 23 Ilyushin IL76 Cargo to Union Glacier. Passengers to Punta Arenas 27-Jan-14 24 Ilyushin IL76 Cargo to Union Glacier. Passengers, cargo and waste to Punta Arenas Notes to Table 5. 1. In addition to the scheduled flight plan above, ALE has been contracted by various National Operators to deliver cargo to Union Glacier. This and ALE’s requirement for the delivery of hazardous and fuel cargos will add further flights. The dates will be determined by delivery of cargo to Punta Arenas, Chile, and suitable weather conditions to fly to Antarctica. 2. The primary runway is SCGC Runway 18M at Union Glacier. A ground team will be assembled, including a medic, in preparation for each landing. The runway will be checked for foreign objects (FOD) and anything more than minor snow patches will be removed by snow blowers. A weather station will be set at the threshold and will be monitored prior to and throughout flights, and conditions reported to the aircrew. The final approach will be signaled by sun mirrors, which have proved to be the most reliable method although solar-powered lighting arrays will be tested as an alternative. A ground support crew, wearing hi- visibility jackets and equipped with air band radios, will be in place before final approach and will manage the taxiing and unloading of the aircraft. For safety reasons, only ALE staff will unload/load the aircraft and operate ground machinery. Clients and other visitors will not be permitted to assist and ALE staff will escort them to the main camp area.

4.10 Flights within Antarctica Ski aircraft will operate within Antarctica from prepared and unprepared snow ski runways. Occasionally, ski/wheel equipped Twin Otter and DC3-TP67 aircraft will land on prepared ground or ice runways, e.g. at Teniente Marsh, King George Island. Flights to the South Pole are required to land on the ski runway prepared by the US station staff. There is no set flight schedule for flights within Antarctica. Nearly all programs require a flight to take clients to their start point or a pick-up at the end and flights will be operated as weather conditions allow. All ski aircraft flights will be operated to meet Kenn Borek Air’s and ALE’s flight SOPs that will include flight plans, passenger manifest and a range of pre-flight checks such as weight and balance. A ski aircraft flight plan will be prepared for each incoming intercontinental flight arrival so that clients can be flown to their respective locations in the most efficient sequence. This sequence will vary according to the distance to be traveled, weather conditions on route and at proposed landing points, and the number of clients to be moved. Clearly, this will be a fluid planning activity and it will be coordinated between the Operations Manager and the Chief Pilot. Individual pilots have final control on all flights. A passenger manifest and flight log will be compiled for every flight. Flights will be followed by a satellite GPS tracking system and also monitored by VHF, HF radio or Iridium. Off- and On-Deck notifications will always be given. Satellite tracking allows monitoring of aircraft positions in real time via a web link. All Kenn Borek Air’s ski aircraft will be fitted with satellite GPS tracking. The primary monitoring location will be at Kenn Borek Air’s offices in Calgary, Canada. ALE has an agreement with Kenn Borek Air for access to the satellite GPS tracking system for the aircraft under ALE’s control. Monitoring is done at ALE’s offices in Punta Arenas. The satellite GPS tracking system does not supersede flight following in Antarctica by a combination of VHF, HF radio or Iridium. The aircraft tie-down area at Union Glacier will be marked by a red flag line and is a no-go area for all clients unless authorized and accompanied by a member of staff or flight crew. Aircraft will be fuelled and maintained at the tie-down and a small, insulated air mechanic workshop tent will be erected nearby. Clients and staff must take with them on all flights a personal flight bag that includes sleeping kit and spare clothing. When a flight is called the Operations Manager will request adequate survival equipment, including tents, stoves, communications, food and fuel for the total number of passengers expected onboard. Cargo will be loaded, passengers board and will be given a flight briefing. Flights will refuel at one

Page 23 of 109 ANTARCTIC LOGISTICS & EXPEDITIONS LLC Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions Environmental Documentation 2013 of the ALE caches if required and, usually, passengers will be given the opportunity to stretch their legs at such stops.

4.11 Vehicles and Other Combustion Engines A range of vehicles, sleds and other equipment will be used in Antarctica. Table 6 and Table 7 show those that will be used during the 2013–14 season. Details will be reported in Advance Notification. Experienced mechanics and trades assistants will be employed to operate and service vehicles, and maintain mechanical services. Other ALE staff will be trained in basic repair and oil spill procedures. Tracked and wheeled vehicles will mostly be used at Union Glacier. Large tractors, e.g. Prinoth Alpine BR350, will haul fuel to caches and will be contracted for use by National Antarctic programs in support of their research projects. The Ford E350 6-wheel Trucks will be used to support expeditions to the South Pole. Generators will be used at Union Glacier and Vinson Base camps as a back-up to renewable power sources or for powering tools. A welder/generator set will be available in the workshop at Union Glacier for repairs.

Table 6 Vehicles to be used 2013–14 season Type / Make, model No. Fuel Use Trackless-MTB 1 Jet-A1 Snow blower for runway snow clearance and aircraft ground support Ford–RPM Tech TM220 1 Jet-A1 Snow blower for runway snow clearance CAT 950H BR 1 Jet-A1 Snow blower and cargo handler Wausau LR44 Snow Blower 1 Jet-A1 Snow blower for runway snow clearance Tucker Sno-Cat 3 Jet-A1 Personnel & cargo transport, ski runway grooming 1643DRE/1643E/2000E Prinoth Alpine BR350 3 Jet-A1 Ski runway grooming, cargo transport Kässbohrer PistenBully 300 1 Jet-A1 Ski runway grooming, cargo transport Polar Snowmobile (BRP, Skidoo, 16 Unleaded Personnel, cargo transport, expedition support Yamaha) Gasoline Ford Crew Cab Truck F350- 2 Jet-A1 Personnel transport at Union Glacier Wheel Ford E350 6-wheel Truck 2 Jet-A1 Personnel transport and expedition support BRP Commander 4x4, side by 1 Unleaded Runway FOD clearance and inspection side Gasoline

Table 7 Other Mechanical Equipment and sleds to be used 2013–14 season Type / Make, model No. Fuel Use Hammarlift Container 1 Jet-A1 Cargo container movements Handler Lehmann Sled 5 N/A Cargo transport Pontoon Sled 2 N/A Cargo transport Container Cargo Slides with 4 N/A Cargo transport ‘A’ Frame Mogul Master Groomer 2 N/A Skiway and camp maintenance Prinoth 16ft Tiller 2 N/A Skiway and camp maintenance Sig-Marine stove Force 10 2 Jet-A1 Tent heating Dickinson stove 4 Jet-A1 Tent heating Sig-Marine Force 10 2 Jet-A1 Tent heating Dickinson Stove 4 Jet-A1 Tent heating Webasto 90S Coolant 8 Jet-A1 Water production and workspace heating Heaters 12/24 V Herman Nelson Aero Tech 2 Jet-A1 Heaters for cold start of vehicles and aircraft

Page 24 of 109 ANTARCTIC LOGISTICS & EXPEDITIONS LLC Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions Environmental Documentation 2013 Type / Make, model No. Fuel Use BT400 Generator (1-12KVA) 10 Unleaded Power source for vehicles and power tools Gasoline Honda fuel pumps 5 Unleaded Fuelling aircraft and vehicles Gasoline Air Compressor (Honda 1 Jet-A1 Vehicle maintenance and camp set up engine) Kovacs Enterprises Jiffy Ice 3 Unleaded Camp set-up and aircraft tie-down points Drill Gasoline Chain saw 7 Unleaded Camp set-up Gasoline Tanaka 4” Ice auger 2 Unleaded Runway marker flags, camp set-up Gasoline

ALE has a restrictive policy on vehicle use for safety and environmental reasons. Only specified staff will be permitted to use the tractors and snow blowers and only staff who have received training will be allowed to drive snowmobiles. Helmets will be worn by all snowmobile drivers once outside the camp boundary. Snowmobiles will be linked when traveling off marked roads. Clients will not normally be allowed to drive any vehicles.

4.12 Fire safety Equipment Fire safety equipment will be deployed at SCGC Runway 18M, Union Glacier during the 2013–14 season. It is proposed to use the Tri-Max compressed air foam suppression system manufactured by Kingsway Industries Inc. Two TM30-W Tri-Max 30 Wheeled CAF and two TM3-AL Tri-Max Mini-CAF units will be used to provide fire safety cover for intercontinental flights. The units will be filled with FireStopper® XL (FFC), manufactured by FireStopper Chemicals and Technologies Company, Inc. This is a concentrated active foaming agent that is dispersed under gaseous pressure. It is rated for Class B (hydrocarbons liquids and gases) and Class K (cooking oils and fats) fires, and suitable for low temperature use. FireStopper® XL (FFC) meets European biodegradability standard (OECD 301 part A-E) and complies with Federal Hazardous Substances Act 16 CFR 1500. The concentrate will be stored in 5 gallon sealed containers. A total of 130 gallons of FireStopper® XL (FFC) will be stored at Union Glacier camp. Conventional fire safety equipment will be deployed in workshop, kitchen, medical, and communal tents. Fire equipment will also be carried on any enclosed vehicles, e.g. Tucker Sno-Cat, Prinoth tractors, etc., and in traverse accommodation. Tents and vehicles will have 2–20 kg dry powder and CO2 extinguishers or fire blankets as appropriate.

4.13 ALE’s Environmental Policy ALE subscribes to the principle that our activities will have no more than a minor or transitory impact on the Antarctic Environment. ALE’s activities will be managed so as to minimize potential impacts within Antarctica and in Chile, where our waste will be re-used, recycled or disposed. A key policy statement overlies all ALE’s activities (see 14.1) and environmental documentation will be circulated to all staff and contractors on appointment. Table 8 shows the contents of the Environmental Documentation section of the Staff Manual. The Manual is available to staff through a password protected website and is continuously updated. A limited number of flash drives are prepared for off-line use.

Table 8 Contents of Environmental Documentation section of ALE’s Staff Manual Antarctic Treaty US Documents Handbook: Introduction ACA Handbook Antarctic Treaty System Handbook: Operation EPA 40-CFR Part 8, EPA Final Rule Protocol on Environmental Protection to the NSF 45 CFR Parts 672 and 673, Non-governmental

Page 25 of 109 ANTARCTIC LOGISTICS & EXPEDITIONS LLC Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions Environmental Documentation 2013 Antarctic Treaty Expeditions ATCM XVIII Recommendation 1 (1994) NSF 45 CFR Parts 674, Antarctic Meteorites ATCM XXVII Measure 4 (2004) DOT 49 CFR Part 173.403, Radioactive Materials ATCM XXVII Resolution 2 (2004) U.S. Policy on Private Expeditions To Antarctica ATCM XXXII Resolution 7 (2009) ATCM XXXIV Resolution 3 (2011) ASMA No.5 (2007, Rev 2011) Management Plan for South Pole Station

ALE IAATO ALE Environmental Documentation Visitor Guidelines (various languages) ALE Multi-Year IEE Field Operations Manual (current version) Waste Management Permit Advance Notification

4.14 Policies and Standing Procedures ALE is committed to providing a healthy and safe environment in our places of work, and to minimizing potential environmental impacts. Work sites will be evaluated and risks managed using the best information to hand. Changing weather or other conditions may modify work plans after a risk assessment has been prepared. On-the-spot revisions will be carried out to minimize exposure to risk. Risk management conducted by ALE has resulted in the preparation of a variety of standard environmental and operational procedures to cover specific activities, e.g. emergency procedures, oil spill, waste Guidelines, vehicle operations, etc., that together form a contingency plan for ALE’s activities and guidance on specific issues. Table 9 shows the contents of the Policies and Procedures section of the Staff Manual.

Table 9 Contents of Policies and Procedures section of ALE’s Staff Manual Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions Health and Safety Policy Incident Report Form Environmental Policy Vehicle Safety Procedures Alcohol Policy Biosecurity, Vehicle and Equipment Cleaning Confidentiality Policy Fire safety Plan Emergency Procedures Guidance for Visitors Medical Triage South Pole Expedition Procedures Emergency call checklist South Pole Briefing Vinson Waste Guidelines Camp Hygiene Oil Spill Contingency Plan Meteorological Reporting Fuel Spill Action Card Communications Procedures and Briefing Ski aircraft operations Importing Animal Food Products into Chile Ski landing area marking Airport Procedures—Punta Arenas

IAATO Other Visitor Guidelines (various languages) FAA 14 CFR Part 91 General Operating and Flight Rules: Marine Wildlife Watching Guidelines §91.155, Basic VFR weather minimums Boot, Clothing and Equipment FAA 14 CFR Part 105 Parachute Operations: §105.17, Flight Decontamination visibility and clearance from cloud requirements Wildlife Awareness Manual (FCO, 2006) 4.15 Operator versus Contractor ALE acts in two roles in Antarctica. The primary role will be as a tour and expedition provider that can be described as ALE acting as an “Operator”. In a secondary role, ALE will provide services for government and nongovernmental activities and is described as ALE acting as a “Contractor”. The criteria used by ALE to distinguish between these roles are given in paragraphs 4.15.1 and 4.15.2 below. Where there is a likelihood of cross-over between these roles, ALE is careful to identify potential conflicts in contracts with the relevant parties.

Page 26 of 109 ANTARCTIC LOGISTICS & EXPEDITIONS LLC Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions Environmental Documentation 2013 4.15.1 Criteria for ALE acting as an “Operator” ALE operates tour programs and seasonal logistic and SAR support for a number of Antarctic destinations including the general area of the Ellsworth Mountains, overland routes to the South Pole, overland routes from Ross Ice Shelf and approaches to the South Pole. The term “operator” implies that ALE has a supervisory role over the relevant program or expedition, including pre-trip checking of clients’ résumés and medical fitness, transport to Antarctica, relevant arrangements within Antarctica including support at base and field camps, communications and continuous medical advice and medical evacuation support throughout the entire activity. The term also implies that ALE is responsible for assessing, managing and mitigating likely environmental effects. Acting as an “Operator”, ALE charters heavy transport aircraft for inter-continental flights and ski-equipped field aircraft for flight activities within Antarctica. ALE publishes details of its schedules and itineraries on web pages and in other media such as printed brochures. Proposed activities will be reported annually in Advance Notification.

4.15.2 Criteria for ALE acting as a “Contractor” ALE offers logistic services to expeditions, National Operators and peer-reviewed research projects on a “Contractor” basis. Services may include communications and medical evacuation support; provision of flights, fuel or accommodation; field support such as the provision of snowmobiles, guides or equipment. Proposed logistic services and expedition support for the 2013–14 season are given in Table 10 and are subject to ongoing contractual discussions. When acting as a “Contractor”, ALE takes no responsibility for supervising the expedition except for the services contracted. ALE will not have been involved with detailed itinerary planning, selection of sites or environmental documentation, except in an advisory capacity. ALE will also not be responsible for assessing or managing likely environmental effects for these activities but will use its best endeavors to ensure the organizers have submitted suitable environmental documentation to the relevant national authority. Expeditions where ALE is a “contractor” are not covered in this report, however, ALE will provide details of expeditions for which it is acting as a “contractor” in annual Advance Notification.

Table 10 Proposed logistic services and expedition support (ALE as “Contractor”), 2013–14 Expedition Purpose No. pax on Date National Notes ALE flights Authority 2013 Maria Leijerstam SAR and 2 Dec 13 UK SAR support from South 'Keep on Cycling' flight Pole to Union Glacier. Supported by Trucks. Hand over from TAC at South Pole 2013 Geoff Wilson, Pink SAR and 1 Dec 13- Crossing expedition from Polar Expedition flight Jan 14 Novolazarevskaya to Union Glacier via the South Pole. SAR support hand over from TAC at South Pole 2013 Faysal Hanneche, SAR and 1 Jan-14 Crossing expedition from Solo Traverse flight Novolazarevskaya to the South Pole then kite ski to Union Glacier via. SAR support hand over from TAC at South Pole British Antarctic Survey / Logistic 0 Nov 13 UK Cargo retrograde to Punta Sub- Services Arenas Ellsworth

Page 27 of 109 ANTARCTIC LOGISTICS & EXPEDITIONS LLC Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions Environmental Documentation 2013 Expedition Purpose No. pax on Date National Notes ALE flights Authority British Antarctic Survey / Logistic 0 Dec 13- UK Flight support, food and GPS Survey Services Jan 14 accommodation at Union Glacier CECS Logistic 2 Dec 13 Chile Cargo to Union Glacier for Services field station Fuerza Aérea de Chile Logistic 4 Dec 13- Chile Cargo to Union Glacier and (FACh) Services Jan 14 flight support for move of Chilean station from Patriot Hills to Union Glacier INACH Logistic 4 Dec 13- Chile Paleomagnetic Survey of Services Jan 14 Ellsworth Mts Instituto Logistic 4 Dec 13- Brazil Crisofera 1 support: Nacional de Ciencia e Services Jan 14 accommodation for Tecnologia da Criosfera scientists at Union Glacier, traverse to Thiel Mtns NSF / POLENET Logistic 0 Dec 13- USA Support LC-130 landing and Services Jan 14 Ski aircraft at Union Glacier Programma Nazionale Flight 0 Oct 13 Italy Supply of aircraft (DC3- Ricerche in Antartide Services and TP67) to support Italian Feb 14 flights to Concordia

4.16 Search and Rescue, and Medical Evacuation ALE provides Search and Rescue (SAR) services in Antarctica for all its programs, as required under ATCM XXVII Measure 4 (2004) Guidelines on contingency planning, insurance and other matters for tourist and other non-governmental activities in the Antarctic Treaty area. ALE may also offer SAR for expeditions where ALE is acting as a contractor. Activities are planned and resources allocated to provide a healthy and safe environment for clients and ALE staff. All clients will be required to have insurance, or some other financial arrangement, to cover medical evacuation from Antarctica in case of an illness, accident or emergency. ALE will contract sufficient suitably skilled staff to operate programs and to provide a back-up and support service. These elements form the basis of a contingency plan to meet search and rescue requirements, and medical evacuation needs. These plans do not rely on the support of national programs to be effective. Staff are a key component of ALE’s contingency plans and suitably qualified medics, guides, communications officers, trades operatives and pilots will be contracted. Qualified mountain guides will act as Rangers on Vinson Massif to monitor activities on the mountain, provide assistance and effect rescues if required. ALE will maintain a 24 hour radio and telephone watch in Antarctica and at the operations office in Punta Arenas during the season. All programs and expeditions must contact one of the ALE communications points at least once every 24 hours, many report twice a day. Failure to make contact for 48 hours will result in a rescue being initiated. The 48 hour limit is the absolute and contractual maximum. In reality, every expedition and program will be continually assessed depending on their experience and skills, their location, known hazards at that location, and the availability of rescue assets. For any particular situation, the above issues will be analyzed and a rescue may be initiated much sooner than 48 hours. ALE has found it necessary to establish a clear contractual reporting obligation on clients and expeditions The rational for the 48 hour limit has been driven in part by advice from mountain rescue organizations and medical evacuation insurance companies, who consider 48 hours to be a reasonable maximum time period to allow for poor communications or other issues that might otherwise trigger an unnecessary rescue operation.

Page 28 of 109 ANTARCTIC LOGISTICS & EXPEDITIONS LLC Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions Environmental Documentation 2013 4.17 Fuel, Caches and Fuelling ALE’s activities will use a number of fuel types, including unleaded gasoline (for snowmobiles, generators), white gas (for camp stoves), Jet-A1 (for aircraft, vehicles, stoves, some pumps), a variety of lubricants and hydraulic fluids (for aircraft, vehicles and tractors), propane gas (for cooking and heating) and engineering gases. Fuel for use within Antarctica will be carried on intercontinental flights. Most fuels and lubes will be transported and cached in UN classified 60 l or 200 l tight-head drums. White gas will be transported in 5 gal cans. Gasses will be carried in certified cylinders. All container types will be removed from Antarctica when empty or no longer required for re-use or disposal. Fully bunded, double-walled 1500 l (350 gal) tanks will be used for fuelling of vehicles and aircraft at Union Glacier, and during some tractor traverses. These double-walled tanks are vented and marked for specific fuels and will be filled in Antarctica directly from 60 l or 200 l drums. Fuel delivery will be by an integral electric pump system and the tanks will have level and leak gauges. ALE places and maintains a number of fuel and food caches for the support and safe operation of activities. The majority of ALE’s fuel caches are for aircraft use because the range and payload of the ski aircraft used requires caches to cover ALE’s operational area. Caches also provide locations where ski expeditions can re-supply food and fuel, or wait for aircraft pick-up. Some of the ski expedition programs use two or three caches on their route so that sled weights are more manageable. ALE’s policy is to replace drums at caches on a regular basis so that the age of the fuel is acceptable to aircrews, who prefer to use fuel that is at most one to two years old. The location of ALE’s primary fuel caches, outlined in Table 11, will remain the same year on year. Cleary, there are footprint advantages in keeping to the same location. Secondary caches, given in Table 12, will typically be set for the season and used or removed by the end. Some do stay in place over winter, especially where the cache will be needed early the following season. The use and testing of cached fuel is covered by Kenn Borek Air’s SOPs, which drive ALE’s SOP in this particular area. The first stage will be supply of fuel in sealed drums and careful cache management. Weekly cache reports will be made to monitor use, quantity, age and location of caches and fuel/oil stocks generally. All fuel will be filtered in the transfer pump chain before use by aircraft. Kenn Borek Air’s aircraft will carry fuel test kits for use if required. The large transport aircraft used for intercontinental flights, typically, have round-trip fuel capability for the Punta Arenas to Union Glacier/Patriot Hills routes and will not require fuelling in Antarctica.

4.17.1 Cache Locations ALE places and maintains a number of primary caches for aircraft support, as shown in Table 11.

Table 11 Primary fuel cache locations and use Location Use Union Glacier Main fuel cache location. Majority of ski aircraft fuelling will be at this location. Patriot Hills Secondary fuel cache at alternate runway and ski runway. Various National Operator fuel caches are located at Patriot Hills Thiel Mountains Fuel cache for South Pole and Last Degree flights and flights to Ross Ice Shelf South Pole Fuel cache for South Pole and Last Degree flights, emergency supplies for expeditions visiting the South Pole Berkner Island Fuel cache for emperor penguin program and Berkner Islands ski expeditions. Vinson Base Camp Fuel cache to support mountaineering programs , Wilson Fuel cache to support Ross Ice Shelf programs Piedmont Gould Coast To support programs in the Ross Ice Shelf sector

Examples are given in Table 12 of other caches that will be placed when required by specific programs. These caches will typically be stocked for short periods only.

Page 29 of 109 ANTARCTIC LOGISTICS & EXPEDITIONS LLC Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions Environmental Documentation 2013 Table 12 Secondary and occasional cache locations and use Location Co-ordinates Use Institute Ice 82°S, 079°W To support vehicle access to South Pole. Joint cache with BAS and Stream NSF King George Island 62°S, 058°W To support Peninsula flight operations Last Degree 89°S, 081°W Near program start point to reduce demands on South Pole cache; location for Last Degree and ski expeditions to cache waste. Mount Sidley 79°S, 107°W To support Mt Sidley program Plateau 84°S, 052°E To support flights Thiel Corner 85°S, 080°W To support ski expedition programs Transantarctic Mts 80°S, 150°E To support ski expedition programs

Occasionally, other cache locations will be required and new caches will be noted in Advance Notification.

4.17.2 Fuelling At Union Glacier, vehicles and ski aircraft will be fuelled from double-walled 1500 l (350 gal) tanks using their integral electric pump system. Fuelling will typically take c.0.5 hr to fuel a Twin Otter. All ski aircraft will fuel at the ski runway location. Vehicles will be fuelled at set locations. At other locations, caches or landing sites vehicle and aircraft fuelling will be from 60 l or 200 l drums using a small gasoline-powered transfer pump. Semi-rotary hand pumps will be used as a back-up to powered transfer pumps and for transferring small quantities of fuel needed for vehicles, stoves, etc. ALE has a fuelling policy and Oil Spill Response plan that requires all reasonable precautions to be taken so that that there is no leakage from cached fuels and that there will be no spills during fuelling operations. ALE will require that all ski aircraft carry spill kits and suitable kits and mats will be used for fuelling all aircraft and vehicles. All staff and air crew that manage fuelling will be briefed in these policies and plans. All vehicle users will be instructed in oil spill containment measures. Fuelling at camps will be at set locations where spill mats will be used. Fuelling of vehicles in the field will be done with materials to hand to clean any inadvertent spills. All fuel caches will be clearly marked with wands and GPS data recorded. Beacons will be used to mark fuel caches located in areas of high snow accumulation or significant glacier movement to enable subsequent recovery. All fuel drums will be inventoried and empty drums removed from Antarctica for re-use or recycling. An inventory will be used to ensure fuel stocks are in date, and to manage their use and replacement.

4.18 Waste Collection and Disposal ALE has standard procedures for the collection and disposal of waste. The procedures are based on a policy of total removal, as far as is practicable, of all solid waste, including human waste, from Antarctica. Where possible, waste will be re-used or recycled. Other waste will be passed to licensed companies for proper disposal in Punta Arenas. All staff and clients will be briefed on ALE’s waste policy and procedures. Wherever feasible, wastes generated by expeditions, including empty fuel drums at caches, will be returned to base camp for removal from Antarctica. Wastes will be stored in suitable containers pending removal. The majority of waste will be generated at the Union Glacier base camp. Kitchen waste will be sorted into metals, glass, general and food wastes. A waste tent will be set where wastes can be stored pending removal from Antarctica. Wastes will be secured in closed bins to prevent wind-blown litter and any encouragement to scavenging by birds, albeit rarely sighted at the camp. The current mix of collection systems for human waste results in waste being stored in IBC, double-lined heavy duty bin bags, and 60 l drums. The management and disposal of human waste is described in paragraph 4.7.2. Waste guidelines have been prepared for travel in the Union Glacier area and for mountaineering, specifically for the Mt Vinson program. Research into practices for waste management on mountains used

Page 30 of 109 ANTARCTIC LOGISTICS & EXPEDITIONS LLC Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions Environmental Documentation 2013 elsewhere has shown that the removal of wastes nearly always refers only to solid waste, whether human or otherwise. Liquid wastes (urine and grey water) are rarely addressed (AAC, 2010). Many temperate and tropical backcountry areas rely on composting toilets but even these suffer problems resulting from the addition of urine or other liquids, and they do not appear suitable for use in Antarctica.

Vinson Waste Guidelines Help us maintain the pristine nature of Vinson Massif. Camp at  Carry all your toilet waste to base camp either in designated camp sites and follow ALE waste policy: group toilet bags or in individual WAG BAG.  Urinate only at marked Pee Holes.  Remove all feces and all garbage from the mountain  Use your Pee Bottle if you need to urinate and there  Dispose of urine (pee) and gray water (waste water is no Pee Hole nearby. Empty your Pee Bottle at a from cooking) only at marked sites (Pee Holes). marked Pee Hole. Ensure that all your expedition members understand what to do Toilets on the mountain with urine, feces, gray water and garbage at each campsite and use the procedures explained here.  There is one marked Pee Hole for urine and gray water at each camp. There are additional Pee Holes on the route Carry these notes with you and review them at each camp. between camps. Urinate only at these marked sites and General points empty your Pee Bottles here.  Do not contaminate the snow anywhere else with urine or  Separate urine from feces everywhere on Vinson. gray water. Urine goes in Pee Holes; feces go in bags.  At Low and High camps there is a snow wall shelter beside  DO NOT defecate in Pee Holes. the Pee Hole to provide privacy when you defecate.  You provide garbage bags and group toilet bags. ALE gives Defecate into a bag, NOT onto the snow. you 3 individual WAG BAG* per person.  In past years toilet areas have been badly contaminated At Vinson Base Camp with feces and urine. Using a bucket to hold your group Garbage in Base Camp toilet bag makes it easier to use. When defecating do not urinate in the toilet bags or onto the snow. Urinate into  Use a bin liner/garbage bag in your group kitchen to collect your Pee Bottle. your garbage.  Give full garbage bags to ALE staff. Half Camp and Low Camp Toilets in Base Camp  Use a double-bagged group toilet bag for feces.  Do not leave bags of toilet waste at Half Camp. Carry them  Use the Vinson Base Camp toilets provided by ALE for up to Low Camp. Collect them when you return to base feces. camp.  Do not urinate in the toilets.  Urinate in the snow only at the two marked “Pee At High Camp Holes” beside the toilets. Empty Pee Bottles and dispose of  Defecate into a WAG BAG, not on the snow. gray water here.  Use the individual WAG BAGs provided by ALE for feces in Gray water & food waste in Base Camp High Camp.  ALE staff will give you a bucket and sieve when you arrive Summit Day at base camp.  Carry a WAG BAG and Pee Bottle with you in case you need  Strain your gray water into the bucket to remove as much to use one on the route. food waste as possible.  Put solid food waste in your garbage bag. Return to Base Camp  Empty the bucket of strained gray water into the Pee Hole.  Carry all toilet and garbage bags back down to base camp. ALE staff will show you where to put your garbage and Above Base Camp toilet waste bags. Garbage on the mountain  Return any unused WAG BAGs to the ALE staff.  You must carry all of your garbage back to base  ALE will fly all waste to Union Glacier and onward to Punta camp. Take enough garbage bags with you. Arenas for proper disposal.

 Do not leave garbage or equipment anywhere on the ® route—this includes food, caches, broken equipment etc. * WAG BAG —Individual human waste bag containing a bio- degradable powder that turns waste into a stable gel.  When you return to base camp, ALE staff will show you where to put your garbage bags. Toilet waste on the mountain  Do not defecate anywhere on the route! The Vinson Waste Guidelines were derived, in part, from management of wastes on Denali (National Parks, 2007) and from similar guidelines developed by Union Internationale des Associations de Guides de Montagnes (UIAGM), Mountaineering Council of Scotland (Where to "Go" in the Great Outdoors) and British Mountaineering Council. Guides must sign a declaration indicating they have read the Vinson Waste Guidelines and instructed their clients.

Page 31 of 109 ANTARCTIC LOGISTICS & EXPEDITIONS LLC Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions Environmental Documentation 2013 ALE has pioneered the practice in Antarctica of the use of biodegradable WAG BAGs® that will be removed from Antarctica for disposal in Punta Arenas landfill. ALE does not permit clients to dispose of any solid waste (human or otherwise) in or by burning. All wastes, except urine and grey water, will be brought off the mountain and removed from Antarctica. This exceeds standard practices used at other mountains or national parks. WAG BAGs® will also be used in the Union Glacier area and by Last Degree groups to reduce human wastes left on the route. Longer expedition programs, e.g. Ski South Pole, will carry and use WAG BAGs® for the final degree approach to the South Pole. Some expeditions have trialed the use of WAG BAGs® for their entire journey and this practice is being encouraged for all expeditions.

4.19 Renewable Energy Sources ALE’s policy is to use renewable power sources, e.g. solar photovoltaic and solar thermal panels, and wind generators, wherever possible. Electrical power for Union Glacier and Vinson Base Camps is almost entirely from renewable sources, backed-up by gasoline generators when required. Where practicable, ALE is extending the use of renewable energy. Currently, electrical power is typically generated by solar photovoltaic panels charging sealed, heavy duty deep cycle batteries. Communications and IT equipment is entirely powered by renewable sources.

4.20 Compliance with Protected Areas, Management Plans and Guidelines ALE’s main areas of activities fall outside any Antarctic Specially Protected Areas. Programs that will take place in or enter an Antarctic Specially Managed Area (ASMA) will comply fully with the current Management Plan. The most commonly visited protected area is ASMA No. 5 Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station, South Pole, and all staff will be briefed in the requirements of the Management Plan. All program groups will be given a briefing on the ASMA in Punta Arenas and prior to departure from base camp.

5. CLIENTS AND STAFF 5.1 Clients Clients come from a variety of sources including direct selling, agents, guiding companies and expeditions. All clients will be assessed for their past experience, medical suitability, level of fitness, skills and training regime for the particular program or expedition they wish to do. Medical checks will be undertaken for all clients (see paragraph 5.2) but other areas such as résumés and training regimes will be checked either by ALE or by the agent or guide company. Agents and guiding companies are assessed by ALE and only those of the highest standard are contracted. Agents may provide clients for all programs but, typically, guiding companies provide clients only for the Mt Vinson program, often as part of a “Seven Summits” series. Many guiding companies have a long-term arrangement with their clients built up over several years, including training and guiding on other mountains. Guiding companies will typically provide a guide to accompany their group of clients and in these cases, ALE will review the skills and experience of the guide.

5.1.1 Pre-departure preparation Clients will be well informed and briefed before they depart for Antarctica. They will receive several letters following booking that include booklets about ALE, how to behave in Antarctica and biosecurity concerns. All clients will be required to attend pre-trip briefing in Punta Arenas where they receive instruction in safety features for their journey (see example slide at Figure 8), biosecurity measures, a description of the areas they will be likely to visit, environmental training, including relevant parts of Recommendation XVII-1 (ATCM, 1994), Resolution XXXIV-3 (ATCM, 2011) and Protected Area information, e.g. ASMA No.5 Management Plan.

Page 32 of 109 ANTARCTIC LOGISTICS & EXPEDITIONS LLC Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions Environmental Documentation 2013

Figure 8 Sample slide from ALE client briefing

5.2 Assessment of Clients Medical Every client, whether joining a program or an expedition, must complete a Medical Information Form (MIF) that is assessed by ALE’s Medical Officer to check that the client is medically suitable for the proposed program or expedition. ALE’s Medical Officer will contact the client’s physician if there are any issues of concern, and may request a detailed medical examination. In some cases, clients have been refused due to an unsuitable medical history. Details from the MIF will follow clients during their program so that ALE’s medics and guides are aware of any specific medical issues. Visitors from National Operators do not complete MIF, however, we seek advice from the medical section of the relevant National Operator for any personnel that are visiting for more than a few days. Insurance All clients must provide an in-date insurance certificate or demonstrate some other form of financial security that shows adequate cover for medical evacuation from Antarctica. The level of insurance ALE requires varies depending on the program or expedition and is related to the maximum likely distance from Union Glacier. Assurances will be sought from National Operators contracting ALE’s services that they are aware of the likely costs of evacuation for their staff.

5.3 ALE Staff A number of staff will be contracted seasonally to work for ALE in Antarctica. Some will be contracted directly; others work for ALE as a result of services contracted from companies, e.g. pilots and engineers that are part of aircraft charter agreements. Whether contracted directly or indirectly, all staff will be treated the same. They attend and will be expected to comply with briefings in Punta Arenas and Antarctica; with any guidelines or operating procedures issued by ALE; and to act at all times with concern for the health and safety of clients and other contractors. They will be subject to the same environmental controls and constraints as clients, often taking responsibility for the environmental management of clients and operational activities.

5.3.1 Staff Numbers The number of staff will vary from season to season and will depend on the range and type of programs and projects undertaken. Details for each season will be provided in Advance Notifications. Table 13 shows a sample staff list for the 2013–14 season. Client bookings for the 2013–14 season are reasonably flat following the centenary anniversaries. The proposed number of ALE staff for the 2013–14 season is shown in Table 14.

Page 33 of 109 ANTARCTIC LOGISTICS & EXPEDITIONS LLC Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions Environmental Documentation 2013 Table 13 Sample staff list based on the 2013–14 season Location Responsibility Role Location Responsibility Role Antarctica Operations Operations Manager Antarctica Flight Pilots Communications Operators Engineers Meteorologist Aircraft Ops Hotel Services Guest Services Manager Punta Arenas Office Operations Manager Hotel Housekeeping Service Client Manager Chefs Client Relations Dish Washers/Cleaners Office Manager Client Support/Lecturer Flights Manager Medical Doctors/ Medics IT/Communications Garage Chief Mechanic Flight Pilot Assistant Mechanics/Drivers Co-pilot Trades Assistants Engineers Guides Vinson Camp Manager Load Master Vinson Guides Ski South Pole Guides Last Degree Guides Union Glacier Camp Guide Emperor Penguin Ornithologist

Table 14 Proposed staff numbers, 2013–14 season Antarctica Medic 5 Flight Crew 14 Guides 15 Staff 40 Punta Arenas Staff 10 Flight Crew 8 Total 92

ALE operates a year-round office in Salt Lake City, Utah, that is the main organizing point for ALE’s activities. The office also manages sales, client bookings, purchasing and other services.

5.3.2 Staff experience ALE will employ experienced staff, a high degree of whom (in excess of 75%) will have worked in Antarctica previously. Where relevant, staff will be required to demonstrate skills, certification or training for their particular trade, e.g. American Mountain Guides Association, Union Internationale des Associations de Guides de Montagnes (UIAGM), mechanical certification, medical qualifications, etc. Examples of the type of skills and degree of previous experience for staff are given in Table 15. Advance Notification will include names and experience of contracted staff, where these are known at the time of submission. Staff will be expected to have First Aid and CPR training and all staff, in particular guides, will be required to submit résumés. Experience will be assessed and medical fitness checked before staff are contracted. Preference will be given to applicants with previous Antarctic, polar or mountain experience, according to the role they will carry out. A log will be kept of staff skills and experience. ALE Medical Officer ALE retains a physician year round to deal with any medical issues, assess clients’ medical forms, and purchase suitable medical equipment and supplies for use in Antarctica. The ALE physician is also responsible for finding physicians and suitably experienced nurses (to Practitioner, Paramedic or Accident & Emergency standard) for work in Antarctica during the season.

Table 15 Typical staff skills and experience Post Skills / Experience Antarctic Operations Manager Multiple polar seasons, typically have history of

Page 34 of 109 ANTARCTIC LOGISTICS & EXPEDITIONS LLC Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions Environmental Documentation 2013 Post Skills / Experience employment by National Operator. At least 2 seasons with management responsibility. Operations Manager, Punta Multiple seasons of polar, air and Punta Arenas operations, Arenas fluent Spanish speaker. Vinson Base Camp Manager Extensive mountain experience to international guide level. At least one season on Mt Vinson plus other Antarctic experience Vinson, Expedition Guides and Extensive mountaineering experience to international guide Leaders level. Over 80% have previous Antarctic experience. All expedition leaders have previous Antarctic experience. Chief Mechanic Qualified mechanic and tractor driver. Previous Antarctic experience and management responsibility Medics, Union Glacier Trained Physician with extensive mountain, expedition or wilderness experience. Knowledge of cold injury and altitude medicine. At least one medic will have previous Antarctic experience. Hotel Staff Basic hygiene certificate Catering qualifications Over 80% have previous Antarctic experience. Communications/Meteorologist Communications experience, detailed IT knowledge Previous Antarctic experience Trades Assistants Typically have previous Antarctic experience Trade qualification Pilots Extensive hours on type. Knowledge of off-field operations. Previous polar experience.

5.4 Working Language Clients and staff will come from a range of nationalities, some of whom may not have English as their first language. The working language of ALE is English and all guides and staff will be assessed for their ability to communicate in it. Of particular concern is how will staff react in emergency situations or, more routinely, when taking instructions by radio or satellite phone with reduced clarity. ALE has taken several steps to minimize the likelihood of misunderstood instructions, safety measures and warnings. One of the criteria for the selection of Antarctic staff is language ability: typically, ALE staff will have a range of language abilities, including Russian, French, German and Spanish as well as English. Clients’ use of English will be assessed and groups that have poor English will be asked to nominate a member who is conversant in English and who can relay information to the group as a whole. If none in the group speak good enough English, ALE will request that a translator accompanies the group. These issues will usually be addressed before clients depart their home country. A number of key ALE procedures and guidance notes are produced in a variety of languages. ALE also takes advantage of IAATO translations of Recommendation XVIII-1 (ATCM, 1994) and Resolution XXXIV-3 (ATCM, 2011). The briefing sessions at Punta Arenas and in Antarctica will provide further opportunities to ensure that practical procedures are in place to surmount any language barriers.

6. PROGRAM ITINERARIES ALE offers a range of programs in Antarctica for the luxury, expedition and mountaineering markets. Programs will be run in the general area of the Ellsworth Mountains and to the South Pole. Expedition and mountain programs will also be run on the Filchner–Ronne and Ross ice shelves and in the .

Page 35 of 109 ANTARCTIC LOGISTICS & EXPEDITIONS LLC Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions Environmental Documentation 2013 Program descriptions in the following sections have a general introduction to programs that visit or start at the South Pole, ski expeditions and mountaineering programs. Further specific details follow the relevant general introduction. For marketing purposes, these programs are often referred to as “ANI Experiences”. Proposed itineraries for the 2011–12 season are given in Table 16. The dates given are dependent on suitable weather conditions for intercontinental flights and for transfers within Antarctica. Clients may combine two or more itineraries; a common mix is to combine Mt Vinson and Last Degree programs.

Table 16 Advertised programs and dates for 2013–14 season Program Code From To Duration (days) South Pole Flights SP1 05 Dec 2013 11 Dec 2013 7 SP2 11 Dec 2013 17 Dec 2013 7 SP3 29 Dec 2013 04 Jan 2014 7 90S/ON 04 Jan 2014 10 Jan 2014 7 SP4 04 Jan 2014 10 Jan 2014 7 Emperor Penguins Emp1 27 Nov 2013 05 Dec 2013 9 Emps/Explor1 11 Nov 2013 19 Nov 2013 9 Emps/Explor2 23 Nov 2013 27 Nov 2013 5 Emps/Explor3 27 Nov 2013 05 Dec 2013 9 Mount Vinson V1 23 Nov 2013 05 Dec 2013 13 V2 05 Dec 2013 17 Dec 2013 13 V3 17 Dec 2013 29 Dec 2013 13 V4 29 Dec 2013 10 Jan 2014 13 V4-Ski 29 Dec 2013 10 Jan 2014 13 V5 10 Jan 2014 22 Jan 2014 13 Ski Last Degree LD1 05 Dec 2013 17 Dec 2013 13 LD2 17 Dec 2013 29 Dec 2013 13 LD3 04 Jan 2014 16 Jan 2014 13 LD2.5 27 Nov 2013 05 Dec 2013 9 Ski South Pole All the Way SKSP-H 23 Nov 2013 22 Jan 2014 61 – Hercules Inlet Start Ski South Pole All the Way SKSP-M 23 Nov 2013 10 Jan 2014 49 – Messner start Ski South Pole All the Way SKSP-AH 11 Dec 2013 10 Jan 2014 31 – Footsteps of Amundsen Ski South Pole All the Way SKSP-Ross 15 Oct 2013 15 Feb 2014 124 – Ross Is start Antarctic Odyssey AO1 05 Dec 2013 11 Dec 2013 7 AO2 11 Dec 2013 17 Dec 2013 7 AO3 29 Dec 2013 04 Jan 2014 7 AO4 04 Jan 2014 10 Jan 2014 7 The Ice Marathon Mar 19 Nov 2013 23 Nov 2013 5 Climb Antarctica Climb1 17 Dec 2013 29 Dec 2013 13 Climb2 10 Jan 2014 22 Jan 2014 13 Ski Antarctica Ski1 05 Dec 2013 17 Dec 2013 13 Ski2 29 Dec 2013 10 Jan 2014 13 Mt Sidley–Volcanic Seven Sidley 17 Dec 2013 29 Dec 2013 13 Summits

Estimated client numbers for the 2012–13 programs are given in Table 17. These numbers are based on past seasons' data and advance bookings for the 2012–13 season. These estimates and the proposed itineraries have been included in Advance Notification, which will be updated each year for the duration of this multi-year IEE.

Page 36 of 109 ANTARCTIC LOGISTICS & EXPEDITIONS LLC Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions Environmental Documentation 2013 Table 17 Projected program client numbers for 2013–14 season Destination No. Usual no. Duration Projected max. Departures clients per trip (days) no. of Clients South Pole Flight 5 15 7 40 Emperor Penguins and Emperors 4 10 9 45 & Explorers Mt Vinson 6 25 13 125 Mt Sidley 1 5 13 4 Ski Last Degree 4 10 13 30 Antarctic Odyssey 4 4 7 4 Climb Antarctica 2 4 13 4 Ski Antarctica 2 4 13 4 Ice Marathon 1 60 5 60 Ski South Pole All the Way – 1 5 50–65 4 Hercules Inlet Start Ski South Pole All the Way – 1 5 50–65 4 Messner start Ski South Pole All the Way – 1 5 30-35 4 Amundsen start Ski South Pole All the Way – 1 4 120 3 Ross Island Start Total maximum number 331

The total number of clients, staff and aircrew for the 2013–14 season resulting from the projected program client numbers given in Table 17, are given in Figure 9.

Figure 9 Estimated total number of Clients, Staff and Aircrew, 2013–14 season

6.1 Activities from Union Glacier Base Camp Union Glacier camp will be the first point for all program clients and expeditions arriving in Antarctica. Clients will have the opportunity to visit places of interest in the local area while waiting for their program flight, e.g. to Mt Vinson Base Camp, or on their return to Union Glacier while waiting for their intercontinental flight out of Antarctica. Several programs, e.g. South Pole Fly and Ski Antarctica, will be largely based at the Union Glacier base camp and clients will spend much of their time exploring the local

Page 37 of 109 ANTARCTIC LOGISTICS & EXPEDITIONS LLC Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions Environmental Documentation 2013 area. This was similar to the arrangements at Patriot Hills when that was the primary runway for intercontinental flights. Union Glacier is active and presents different hazards to those seen at the nearly static ice at Patriot Hills. ALE has developed a series of measures to manage the inherent risks of working and traveling on Union Glacier and the surrounding terrain. The basic management tool will be to develop zones according to perceived risk factors and level of available information. Ground penetrating radar (GPR) surveys have been conducted over the main work and camp areas of the glacier but there are extensive areas still to be surveyed. An active ice flow such as Union Glacier will require repeat surveys in time but the frequency has not yet been determined. A series of tracks was surveyed during the 2009–10 season to link the main work areas, e.g. between SCGC Runway 18M and the main camp, and these will be marked with flagged canes (see Figure 10). A color coding will be applied to the zoning so that staff, contractors and clients can easily recognize what boundary they are crossing. Work on zoning the glacier and surrounding features will continue for several seasons and will require revisiting from time to time.

Figure 10 Locations at Union Glacier Examples of the type of zone marking under consideration, which is based on well-known ski slope marking, is given in Table 18. The form of zoning is primarily based on hazards to travel, such as crevassing, disorientation in whiteout etc., however, it can also be used to limit access to areas of environmental concern, e.g. periglacial features or lichen assemblages. A number of locations were identified during the 2009–10 season that can be used during short day excursions from Union Glacier camp. A similar system of walks, ski routes and longer vehicle excursions had been developed at Patriot Hills over the years. Sufficient excursions are required so that programs based at the camp, such as the South Pole Fly program, have alternatives for each day they are in camp. The excursions are designed to give a flavor of the area, a sense of the wilderness values of the region, and to offer clients sightseeing trips. The majority of these excursions will fall into the Green or Blue zone classifications.

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Table 18 Zone Classification System for Union Glacier Rating/Marking Description Who Goes There? Must Carry? Example Green Circle Low risk, no major Open to all, general Antarctic clothing Main Camp issues recreation Blue Square Moderate risk, Any clients but must be Above + basic Camp to runway, Supervision, some accompanied by excursion kit some local walks crevassing experienced staff Red Rectangle Considerable risk, Experienced clients only Above + Remote, possible and must be rescue crevassing accompanied by guide kit Black Diamond High risk, Many Experienced guides and Above + linked Connell Canyon issues Mountaineers only ski, snowmobile and overnight kit

Clients on the longer excursions will be transported in the 15 seat vehicles described in paragraph 4.7.2. For most clients, walking and ski excursions will be in the camp area (unaccompanied) or on the marked roads (accompanied).

6.2 Visits to the Geographic South Pole—General Procedures Programs that will visit or whose final destination is the South Pole follow a similar procedure. A list of programs, their likely arrival date and other information is circulated to Amundsen–Scott Station prior to the start of the season. A sample of the information provided in shown in Table 19. All groups that will visit the South Pole will be given a general orientation in Union Glacier and briefings on ASMA No. 5 Management Plan, in particular APPENDIX A: Additional Guidelines for Non-Governmental Organizations at the South Pole. Much of this information is repeated at Union Glacier during pre-trip orientation, including details of the camp area in the Operational Zone and food, fuel and equipment stored at ALE’s South Pole cache.

Table 19 Sample notification sheet for arrivals at Amundsen–Scott Station Planned Program Lead Name Duration at # Pax # Guides Origin Departure Notes SP Arrival Name Pole (days) (ex. Flight Date crew) 02-Dec-09 SP- ALE Guide 4 hr 5 2 By flight By flight to PH Emperor Shenzhen from PH Penguin/South Pole-Fly. **Station Tour requested** 08-Dec-09 SP1 Keizo Funatsu 4 hr 10 2 By flight By flight to PH South Pole- / Ayaka Ota from PH Fly. **Station Tour requested** 26-Dec-09 LD2 ALE Guide 1 5 1 Expedition By flight to PH Last Degree 27-Dec-09 ANI Messner Hannah 1 1 1 Expedition By flight to PH Start from Expedition McKeand Messner Start 04-Jan-10 ANI Hercules Eric Larsen 1 2 1 Expedition By flight to PH Start from Inlet Hercules Inlet Expedition 06-Jan-10 SP- ALE Guide 4 hr 4 2 By flight By flight to PH South Pole- Kaspersky from PH Fly. **Station Tour requested** 07-Jan-10 SP4 ALE Guide 4 hr 5 2 By flight By flight to PH South Pole- from PH Fly. **Station Tour requested**

Page 39 of 109 ANTARCTIC LOGISTICS & EXPEDITIONS LLC Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions Environmental Documentation 2013 All expeditions keep a daily reporting schedule with ALE and when 2–3 days from the South Pole, Amundsen–Scott station is alerted to their imminent arrival, confirming or modifying the dates circulated prior to the season. Expeditions notify Union Glacier on arrival at the South Pole and the next available flight will be dispatched to collect them. In some instances this may require the expedition to overnight at the camp area in the Operational Zone. ALE will construct a temporary camp at the NGO Campsite to manage clients who wish to camp at the South Pole in January 2014. The ALE camp will be staffed with medics, guides, and catering staff who will support clients at the South Pole.

6.3 South Pole Flight Program The South Pole Flight is one of the top ALE programs offered to the luxury market. It is a 7 day itinerary for groups of 1–15 guests run in December or January to fit ALE’s intercontinental flight connection between Punta Arenas and Antarctica. On arrival in Antarctica, clients will be accommodated in tents at Union Glacier and take meals provided by ALE chefs in the main tent. A member of staff, who will typically accompany the group on their South Pole flight, will give briefings and general talks on Antarctica, history, research and specific details about Amundsen–Scott station and scientific research there, and to organize day trips in the Union Glacier area. Prior to departure for the South Pole, clients will be briefed on logistics, weather and safety information. The group, along with pilots and guides, will also be briefed on the management of activities at the South Pole to minimize impact on research activities and to meet the requirements of ASMA No 5 Management Plan. Groups of up to 15 guests will be flown by ski aircraft, accompanied by a medic and guides, from Union Glacier to the Geographic South Pole. The aircraft will carry emergency equipment for the whole group, including tents, sleeping bags, Iridium phones, food and fuel. ALE maintains a small cache at the South Pole containing fuel, and food and tents for emergency use. The flight will stop to fuel at a cache at Thiel Mountains and may also fuel at the South Pole cache. The flight takes c.4.5 hr and aircraft will land at an altitude of 2,835 m on a snow runway maintained by the NSF at Amundsen–Scott South Pole station. Clients will have c.4 hr to visit the US research station and the Ceremonial South Pole before returning to Union Glacier. Notification of the visit time, and number of clients and staff will be provided 72 hrs before arrival. Clients will return to Union Glacier to complete their remaining days in Antarctica at ALE’s base camp. They will have the opportunity to cross-country ski, take snowmobile trips to the local area and have further presentations before their intercontinental flight back to Punta Arenas.

6.4 Ski Expedition Programs ALE operates several ski expedition programs, including Ski South Pole All The Way, The Last Degree and Ski Antarctica. There are many common features to the various ski expeditions, the majority of which traverse to the South Pole. The exceptions are ski expedition programs in the Ellsworth Mountains that are described in paragraph 6.8.3. Some programs offer a crossing of Antarctica that means from edge to edge of the , i.e. from the base of the to Hercules Inlet, via the South Pole. Some programs will depart from the South Pole and may use ski-kiting techniques to cover the terrain more rapidly. Ski-kiting has been used by a number of expeditions in recent years and has considerably reduced the time taken for the South Pole—Union Glacier traverse. The option of ski-kiting is available on any ski program, however, there is little advantage on the general route from Union Glacier to the South Pole due to adverse winds. Most ski expeditions will be flown to their start point at one of the locations given in the route descriptions below, although a few will start from Union Glacier. Programs cater for solo expeditions but more common are groups of 4–11 clients. In the latter case, the maximum Client to Guide ratio will be 5 : 1 but often it is less.

Page 40 of 109 ANTARCTIC LOGISTICS & EXPEDITIONS LLC Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions Environmental Documentation 2013 Expeditions will travel by ski or on foot, pulling sleds or pulks. ALE’s standard procedures will be followed and all expeditions will be required to have daily contact by Iridium satellite phone (data and/or voice). Solo expeditions will be required to use a personal locator beacon, e.g. PLB or Non-COSPAS-SARSAT Beacons, or similar automatic reporting device. The journey for all ski programs is broken into several stages, following arrival in Antarctica:  Several days will be spent at Union Glacier camp trialing and preparing equipment. Expeditions that have requested hire equipment will receive it at Union Glacier and all expeditions will be given their fuel allocation.  Final gear checks will be made (an initial check will have been done in Punta Arenas) and emergency food supplies confirmed in case of delays during the expedition.  Clients will receive briefings on safety issues, known crevasse locations, weather reporting, communications, medical evacuation, and general orientation for the expedition.  Typically, expeditions will be flown to their start point but some that wish to start at Hercules Inlet may ski or be taken by vehicle from Union Glacier.  All expeditions will have a daily reporting schedule with Union Glacier or Punta Arenas. Failure to meet reporting schedules will result in dispatch of a rescue flight. All expeditions will carry two means of communication, usually, two Iridium satellite phones.  Amundsen–Scott Station is kept informed of program arrival dates as described in paragraph 6.2 Visits to the Geographic South Pole—General Procedures.  On arrival at their end point, typically the South Pole, ski programs notify Union Glacier and the next available aircraft will be dispatched to collect them. The return flight to Union Glacier from the South Pole is 4.5 hr by Twin Otter. A few expeditions return to Union Glacier from the South Pole by kite- skiing, typically taking 20–25 days.  ALE maintains a small cache at the Pole for fuelling ski aircraft and for emergency use by expeditions in case of weather delays. 6.5 Ski South Pole All the Way Programs ALE operates four main Ski South Pole All the Way expedition programs and one occasional one. The programs are referred to by their start points: Hercules Inlet, Messner Route, Axel Heiberg Glacier, Berkner Island and Ross Ice Shelf, although other programs with other start points in the general area covered by this IEE are also run occasionally (see Figure 11). Typically, South Pole expeditions are the longest programs operated by ALE and may take 45–75 days to complete, depending on the start point and the ability of the clients. These programs are chosen by clients that wish to undertake a major expedition and one that they can claim has traversed to the South Pole from the continental edge. The routes of are varying length, the shortest being from Axel Heiberg Glacier. The most commonly traversed route starts from Hercules Inlet; the least used one is Ross Ice Shelf. Temperatures during these ski expeditions range from +5° to –22°F (–15° to –30°C) with near constant winds of 5-15 mph (3-7 mps). A typical expedition day starts with breakfast at 8am. Team members will usually be packed and ready to start skiing by 10am. Groups travel together, stopping for 5-10 minutes every hour for a brief rest, drink and snack. Most groups travel for about eight hours each day, stopping by 7pm to set up camp, make the daily report and have supper. Actual times and distance traveled each day will depend on the prevailing conditions, speed and combined strengths of the group. ALE maintains a log of each expedition’s daily report, noting time/date, position, medical issues, weather and any notes, such as likely arrival times at waypoints. An extract from a 2007 expedition report is given in Table 20.

Table 20 Extract from daily expedition report log

Date Time Lat Long Hrs Dist Wx Medical Remarks nm 05-Dec-07 21 50 82 27.016 S 064 59.95 W Drop-off point 12-Dec-07 21:53 83 36.694 069 48.503 7.5 12 Overcast All well Deep drifts, very hard going. Cancel previous order for mittens

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Date Time Lat Long Hrs Dist Wx Medical Remarks nm 16-Dec-07 21:50 84 16.051 074 47.811 8 12 ETA at first resupply afternoon of 21 December 26-Dec-07 21:50 86 13.259 081 29.242 8.3 14.4 Clear Best day yet. 1-2Knot wind from S. Beautiful. ETA Pole 11 or 12 Jan. Will be at resupply in a week. 03-Jan-08 21:50 88 00.025 080 53.722 05:40 8.878 Did a bit of a sleep in today. ETA Pole 11 Jan 2008 08-Jan-08 21:52 89 09.559 077 13.168 8.5 13.9 Clear, cold B has chilblain Going well, trying to do 25 km a day. -29C thigh injury 10-Jan-08 22:00 89 36.739 078 31.321 8.5 13.5 ETA at Pole on 12-Jan-SP notified 12-Jan-08 21:55 South Pole Will keep their phone on continuously 13-Jan-08 18:17 Thiel Cache Picked up and flew part of the way back - camped at Thiel as weather had closed in at Patriot Hills 14-Jan-08 11:15 Patriot Hills Arrived

Figure 11 Ski South Pole start points and routes

6.5.1 Route Descriptions Hercules Inlet (80º 05’S 78º 30’W, 730 mile (1170 km)) Clients will be flown a distance of c.30 miles to Hercules Inlet, at the edge of the Ronne Ice Shelf. After the first few days the expedition will reach Patriot Hills where they can adjust their equipment and supplies.

Page 42 of 109 ANTARCTIC LOGISTICS & EXPEDITIONS LLC Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions Environmental Documentation 2013 Once past Patriot Hills, the route will be a c.20–30 days passage past nunataks and larger peaks, including Mount Goodwin, , and Pagano Nunatak to arrive in the area of Thiel Mountains. Here some groups will be re-supplied at Corner Cache before passing Lewis Nunatak and making a gradual ascent onto the polar plateau to reach the South Pole by about day 60.

Messner Route (82°10’S 065° 00’W, 555 mile (895 km)) The flight to the Messner start point on the Ronne Ice Shelf takes about 90 minutes. The route climbs from sea level to a cache at an elevation of c.3800 feet (1158 m) then trends westwards to avoid crevassing caused by the Foundation . Expeditions typically stop at one or two pre-placed caches along to route for re-supply. After passing the Pecora Escarpment, the route makes a steep climb up the buried escarpment of the Transantarctic Mountains onto the Polar Plateau and on to the South Pole. Axel Heiberg Glacier (85º12’S 162º46’W, 320 mile (593 km)) Expeditions will be flown to the base of the Axel Heiberg Glacier. They ascend Amundsen’s route up the glacier, identified by in the 1960s, traversing the Queen Range of the Transantarctic Mountains. This part of the route presents the main difficulties due to a steep ascent, crevasse fields in the glacier and frequent deep soft snow. Once on the plateau and over the steepest part of the traverse, the relatively short run to the South Pole is more straight forward. Ross Ice Shelf (80º30’S 175º00’W, 780 mile (1450 km)) Expeditions will be flown to the Ross Ice Shelf and most will follow routes used by explorers such as Scott, Shackleton and Amundsen. Start points include Hut Point, Ross Island and Bay of Whales, Ross Ice Shelf, and lead to a lengthy route over the Ross Ice Shelf itself. The route between McMurdo and Amundsen– Scott stations is now well known and regularly traversed by National Operators but the route from the Bay of Whales is much less well known and presents greater hazards. On meeting the Transantarctic Mountains, the routes will follow a glacier ascent on the Beardmore, Leverett or Axel Heiberg glaciers onto the Polar Plateau then to the South Pole. Berkner Island (79º47’S 047º56’W, 615 miles (1140 km)) Expeditions will be flown to the edge of Berkner Island, considered by some to be the true edge of the continent. The route travels south onto the Filchner Ice Shelf and ascends onto the continent again at the north end of the . The route crosses this mountain chain, avoiding ASPA No.119 Davis and , , onto the Plateau before continuing to the South Pole on longitude 052ºW or 053ºW.

6.6 Last Degree Expedition Programs The Last Degree program allows clients to experience the extremes of the Antarctic polar plateau, such as its remoteness and wilderness, without having to commit to the much longer Ski South Pole All the Way program. The Last Degree programs start up to five degrees from the South Pole in any direction. Common start points for these programs may be on the direct route between Union Glacier and the South Pole or on the routes followed during the heroic age by explorers such as Scott, Shackleton and Amundsen. Clients will be prepared and briefed in Punta Arenas and at Union Glacier as described in paragraph 6.4. Following acclimatization and orientation, groups of up to 11 skiers, accompanied by guides to maintain the minimum Client to Guide ratio of 5 : 1, will be flown by to within 1–5 degrees of the South Pole. Skiers will take 5–20 days to ski to the South Pole, traversing entirely over snow. Amundsen–Scott station will be notified of program arrival dates as described in paragraph 6.2. The guide will notify Union Glacier on arrival and a pick-up date will be agreed. These groups will have access to the South Pole cache placed by ALE as described in paragraph 6.4.

6.7 Overland Vehicle Expeditions to the Geographic South Pole ALE operates and supports overland vehicle access over the general route from Union Glacier to the Geographic South Pole. Vehicles will be delivered to Union Glacier by the air link from Punta Arenas. Most

Page 43 of 109 ANTARCTIC LOGISTICS & EXPEDITIONS LLC Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions Environmental Documentation 2013 vehicle expeditions will start at Union Glacier, however, some expeditions may start from one of the coastal start points, typically Hercules Inlet or . The use of the term vehicle includes small tracked vehicles such as snowmobiles, all-terrain all-wheel vehicles modified for extreme cold and fitted with tires for over snow transport (also known as 4X4, e.g. Land Rover, Toyota, etc.), and fully tracked vehicles (SnoCat, Hägglund, Camoplast, etc). The route will follow past tracks from snowmobiles and larger tracked vehicles used by ALE for expeditions to the South Pole, and by National Operator research traverses. Good crevasse maps exist for regularly traversed routes as a result of surveys by CECS using ground penetrating radar. None-the-less, no overland route can be considered safe, particularly for heavy vehicles, and great caution will always be taken by drivers. ALE maintains a log of all reported crevasses and other hazards over the general route to the South Pole. Mechanical breakdown is a possibility on any vehicle expedition. Small vehicles, such as snowmobiles, can be collected by flight if repair is impossible. Larger vehicles, e.g. all-terrain and tracked, will normally work in pairs to support each other. Breakdown may require flight support to deliver mechanics, spares or extra fuel to compensate for increased consumption when towing. ALE has the capability to recover large vehicles and tractors over the general route to the South Pole by using its tractors and heavy duty sleds. A breakdown a significant distance from Union Glacier late in the season may require recovery early the following season.

6.8 Mountaineering Programs ALE offers several mountaineering programs in the Ellsworth and Transantarctic Mountains. By far the most popular is the ascent of Vinson Massif, the highest mountain (4892m, 16,050ft) on the Antarctic continent, and classed as one of the “Seven Summits”. There are programs to climb several other peaks in the Vinson Massif area, however, these programs will be offered to only the most experienced climbers due to the more difficult ascent routes. ALE offers programs to climb other peaks in the Ellsworth Mountains as separate programs or as part of the Climb Antarctica program. ALE also offers a program to climb peaks in the , Transantarctic Mountains and Mount Sidley in the Executive Committee Range. These programs are infrequently taken due to the greater cost of reaching these ranges. Mountaineering guides and clients will be subject to a high level of assessment prior to accepting bookings and part of the Medical Information Form is directed towards mountaineering issues, such as altitude acclimatization. Descriptions of the various mountaineering program routes are given in the following sections.

6.8.1 Vinson Massif and Ellsworth Mountains The ascent of Vincent Massif is not technically difficult but extreme low temperatures and altitude make it a formidable climb. All clients must demonstrate an appropriate level of mountaineering ability to a minimum of 4000 m and experience in snow and ice techniques. Clients will climb in groups with a guide to client ratio of 1:5 or better. In exceptional circumstances, a Solo Ascent program is offered, however, this is not advertised and requires the highest level of mountaineering ability. A seasonal base camp is operated on the Branscomb Glacier where there is a well marked ski runway and good access to the mountains. ALE contracts staff to work at Vinson Base Camp and to act as ‘Rangers’ on the mountain, guiding groups and monitoring the various ascent camps. A VHF radio repeater has been installed on the mountain to provide good radio coverage for the area. Prior to its installation, there were several radio dead spots on the route. The repeater station has provided a much enhanced safety net for ascents. Vinson Base Camp follows similar waste management procedures to those used at Union Glacier and all waste, except grey water and urine, will be removed from the base camp for disposal outside Antarctica. Climbing guides will be required to remove, as far as is practicable, all human and kitchen waste from the mountain (see Section 4.18). Urine is disposed at pre-set locations on the mountain so that the general

Page 44 of 109 ANTARCTIC LOGISTICS & EXPEDITIONS LLC Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions Environmental Documentation 2013 route is kept clean. All guides and clients will be issued with WAG BAGs® (Phillips Environmental Products, Inc.) for solid human waste that will be removed from Antarctic for disposal. Clients will fly from Union Glacier to Vinson Base Camp, a journey of c.1 hr. On arrival, ALE staff will brief clients on current mountain and weather conditions, waste management, route changes, use of radios and the repeater network. The time required for the climb will vary according to the clients’ ability, fitness, acclimatization and experience. During November to January the weather is usually a mixture of high winds and light snowfall and the climb can take between 2 and 14 days to complete. There may be several groups attempting the mountain at the same time, each with its own guide and supported by ALE staff at Vinson Base Camp. All groups will return to base camp to await a full aircraft load before returning to Union Glacier.

6.8.2 Ellsworth and Transantarctic Mountains There are several other routes offered in the Vinson Massif area, including Mt Tyree and Mt Shinn, all of which will be coordinated from Vinson Base Camp. Other programs in the Ellsworth Mountains will usually be run under the Ski Antarctica program (see paragraph 6.8.3). Mountaineering programs in the Queen Maud Mountains will be operated more like an expedition. Clients and guides will be flown to the relevant location and a camp site selected. Most groups will ascend one or more peaks, reporting daily. The option of a South Pole traverse will be taken by some groups. The program will last for 14 to 21 days and the group will be collected by a flight from Union Glacier.

6.8.3 Executive Committee Range Mount Sidley is the largest of the five extinct volcanoes that form the Executive Committee Range, . It has a spectacular caldera on the southern side. Clients will be briefed on arrival at Union Glacier and fly on a 7–8 day program to ascend the mountain. The program will be operated as an expedition and clients and guides will flown to the relevant location and a camp site selected. The aircraft will stay with the group for the entire period.

6.9 Ski Antarctica and Climb Antarctica The Ski Antarctica program (previously called Ellsworth Mountains Safari) is a 14 day excursion that takes clients into some of the most beautiful ski terrain in Antarctica. It will also be offered as an expedition training program for the longer or more extreme Last Degree and Ski All The Way trips. It is based in the Ellsworth Mountains, starting from Union Glacier and is a strenuous program. Clients will need backcountry or off-piste ski experience and a good level of fitness is essential. Clients will be able venture off with their guide, carrying all their supplies for a self-supported trip or take day tours from the comfort of a base camp. Small group size will allow the flexibility to customize these excursions. The Climb Antarctica program is a mountaineering and ski expedition for relatively experienced climbers and skiers. Groups will traverse some of the most outstanding mountain scenery in the Ellsworth Mountains, alternating their time between sledding and ascending minor peaks in the various ranges. An alternative start point on the continental edge at Hercules Inlet (start point of the South Pole All The Way program) will be offered, and groups will traverse the Ellsworth Mountains to an end point at Vinson Base Camp. Both programs will start at Union Glacier, where clients will receive a standard briefing during two days of acclimatizing, packing food and sledges. During this time they will learn expedition skills including cross- country skiing, navigation, weather observation, crevasse rescue and polar camping. Ski routes will be selected to match the experience and capabilities of the groups. Groups of up to 8 clients and 2 guides will depart Union Glacier camp for up to 10 days skiing. Clients on the Ski Antarctica program will pull sleds containing sufficient food and supplies for their journey. Travel will be over snow or ice but visits may be made to nunataks and peaks along the route. Camps will be set each night and all waste, except grey water and urine, will be collected for return to Union Glacier. Climb

Page 45 of 109 ANTARCTIC LOGISTICS & EXPEDITIONS LLC Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions Environmental Documentation 2013 Antarctica groups will typically backpack their equipment because they will ski-mountaineer over more challenging terrain. They may camp overnight or return to base camp each night. Daily communication will be maintained with Union Glacier by Iridium satellite phone and to arrange pick- up by vehicle or aircraft.

6.10 Emperor Penguin and Emperors and Explorers The Emperor Penguin program is the only one that includes Antarctic wildlife. There are two program options and departures may fall into either. On the traditional program, clients are offered a 5–6 day visit to an Emperor penguin colony on the coast of the Weddell Sea. Groups of up to 8 clients will be accompanied by two guides, one of whom is an experienced wildlife guide. There are several penguin colonies on the south-eastern coast of the Weddell Sea, of which three are within range of Union Glacier: Dawson–Lambton Glacier (76º 15’S 26º 30’W); unnamed point (77° 16’S 033° 39’W); and (77° 43’S 074° 33’W). Access to all colony locations will be by flight that may require fueling at a cache on Berkner Island. The second option, Emperors and Explorers, is a combined Emperor Penguin and South Pole Fly program. Clients will make two day / one overnight visit to the Gould Bay colony before returning to Union Glacier. Clients will be given a chance to rest before a flight to the geographic South Pole that will follow the procedure given in paragraph 6.3. The emperor penguin visit for either option will follow similar itineraries. The flight will take c.3 hr, including fuelling if required. When the colony has been sighted, the aircraft will make a slow turn well beyond minimum approach distances to seek a landing site. Landing will be on sea ice and a new ski runway will need to be found each season. Where practical, approach and landing will be made from a direction that will be hidden from the colony by beset icebergs. In all cases, minimum approach limits of 1500m will be used and over flight will be avoided. The aircraft will remain with the group throughout the visit. On arrival, guides will set up a small camp on the sea ice beside the aircraft and give safety and environ- mental briefings. Clients will spend up to 6 nights at the colony, although the duration may be extended if poor weather conditions delay the return flight to Union Glacier. The group will be accompanied by a guide on the walk from the camp to the penguins where staff will monitor clients to prevent approach within 5m of the birds and ensure they do not block routes used by penguins to access open water. Clients will be able to spend as much of the day as they wish around the colony or visiting nearby ice features. Weddell seals are often found at nearby tide cracks and Adélie penguins, snow and Antarctic petrels, Dominican gulls and south polar skua may also be seen. No food will be taken to the colony and clients will be encouraged to return to camp every 2–3 hours to take a rest. The entire camp will be removed at the end of the visit and all waste, except grey water and urine, will be returned to Union Glacier. No chicken products will be taken to the colony and no waste will be left and littering will not be allowed.

6.11 Marathon A Marathon (42.195 km), Half-Marathon (21.1 km) and Ultra-Marathon (100 km) program will be operated over 5 days on groomed tracks around Union Glacier and the main camp area. The core program is the full Marathon but Half- and Ultra-Marathons will be offered if there is demand. The Marathon will be run by up to 50 runners and 6–8 staff will manage the course and assist in various ways. Smaller groups, typically less than 10 runners, will take part in the Half-Marathon and Ultra-Marathon. If the weather deteriorates during the run then the course will be modified to a circuit that is easier to monitor near the main camp. The course will be flagged and distance markers, refreshment stations and toilet facilities for the runners will be set out. Staff will be stationed at various points on the route and runners will be closely monitored. Several staff and medics will be on stand-by for emergencies with snowmobiles and tracked vehicles, and a radio watch will be maintained throughout the races. The Half-Marathon and Marathon will be operated together, with the same start and finish lines at the main camp where there are heated tents for recovery. The Half-Marathon will be one circuit (typically 2–6 hr) and the Marathon two circuits (typically 8–10 hr) of the same course. The Ultra-Marathon will take up to 22

Page 46 of 109 ANTARCTIC LOGISTICS & EXPEDITIONS LLC Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions Environmental Documentation 2013 hrs for the slowest runners and will usually be run a day or two after the normal Marathon. Course, age and race time restrictions are set for each marathon, in line with International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) and World Mountain Running Association (WMRA) guidance. Clients will be briefed on arrival at Union Glacier and may acclimatize by training runs on groomed tracks in the local area. Clients will be briefed on logistics, safety and weather for the marathon and will meet their guides, medic and marathon organizer to discuss the route and to address relevant issues. The Operations Manager, in consultation with marathon organizer, will agree a suitable day to run the marathon and all relevant staff will be put on standby.

6.12 Antarctic Odyssey This program is based at Union Glacier camp and is a useful first introduction to continental Antarctica. Clients will be briefed on arrival about safety and weather issues before being offered training in a range of travel and expedition techniques such as ski, use of snowmobiles, light climbing and camping. A 45 minute local sightseeing flight is included. During their nine-day stay, clients will undertake a range of guided trips to the surrounding areas by foot, ski or vehicle. Areas visited include the main part of Union Glacier itself, and canyons and nunataks around the glacier. Individual trips last no more than 2–3 days and two guides will accompany groups of up to 6 clients.

6.13 Skydiving ALE offers a skydiving (parachuting) program in Union Glacier. A Drop Zone (DZ) will be prepared by grooming a 100 m by 100 m (10,000 m2) area in the main part of the glacier where there appears to be minimal air turbulence. The standard groomer will take 1–2 hours to prepare this DZ. Skydiving attempts will be run according to a protocol developed in 2006 and will be operated over at least two flight plans. The first flight will be for skydivers, pilots and ALE staff to run though the whole operation to test procedures. Second and subsequent flights will be for actual jumps. Static line jumps will not be offered but a variety of other options are, including Accelerated Free Fall. The estimated Twin Otter flight time for a two flight-plan jump is 2 hours. Flight plans will operate under Transport Canada Canadian Aviation Regulations. All jumps will require clearance from Transport Canada and Kenn Borek Air before proceeding. Where relevant, the provisions of 14 CFR Part 105 Parachute Operations will be followed, in particular, §105.17 Flight visibility and clearance from cloud requirements (see Table 21). In addition to the visibility minima, jumps will only be attempted when the wind speed at the DZ is less than 17 kt. Flight times to jump height over the DZ area will be very short, in the order of 10–15 minutes. Supplemental oxygen will be fitted to the aircraft and all skydivers and any attendants will be required to use it.

Table 21 14 CFR Part 105—§105.17 Flight visibility and clearance from cloud requirements. Altitude Flight visibility Distance from clouds (statute miles) (1) 1,200 feet or less above the surface regardless 3 500 feet below. 1,000 feet above. 2,000 feet of the MSL altitude. horizontal. (2) More than 1,200 feet above the surface but 3 500 feet below. 1,000 feet above. 2,000 feet less than 10,000 feet MSL. horizontal. (3) More than 1,200 feet above the surface and at 5 1,000 feet below. 1,000 feet above. 1 mile or above 10,000 feet MSL. horizontal. Jump elevation will be calculated from ground level at the DZ (c.3000 ft above mean sea level (MSL)). Jumps will be from a minimum height of 6000 ft above ground level (AGL). The Accelerated Free-Fall jump (see paragraph 6.13.1) will be from a height of 11000 ft AGL. The maximum flight height during the activity will, therefore, be c.14000 ft above MSL. Automatic Activation Devices (AAD) will be fitted, tested and set to operate at 1750 ft AGL, which will give an effective parachute deployment of 1000–1200 ft AGL. AAD refers to an electronic-pyrotechnic or mechanical device that automatically opens the main or reserve parachute at a preset altitude if it detects

Page 47 of 109 ANTARCTIC LOGISTICS & EXPEDITIONS LLC Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions Environmental Documentation 2013 the descent rate exceeds a preset activation speed. None of the fatalities in the 1997 skydive incident at the South Pole had AAD fitted; all survivors had the device fitted and for some it had activated.

6.13.1 Accelerated Free-Fall A recent development for inexperienced parachutists to gain skydiving experience is Accelerated Free-Fall (AFF). The jump is done with a modern square parachute but the skydiver free-falls for a predetermined distance, usually 1000–2000 ft (300–600 m), before opening their own parachute. Throughout the free-fall period the skydiver is accompanied by two experienced instructors, who will monitor progress and intervene if required. Further information on AFF can be found at www.uspa.org and www.bpa.org.uk.

6.13.2 Standard Jump Procedures The preparation and jump routine for the activity will follow the procedure outlined in Table 22 below.

Table 22 Skydiving Procedure 1. Pre-Antarctic clearance Skydivers’ certificates checked by Transport Canada Advice from Ken Borek Air (KBA) that clearance has been granted 2. Pilot and Skydiver preparation at Skydive team acclimatize to Union Glacier environment. Union Glacier Flight and skydive planning with KBA pilot, Medic, Operations Manager and skydivers 3. Preparation of DZ Groom and mark a 10,000 m2 DZ 4. Aircraft preparation Preparation of aircraft for skydive Installation and checks of supplemental oxygen 5. Equipment Check Parachute inspection by instructors Check and test AAD 6. Jump Briefing Joint KBA pilot, Medic, Operations Manager and skydivers briefing prior to first and subsequent jumps 7. Pre-flight plan Start Communication log Advise Punta Arenas Office of flight plan to be initiated. 8. Jump Flight Plans Flight plans operated and jumps completed 6.14 Collection of Scientific Data Clients and expedition members increasingly desire to outreach to schools and university departments to bring knowledge of their trip to a wider audience, or to encourage sponsorship. Typically, this takes the form of internet blogs and news reports but may also include simple data collection. There is value to repetitive data collection, particularly in areas infrequently visited by Antarctic research organizations. ALE will review any research proposals suggested by clients or expedition members and advise that the relevant Competent Authority or research organization is contacted, particularly if a permit may be required under the requirements of the Environmental Protocol. Where the proposal will rely on simple data collection, for example using GPS units, air or snow thermistors, light meters etc., and where there will be no collection of material for removal from Antarctica, ALE will include the program or expedition in annual Advance Notification.

7. Description of the Affected Environment The activities and programs operated by ALE fall largely in Environmental Domains of Antarctica: Environment O—West Antarctic (Keys and others, 2007). Environment O is a large expansive ice sheet that is the third largest environment in Antarctica. The category description for Environment O is given in Table 23, further description can be found in Keys and others (2007).

Table 23 Description of ‘Environment O’ from Keys and others (2007) Group Number 9 Ice Free 0% Alphabet label O Ice Sheet 100% Area in sq km 2,256,425 Ice Shelf 0% EDA Type Environments and West Antarctic Ice Tongues 0%

Page 48 of 109 ANTARCTIC LOGISTICS & EXPEDITIONS LLC Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions Environmental Documentation 2013 extended descriptors Ice Sheet Average Temp (0C) -28.60 Rumples 0% Seasonal Range (0C) -22.74 Sedimentary 0% Average Solar Radiation 7.48 Metamorphic 0% (MJ/m2/day) Diurnal Length (Days) 98.60 Intrusive 0% Average Wind Speed (m/sec) 13.38 Volcanic 0% Slope (0) 4.93

The full list of Environmental Domains where ALE has significant activities are given in Table 24. They are described in Keys and others (2007). Table 24 Environmental Domains where ALE has significant activities (Keys and others, 2007) Environment Descriptive Label ALE Program Classification M Continental mid-latitude sloping ice Emperor Penguin Berkner Island ski expedition O Union Glacier Camp Antarctic Odyssey Marathon Ski South Pole All the Way Skydiving P Ross and Ronne–Filchner ice shelves Emperor Penguin Ross ski expedition Q high interior ice sheet Last Degree South Pole visits R Transantarctic Mountains geologic Axel Heiberg ski expedition Queen Maud Mountains S McMurdo—South geologic Ellsworth Mountains Mt Vinson U North Victoria Land geologic Mt Sidley 7.1 Available Baseline Data The main area of ALE’s activities, i.e. Ellsworth Mountains, and the general route to the South Pole, has been exposed to limited research and few baseline studies. Available baseline data for Patriot Hills is described in Poles Apart (1994) and ANI (2002). Various meteorite searches have been made on blue-ice areas near exposed nunataks, such as , Martin Hills, Thiel Mountains, and Heritage Range (KOREAMET, 2008; Sipiera and others, 2000). has been included in the international SCAR program, Evolution and Biodiversity in the Antarctic (EBA). Field work under the British Antarctic Survey BIOFLAME project has provided further information on the Ellsworth Mountains in particular (Convey 2009). Lichen surveys were undertaken in 2007 by a Fuchs Foundation Expedition group in the valleys on the south side of Union Glacier (Richardson and Rogers, 2008).

7.2 Protected Areas and Historic Sites and Monuments Protected areas and Historic Sites and Monuments in the sector, including stopover sites, are listed below. There may also be a number of unmarked research areas in the Ellsworth Mountains and near Amundsen–Scott Station. ASPA 129 (SSSI 9): Rothera Point, 67º34'S 68º06'W The site is used to monitor impact of nearby research station. Vegetation is not rich or well developed and soils are shallow; a few Antarctic skua and Dominican gulls nest there.

Page 49 of 109 ANTARCTIC LOGISTICS & EXPEDITIONS LLC Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions Environmental Documentation 2013 ASPA No. 119. Forlidas Pond (82°27'S 51°21'W) and ponds (82°28'S 51°08'W), Dufek Massif. The area contains some of the most southerly freshwater ponds known in Antarctica that contain plant life which would be threatened by possible contamination by human activity. ASMA No. 5: Amundsen–Scott South Pole Station, South Pole. The Area is located in a region of high scientific value due to many factors including its exceptionally clean air, isolation from sound, vibration, and electro-magnetic interference, geophysically stable location, unique ice conditions and isolated population of Station inhabitants. HSM 1: Flag mast at South Pole 90ºS erected in December 1965 by the first Argentine Overland Polar Expedition. This does not include the station or surrounding area. HSM 80: Amundsen's Tent, South Pole 90°S. The tent was erected at 90° by the Norwegian group of explorers led by on their arrival at the South Pole on 14 December 1911. The tent is currently buried underneath the snow and ice in the vicinity of the South Pole. No designated Specially Protected Species (45 CFR 670) breed in the areas visited by ALE.

7.3 Union Glacier Union Glacier is located in the southern third of the Ellsworth Mountains. Union Glacier camp is extremely remote with the closest year-round facilities being Amundsen–Scott research station (USA) at the Geographic South Pole, General Belgrano II station () on Bertrab Nunatak and (UK) on Adelaide Island, Antarctic Peninsula. Union Glacier is a major glacier that drains part of the that itself flows in a southeasterly direction on the western side of the Ellsworth Mountains. Union Glacier has an estimated area of 2561 km2 and length of 86 km from the with Institute Ice Stream to the grounding line at Constellation Inlet on the Ronne Ice Shelf (Steig and others, 2009). The glacier is composed of several glacier tongues. The main trunks (Union and Schanz), feed through narrow valleys (c.9 km wide) from the interior plateau, until they join together at the narrowest section of the glacier (c.7 km wide). This area is characterized by an extensive area of and a central line. The blue-ice area is located where katabatic winds are enhanced (see Figure 12). Rivera and others (2009) measured a mean ice thickness of 1450 m. Ice velocities were also measured by stakes between December 2007 and December 2008 at the narrowest point of the glacier, giving mean values of 22.6±0.21 m yr-1. A mean accumulation of 179 kg±54 m2 yr-1 was estimated for the whole basin, consistent with mean accumulations available for nearby ice streams (Ibid).

Page 50 of 109 ANTARCTIC LOGISTICS & EXPEDITIONS LLC Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions Environmental Documentation 2013 Figure 12 Union Glacier location map based upon RADARSAT mosaic from West Antarctica Contour lines from RAMP (light grey); traverse route where radar and GPS measured (blue); crevasses as detected on satellite imagery (red); stakes installed in 2007 and resurveyed in 2008 (green triangles); stakes installed in 2008 (yellow circles); local grounding line (light blue dotted line); and Union Glacier basin (shaded in light blue) (From Rivera and others, 2009, Fig. 1). ALE commissioned several surveys during 2007–2009 of the Union Glacier area while looking for an alternative blue-ice runway for landing intercontinental flights. CECS was also invited to survey the glacier as part of their own research work and to provide further information about the glacier for ALE (Rivera and others, 2009). A Fuchs Foundation expedition traversed various parts of southern Union Glacier during the 2007–08 season. Material was collected under UK permit for analysis by BAS (Richardson and Rogers, 2008).

Figure 13 Remains of 1962 USGS food and fuel cache and 1962–63 survey marker Union Glacier was visited by USGS field teams in the early 1960s. The remains of one of their caches was found on the glacier during ALE survey work at S79º 45.118’ W082º 10.842’ (see Figure 13). ALE removed some empty loose fuel drums during 2009 to prevent them blowing away but the rest of the cache was left undisturbed. USGS survey markers have been located on several peaks surrounding the glacier. Following surveys commissioned by ALE during the 2007–08 season, the Chilean civil aviation authority, DGAC, visited the location in November 2008 and, in coordination with FACh (Fuerza Aérea de Chile— Chilean Air Force) and INACH (Instituto Nacional Antártico Chileno), certified the runway. Union Glacier runway 18M has been allocated the ICAO reference locator of SCGC. Trial landings of an Ilyushin IL-76TD at SCGC Runway 18M were made in December 2009 and January 2010.

7.4 Patriot Hills Patriot Hills is located at the southernmost edge of the Ellsworth Mountains on an isolated ridge in the Heritage Range. It falls in Environment S (Keys and others, 2007). The highest point on the ridge is 1250 m, trending WNW-ESE (Mellor and Swithinbank, 1989) and the range protrudes c.400 m above the surrounding ice sheet. The Heritage Range is characterized by mountain peaks projecting from an ice and snow environment. Patriot Hills, typical of many inland nunataks and mountain ranges, has a limited biota. Sightings of birds in the Ellsworth Mountains are rare (Splettstoesser, 1981) and there are occasional sightings at Patriot Hills, usually Antarctic skua or Antarctic petrel. The ice around Patriot Hills drains to Hercules Inlet, located c.50 km to the northeast, at the grounding line of the Ronne ice shelf. Net ablation at Patriot Hills, with a maximum value of 7 cm a–1 water equivalent has been detected on the blue-ice field, while a mean annual net accumulation of 5 cm water equivalent was observed on the ice sheet away from the mountains. No significant difference in ice sheet elevation was observed between January and November of 1995, suggesting that the ice is in near-equilibrium at Patriot Hills (Lange and others, 1998). A naturally formed blue-ice field, c.8 km long by 2 km wide lies along the northern flank of Patriot Hills. It is maintained by local meteorological conditions and ice flow in the vicinity of the mountains. The runway

Page 51 of 109 ANTARCTIC LOGISTICS & EXPEDITIONS LLC Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions Environmental Documentation 2013 lies in the blue ice area, c.1 km to the east of the Patriot Hills ridge. The prevailing winds are generally westerly, which means that there are often crosswind landing conditions. Adventure Network International have operated at Patriot Hills since 1985, establishing a temporary summer camp there. Some fuel, vehicles and materials from the camp are left over winter at marked caches (Poles Apart, 1994; ANI, 2002). The blue-ice runway was certified by Dirección General de Aeronáutica Civil (DGAC) in 1987 as SCPZ Runway 24M, and forms part of the Chilean Airports and Aerodromes System. Various Chilean agencies (FACh, INACH, CECS etc) have operated seasonal stations in the Patriot Hills area or have undertaken significant research projects. In 1995 FACh landed on SCPZ Runway 24M with a Hercules C-130 and over subsequent years installed a summer station close to the runway. On December 6, 1999, FACh inaugurated Base Teniente Parodi, their furthest south station used to support scientific research, training for Twin Otter pilots and for SAR support for Chilean expeditions in the region and to the South Pole. An IEE was prepared prior to the construction of this station (FACh, 2000).

7.5 Ellsworth Mountains and Vinson Massif Vinson Massif (4,892m) is Antarctica's highest mountain. It is located in the in the southern part of the Ellsworth Mountains and falls in Environment S (Keys and others, 2007). This is a highly mountainous region, characterized by mountain peaks projecting from a glacial and snow environment. Vinson Base camp is situated on permanent snow and ice fields at the base of the mountain, less than 200 km from Union Glacier, on the Branscomb Glacier. The summit of Vinson Massif was first reached on 18 December 1966 and over 1000 ascents have now been made. Clients ascend the mountain via a mixed rock and ice route to the summit. During the 1990s between 40–60 summit attempts were completed each season. During the period 2004–09, this increased to 120–160 per season. The glaciers of the southern Ellsworth Mountains, particularly Union Glacier used for the Ski Antarctica program, have been visited by a number of expeditions. The glaciers lie in an attractive area of Ellsworth Mountains. It is a region of high snow accumulation, possibly due to low average wind speeds. The average temperature is –20ºC but the minimum can fall to c.–40ºC during the operational period (November–February). The climate is mostly stable, although high winds and light snowfall are more prevalent towards the end of January. Distribution of lichens in the Ellsworth Mountains is very sparse but widespread. Xanthoria spp and possibly Candelariella flava have been recorded on outcrops in the Union Glacier area (see Figure 14). There are other black and grey crustose varieties and a black foliose form that have not yet been identified (Convey, 2009; Richardson and Rogers, 2008) The terrestrial fauna of Ellsworth Mountains is exceptional in its simplicity and includes five tardigrade species and at least two rotifer species. Nematode worms and microarthropods appear to be absent. The tardigrade community is similar to continental Antarctic fauna whereas the rotifer species are unique to Ellsworth Land and may suggest a prolonged existence as a distinct biogeographical unit (Convey and McInnes, 2005). A detailed account of the geology of the Ellsworth Mountains is given by Webers and others (1992). Satellite geodesic and digital cartography of the Ellsworth Mountains has been done to produce digital maps at a scale of 1:50.000 and 1:25.000.

Page 52 of 109 ANTARCTIC LOGISTICS & EXPEDITIONS LLC Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions Environmental Documentation 2013

Figure 14 Lichen assemblage on Pt 942 between Henderson and Union glaciers

7.6 Hercules Inlet–South Pole Hercules Inlet is marked by a land–shelf tide crack at the edge of the Ronne Ice Shelf, where the floating ice shelf meets the continental ice of Antarctica. It is the start point for ski expeditions to the South Pole and lies c.50 km northeast of Patriot Hills. The route from Hercules Inlet to South Pole is c.900 km. Between Hercules Inlet and Patriot Hills there are a few rock outcrops but the majority of the route is over land ice. Beyond Patriot Hills, the route is predominantly over land ice but occasional nunataks are met, such as Pagano Nunatak and Thiel Mountains. These are typical of inland continental outcrops with exceptionally poor biota. The Messner route (see paragraph 0) starts at a similar tide crack and crosses very much the same sort of terrain as the Hercules Inlet route. It joins that route shortly before Thiel Mountains. Meteorites have been found at various points along or near to this route. The Thiel Mountains–Patuxent Range region is included in the Antarctic Meteorite Location and Mapping Project (AMLAMP, part of a joint research program, the Antarctic Search for Meteorites–ANSMET). Large numbers of meteorites have been recovered from the Pecora Escarpment and smaller numbers from the Thiel Mountains, LaPaz Icefield and Stewart Hills. Table 25 shows the locations of meteorite finds from AMLAMP. Despite a search during the 1997–98 season, a team from NASA has found no meteorites in the Patriot Hills area (Schutt and others, 2001).

Table 25 Location of meteorite find sites in Thiel Mountains– Patuxent Range (from AMLAMP) Locality Latitude Longitude Patuxent Range 84º 43'S 064º 30'W Pecora Escarpment 85º 38'S 068º 42'W LaPaz Icefield 86º 22'S 070º 00'W Stewart Hills 84º 12'S 086º 00'W Thiel Mountains 85º 15'S 091º 00'W

ALE will operate within the requirements of NSF 45 CFR Parts 674 (2003) Antarctic Meteorites, which authorizes the collection of meteorites in Antarctica for scientific research purposes only. The regulations

Page 53 of 109 ANTARCTIC LOGISTICS & EXPEDITIONS LLC Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions Environmental Documentation 2013 also provide requirements for appropriate collection, handling, and curation of Antarctic meteorites to preserve their scientific value.

7.7 South Pole The South Pole is on the Antarctic Plateau at 2,835m asl, surrounded by a nearly featureless ice sheet c.2,850 m thick. Snow accumulation is very low, 6–8 cm a–1 water equivalent, with a monthly mean temperature in December of –28ºC. The US operates a year round facility, Amundsen–Scott Station, at the South Pole and has occupied the geographic location continuously since 1956. Research includes , geophysics, meteorology, upper atmosphere physics, astronomy, astrophysics and biomedical studies. Some 50 scientists and support personnel winter at the station, rising to around 250 during the summer. There are up to 200 flights by Lockheed Hercules LC-130 during the summer season to support the station (NSF, 2004). The station area is divided into sectors to minimize impact on research projects. “Dark” and “Clean Air” facilities are sited in sectors to grid north of the central station area. A ski runway runs to grid west of the central complex. These areas are well described in ASMA No. 5 (2007) Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station, South Pole.

8. ALTERNATIVES TO PROPOSED ACTIVITIES ALE operates seasonal, land-based in order to meet a demand for expedition visits to locations on the Antarctic continent. Activities are organized to meet, and often exceed, the requirements of the Antarctic Treaty System and the Environmental Protocol. The operation is based at a naturally formed blue-ice runways on Union Glacier and to the north of Patriot Hills in the Heritage Range. Possible alternatives to the proposed activities are described in paragraphs 8.1 to 8.5.

8.1 Establishment of Permanent Facilities ALE uses temporary camps, which will be set up on a seasonal basis as required. The camps are taken down at the end of each season and the equipment either removed from Antarctica or cached over winter. ALE could establish permanent facilities, however, it is ALE’s view that this would likely have more than a minor or transitory effect on the Antarctic environment. Permanent facilities would require more mainten- ance than temporary, seasonal camps. It is likely that permanent facilities would lead to increased environmental impact over temporary camps and this alternative is therefore rejected.

8.2 Changes to Itineraries Itineraries are based on the considerable Antarctic operational experience of the members of ALE management team, associated staff and guides. These itineraries are planned around environmental and safety considerations as well as commercial demand, and are developed following a risk management process. They are focused on intercontinental flights to the Ellsworth Mountains area. Major changes to itineraries would require considerable pre-planning as caches would need to be placed, and environmental and risk assessments prepared. Modifications to itineraries may be required during any particular season due to factors such as local weather or sea ice conditions, resources at caches, notification of scientific activities, technical difficulties, commercial considerations or emergencies. Program itineraries are planned to have no more than a minor or transitory impact on the environment and it is unlikely that changes can be made to the proposed itineraries that will reduce likely effects. Program itineraries are monitored and will be modified if environmental impacts can be further minimized.

8.3 Changes in Intensity and Duration of Site Visits The number of clients and the duration/frequency of expeditions are carefully managed to keep the level of potential impacts to no more than minor or transitory and to meet operational and safety considerations. Reduction in the number of ALE’s field staff may reduce safety and increase the likelihood of accident, in turn increasing the possibility of environmental impact. The client to guide ratio is appropriate for the size

Page 54 of 109 ANTARCTIC LOGISTICS & EXPEDITIONS LLC Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions Environmental Documentation 2013 of aircraft used and safety concerns, and no significant environmental benefit is likely to be gained by changing this ratio. Changes could be made to the number of clients visiting any given site and to the duration of their stay. Smaller number of clients per group with visits spread over a longer period is likely to incur greater fuel costs and resultant emissions. Also, operations over a longer period may raise safety issues as clients are exposed to more extreme weather conditions either earlier or later in the season. The alternative of more client visits in a shorter period of time is likely to require different aircraft with larger payload. Table 17 indicates a potential increase in client numbers for the current season over previous ones. The duration of the activity, however, has not changed and there is no intention to shorten the period during which clients will visit Antarctica. Thus, this will have no effect on the type of aircraft or payload and suitable field aircraft to meet increased payload would not be cost effective. Payload, in any case, is tightly controlled by Canadian Department of Transport and Kenn Borek Air’s SOPs. Any potential increase in client numbers will be managed within existing payloads. Flight plans are always constructed to make the most efficient use of payload, for both environmental and commercial reasons. No net improvement in environmental effects is likely by changing the intensity and duration and this alternative is rejected.

8.4 Changes to Type of Aircraft and Vehicles Used Aircraft suitable for use in Antarctica are limited due to the nature of operations and the type of landing facilities. ALE has assessed various types of aircraft on the grounds of safety, environmental impact and cost effectiveness. Aircraft that have proven their suitability for use in Antarctica have been selected. All vehicles have been designed or modified for over-snow use and most will have been used extensively in polar conditions. Other vehicle types may be proposed during the life time of ALE’s Multi-Year IEE and they will be assessed to gauge whether they have similar, greater or lower environmental impacts. Any indications of a greater effect than vehicles assessed in this report will require further Supplementary Information.

8.5 Don't Go Alternative ALE provides seasonal tour programs and logistic support for expeditions and mountaineers in the Antarctic, which is a legitimate activity under Antarctic Treaty and Environmental Protocol requirements. ALE believes that the proposed activities can be carried out with no more than minor or transitory impact on the Antarctic environment. ALE has set high environmental standards meeting, and exceeding where practicable, the requirements of the Environmental Protocol and Antarctic Conservation Act. Other commercial operators may work to different standards and it is highly likely that if ALE chooses the "don't go alternative", another operator would attempt to provide flight and logistic services. ALE believes, on the basis of the strong visitor demand, that taking the "don't go alternative" will not lead to an absence of activity. ALE fully complies with the requirements of the Treaty and US Antarctic laws. ALE submits environmental documentation and annual Advance Notification and its activities are visible, fully reported and carefully scrutinized. This may not be the case should another commercial operator step in to service the demand for visits to this sector of Antarctica, therefore, ALE rejects this alternative.

9. LIKELY IMPACTS, ASSESSMENT, MINIMIZATION AND MITIGATION OF PROPOSED ACTIVITIES 9.1 Assessment of Impacts Likely Impacts are assessed qualitatively using the criteria outlined below, drawn from the Environmental Protocol Annex I–Art 3, COMNAP (1999) and Amended Guidelines for Environmental Impact Assessment (ATCM, 2005). A summary of these criteria is given in Table 26. Results are presented in Table 37. Nature The nature of the impact caused by the activity on potential receptors. Scope The geographical area affected by the impact in local, regional or continental terms.

Page 55 of 109 ANTARCTIC LOGISTICS & EXPEDITIONS LLC Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions Environmental Documentation 2013 Persistence The duration of the impact and whether it is likely to be short-term (minutes–hours), medium-term (days–weeks), long-term (months–years), permanent or unknown. Intensity The overall severity of the impact is assessed in relative terms (low, medium or high). Probability The likelihood of the impact occurring. This is assessed as low (<25% probability), medium (25–75% probability), high (>75% probability). Importance The overall importance of the impact is assessed in relative terms (low, medium or high). Description of effect. This categorizes qualitatively the direct, indirect and cumulative effects of the specific impact. Three types of impact categories are specified in Article 3 of Annex I of the Environmental Protocol and the COMNAP (1999) definition of each category is adopted for this IEE: (1) Direct Effects: Any first order effect, impact or consequence that may be associated with an activity. For example, acute toxicity effects (mortality) in marine birds, or in intertidal limpets, or in pelagic krill caused by exposure to toxic constituents of petroleum products spilt at sea. (2) Indirect and Second Order Effects: Any second order effect, impact or consequence that may be causally associated with an activity. For example, particulate emissions from combustion leading to melting of ice or snow that subsequently causes loss of ice or snow algae habitat. (3) Cumulative Impacts: Effects, impact, or consequences that may come from similar or varied sources, but that are additive, antagonistic or synergistic in their effect, impact or consequence. For example, disturbance to nesting skua caused by existing scientific use and by a proposed use.

9.2 Analysis of Impacts The following sections show the results of impact analysis of the likely effects of ALE’s proposed program and logistic support activities on the environments described in Section 6.14. Where appropriate, origins and outputs of activities are given and their likely effect assessed. Finally, minimization and mitigation measures are described. In the following sections the assumption has been made that the minimization and mitigation measures described are applied. ALE’s environmental policy requires complete removal, as far as practicable, of all solid wastes, including food, human waste and garbage. Thus, the main sources of impacts are: emissions and fuel spills, grey water, noise and impacts resulting from visitor disturbance. ALE will submit an application to NSF for a multi-year Waste Management Permit for the use and release of designated pollutants as required by the Antarctic Science, Tourism, and Conservation Act of 1996 and in accordance with the information outlined in 45 CFR Part 671. Post-activity reports will be submitted to NSF as required under the conditions of the permit and copies provided to the EPA and IAATO.

Table 26 Criteria for assessing likely impacts Heading Content Detail Activity Nature Type of activity Duration Time period of activity Listed in days, weeks, months etc. Output Description of potential results of activity that may cause impact Impact Scope Geographical area affected Local, regional, continental (L, R, C) Persistence Duration of impact Short (minutes–hours), medium (days– weeks), long (months–years), permanent, unknown (S, M, L, P, U) Intensity Severity of impact Low, medium, high (L, M, H)

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Heading Content Detail Probability Likelihood of impact occurring Low (<25%), medium (25–75%), high (>75%) (L, M, H) Importance Importance of impact Low, medium, high (L, M, H) Effects Direct Qualitative description of what is Indirect directly, indirectly and cumulatively Cumulative impacted by the Activity/Output. 9.2.1 Identification of Exposures The main outputs of ALE’s activities have been analyzed to determine which environmental values could potentially be effected. The result of this is shown in Table 27.

Table 27 Potential environmental exposures from analysis of likely impacts OUTPUT ENVIRONMENTAL VALUE Cryptogamic Fauna Air Snow / Soil Associated Flora Ice Ecosystems1 Emissions X X X X X X Fuel Spills X X Fluid Wastes X X Solid Wastes X X Noise X Physical Disturbance X X X X Introduced species / diseases X X 1 Associated Ecosystems refers to areas referenced in Section 9.10 9.3 Emissions to Air Emission sources from fuel burn generated during the proposed activity will include:  Air operations south of 60ºS  Land transportation e.g. tracked vehicles and snowmobiles  Generators  Stoves and heaters Fugitive emissions may occur during fuelling activities and from fuel spills. Fuels used will include:  Jet-A1  Unleaded gasoline  White gas  Propane Other liquid hydrocarbons include hydraulic fluid, two-stroke oil and lubricating oils. 9.3.1 Output Atmospheric emissions from the combustion and evaporation of fuels used by planes, land transportation, generators, stoves and heaters include:

 Carbon dioxide (CO2)  Carbon monoxide (CO)  Nitrogen oxides (NOx, N2O)  Sulphur oxides (SOx)  Methane (CH4)  Volatile organic compounds (VOC), including Gasoline Range Organics (GRO) and Diesel Range Organics (DRO)  Particulate material These emissions to air can contribute to the greenhouse effect both directly and indirectly and may also affect air quality in general.

Page 57 of 109 ANTARCTIC LOGISTICS & EXPEDITIONS LLC Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions Environmental Documentation 2013 9.3.2 Quantities The major consumer of fuel is flight, and the greater portion of this is by intercontinental flights from South America to Antarctica. Data for all flights for the period 2007–2010 are given in Table 28. Each intercontinental flight uses on average 70,000 kg per flight (total return flight, Punta to Punta). Intercontinental flights are fuelled in South America but ski aircraft are almost entirely fuelled by drums flown into Antarctica on the IL-76. Intercontinental flights by long range large corporate jet aircraft will use considerably less fuel than the IL-76.

Table 28 Fuel usage by aircraft for 2007–2010 Aircraft Quantity Used 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 Jet A1 IL-76 1,261,092 kg 1,311,707 kg 978,675 kg No. IL-76 flights 18 19 14 Twin Otter DHC-6 147,995 kg 149,766 kg 54,643 kg Basler DC3-TP67 53,844 kg Total kg 1,409,087 kg 1,461,473 kg 1,087,163 kg Note: Fuel use is total for all flights, not south of 60°S only

The next major consumer of fuel after aircraft is vehicles, particularly large tractors used for loading/ unloading intercontinental flights, traverses, grooming, etc. Table 29 shows fuel usage in 2009–10 other than by aircraft activities.

Table 29 Fuel usage by vehicles, stoves, etc., for 2009–10 Fuel Use Quantity Used 2009-10 Jet A1 Vehicles 29,690 l Lubes Vehicles 594 l Jet A1 Stoves & Heaters 1,840 l Jet A1 Water Melters 860 l Unleaded Gasoline Vehicles 4,140 l 2 Stroke lube Vehicles 66 l White Gas (US gal) Field Stoves 55 Propane (15kg bottle) Cookers, Heaters 182 Estimates, based on previous seasons’ activities, of fuel used for all flights, vehicles and camp activities in Antarctica during the 2013–14 season are shown in Table 30. Fuel use for the entire intercontinental flight path from Punta Arenas to Union Glacier is shown.

Table 30 Estimated fuel use for 2013–14 Fuel Type Estimated Quantity Jet-A1 (IL-76) 1,800,000 kg Jet-A1 (ski aircraft) 142,000 kg Jet-A1 (vehicles) 53,000 kg Jet-A1 (stoves, melters & heaters) 3500 kg Unleaded Gasoline (vehicles and generators) 5400 kg White Gas (Field Stoves) 600 kg Propane (Cookers, Heaters) 750 kg This is an updated version of Table 29 in the ALE 2010 IEE and is based on the same assumptions. The changes in fuel use since 2010–11 results from increased flight and vehicle activity, more efficient snow melting and tent heating systems, and changes in client numbers. Combustion of the fuel given in Table 30 will result in an increased emission of CO2, the most significant pollutant from burning fossil fuels, by an estimated 41% over 2010–11 figures.

Page 58 of 109 ANTARCTIC LOGISTICS & EXPEDITIONS LLC Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions Environmental Documentation 2013 A number of different emission factors have been used to calculate combustion gas emissions from field activities in Antarctica and these were reviewed for the CEP (ATCM, 2008). ALE has used International Association of Oil and Gas Producers (Shah and Pope, 1994) Tier Three Methodology factors to calculate estimate emissions. These have been used in this IEE for consistency. The results of emissions calculations for ALE’s activities during the 2013–14 season, including fuel combusted during intercontinental flight passage, are shown in Table 31. Factors for air transport, land transport, gas combustion and heating have been used in the calculation of all emissions. The greater part of the amounts shown in these tables represent emissions generated by aircraft, a significant portion of which occurs during landing and take-off cycles (LTO) at Union Glacier and Punta Arenas. Table 31 Likely emission load for activities during 2013–14 season Emission Source Totals (kg3 gas) (kg3gas) Air Transport Land Gas Heating / Transport Combustion Melting Il-76 DHC-6 DC3-TP67

CO2 5760.00 261.21 190.24 161.79 6.60 32.00 6,411.85 CO 9.36 0.42 0.31 0.14 0.01 0.03 10.26

NOx 22.50 1.02 0.74 1.92 0.08 0.38 26.64

N2O 0.396 0.018 0.013 0.011 0.000 0.002 0.441

SOx 14.40 0.65 0.48 0.40 0.02 0.08 16.03

CH4 0.1566 0.0071 0.0052 0.0116 Trace Trace 0.1805 VOC 1.4040 0.0637 0.0464 0.2730 0.0111 0.0540 1.8522 Notes: 1. Emission factors from Shah, A. and P. Pope, (eds) 1994. Methods for estimating atmospheric emissions from E&P operations. E&P Forum, London. Report No. 2.59/197. 2. Weight fraction of Sulfur in fuel used for SOx calculation = 0.3% by weight for Jet-A1 and 0.02% by weight for unleaded gasoline. 3. Density of Jet-A1 = 0.85 kg l-1; Density of unleaded gasoline = 0.735 kg l-1

9.3.3 Assessment It is generally accepted that emissions from burning fossil fuels in Antarctica will be rapidly dispersed by wind. Particulate products from combustion may settle on snow/ice surfaces and affect albedo or the potential for scientific research. Monitoring of combustion particulates at the South Pole has shown that they are unlikely to cause any measurable changes to the physical or chemical properties of the terrain (NSF, 2004). The most significant pollutant from burning fossil fuels, particularly by aircraft, is carbon dioxide (CO2) because of its likely effect on climate change and global warming (IPCC, 1999) The emissions due to ALE’s activities are assessed to be of medium to high importance due to high probability and medium to long-term persistence but are expected to be negligible in both an Antarctic and a global context although they may make a contribution to cumulative impacts.

9.3.4 Minimization & Mitigation Activities will be planned to minimize flight operations, and ground running of aircraft engines will be kept to a minimum at runways and tie-downs. There are strong commercial reasons for applying these measures that otherwise waste fuel. ALE will require aircraft used to have current Certificates of Airworthiness, necessary aircraft maintenance manuals, and documentation of applicable maintenance directives and inspections. ALE will ensure that aircraft are maintained correctly by qualified engineers and that the required standards for engine servicing and aircraft maintenance are met. The primary method of minimizing emissions of carbon oxides, black smoke and unburned hydrocarbon is by routine maintenance.

Page 59 of 109 ANTARCTIC LOGISTICS & EXPEDITIONS LLC Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions Environmental Documentation 2013 ALE contracts qualified mechanics who regularly inspect vehicles, generators and stoves for fuel leaks and undertake routine maintenance to manufacturer’s specifications. This and the use of clean, filtered fuels will minimize emissions.

9.4 Fuel & Oil Spills

9.4.1 Origins Fuel and oil spills may occur during maintenance and fuelling of planes, vehicles, generators, stoves and heaters, and by leakage from cached drums. Emergency fuel jettison during flight is a possible but highly unlikely scenario.

9.4.2 Output The type of fuels and oils which will be used include Jet-A1 (aviation kerosene), unleaded gasoline, white gas, propane, and minor quantities of hydraulic and lubricant oils. 9.4.3 Assessment Spills are likely to be <200 l and typically <10 l. However, in the unlikely event of a leakage at a cache, the partial or full loss of a complete drum (210 l) may result. Fuelling of intercontinental aircraft in Antarctica is not required for Punta Arenas to Union Glacier or Patriot Hills flights. Even at the low temperatures experienced at the locations of ALE’s activities, fuel is relatively volatile and will rapidly evaporate but a waxy residue may remain (OSRL, 1998). Some hydrocarbons are soluble in water and their effect will depend on dilution (Cripps and Shears, 1997). Contaminants that migrate into the ice will be encapsulated and remain in the ice until point of release. Released contaminants could, therefore, affect an associated environment in the future. Should a spill occur at Union Glacier ice runway, it would be onto a thin layer of snow, no more than c.300 mm depth, overlying glacier ice. Spills may also occur at ski aircraft tie-down locations, vehicle maintenance areas and during fuelling of stoves and heaters, where snow depths are much greater. The direct effect of any spill is local contamination of the surrounding ground, usually snow and ice, and an amount of fugitive emissions dependent on the scale of the spill. The probability of a spill occurring is medium–high during the many fuelling operations of aircraft and other equipment in a season. The persistence of any waxy residues is medium-long but the importance on anything but a local scale is minimal.

9.4.4 Minimization & Mitigation ALE employs a series of spill prevention measures and has a comprehensive Oil Spill Contingency Plan. A Fuel Spill Action Card is displayed at fuel handling locations and relevant staff receive fuel handling and spill response training. Fuel will be transported and cached in UN classified 60 l or 200 l tight-head drums. These are widely used and have proved to be robust for Antarctic use. Gasses will be carried in certified 15 kg cylinders. Fuel will also be stored in double-walled 1500 l (350 gal) tanks that will be used for fuelling of vehicles and aircraft at Union Glacier, and during some tractor traverses. These double-walled tanks are vented and marked for specific fuels. Fuel delivery will be by an integral electric pump system and the tanks will have level and leak gauges. The purpose of introduction of these tanks in 2010 is to facilitate fuelling of aircraft and vehicles, and to further minimize the likelihood of a fuel spill. Oil spill response will be managed by a two-tier contingency plan. The first level, which is designed to deal with small spills such as leaking fuel drums includes immediate containment in a ‘safe waste’ container, recovery and clean-up of the contaminated area and bagging waste snow and fuel and removal from Antarctica. Larger spills will require a second-tier response involving containment and protection of vulnerable areas. Spill mats and drip-trays will be used during fuelling and engine maintenance and spill kits will be carried by all aircraft for fuelling at caches other than at Union Glacier. Minimization and mitigation is possible

Page 60 of 109 ANTARCTIC LOGISTICS & EXPEDITIONS LLC Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions Environmental Documentation 2013 through correct fuelling procedures, oil spill contingency planning, effective communications, observation and reporting. Experience from previous seasons has shown that fuelling and caching activities are the most likely to generate spills. The tiered contingency plan will also apply to spills generated by other means, e.g. a ruptured hydraulic hose. In most instances, such a rupture will trigger tractor fail-safe sensors and the main engine will cut out. Oil spill kits are stored at key locations in the main ALE operational areas, e.g. for snow blowers at the blue-ice runway. All vehicles that leave the immediate camp and runway areas will carry spill kits for the recovery of any spills generated during traverses. Garage and field workshops will be housed in 20ft containers that will contain any spills. Small vehicles and equipment, such as snowmobiles, will be maintained in a tented extension to the garage workshop. This extension will have a heavy duty, solid floor that will be underlain by absorbent mats over an impermeable sheet. Any spills caused during maintenance of equipment will be captured by this system. The absorbent matting will be returned to Punta Arenas for cleaning or replaced when exhausted. An inspection pit will be dug for maintenance of larger vehicles, e.g. tractors, with impermeable-backed spill matting in the bottom. Leakages at caches will be minimized by transporting and storing fuels in UN classified drums. “Safe waste” equipment will be held at Union Glacier for containment of leaking drums. Fuel caches will be sited in the same locality each season to avoid the spread of contaminated snow areas. Spills will be recorded for monitoring purposes.

9.5 Domestic Waste Water ('Grey' water) Domestic waste or grey water results from kitchen and ablution activities but does not include solid waste (human and food wastes, and garbage). Grey water will be discharged to designated snow pits at camp locations. Discharge sites will be marked and the location recorded. No discharges will be made in the vicinity of wildlife, blue ice or in ice-free areas. Grey water will be filtered before disposal to minimize the amount of solid material dumped. The residue will be collected and removed from Antarctica. Measurement of grey water at ALE camps has shown an output in the range 15–20 l d–1 per person. On this basis, the projected visitor-days for the 2013–14 season (9,246 days, of which c.5,400 are staff and flight crew) will generate a grey water output of c.160,000 liter for disposal in Antarctica. The two main sites for grey water disposal are Union Glacier and Vinson Base Camp, which account for c.85% of the grey water disposed in Antarctica. The remainder will be disposed at camp sites used by the various programs described in Section 6.

9.5.1 Assessment Grey water discharged at ALE camps will add dissolved nutrients and solid particles to the snow and ice. At the base camp locations, such as Union glacier and Vinson Massif, and at other commonly used camp sites, there will be an accumulation of grey water discharge over time, leading to the potential for cumulative impacts. The direct effect of disposing of grey water is contamination of the underlying snow and ice. There is, possibly, also an aesthetic effect. Grey water will have a local scope and low intensity but a long-term persistence and is therefore assessed to be of low–medium importance. The indirect and cumulative effects are the spread of the contaminated area and an expansion of the 'footprint' of each of the camps.

9.5.2 Minimization & Mitigation The problems of storage and carriage of grey water (and urine) mitigate against removal from Antarctica because of the potential for significant health and safety concerns for staff and clients. ALE has, therefore, followed a policy of local disposal of grey water in clearly marked and recorded snow pits. At some locations, e.g. Mt Vinson, grey water and urine will be disposed of in snow pits (see Section 4.18). This policy will minimize environmental impacts and limit cumulative effects to point sources. The alternative of allowing unrestricted disposal on mountain routes would lead to a wider spread of impacts, significant health issues with the potential for consuming contaminated snow, and a loss of data of the location of disposal sites.

Page 61 of 109 ANTARCTIC LOGISTICS & EXPEDITIONS LLC Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions Environmental Documentation 2013 ALE has runs trials for systems to remove urine and grey water from the mountain. A test by a climbing group to remove grey water and urine from the route on Mt Vinson during the 2009–10 season proved partially successful and it was only possible to bring grey water and urine back from the first (low) camp to base camp. Attempts to dig out urine pits has also been shown to be an unhygienic and unsafe practice. Grey water will be filtered before local disposal to minimize the amount of solid material dumped. The residue will be collected for disposal outside Antarctica. Containers used to store and transport grey water will be clean and free of contaminants such as fuels or oils. Disposal sites will be chosen to be in areas where the ice flow line will not terminate in an ice-free region or in areas of high ablation. At the main camp locations, grey water disposal sites will be situated directly adjacent to, i.e. within a few meters, of the main and wash tents. Camps will be sited each season with consideration given to the previous seasons’ grey water disposal areas so as to avoid using contaminated snow for drinking water. Movement of the snow and ice in the vicinity of the previous disposal points can lead to an expansion of the camp 'footprint'. For this reason, the co-ordinates of grey water disposal sites will be recorded.

9.6 Solid Waste The following solid wastes will be generated during the course of operations:  Sewage  Garbage (metals, plastic, paper, wood, glass etc.)  Food waste  Hazardous or special waste (oils, oily rags, batteries etc. from maintenance and other work activities on aircraft and vehicles.) Non-hazardous solid waste including paper, plastics, timber, metal, glass and fuel drums will be removed to Punta Arenas and re-used or recycled where possible. Food and human waste will be removed to Punta Arenas for disposal. Hazardous waste, such as batteries (see Table 32), will be separated and removed from Antarctica for recycling or disposal.

Table 32 Estimated annual use of batteries Battery type Use Amount Storage Alkaline AA, AAA, C, D, 9V Cameras, stereos, small 200 Leak-proof plastic boxes electrical equipment Lithium Cameras; 300 Leak-proof plastic boxes NiCad/NiH Rechargeable Cameras; radios; computers 500 Leak-proof plastic boxes Sealed gel (lead acid) batteries Vehicles; Communications 30 In vehicles or Comms tent

The types of solid wastes generated by ALE’s operations and disposal route are shown in Table 33. Wastes such as cans, bottles, metals, etc., will be sorted at base camps and removed to Punta Arenas for re-use or recycling where possible. Empty fuel drums are removed to Punta Arenas for inspection and cleaning. Drums will be re-used for at least 4 cycles, and more if they pass inspections. All remaining solid waste will be returned to Punta Arenas airport for disposal at a land-fill site c.20 km to the west of the city. Waste quantities from all activities (ALE acting as operator and contractor) are recorded on each outbound flight manifest. Table 34 shows waste removed by category from Antarctica during the period 2005–08, and the annual average amounts. Similar amounts will be generated during 2010–11.

Table 33 Types of waste generated by ALE’s activities and proposed disposal routes Waste Type Classification Route Non-hazardous paper, plastics, timber Group 3 removed from Antarctica for recycling metal, glass Group 4 removed from Antarctica for recycling fuel drums Group 4 removed from Antarctica for re-use or recycling Biodegradable

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Waste Type Classification Route food waste Group 3 or 4 removed from Antarctica for disposal human waste Group 1 removed from Antarctica for disposal grey water Group 1 disposed at camps in snow pits Hazardous batteries Group 4 separated and removed from Antarctica for recycling or disposal fuels and oils Group 2 removed from Antarctica for recycling or disposal ALE’s policy is no dumping of solid human waste on Mt Vinson (or other mountains). All clients, guides and staff that go onto the mountain are issued with WAG BAGs® to collect and store solid human waste. All human waste is collected at Vinson Base Camp for return to Union Glacier. WAG BAGs® are also issued to Last Degree groups and longer expeditions (see paragraph 4.18), and the waste returned to Union Glacier for removal from Antarctica.

Table 34 Outbound cargo by Group, 2005–2008 Season No. pax Propane Drum Drum Garbage Solid Urine (liter) cylinder (200 l) (60 l) (kg) human (kg) waste (kg) Group 4 Group 4 Group 4 Group 3, 4 Group 1 Group 1 2005-06 295 3825 433 817 4680 5760 6545 2006-07 272 5625 701 526 5040 5400 7150 2007-08 314 4590 675 844 2998 2943 8030 Annual average 284 4680 603 729 4239 4701 7242 Black water will be dumped at campsites used by the longer overland ski expeditions or by overnight aircraft stops away from the main camp sites. The total amount of sewage waste which will be left in Antarctica is estimated to be <5,000 l per year.

Inevitably, litter may be lost or blown downwind at camps or caches, including lightweight materials such as paper and plastics but also heavier items such as empty drums.

9.6.1 Assessment The removal of all solid wastes from Antarctica effectively displaces impacts from this source to an associated ecosystem and results in minimizing as far as possible the potential impact from waste disposal in Antarctica. There will be a direct effect from litter at campsites or blown downwind but anecdotal evidence indicates that the amount lost is low and considered to have a low/negligible impact. Human waste left at expedition camp sites is considered to have a low impact at a local and regional scale.

9.6.2 Minimization & Mitigation The amount of potential waste will be reduced by minimizing the amount of packaging taken to Antarctica and re-use of materials; for example, empty fuel drums will be used for shipping waste out of Antarctica or cleaned and re-used for fuel transfer. Clients and staff will be briefed on waste management procedures and waste minimization, prior to departure for Antarctica. ALE will collect all solid wastes and sewage generated and return to Union Glacier for subsequent removal from Antarctica. As far as possible, all solid kitchen waste will be removed from the Vinson Base Camp and mountain route. All camp food wastes will be returned to Union Glacier for disposal outside Antarctica. Prohibited products listed in Annex III of the Environmental Protocol will not be brought into Antarctica and there will be no incineration or open burning of waste.

Page 63 of 109 ANTARCTIC LOGISTICS & EXPEDITIONS LLC Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions Environmental Documentation 2013 Waste will be secured and stored in designated areas at camps so that material does not blow away or get lost by burial. Weekly inspections and cleanup will be made to retrieve any litter around camps and blown downwind. ALE will apply for a multi-year Waste Management Permit for the use and release of designated pollutants as required by the Antarctic Science, Tourism, and Conservation Act of 1996. Reports will be submitted to NSF as required under the conditions of the permit (45 CFR 671.9).

9.7 Noise A key concern of aircraft and vehicle operations is noise level and associated effects upon wildlife and wilderness and aesthetic values. Noise can cause two direct impacts on wildlife: disturbance and mortality of communities. Wildlife that could be disturbed include breeding and hauled-out seals, penguins and seabirds. Noise will be generated by:  Aircraft operations  Land transport  Camp generators  General visitor activity

9.7.1 Assessment Intercontinental flights to SCGC Runway 18M, Union Glacier, and SCPZ Runway 24M, Patriot Hills, operate at high altitude, above 30,000 ft (9,100 m). There are no bird colonies under the flight approach and take- off routes at either location and the impact of aircraft noise on wildlife from intercontinental flights is negligible. Positioning flights for ski aircraft from Punta Arenas to Union Glacier at the start and end of the season will have the potential to cause noise impact on wildlife. There is wildlife in the vicinity of Rothera Station, where fuelling will take place. However, in the context of the overall flight activity at Rothera Station, 2–4 LTO cycles at this location will have minimal noise impact. There are no major concentrations of wildlife near to , the alternate fuelling site, and again the impact of one or two LTO cycles at this location is negligible in the context of overall operations at the site. The operation of ski aircraft at Union Glacier is well away from any wildlife populations, as indicated in Section 6.14. The approach and take-off of aircraft at the emperor penguin colonies used for Living with Emperor Penguins program could disturb these breeding colonies. The noise of aircraft may have an effect on Antarctic aesthetic and wilderness values.

9.7.2 Minimization and Mitigation Aircraft noise will be minimized by using aircraft only when required and by keeping to minimum height and spatial separations unless weather, mechanical or operational changes during a flight require descent to lower altitudes for safety. All ALE aircraft carry current editions of the Antarctic Flight Information Manual (AFIM). Diagrams and approach procedures for SCPZ Runway 24M, Patriot Hills and SCGC Runway 18M, Union Glacier, and ski runways, and runways/ski runways of national operators (Rothera, Fossil Bluff and South Pole) are provided to pilots as required. ALE Pilots are briefed on recommended routes, minimum heights and approach distances before any flights to the coastline, including visits to emperor penguin colonies or taking ski expeditions to their start point at Berkner Island. The briefing includes Guidelines for the operation of aircraft near concentrations of birds (ATCM, 2004) and general advice from the Wildlife Awareness Manual (Harris, 2006). Any indication of wildlife disturbance will result in immediate deviation and a change to the flight plan. By avoiding over flight and maintaining minimum height and spatial separations in the vicinity of wildlife, the likelihood of impact is minimized. By applying these measures, there is a low probability of disturbance to wildlife caused by aircraft noise.

Page 64 of 109 ANTARCTIC LOGISTICS & EXPEDITIONS LLC Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions Environmental Documentation 2013 Commercial and environmental considerations will encourage minimum use of generators and land transport. Where possible, renewable sources, such as solar photovoltaic cells for charging batteries, will be used.

9.8 Physical Disturbance ALE operations will cause changes in the snow and surface at the camps and runway/ski runways. This will have a temporary effect on the aesthetic value of the sites. Trampling on ice-free areas may cause physical disturbance to periglacial or geological features and cryptogamic species if present. The following activities may cause physical disturbance of the environment:  Snow clearing of blue-ice runway at SCPZ Runway 24M, Patriot Hills and SCGC Runway 18M, Union Glacier, and in camps  Grooming of ski runways  Runway stakes and markers  Use of land vehicles  Presence of camps and vehicles  Trampling on snow and rock

9.8.1 Assessment The presence of structures such as tents, caches or aircraft at tie-downs will cause an increase in snow deposition during storms. Physical disturbance will be caused by clearing snowdrifts from tents, equipment and runways. Snowfall on the blue-ice runway will be cleared using snow blowers and drift on ski runways will be groomed or tilled. Physical disturbance caused by clearing snow drifts on runways and ski runways will be minimal. Markers, caches and other temporary structures used by ALE will have a visual effect on the surrounding area. The footprint of Union Glacier runway (0.5 km2) and base camp will be small (1.5 km2) and the visual impact will be minimal. A few runway, camp and cache markers may be left over winter for locating sites on return and for ablation measurements. All these caches or markers have a negligible physical impact. Tracks left by aircraft and vehicles will lead to changes in compaction of the upper snow layers. These tracks will have a negligible impact on a local scale because of the amount of wind-blown snow and the small area concerned. Clients and staff will have access to the ice-free areas adjacent to the various camps, for example at Union Glacier and Vinson Base Camp. Physical disturbance in ice-free areas may reduce the scientific value of the area. Human presence, associated infrastructure and transportation facilities are assessed to have a medium impact on the wilderness and aesthetics values at a local scale. At a regional and continental scale the impact is negligible.

9.8.2 Minimization & mitigation The number of stakes used to fix the position of the runway and for ablation measurements will be kept to a minimum. Runway markers will also be removed at the end of each season. Snow-clearing and grooming will be kept to a minimum, consistent with safe operations. Damage to ice-free areas will be minimized by ensuring that all clients and staff receive pre-trip education on Recommendation XVIII-1 (ATCM, 1994). This information will be repeated at briefings in Punta Arenas, prior to departure to Antarctica, and again at base camps. Maps of environmentally sensitive areas will be made available to staff and clients. No meteorite collection will be permitted, except by permit. Impact on wilderness and aesthetic values will be minimized by operating seasonally, leaving no permanent facilities in Antarctica, by maintaining a minimum of on-ice operations and by litter recovery practices.

Page 65 of 109 ANTARCTIC LOGISTICS & EXPEDITIONS LLC Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions Environmental Documentation 2013 9.9 Introduction of Alien Species and Translocation of Diseases Direct and rapid intercontinental air transport presents the risk of the introduction of alien species and translocation of diseases from South America to Antarctica. Introductions could occur through importing uncooked food, packaging or contaminated equipment. Translocation of species may also occur within Antarctica. Many remote mountain ranges and nunataks e.g. Ellsworth Mountains, Thiel Mountains, are distinct biogeographical regions with unusual and often unique species assemblages, and translocation of species between these sites is possible. Antarctic populations are susceptible to infection by disease and scavenging of unsecured waste food by birds is a simple route for these to enter the system. Soil and seeds may be introduced by unclean footwear or equipment, which may result in the accidental transfer of non-native organisms to the Antarctic. Unclean equipment may also transfer species between separate biogeographical regions within Antarctica. There are no known breeding bird species in the Ellsworth Mountains and the extreme climate appears to have limited growth of cryptogamic species. Thus, the likelihood of survival of introduced non-native species is minimal but the likelihood of translocation of native species is significant. A joint COMNAP/SCAR Workshop held in August 2010 discussed preliminary results of the IPY project “Aliens in Antarctica”. As a result COMNAP and SCAR have prepared voluntary checklists to reduce the risk of introduction of non-native species into the Antarctic region (COMNAP/SCAR, 2011). In line with the COMNAP/SCAR checklists and recommendations, further biosecurity measures will be introduced for the 2013–14 season, in particular aircraft decontamination procedures. COMNAP/SCAR checklists for aircraft, cargo, food and expeditioners’ gear will be followed as far as practicable. The Ilyushin aircraft will be decontaminated using Callington products (www.callingtonhaven.com). An initial, whole aircraft fumigation will be made at the start of the season using Callington 1-shot Cargo 150g aerosol spray (product #4508) and a repeat cabin spray will be made following each departure from Punta Arenas using Inflight 40g aerosol spray (product #4520). It is also planned to make initial, whole aircraft fumigation of Twin Otter and Basler DC3T aircraft however, this requires agreement by Kenn Borek Air and Transport Canada, which is being sought.

9.9.1 Minimization & Mitigation Treaty Recommendations, IAATO guidelines and ALE’s biosecurity procedures will be followed to minimize the likelihood of the introduction and translocation of species and diseases. The following practices will be used by ALE to minimize the introduction of alien species:  poultry products must be certified clear of Newcastle’s and other diseases;  proper food handling and secure storage procedures in camps;  food waste separated and contained in secure storage for disposal at an appropriate reception facility outside the Antarctic Treaty Area;  staff and clients are given a copy of ALE’s guidance on Antarctic Biosecurity: Equipment, Boot and Clothing Cleaning (see 14.2);  Clients footwear, clothing and equipment will be checked and cleaned if required before departure for Antarctica;  Contracts with aircraft charterers will require aircraft to be cleaned on arrival in Punta Arenas and checks to be made during the season;  ALE maintains pressure steam and vacuum cleaning equipment in Punta Arenas for use by air crew, vehicle mechanics, staff and clients;  Expedition contacts include clauses on cleaning of equipment, including vehicles, prior to flights to Antarctica. Poultry products will only be purchased in Chile, which has been certified free from viscerotropic velogenic Newcastle disease since 1975. The status of Newcastle’s disease in Chile will be checked regularly with the Magallanes regional office of Servicio Agricola y Ganaderia (SAG, www.sag.gob.cl). SAG also provides

Page 66 of 109 ANTARCTIC LOGISTICS & EXPEDITIONS LLC Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions Environmental Documentation 2013 advice on other food borne diseases and this information is circulated to all clients and expeditions that may bring food products into Chile for transportation to Antarctica. The probability of introducing alien species and transfer between locations within Antarctica will therefore be extremely low.

9.10 Associated Ecosystems Two features of the proposed activities are likely to affect associated ecosystems:  Emissions to air (see paragraph 9.3): contribution to regional and global air pollution burdens.  Removal of waste to South America (see paragraph 9.6): increased landfill in Punta Arenas; indirect effect of contamination of soil and groundwater and disease transfer during sewage handling. ALE’s emissions to air are not significant in terms of regional air pollution burdens, and the contribution of ALE’s waste to Punta land fill and recycling systems is assessed to be low.

10. CUMULATIVE IMPACTS ATCM (2005) defines cumulative impact as: "…the combined impact of past, present and reasonably foreseeable activities. These activities may occur over time and space and can be additive or interactive/synergistic. These activities may involve visits by multiple operators or repeated visits to the same site by the same operator." ALE has recorded its activities at all sites at which it operates since 2003 and these data have been included in post-visit reports. Activities by other operators at Union Glacier, Patriot Hills and Vinson Base Camp has also been recorded and included in post-visit reports. The following activities have the potential to contribute to cumulative effects on the environment:  aircraft, vehicle, generator and stove emissions;  grey water and urine discharge, and litter;  wildlife disturbance at frequently used sites;  trampling in the vicinity of vegetation or periglacial features;  incidental introductions of new microbial or plant assemblages over time; and  degradation of historic artifacts from abrasion, handling, etc. These impacts may have the following effects:  contribution to regional and global climate change;  reduction in historic or scientific value of sites;  reduction in aesthetic value of sites;  changes in visitation to existing sites;  interest in new sites as the market for Antarctic tourism develops;  changes in attitude to environmental protection, due usage of sites over time.

Details of visitor numbers for the top four ALE programs, government support and totals for all activities for the seasons 2000–01 to 2009–10 are given in Figure 15. The data has been extracted from IAATO tourism statistics, ALE’s Post-Visit Reports and internal database. To put these figures into context, Antarctic tourism numbers are given in Figure 16, showing the trends since 2000 (IAATO, 2010). A total of 21,622 landed tourist visitors were reported during the 2009–10 season including ship, land-based and some yacht passenger numbers. A permanent summer field station at Patriot Hills has been operated by the Chilean Air Force (FACh) since 1995 and a number of Chilean scientists have visited the Patriot Hills area. The rapid growth in research interest in this region of West Antarctica is reflected in the increased government support figures in Figure 15. Analysis of cumulative impacts at Union Glacier and Patriot Hills will need to take into account the activity by all operators, including research programs. Chilean, UK and USA agencies also maintain fuel caches near the Patriot Hills camp.

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South Pole Flight 400 Last Degree Ski All The Way 350 Government Support 300 Mt Vinson Total-all Programs 250 200 150 100 50

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11. MONITORING AND VERIFICATION ALE considers monitoring to be a key aspect of the environmental management of their activities and will keep records of the following aspects of their operations:  flight times and fuel use;  non-flight fuel consumption;  number of visitors and staff (person days at each site);  fuel spills;  amount of fuel at caches and inspections for leakage and damage;  areal extent of main base camps;  waste removed from Antarctica: quantity and types of waste removed;  location of grey-water disposal sites and estimated quantities of grey water disposed;  details of any waste left in Antarctica; and

Page 68 of 109 ANTARCTIC LOGISTICS & EXPEDITIONS LLC Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions Environmental Documentation 2013  monitoring access to ice-free areas close to Union Glacier and other camps. ALE staff will be responsible for monitoring for compliance with mitigation and minimization measures raised in Section 9. Verification of impacts will be conducted at each site before departing. Post-activity reports will be prepared by ALE staff and fuel spills >50 l reported to COMNAP.

12. CONCLUSION This IEE is a multi-year submission, as provided in Section 8.4(e) of the Environmental Protection Agency’s Final Rule at 40 CFR Part 8. ALE operates intercontinental flights to a seasonally occupied camp at Union Glacier, Antarctica, primarily for nongovernmental activities. A number of programs are offered, where ALE acts as the operator. Logistic services are also offered where ALE acts as a contractor. Proposed activities for the 2013–14 season have been assessed based on the experience gained from previous operating seasons, in particular since 2003. The conclusion of this report is that the proposed activities of Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions LLC are likely to have no more than a minor or transitory impact upon the Antarctic environment. Consequently, Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions submits this IEE to the US Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Federal Activities for review.

13. REFERENCES Alberts, F.G. (Ed) 1995. Geographic names of the Antarctic. 2nd Edition. Washington, National Science Foundation. NSF 95-157. AAC. 2010. Exit Strategies: Managing Human Waste in the Wild. The American Alpine Club, Colorado, July 30 to August 1, 2010 [Conference] ANI. 2002. Multi-Year IEE Application to the US Environmental Protection Agency. Newport Beach, California, Adventure Network International [unpublished]. ATCM. 1994. Guidance for Visitors to the Antarctic and Guidance for Those Organising and Conducting Tourism and Non- governmental Activities in the Antarctic. Recommendation 1 (1994) ATCM XVIII, Kyoto. http//:www.ats.aq ATCM. 2004. Guidelines for the operation of aircraft near concentrations of birds in Antarctica Resolution 2 (2004) ATCM XXVII, Town. http//:www.ats.aq ATCM. 2005. Amended Guidelines for Environmental Impact Assessment. Resolution 4 (2005) ATCM XXVIII, Stockholm. http//:www.ats.aq ATCM. 2007. Antarctic Specially Managed Area No 5: Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station, South Pole. Measure 2 (2007), ATCM XXX, New Delhi. http//:www.ats.aq ATCM. 2008. Quantifying Atmospheric Emissions in Antarctic Comprehensive Environmental Evaluations. Working Paper WP060, ATCM XXXI, Kyiv. http//:www.ats.aq COMNAP. 1999. Guidelines for Environmental Impact Assessment in Antarctica. COMNAP/ATCM. COMNAP/SCAR. 2011. Raising awareness of non-native species introductions: Workshop results and checklists for supply chain managers. Working Paper 012. ATCM XXXIV, . [Unpublished] Convey, P. 2009. BIOFLAME Biodiversity Survey, Ellsworth Mountains, Field Report 2009. Cambridge, British Antarctic Survey [unpublished] Convey, P. and McInnes, S.J. 2005. exceptional tardigrade-dominated ecosystems in Ellsworth Land, Antarctica. Ecology 86, 519-527 Cripps, G.C. and J. Shears. 1997. The fate in the marine environment of a minor diesel fuel spill from an Antarctic research station. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 46, 221–232. FACh (Fuerza Aérea de Chile). 2000. Instalación de módulos portátiles y manga de distribución precunstruidos para la Estación Polar Tte. Arturo Parodi Alister de La Fuerza Aérea de Chile, ubicada en el Sector de Patriot Hills, en el Territorio Chileno Antático. Evaluación Inicial de Impacto Ambiental. Harris, C.M. (Ed) 2006. Wildlife Awareness Manual: Antarctic Peninsula, , . Wildlife Information Publication No. 1. Cambridge, Environmental Research & Assessment. IAATO. 2010. IAATO Overview of Antarctic Tourism 2009–2010 Antarctic Season. Information Paper IP113. ATCM XXXIII Punta del Este. See http://www.ats.aq ICAO. 2006, Convention on International Civil Aviation (Chicago Convention). 9th Ed. ANNEX 14: Aerodromes (Volumes I and II). ICAO Canada. IPCC. 1999. Aviation and the Global Atmosphere. Special Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Working Groups I and III. Cambridge, CUP. http://www.grida.no/publications/other/ipcc_sr/ Keys, H., Morgan, F., Barker, G., Briggs, C., and Price, R. 2007. Environmental Domains of Antarctica: Version 2.0 Final Report. , Landcare Research Ltd. Report LC0708/055.

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KOREAMET. 2008. Korea Expedition for Antarctic Meteorites (KOREAMET). http://www.kopri.re.kr/english/eng_research [Unpublished] Lange, H., G. Casassa and A. Rivera. 1998. Observation of surface topography and ice-flow near Patriot Hills, Antarctica. Abstract from SCAR ASGS 1998. Mellor, M and C. Swithinbank. 1989. Airfields on Antarctic glacier ice. Hanover, USA, CRREL Report 89-21. National Parks. 2007. Trash and Waste Policies for Glacier Environments: Working to protect resources for future generations. US Dept of the Interior, National Park Service, Denali National Park and Preserve . NSF. 2004. Project ICECUBE—Final CEE. Arlington, National Science Foundation. [Unpublished.] OSRL. 1998. Antarctic oil pollution control course: 20–21 August 1998. Southampton, Oil Spill Response Ltd. [unpublished course handbook.] Poles Apart. 1994. Initial Environmental Evaluation of Adventure Network International: Antarctic airborne operations. Beaconsfield, U.K., Adventure Network International. [Unpublished.] Richardson, I. and Rogers, A. 2008. A survey of lichens and certain other terrestrial biota in the Ellsworth Mountains region of Antarctica. Fuchs Foundation Expedition. [Unpublished.] See http://www.fuchsfoundation.org Rivera, A., R. Zamora, C. Rada, J. Walton, and S. Proctor. 2009. Ice dynamics of Union Glacier in the Ellsworth Mountains, West Antarctica. [Unpublished, Draft paper]. Schutt, J., Fessler, B. and Cassidy W.A. 2001. Antarctic Meteorite Location Map Series - Explanatory Text. Shah, A. and P. Pope, (eds) 1994. Methods for estimating atmospheric emissions from E&P operations. E&P Forum, London. Report No. 2.59/197. Sipiera, P.P., R.B. Hoover and G.A. Jerman. 2000. Meteorites and microbes: meteorite collection and ice sampling at Patriot Hills, Thiel Mountains, and South Pole, Antarctica. In: Instruments, Methods, and Missions for Astrobiology III, Richard B. Hoover, Editors, Proceedings of SPIE Volume: 4137 pp.13-21. Splettstoesser, J. 1981. Bird sightings on the Ellsworth Mountains and other inland areas. Ant. J. US. 16(5):177—179. Steig, E.J., D.P. Schneider, S.D. Rutherford, M.E. Mann, J.C. Comiso, and D.T. Shindell. 2009. Warming of the Antarctic ice-sheet surface since the 1957 International Geophysical Year. Nature, 457, 459-462. Transport Canada. 2006. Canadian Runway Friction Index. Transport Canada, Transportation Development Centre http://www.tc.gc.ca/civilaviation/commerce/operationalstandards/crfi/menu.htm Turner, J. and S. Pendlebury. 2009. The International Antarctic Weather Forecasting Handbook. British Antarctic Survey, Cambridge. http://www.antarctica.ac.uk/met/momu/International_Antarctic_Weather_Forecasting_Handbook/index.php Webers, G.F., C. Crabtree, and J. Splettstoesser. 1992. Geology and paleontology at the Ellsworth Mountains, West Antarctica. Geological Society of America Memoir 170. 14. APPENDICES 14.1 Statement of ALE’s Environmental Policy A strong environmental ethic underlies Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions operations. All ALE managers have spent considerable time in Antarctica, and continue to have a strong involvement in Antarctic activities. The following elements form the core of ALE’s environmental policy:  activities will be conducted to have no more than a minor or transitory impact on the Antarctic environment;  promote safe and sustainable tourism;  expeditions and clients who leave Antarctica with a greater understanding and appreciation of its natural values;  engender a culture of environmental awareness, backed by suitable training, within ALE staff and contractors;  full compliance with international and national environmental regulations and requirements;  minimum disturbance of wildlife and natural habitats;  correct waste management including, where practicable, total removal of waste from Antarctica;  re-use, recycle or licensed disposal of waste outside Antarctica;  use of renewable resources, where practicable;  monitoring of activities to verify minimization strategies;  regular environmental audit of practices; and  support of IAATO and encourage development of tourism management strategies. Authority and Permits to visit Antarctica ALE submits annual Advance Notification of proposed operations to the US Department of State. ALE has a Multi-Year IEE, approved by the US Environmental Protection Agency. Supplemental Information is submitted where proposed activities fall outside the scope of the Multi-Year IEE. ALE has a Waste Management Permit granted by the US National Science Foundation for the “Use of fuel and supplies for aircraft support, cache positioning, camp and field support and resupply.” Flights to Antarctica are authorized by the Chilean Dirección General de Aeronáutica Civil, who also monitor ALE’s flights in Antarctica. ALE is a Member of the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO) and represents the Association at Antarctic Treaty Consultative Party (ATCP), Council of Managers of National and Antarctic Programs (COMNAP) and other meetings.

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Introduction Visitors to Antarctica could carry diseases both into and within the Antarctic ecosystem. There is no conclusive evidence that tourists have introduced or transmitted diseases to Antarctic wildlife but there is indirect and circumstantial evidence that raises concern. To minimize the chances of bringing diseases into Antarctica, the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO) recommends decontamination practices similar to those used by quarantine authorities in many countries to prevent the introduction of alien pests and diseases. At the end is a Biosecurity Self-Audit Check List to help check whether clothing and equipment has been thoroughly cleaned. In pre-trip information  Visitors are advised that Antarctica is an isolated region and is relatively free of introduced diseases. We must ensure it remains so.  Visitors are advised that all equipment, boots and clothing must be clean before departing for Antarctica.  Visitors who go trekking, tramping, backpacking or farm visiting prior to their Antarctic expedition must clean their equipment, boots and clothing thoroughly to remove all alien material.  Equipment such as ice axes, camera tripods, sleds or vehicles can harbor mud or seeds and should also be cleaned. Pre-departure briefing  Visitors are reminded that they must have clean equipment, boots and clothing before departure.  Facilities will be available for those who need them, e.g. steam cleaners.  Certain food products, such as uncertified poultry, must not be taken to Antarctica to reduce the chances of introducing diseases. Visits to Wildlife Areas in Antarctica  As far as possible, avoid walking in organic material such as guano, seal placenta or seal feces, in order to avoid moving this material between sites.  If moving from one site to another, scrub the sole of your boot in the snow to remove as much material as possible. If there is a simple brush scrubber, use this to clean the sole. Check that other equipment, such as camera tripods and backpacks, are clean.  Do not feed wildlife.  Do not eat near bird or seal colonies and watch out for scavengers such as South Polar skua.  Protect camp food caches and garbage so that scavengers cannot get at them. Biosecurity Self-Audit Check List Use the following points as a Biosecurity Self-Audit Check List before you leave for Antarctica:  Have you inspected all of your clothing for soil, seeds and insects? Especially cuffs, Velcro strips, pockets, seams, headwear and jacket hoods.  Have you emptied, vacuumed and inspected the inside of any bags that you plan to take to Antarctica, to check that you are not carrying any soil, seeds or insects?  Is all your equipment and luggage clean and free of soil and seeds? This includes walking sticks, ski poles, skis and camera tripods or other equipment.  Have you scrubbed your footwear before to remove all soil and organic material, especially if you have been walking on farmland?  Do you understand that you need to repeat the Biosecurity Self-Audit Check procedure before each new site you visit in Antarctica?  Have you seen anything which causes you concern? If so, please speak to one of our team in Punta Arenas or Antarctica.

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14.3 Tables

Table 35 Site Coordinates (From Alberts, 1995) Site Latitude Longitude 71º 00'S 070º 00'W Branscomb Glacier 78º 32'S 086º 05'W Bungenstockrücken 82º 05'S 071º 09'W Dawson-Lambton Glacier 76º 15'S 026º 30'W Embree Glacier 77º 59'S 085º 10'W Fossil Bluff 71º 20'S 068º 17'W Foundation Ice Stream 82S 65W General Belgrano II station 77° 52'S 034° 38'W Gould Bay 77º 43'S 047º 33'W Henderson Glacier 79º 47'S 082º 25'W Hercules Inlet 80º 05'S 078º 30'W Heritage Range 79º 45'S 083º 00'W Horseshoe Valley 80º 05'S 082º 00'W 80º 25'S 081º 33'W Institute Ice Stream 82º 00'S 075º 00'W LaPaz Icefield 86º 22'S 070º 00'W Lewis Nunatak 85º 40'S 088º 05'W Martin Hills 82º 04'S 088º 01'W Moulton Escarpment 85º 10'S 094º 45'W Mount Goodwin 81º 16'S 085º 33'W Mount Rossman 79º 47'S 082º 48'W Mount Sidley 77º 02'S 126º 06'W Nash Hills 81º 53'S 089º 23'W Pagano Nunatak 83º 41'S 087º 40'W Patriot Hills 80º 20'S 081º 25'W Patuxent Range 84º 43'S 064º 30'W Pecora Escarpment 85º 38'S 068º 42'W Pine Island 74º 50'S 102º 40'W Pirrit Hills 81º 17'S 085º 21'W Ronne Entrance 72° 30'S 074° 00'W Ronne Ice Shelf 78° 30'S 061° 00'W Rothera Research Station 67º 34'S 068º 06'W Schanz Glacier 79º 45'S 083º 40'W Sentinel Range 78º 10'S 085º 30'W 73º 29'S 125º 00'W South Pole 90º 00'S Stewart Hills 84º 12'S 086º 00'W Thiel Mountains 85º 15'S 091º 00'W 72º 06'S 099º 00'W Union Glacier 79º 45'S 082º 30'W Vinson Massif Summit 78º 35'S 085º 25'W

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Table 36 Acronyms used in this IEE Acronym Meaning ACA Antarctic Conservation Act of 1978 (Public IAATO International Association of Antarctica Tour Law 95-541) as amended Operators AFIM Antarctic Flight Information Manual IBC Intermediate bulk containers AMLAMP Antarctic Meteorite Location and Mapping ICAO International Civil Aviation Organization Project AMPS Antarctic Mesoscale Prediction System IEE Initial Environmental Evaluation ANSMET Antarctic Search for Meteorites IGY International Geophysical Year AntDiv Antarctic Division, Australian National INACH Instituto Nacional Antártico Chileno Antarctic Operator (National Antarctic Operator) ASMA Antarctic Specially Managed Area ISO International Organization for Standardization ASOC Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition KORDI Korean Antarctic Research Institute ASPA Antarctic Specially Protected Area LANDSAT Earth image satellite ATCM Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting LTO Landing and Take-Off Cycle ATCP Antarctic Treaty Consultative Party METAR Aviation Routine Weather Report ATS Antarctic Treaty System NERC Natural Environment Research Council AVTUR Aviation Turbine Fuel Jet A-1 NSF U.S. National Science Foundation AWS Automatic Weather Station PV Photovoltaic BAS British Antarctic Survey, UK National RADARSAT Satellite which acquires synthetic aperture Antarctic Operator radar imagery of Earth CCAMLR Commission for the Conservation of RAWS Remote Automatic Weather Station Antarctic Marine Living Resources CECS Centro de Estudios Científicos (Chilean SAR Search and Rescue Research Institute) CEE Comprehensive Environmental Evaluation SCAR Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research CEMP CCAMLR Ecosystem Monitoring Program SCCI ICAO locator for Carlos Ibañez del Campo International Airport, Punta Arenas CEP Committee for Environmental Protection SCGC ICAO locator for Runway 18M, Union Glacier, Antarctica COMNAP Council of Managers of National Antarctic SCPZ ICAO locator for Runway 24M, Patriot Hills, Programs Antarctica COSPAS– International Satellite System for Search SPA Specially Protected Area (superseded by SARSAT and Rescue Antarctic Specially Protected Areas-ASPA) DGAC Dirección General de Aeronáutica Civil SSSI Site of Special Scientific Interest (Chilean aviation authority) DHC DeHavilland Canada TAF Terminal Aerodrome Forecast bulletin DOS U.S. Department of State, Washington UK DROMLAN Dronning Maud Land Air Network UN United Nations DASA Dirección de Aeródromos y Servicios UPS Uninterrupted Power Supply Aeronáuticos (department in DGAC) EIA Environmental Impact Assessment USA of America EPA U.S. Environmental Protection Agency VHF Very High Frequency EPIRB, ELT, EPIRB-emergency position-indicating radio VLF Very Low Frequency PLB beacon; ELT-emergency locator transmitter; PLB-personal locator beacon FACh Fuerza Aérea de Chile (Air Force) VOC Volatile Organic Compound FOD Foreign Object Damage [at runways] WMO World Meteorological Organisation GPS Global Positioning System WMP Waste Management Permit HF High Frequency Wx Weather HSM Historic Sites and Monuments

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Table 37 Matrix of Likely Environmental Impacts Activity Output Impacts Impact Description Nature Duration Output Scope Persist. Intens. Prob. Imp. Direct Effects Indirect Effects Cumulative Effects Air & Vehicle Operations Intercontinental / Repeated during Engine Emissions R–C M–L L H M–H Airborne pollution; Pollution of local ecosystems Contribution to regional Antarctic flight season (Nov- contamination of snow (lichens) and global air pollution. Feb) and ice Aircraft LTO Repeated during Engine emissions L M–L L H M–H Airborne pollution Pollution of local ecosystems Contribution to regional cycle/ running on season (Nov- (lichens) & snow and global air pollution. ground Feb)

Fuelling Repeated during Fuel spill: <200 liter. L M–L H M–H M–H Contamination of snow Harmful to local ecosystem Increasing contamination season (Nov- Oil: <5 liter and ice (minimal); threat to human of snow and ice; need to Feb) health if contaminated snow move snow-blocking area used for drinking water; to uncontaminated area; scientific value expansion of camp 'footprint'. Fuel cache Seasonal/

Over flight of <1 hr per flight Noise L S M L L–M Disturbance of wildlife, Separation of parent/chick; Decrease in size of breeding / loss of aesthetic & destruction of eggs; loss of life; colony; migration of protected areas, wilderness value decrease in size of colony; colony; loss of migration of colony biodiversity; loss of tourism in area; shift of tourism to other areas Vehicle use 2000 hr per Noise L S M L L–M Loss of aesthetic & Loss of tourism in area; Loss of tourism in area; season wilderness value shift of tourism to other areas Trampling L S L L L Aesthetic Loss of scientific value. Loss of scientific value.

Preparation of <10 hr per season Markers L S L H L Aesthetic, cause of Non-biodegradable plastic waste Increasing ablation; blue ice runway ablation. can easily be dispersed when source of non- damaged. biodegradable plastic waste. Snow blowing, <500 hr per Engine emission; L S L H L Air pollution; aesthetic; Non-biodegradable plastic Contribution to global preparation of season Compact snow cause of ablation; snow waste; when damaged can easily pollution; Increasing snow runway Markers contamination. be dispersed; science value. ablation; expansion of 'footprint'; source of non- biodegradable waste.

Page 74 of 109 ANTARCTIC LOGISTICS & EXPEDITIONS LLC Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions Environmental Documentation 2013 Activity Output Impacts Impact Description Nature Duration Output Scope Persist. Intens. Prob. Imp. Direct Effects Indirect Effects Cumulative Effects Union Glacier and Vinson Base Camp Activities Snow clearing <100 hr per Physical disturbance L S-M L H M Aesthetic; cause of Increase in “footprint” Loss of scientific value. season ablation

Running snow 100 hr Engine emissions L M–L L H L–M Airborne pollution Pollution of local ecosystems Contribution to regional vehicles/ (lichens) & snow and global air pollution. generator/stoves

Noise L S M H L Minor loss of aesthetic Minor loss of aesthetic and Minor loss of aesthetic and cultural values cultural values and cultural values

Fuelling of snow 100 hr Fuel spill: <50 liter L M–L L M L Contamination of snow Harmful to local ecosystem Increasing contamination vehicles/generator gas, oil <5 liter and ice (minimal); health & safety of snow and ice; s/stoves implications — threat to human expansion of operations health if contaminated snow 'footprint' used for drinking water; General domestic Throughout Grey water + urine L S–L L H L Contamination of snow Loss of scientific value. Expansion of camp arrangements season at Vinson & and ice; aesthetic ‘footprint’ expeditions

Domestic L M–L L–M H M–H Increase in landfill in Contamination of soil and Need for more landfill /food/hazard. waste Punta Arenas; increase in groundwater; damage to local space in Punta Arenas; (all removed from engine emissions ecosystems; loss of habitat. loss of habitats; Antarctica) transporting waste to site. increasing soil & groundwater contamination; increasing contribution to regional air pollution; increase in footprint'.

Human waste (solid L S L H L Increase in sewage Disease transfer during sewage Increased loading on and liquid) (all treatment in Punta Arenas; handling; impact on human surrounding ecosystems; removed from increase in engine health in Punta Arenas; increased air pollution. Antarctica) emissions in the contamination from use of transportation of waste detergents during cleaning of habitats. containers; loading on surrounding ecosystems and habitats.

Intro. of alien L–R P H L H Possible death of species; Loss/change of habitat Loss of biodiversity species increasing competition spread of alien disease;

Physical disturbance L S L H L Aesthetic; cause of Increase in “footprint” Loss of scientific value. ablation

Page 75 of 109 ANTARCTIC LOGISTICS & EXPEDITIONS LLC Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions Environmental Documentation 2013

Activity Output Impacts Impact Description Nature Duration Output Scope Persist. Intens. Prob. Imp. Direct Effects Indirect Effects Cumulative Effects Visitor Activities at all Sites Site visits Throughout Litter/waste L–R M–P L L L–M Spread of waste; Loss of tourism value season expansion of 'footprint; loss of aesthetic & cultural value

Trampling (snow) L S L L L Contamination; ablation Expansion of operations of certain areas; loss of 'footprint'; loss of tourism value. aesthetic and cultural values

Trampling (rock) L M–P L L M Damage to lichens; loss of Habitat loss; loss of tourism Loss of biodiversity aesthetic and cultural value. values

Removal of natural, L S L L L Aesthetic / Loss of tourism value historical or cultural values scientific objects

Interference with L S L L L Loss of scientific value Loss of scientific value Loss of scientific value scientific projects

Page 76 of 109 ANTARCTIC LOGISTICS & EXPEDITIONS LLC Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions Environmental Documentation 2013

Supplementary Information to the Multi-Year Initial Environmental Evaluation of Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions Activities

Vehicle Expedition to the Leverett Glacier 2013–14

Submitted to the US Environmental Protection Agency

ANTARCTIC LOGISTICS & EXPEDITIONS LLC 3478 South Main Street Salt Lake City UT 84115 USA Tel: +1 801 266-4876 Fax: +1 801 266 1592 E-mail: [email protected] Web: www.antarctic-logistics.com

Page 77 of 109 ANTARCTIC LOGISTICS & EXPEDITIONS LLC Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions Environmental Documentation 2013

Contents 1. Contact Details ...... 79 2. Introduction ...... 79 2.1 Environmental Documentation ...... 79 2.2 Consolidation of Environmental Documentation and incorporation by reference ...... 79 2.3 Legislation, standards and guidelines...... 79 3. Proposed ActivitY ...... 79 3.1 Weather Station ...... 80 3.2 Snow Sampling ...... 80 3.3 Mechanical Equipment ...... 81 3.4 Waste Generated ...... 81 3.5 Fuel and oils ...... 81 4. Likely Impacts, Assessment, Minimization and Mitigation of Proposed Activity ...... 82 4.1 Assessment of impacts ...... 82 4.2 Emissions to air ...... 82 4.3 Fuel and Oil Spills ...... 82 4.4 Adjacent and associated ecosystems ...... 82 5. Cumulative Impacts ...... 82 6. Monitoring and Verification ...... 82 7. Conclusion ...... 82 8. References ...... 82

Tables Table 1 AT44 Expedition Conversion of Toyota Hilux Invincible 3.0 D-4D Automatic ...... 81 Table 2 Standard equipment carried by Arctic Trucks Int. vehicle expeditions ...... 81

Figures Figure 1 Proposed route. Snow samples (see 3.2) will be taken along this route...... 80

Page 78 of 109 ANTARCTIC LOGISTICS & EXPEDITIONS LLC Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions Environmental Documentation 2013

1. CONTACT DETAILS This Supplementary Information was prepared by Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions LLC (ALE), which is the initial point of contact. Copies of this document, ALE’s Multi-Year IEE (2013 update) and other environmental documentation can be requested from ALE at the address below: ANTARCTIC LOGISTICS & EXPEDITIONS LLC Tel: +1 (801) 266 4876 3478 South Main Street Fax: +1 (801) 266 1592 Salt Lake City E-mail: [email protected] UT 84115 [email protected] Web: www.antarctic-logistics.com USA www.adventure-network.com ALE is a privately owned company registered in the USA that has a seasonal office in Punta Arenas, Chile. The company was formed in August 2003 and later purchased Adventure Network International Inc. (ANI). Programs are marketed under the ANI name.

2. INTRODUCTION

2.1 Environmental Documentation Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions LLC (ALE) submits this Supplementary Information to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of Federal Activities to meet the requirements 40 CFR 8.4(e)(1)(iii). ALE submitted environmental documentation (ALE, 2010) to the US authorities in August 2010 and was advised by the EPA that their IEE met the criteria in 40 CFR 8.4(e) for a multi-year environmental document. Subsequently, annual updates to this document have been provided. ALE was granted a Waste Management Permit by the National Science Foundation (NSF) on September 20, 2013 valid through February 28, 2015 (Permit Number 2011 WM-002 M1). Advance Notification for the 2013–14 season has been submitted to the Department of State. This Supplementary Information updates the information given in ALE (2010) for the 2013–14 season.

2.2 Consolidation of Environmental Documentation and incorporation by reference Environmental documentation incorporated by reference is listed in ALE (2010) 2013-Update, Section 2.2.

2.3 Legislation, standards and guidelines The legislation, standards and guidelines used in the preparation of this Supplemental Information are given in ALE (2010) 2013-Update, Section 2.3.

3. PROPOSED ACTIVITY ALE proposes a four person vehicle and ski expedition from Union Glacier to the Leverett Glacier, S85° 38’ W147° 35’, via the South Pole. The vehicle used will be a modified Toyota Hilux Invincible 3.0 D-4D Automatic owned and operated by Arctic Trucks International, Reykjavik, (www.arctictrucks.com). The expedition and vehicle will be flown from Punta Arenas, Chile, to Union Glacier, where vehicle checks and training will be undertaken before the expedition will drive to the South Pole following the route outlined in ALE (2010) 2013-Update, Section 5.7. After a brief stop at the NGO campsite at the South Pole, the expedition will drive towards and then down the Leverett Glacier following the traverse route used by the NSF for supplying Amundsen–Scott South Pole Station. The expedition will continue onto the Ross Ice Shelf to S85° 27’ W150° 01’ from where two of the expedition team will ski on the traverse route back up the Leverett Glacier to the South Pole, supported throughout by the vehicle (see Figure 1). At the South Pole, the skiers will be met by an ALE ski aircraft and flown back to Union Glacier. SAR and environmental responsibility for the vehicle will transfer at the South Pole from ALE to TAC, and the vehicle will continue on a traverse to Novolazarevskaya.

Page 79 of 109 ANTARCTIC LOGISTICS & EXPEDITIONS LLC Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions Environmental Documentation 2013 Arctic Trucks Int. has considerable experience operating in Antarctica and has undertaken a number of overland vehicle expeditions. Vehicles and other mechanical equipment will only be operated by trained and experienced personnel. Operators will adhere to Arctic Trucks Int. and ALE procedures and oil spill contingency plans. The vehicle will be equipped with Iridium satellite phones and VHF radios. The expedition will keep a daily reporting schedule with ALE during the proposed activity, as outlined in ALE (2010) 2013-Update, Section 5.2. The expedition will notify Union Glacier when 2–3 days from the South Pole, and Amundsen–Scott station will be alerted to their imminent arrival, confirming or modifying dates circulated prior to the season. On arrival at the South Pole, the expedition will be met by the next available flight. This may require the expedition to overnight at the NGO camp area in the Operational Zone. Should the vehicle break down or other incident occur, Arctic Trucks Int. will effect a recovery using two other modified Toyota Hilux that will be operated by TAC supporting expeditions from Novolazarevskaya to the South Pole. Under this proposed Supplemental Information, responsibility for the recovery of the vehicle and any environmental clean-up will remain with ALE.

Figure 1 Proposed route. Snow samples (see 3.2) will be taken along this route.

3.1 Weather Station It is proposed to install a ColdFacts 3000BX automatic weather station (AWS) at Union Glacier for the duration of the expedition. The AWS is built by Leap Development B.V. (www.leapdevelopment.nl/references.php) similar to a model first used in the Arctic in 2005. The AWS will collect a range of meteorological data that will be transmitted via Iridium satellite. This is the first time this type of station has been deployed in Antarctica. The data output will be compared with that from ALE’s WX7 station sited nearby to determine the accuracy and precision of the ColdFacts 3000BX model under Antarctic conditions. ALE will monitor and maintain the weather station and ensure that it is removed at the end of the expedition. Simple collection of scientific data, such as generated by the weather station, falls under the activities described in ALE (2010) 2013-Update, Section 5.14.

3.2 Snow Sampling The expedition proposes to collect snow samples for analysis of cosmogenic Tritium deposition and isotopic composition. Shallow snow pits 0.3–2 m deep will be dug at approx. 10 sites along two transects between Union Glacier and the South Pole, and between the South Pole and Leverett Glacier (see Figure 1). The pits will be dug either with clean shovels or by a hand corer. No mechanical equipment or chemicals will be used and steps will be taken to avoid contamination, for example by wearing Tyvek® suits.

Page 80 of 109 ANTARCTIC LOGISTICS & EXPEDITIONS LLC Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions Environmental Documentation 2013 Snow will be sampled directly into glass bottles that will be sealed to prevent evaporation and leakage. Bottles will be stored in metal boxes for export from Antarctica and transfer to New Zealand and elsewhere for analysis. No special refrigeration equipment will be needed to store or transport the samples.

3.3 Mechanical Equipment The vehicle used will be a Toyota Hilux Invincible 3.0 D-4D Automatic modified by Arctic Trucks Int. to the AT44 Expedition conversion outlined in Table 1 (also see www.arctictrucks.com/pages/4700). Electrical power will be generated by the engine system and a 2 kW Honda generator will be carried to provide extra power if required.

Table 1 AT44 Expedition Conversion of Toyota Hilux Invincible 3.0 D-4D Automatic Engine: 3.0L Diesel common rail, 170 HP / 3600 RPM / 360 Length: 5,255 mm Nm Width: 2,300 mm Filtration: Extra heavy duty fuel and air filtration Height: 2,145 mm Gearbox: 5 speed automatic Wheelbase: 3,285 mm Transfer case: Part time High and Low range (2.566 : 1 in Ground clearance: 480 mm (min. 376 mm) low) Weight approx. 2,250 kg. Crawler gear (2.566 : 1 in low) Fuel tank: 280 L Differential locks: 100% (front and rear). Compressed air: integrated compressor Brakes front/rear: Disc/Drum EL: 12V generator 960W + extra battery Tyres front/rear: 44 x 18.50 / 15 Rim: Arctic Trucks 15 x 16 rim Tire pressure down to 2 psi or 0.14 kg cm-3 Suspension front/rear: Coil/long travel leaf springs

Arctic Trucks Int. has developed a minimum standard set of equipment, carried by all their overland vehicle expeditions (see Table 2).

Table 2 Standard equipment carried by Arctic Trucks Int. vehicle expeditions First aid KIT Spare tire and rim Tow rope Spare parts kit Starter cables Crevasse rescue kit High lift Jack Emergency camping equipment Toolbox GPS Air hose for compressor VHF two-way radio Tire pressure gauge Iridium Satellite phone Fire extinguisher Oil spill absorption mats and clean-up equipment Manuals for vehicle and other equipment 3.4 Waste Generated ALE’s waste management procedures are outlined in ALE (2010) 2013-Update. All human waste and grey water generated during the expedition will be collected and transported to the South Pole on the vehicle, where it will be flown back to Union Glacier and removed from Antarctica.

3.5 Fuel and oils Arctic Trucks Int. estimates that the vehicle will use 1000 l of Jet A-1 fuel for the traverse form Union Glacier to the South Pole, and a further 1400 l for the return traverse to the Ross Ice Shelf. The Honda generator will use approx. 40 l gasoline and cooking stoves will use approx. 3 US gal of White Gas. ALE will place a cache of 4 drums of Jet A-1 fuel for use by the expedition at Thiel corner during the annual traverse to restock the Thiel Mountains cache (see ALE (2010) 2013-Update, Table 11). Fuel may also be taken from the ALE cache at the South Pole. ALE will remove empty drums for recycling. Lubricates and hydraulic oils will be stored on the vehicle in plastic containers that will be kept in an aluminium case on the vehicle. Empty containers will be returned to Union Glacier for disposal.

Page 81 of 109 ANTARCTIC LOGISTICS & EXPEDITIONS LLC Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions Environmental Documentation 2013 4. LIKELY IMPACTS, ASSESSMENT, MINIMIZATION AND MITIGATION OF PROPOSED ACTIVITY

4.1 Assessment of impacts Likely impacts are assessed qualitatively using the criteria outlined in Section 8 of ALE’s Multi-Year IEE (ALE, 2010) 2013-Update.

4.2 Emissions to air The additional fuel burn resulting from the vehicle expedition will add a small but not significant amount to the emissions data given in ALE (2010) 2013-Update, Section 8.3.2. Minimization and mitigation for emissions from the combustion of fossil fuels are given in ALE (2010).

4.3 Fuel and Oil Spills Caching and fuelling operations will follow the procedures outlined in ALE (2010) 2013-Update, Section 3.17. Arctic Trucks Int. will use spill mats during fuelling operations (vehicles and stoves) and maintenance of the vehicles and equipment. Minimization and mitigation of fuel and oil spills are given in ALE (2010).

4.4 Adjacent and associated ecosystems The proposed activity may affect adjacent and associated ecosystems by removal of waste to South America resulting in increased landfill in Punta Arenas. 5. CUMULATIVE IMPACTS Outputs that may lead to cumulative effects have been discussed in ALE (2010). These impacts may have the following cumulative effects:  contribution to regional and global climate change;  reduction in wilderness and aesthetic value of the area; and  degradation in scientific value of the area. The proposed activity will not significantly increase cumulative impacts in the region.

6. MONITORING AND VERIFICATION ALE staff will be responsible for monitoring the proposed activity and checking that Arctic Trucks Int. meets relevant procedures and guidelines, and verifying that the activity complies with mitigation and minimization measures given in ALE (2010). Post-activity reports will be prepared by ALE staff and fuel spills >50 l reported to the COMNAP.

7. CONCLUSION This Supplementary Information forms part of ALE’s Multi-Year IEE, as provided in Section 8.4(e)(1)(iii) of the Environmental Protection Agency’s Final Rule at 40 CFR Part 8. The conclusion of this report is that the proposed activities for the 2013–14 season are likely to have no more than a minor or transitory impact upon the Antarctic environment, provided the minimization and mitigation measures in Section 8 of ALE (2010) are followed. Consequently, Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions submit this Supplementary Information to the US Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Federal Activities.

8. REFERENCES ALE. 2010. Multi-Year Initial Environmental Evaluation of Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions Activities. Salt Lake City, Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions. [Unpublished]

Page 82 of 109 ANTARCTIC LOGISTICS & EXPEDITIONS LLC Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions Environmental Documentation 2013

Supplementary Information to the Multi-Year Initial Environmental Evaluation of Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions Activities

Fuel Caching by Airdrop 2013–14

Submitted to the US Environmental Protection Agency

ANTARCTIC LOGISTICS & EXPEDITIONS LLC 3478 South Main Street Salt Lake City UT 84115 USA Tel: +1 801 266-4876 Fax: +1 801 266 1592 E-mail: [email protected] Web: www.antarctic-logistics.com

Page 83 of 109 ANTARCTIC LOGISTICS & EXPEDITIONS LLC Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions Environmental Documentation 2013

Contents 1. Contact Details ...... 85 2. Introduction ...... 85 2.1 Environmental Documentation ...... 85 2.2 Consolidation of Environmental Documentation and incorporation by reference ...... 85 2.3 Legislation, standards and guidelines...... 85 3. Proposed ActivitY ...... 85 3.1 Cache Locations ...... 87 3.2 Mechanical Equipment ...... 87 3.3 Communications ...... 87 3.4 Waste Generated ...... 87 3.5 Fuel and oils ...... 87 4. Likely Impacts, Assessment, Minimization and Mitigation of Proposed Activity ...... 88 4.1 Assessment of impacts ...... 88 4.2 Emissions to air ...... 88 4.3 Fuel and Oil Spills ...... 88 4.4 Adjacent and associated ecosystems ...... 88 5. Cumulative Impacts ...... 88 6. Monitoring and Verification ...... 88 7. Conclusion ...... 88 8. References ...... 89

Tables Table 1 Estimated fuel use for airdrop ...... 87

Figures Figure 1 205 liter fuel drums airdropped at Belgrano II station ...... 86

Page 84 of 109 ANTARCTIC LOGISTICS & EXPEDITIONS LLC Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions Environmental Documentation 2013

9. CONTACT DETAILS This Supplementary Information was prepared by Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions LLC (ALE), which is the initial point of contact. Copies of this document, ALE’s Multi-Year IEE (2013 update) and other environmental documentation can be requested from ALE at the address below: ANTARCTIC LOGISTICS & EXPEDITIONS LLC Tel: +1 (801) 266 4876 3478 South Main Street Fax: +1 (801) 266 1592 Salt Lake City E-mail: [email protected] UT 84115 [email protected] Web: www.antarctic-logistics.com USA www.adventure-network.com ALE is a privately owned company registered in the USA that has a seasonal office in Punta Arenas, Chile. The company was formed in August 2003 and later purchased Adventure Network International Inc. (ANI). Programs are marketed under the ANI name.

10. INTRODUCTION

10.1 Environmental Documentation

Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions LLC (ALE) submits this Supplementary Information to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of Federal Activities to meet the requirements 40 CFR 8.4(e)(1)(iii). ALE submitted environmental documentation (ALE, 2010) to the US authorities in August 2010 and was advised by the EPA that their IEE met the criteria in 40 CFR 8.4(e) for a multi-year environmental document. Subsequently, annual updates to this document have been provided. ALE was granted a Waste Management Permit by the National Science Foundation (NSF) on September 20, 2013 valid through February 28, 2015 (Permit Number 2011 WM-002 M1). Advance Notification for the 2013–14 season has been submitted to the Department of State. This Supplementary Information updates the information given in ALE (2010) for the 2013–14 season.

10.2 Consolidation of Environmental Documentation and incorporation by reference Environmental documentation incorporated by reference is listed in ALE (2010) 2013-Update, Section 2.2.

10.3 Legislation, standards and guidelines The legislation, standards and guidelines used in the preparation of this Supplemental Information are given in ALE (2010) 2013-Update, Section 2.3.

11. PROPOSED ACTIVITY ALE has been offering visits to emperor penguin (Aptenodytes forsteri) colonies on the southern coast of the Weddell Sea for many seasons (see ALE (2010) 2013-Update, Section 5.10). Currently, the preferred colony is at Gould Bay (77° 43’S 074° 33’W), off the southern tip of Berkner Island. This colony is the closest to Union Glacier and has several thousand breeding birds typically in several groups during November and December when visits are made. During the 2013–14 season, Dr Tom Hart (University of Oxford) was present at the colony as an ALE lecturer for visitors, and was able to continue his research on long-term population structure and change of emperor penguin colonies by DNA analysis of feather and tissue samples (UK Permit No. 04/2013). Dr Hart also made colony counts in conjunction with Dr Peter Fretwell (BAS Mapping and Geographic Information Centre-MAGIC) to provide ground truthing of satellite imagery. The interest in visiting emperor penguin colonies with ALE has increased in recent years, in part due to the withdrawal of ice class vessels such as Kapitan Khlebnikov that offered visits to . ALE now provides one of the few opportunities for visits to emperor penguin colonies. During the 2013–14 season,

Page 85 of 109 ANTARCTIC LOGISTICS & EXPEDITIONS LLC Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions Environmental Documentation 2013 34 clients visited the colony in 4 groups. To manage these numbers, a tented camp with skiway was constructed approx. 2.8km from the closest group. It is anticipated that similar numbers will visit Gould Bay during the 2014–15 season. Visits to the colony are made by flight (Twin Otter or Basler) that typically require fueling at a cache on Berkner Island. The cache itself is placed by ski aircraft working out of Union Glacier, a distance of 370 nm (685 km). This is a relatively inefficient way of stocking the cache due to the fuel burn required to ferry drums to the location. A similar situation arose with the Thiel Mountain cache, which is now stocked by tractor train from Union Glacier at considerable fuel burn saving. The current cost of replenishing the Berkner Island cache by ski-aircraft, approximates to 1 drum delivered for 4-5 drums used by the aircraft, all of which is flown to Union Glacier by Ilyushin IL-76. A number of ski aircraft flights are needed each season to replenish the cache and these will not be required after the proposed airdrop. In addition, fuel burn by the Ilyushin IL-76 to airdrop at Berkner Island will be less that the cost of landing the equivalent amount of fuel at Union Glacier because the distance is less and the aircraft will not land. ALE proposes to stock a fuel cache on the route to the Gould Bay emperor colony by airdrop using an Ilyushin IL-76 aircraft. The commercial and environmental cost of restocking the Berkner Island cache, and the successful airdrop for Belgrano II station during the 2012-13 season, have led to this proposal to airdrop fuel drums. The overland route to the proposed caches has been analyzed and ALE considers it to be too hazardous to run routine traverses. The current Berkner Island cache is at the limit of PNSR (Point of No Safe Return) for Twin Otter aircraft and the new cache locations have taken this into consideration. A series of airdrops by IL-76 were made during the 2012–13 season by ALE acting as a contractor for the Argentine government. The airdrop was to re-supply Belgrano II station because no ship visit had been made for several seasons. A total of nine flights were made during which 154,800 kg of cargo was airdropped, including 528 drums of Antarctic gas oil fuel in 205 liter tight head drums and 50 cylinders of propane, using a total of 150 platforms. Platforms were constructed and loaded in South America and consisted of plywood and compressible cardboard layers. Each platform was dropped with three parachutes. No drums leaked during the airdrop and all were recovered successfully (see cover page and Figure 1).

Figure 1 205 liter fuel drums airdropped at Belgrano II station ALE proposes to use the same methodology to airdrop a maximum of 114 drums at one of two possible cache locations during late January–early February 2014. The airdrop will be done by a single Ilyushin IL-

Page 86 of 109 ANTARCTIC LOGISTICS & EXPEDITIONS LLC Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions Environmental Documentation 2013 76 return flight from Punta Arenas, Chile, and will require 20 platforms. The Ilyushin will not land at the cache site, however, SGCG Runway 18M at Union Glacier will be open and staff on standby in case of any eventualities. Weather information will be provided by the ALE Meteorologist at Union Glacier camp. A similar procedure was followed for the Belgrano II airdrop flights. Prior to the Ilyushin flight, a ground crew will be flown by ski aircraft to the drop site. The ground crew will have a snowmobile and erect a small camp. Their tasks will include providing co-ordinates for the drop zone (DZ), marking the DZ with snow filled black plastic bags, breaking apart the platforms and moving the drums into a cache and marking it with bamboo, clearing the site of all platform materials, parachutes and markers, and cleaning any spills from damaged drums. All platform or other waste materials, including camp waste, will be returned to Union Glacier for removal from Antarctica.

11.1 Cache Locations Two locations have been identified for the fuel cache: South Berkner Island, S80° 40’ W052° 30’, 310 nm (575 km) from Union Glacier Henry , S80° 40’ W061° 30’, 220 nm (410 km) from Union Glacier The ALE Meteorologist at Union Glacier has been monitoring these two locations during the season by analyzing satellite images. The primary concerns are low lying cloud, fog and prevailing wind direction. A decision about which cache will be used will be taken during January 2014 when the final flight plan is prepared.

11.2 Mechanical Equipment A BRP 800 snowmobile will be used at the site to move drums from the DZ to the cache location. The snowmobile uses Mogas. Electrical power will be generated by a 1 kW Honda generator.

11.3 Communications Good communications between the ground crew, ski and Ilyushin aircraft, Union Glacier camp and Punta Arenas are essential to managing the airdrop. The ground crew will have an Iridium phone with data port connection for email traffic with Union Glacier and Punta Arenas, and air band radios to communicate with the aircraft.

11.4 Waste Generated ALE’s waste management procedures are outlined in ALE (2010) 2013-Update. All human waste and grey water generated during the airdrop by the ground crew will be collected and transported to Union Glacier and removed from Antarctica. The platform materials, straps and connectors, and parachutes will be collected and transported to Union Glacier and removed from Antarctica. Much of the platform materials and all the parachutes are re-useable. The airdrop will be re-using materials first used during the Belgrano II airdrop. On return to Punta Arenas, the parachutes will be inspected, dried and stored for future use.

11.5 Fuel and oils Estimates for fuel use by Ilyushin, ski aircraft, snowmobile and camp are given in Table 1. Ilyushin IL-76 fuel figures are for the return flight from South America, not just south of 60°S. The airdrop by Ilyushin will reduce ALE’s overall fuel burn required to stock the cache compared to fuel stocking by ski aircraft from Union Glacier. Table 1 Estimated fuel use for airdrop Fuel Type Estimated Quantity Jet-A1 (IL-76) 68,500 kg Jet-A1 (ski aircraft) 5,100 kg Unleaded Gasoline (vehicles and generators) 60 kg Propane (Cookers, Heaters) 15 kg

Page 87 of 109 ANTARCTIC LOGISTICS & EXPEDITIONS LLC Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions Environmental Documentation 2013 Fuels and lubricants will be stored in 205 or 60 liter tight head drums. Spill kits will be used for all fuelling activities.

12. LIKELY IMPACTS, ASSESSMENT, MINIMIZATION AND MITIGATION OF PROPOSED ACTIVITY

12.1 Assessment of impacts Likely impacts are assessed qualitatively using the criteria outlined in Section 8 of ALE’s Multi-Year IEE (ALE, 2010) 2013-Update.

12.2 Emissions to air There will be additional fuel burn resulting from the extra flights for the ground crew and actual airdrop. The airdrop flight by the Ilyushin will not use as much fuel as for a landing. The airdrop flights will add a small but not significant amount to the emissions data given in ALE (2010) 2013-Update, Section 8.3.2. Minimization and mitigation for emissions from the combustion of fossil fuels are given in ALE (2010).

12.3 Fuel and Oil Spills Caching and fuelling operations will follow the procedures outlined in ALE (2010) 2013-Update, Section 3.17. Spill mats will be used during fuelling operations (vehicles and stoves) and any maintenance of the vehicles and equipment. The ground crew will have standard fuel spill containment and clean-up equipment required by ALE for field camps and ski aircraft flights. In addition the ground crew will have the spill equipment set purchased and retained by ALE for the much larger Belgrano II airdrop. This will provide for containment of fuel leaks and clean-up of contaminated snow if any drums are damaged during the airdrop. The ground crew will collect all airdrop platform materials and check the site is clean before departing. Spill equipment will be returned to Union Glacier and any contaminated snow or other materials removed from Antarctica for recycling or disposal. Minimization and mitigation of fuel and oil spills are given in ALE (2010) 2013-Update.

12.4 Adjacent and associated ecosystems The proposed activity may affect adjacent and associated ecosystems by removal of waste to South America resulting in increased landfill in Punta Arenas. 13. CUMULATIVE IMPACTS Outputs that may lead to cumulative effects have been discussed in ALE (2010) 2013-Update. These impacts may have the following cumulative effects:  contribution to regional and global climate change;  reduction in wilderness and aesthetic value of the area; and  degradation in scientific value of the area.

The proposed activity will not significantly increase cumulative impacts in the region.

14. MONITORING AND VERIFICATION ALE staff will be responsible for monitoring the proposed activity and checking that relevant procedures and guidelines are followed, and verifying that the activity complies with mitigation and minimization measures given in ALE (2010) 2013-Update. Post-activity reports will be prepared by ALE staff and fuel spills >50 l reported to the COMNAP.

15. CONCLUSION This Supplementary Information forms part of ALE’s Multi-Year IEE, as provided in Section 8.4(e)(1)(iii) of the Environmental Protection Agency’s Final Rule at 40 CFR Part 8.

Page 88 of 109 ANTARCTIC LOGISTICS & EXPEDITIONS LLC Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions Environmental Documentation 2013 The conclusion of this report is that the proposed activities for the 2013–14 season are likely to have no more than a minor or transitory impact upon the Antarctic environment, provided the minimization and mitigation measures in Section 8 of ALE (2010) 2013-Update are followed. Consequently, Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions submit this Supplementary Information to the US Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Federal Activities.

16. REFERENCES ALE. 2010. Multi-Year Initial Environmental Evaluation of Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions Activities: 2013 Update. Salt Lake City, Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions. [Unpublished]

Page 89 of 109 ANTARCTIC LOGISTICS & EXPEDITIONS LLC Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions Environmental Documentation 2013 Application to US National Science Foundation Waste Management Permit 2013-14 Update

1 APPLICANT DETAILS This application is made by Antarctic Logistics and Expeditions LLC (ALE). Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions LLC Tel: +1 801-266-4876 3478 South Main Street Fax: +1 801-266-1592 Salt Lake City UT 84115 E-mail: [email protected] USA Web: www.antarctic-logistics.com 1.1 Consolidation of Environmental Documentation ALE makes the following annual submissions or updates to the relevant agencies:  Advance Notification (Antarctic Conservation Act of 1978, Sec. 7 Notification of Intent to Travel).  IEE to meet the provisions of 40 CFR Part 8, “Environmental Impact Assessment of Non-governmental Activities in Antarctica; Final Rule”. This is a multi-year application, as provided in Section 8.4(e) of the Environmental Protection Agency's Final Rule at 40 CFR Part 8. Advance Notification has been submitted for the 2013–14 season and the Department of State has made a determination. ALE has submitted Initial Environmental Evaluation of Antarctic activities with subsequent supplementary documentation. The current multi-year IEE is current through the 2014-2015 season. This Waste Management Permit application will describe the management of materials containing Designated Pollutants and identify wastes generated by programs and expeditions where ALE is acting as the “operator”. The term “operator” implies that ALE has a supervisory role over the relevant program or expedition, including pre-trip checking of client’s résumés and medical fitness, transport to Antarctica, relevant arrangements within Antarctica including support at base and field camps, communications and continuous medical advice and medical evacuation support throughout the entire activity. The term also implies that ALE is responsible for assessing, managing and mitigating likely environmental effects. ALE also offers logistic services to expeditions, National Operators and peer-reviewed research projects on a “Contractor” basis. Services may include communications and medical evacuation support; provision of flights, fuel or accommodation; field support such as the provision of snowmobiles, guides or equipment. When acting as a “Contractor”, ALE takes no responsibility for supervising the expedition except for the services contracted. ALE will not have been involved with detailed itinerary planning, selection of sites or environmental documentation, except in an advisory capacity. ALE will not be responsible for the use of Designated Pollutants or of waste generated by these expeditions nor for assessing or managing likely environmental effects of these activities but ALE will use its best endeavors to ensure the organizers have submitted suitable environmental documentation to the relevant national authority.

2 APPLICATION PERIOD ALE holds a Waste Management Permit (2011 WM-002) that is current through February 28, 2015. This application is to provide an update of that permit and to add new designated pollutants for the duration of the existing permit. The intention is to submit a new Five Year Waste Management Permit for the 2015–16 season. Proposed operational periods for the duration of the existing permit (2011 WM-002) are given in Table 1.

Table 1 Proposed operational periods, 2013–14 to 2014–15 Season Anticipated dates for flight operations Start Finish 2013–14 27 Oct 2013 02 Feb 2014

Page 90 of 109 ANTARCTIC LOGISTICS & EXPEDITIONS LLC Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions Environmental Documentation 2013 Season Anticipated dates for flight operations Start Finish 2014–15 27 Oct 2014 02 Feb 2015 Any changes to the proposed season dates and program details will be submitted to the Department of State each year in Advance Notification. Advertised program dates for the 2013–14 season are given in Table 2. ALE’s operations will center around:  Union Glacier—for inter-continental flight support, main Antarctic operations center;  Patriot Hills—as alternate inter-continental flight support and support of activities in Patriot Hills area  Ellsworth Mountains—for support of Mt Vinson climbs and activities in the area;  general route from Hercules Inlet to South Pole—for ski expeditions over all or part of route;  general route from Berkner Island to South Pole—for ski expeditions;  last degree and up to 5 degrees—for ski expeditions to the South Pole  general route from the Ross Ice Shelf to the South Pole—for ski expeditions over all or part of route to South Pole;  general route from Hercules Inlet to South Pole, and form South Pole to Ross Ice Shelf for vehicle expeditions; and  Amundsen–Scott South Pole Station—for visitation. Table 2 Advertised Programs and dates for 2013–14 season Program Code From To Duration (days) South Pole Flights SP1 05 Dec 2013 11 Dec 2013 7 SP2 11 Dec 2013 17 Dec 2013 7 SP3 29 Dec 2013 04 Jan 2014 7 90S/ON 04 Jan 2014 10 Jan 2014 7 SP4 04 Jan 2014 10 Jan 2014 7 Emperor Penguins Emp1 27 Nov 2013 05 Dec 2013 9 Emps/Explor1 11 Nov 2013 19 Nov 2013 9 Emps/Explor2 23 Nov 2013 27 Nov 2013 5 Emps/Explor3 27 Nov 2013 05 Dec 2013 9 Mount Vinson V1 23 Nov 2013 05 Dec 2013 13 V2 05 Dec 2013 17 Dec 2013 13 V3 17 Dec 2013 29 Dec 2013 13 V4 29 Dec 2013 10 Jan 2014 13 V4-Ski 29 Dec 2013 10 Jan 2014 13 V5 10 Jan 2014 22 Jan 2014 13 Ski Last Degree LD1 05 Dec 2013 17 Dec 2013 13 LD2 17 Dec 2013 29 Dec 2013 13 LD3 04 Jan 2014 16 Jan 2014 13 LD2.5 27 Nov 2013 05 Dec 2013 9 Ski South Pole All the Way SKSP-H 23 Nov 2013 22 Jan 2014 61 – Hercules Inlet Start Ski South Pole All the Way SKSP-M 23 Nov 2013 10 Jan 2014 49 – Messner start Ski South Pole All the Way SKSP-AH 11 Dec 2013 10 Jan 2014 31 – Footsteps of Amundsen Ski South Pole All the Way SKSP-Ross 15 Oct 2013 15 Feb 2014 124 – Ross Is start Antarctic Odyssey AO1 05 Dec 2013 11 Dec 2013 7 AO2 11 Dec 2013 17 Dec 2013 7 AO3 29 Dec 2013 04 Jan 2014 7 AO4 04 Jan 2014 10 Jan 2014 7 The Ice Marathon Mar 19 Nov 2013 23 Nov 2013 5

Page 91 of 109 ANTARCTIC LOGISTICS & EXPEDITIONS LLC Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions Environmental Documentation 2013 Program Code From To Duration (days) Climb Antarctica Climb1 17 Dec 2013 29 Dec 2013 13 Climb2 10 Jan 2014 22 Jan 2014 13 Ski Antarctica Ski1 05 Dec 2013 17 Dec 2013 13 Ski2 29 Dec 2013 10 Jan 2014 13 Mt Sidley–Volcanic Seven Sidley 17 Dec 2013 29 Dec 2013 13 Summits

3 WASTES AND DESIGNATED POLLUTANTS TO BE RELEASED IN ANTARCTICA

3.1 Domestic waste water ('Grey' water) Domestic waste or grey water results from kitchen and ablution activities but does not include solid waste (human and food wastes, and garbage). Grey water will be discharged to designated snow pits at camp locations. Discharge sites will be marked and the location recorded. No discharges will be made in the vicinity of wildlife, blue ice or in ice-free areas. Grey water will be filtered before disposal to minimize the amount of solid material dumped. The residue will be collected and removed from Antarctica. Measurement of grey water at ALE camps has shown an output in the range 15–20 l d–1 per person. On this basis, the projected visitor-days for the 2013–14 season (10,366 days, of which c.6,800 are staff and flight crew) will generate a grey water output of c.180,000 liter for disposal in Antarctica. The two main sites for grey water disposal are Union Glacier and Vinson Base Camp, which account for c.85% of the grey water disposed in Antarctica. The remainder will be disposed at camp sites used by the various programs shown in Table 2.

3.1.1 Minimization & mitigation The problems of storage and carriage of grey water mitigate against removal from Antarctica. Grey water will be filtered before local disposal to minimize the amount of solid material dumped. The residue will be collected for disposal outside Antarctica. Containers used to store and transport grey water will be clean and free of contaminants such as fuels or oils. Disposal sites will be chosen to be in areas where the ice flow line will not terminate in an ice-free region or in areas of high ablation. Camps will be sited each season with consideration given to the previous seasons’ grey water disposal areas so as to avoid using contaminated snow for drinking water. Movement of the snow and ice in the vicinity of the previous disposal points can lead to an expansion of the camp 'footprint'. For this reason, the co-ordinates of grey water disposal sites will be recorded.

3.2 Solid waste The following solid wastes will be generated during the course of operations:  Sewage  Garbage (metals, plastic, paper, wood, glass etc.)  Food waste  Hazardous or special waste (oils, oily rags, batteries etc. from maintenance and other work activities on aircraft and vehicles.) ALE has standard procedures for the collection and disposal of waste. The procedures are based on a policy of total removal, as far as is practicable, of all solid waste, including human waste, from Antarctica. Where possible, waste will be re-used or recycled. Other waste will be passed to licensed companies for proper disposal in Punta Arenas. All staff and clients will be briefed on ALE’s waste policy and procedures. Wherever feasible, wastes generated by expeditions, including empty fuel drums at caches, will be returned to base camp for removal from Antarctica. Wastes will be stored in suitable containers pending removal. The majority of waste will be generated at Union Glacier base camp. Kitchen waste will be sorted into metals, glass, general and food wastes. A waste tent will be set where wastes can be stored pending

Page 92 of 109 ANTARCTIC LOGISTICS & EXPEDITIONS LLC Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions Environmental Documentation 2013 removal from Antarctica. Wastes will be secured in closed bins to prevent wind-blown litter and any encouragement to scavenging by birds, albeit rarely sighted at the camp. Toilets will come in two forms: traditional toilet tents set with plastic lined storage bins to contain solid human waste and empty drums for urine collection. Purpose built urinal and toilet stalls, based on ISO container footprint, have been tried at Patriot Hills and proved very successful. These units rely on passive radiant solar heating. Waste will be pumped into intermediate bulk containers (IBC), after first macerating any solids. IBCs will be shipped to Punta Arenas where they will be emptied into the licensed aircraft black- water reception system. The types of solid wastes generated by ALE’s operations and disposal route are shown in Table 3. Wastes such as cans, bottles, metals, etc., will be sorted at base camps and removed to Punta Arenas for re-use or recycling where possible. Empty fuel drums will be removed to Punta Arenas for inspection and cleaning. Drums will be re-used for at least 4 cycles, and more if they pass inspections. All remaining solid waste will be returned to Punta Arenas airport for disposal at a land-fill site c.20 km to the west of the city.

Table 3 Types of waste generated by ALE’s activities and proposed disposal routes Waste Type Classification Route Non-hazardous paper, plastics, timber Group 3 removed from Antarctica for recycling metal, glass Group 4 removed from Antarctica for recycling fuel drums Group 4 removed from Antarctica for re-use or recycling Biodegradable food waste Group 3 or 4 removed from Antarctica for disposal human waste Group 1 removed from Antarctica for disposal grey water Group 1 disposed at camps in snow pits Hazardous batteries Group 4 separated and removed from Antarctica for recycling or disposal fuels and oils Group 2 removed from Antarctica for recycling or disposal Waste quantities from all activities (ALE acting as operator and contractor) are recorded on each outbound flight manifest. Table 4 shows waste removed by category from Antarctica during the period 2005–08, and the annual average amounts. Similar amounts will be generated during 2013–14 season. ALE’s policy is no dumping of solid human waste on Mt Vinson (or other mountains) and within 100 km of the Geographic South Pole. All clients, guides and staff that go onto Mt Vinson or approach the South Pole are issued with WAG BAGs® to collect and store solid human waste. A WAG BAG® (Phillips Environmental Products, Inc.) is an individual human waste bag containing a bio- degradable powder that turns waste into a stable gel. WAG BAGs® will be used by Mt Vinson and Last Degree groups to reduce human wastes left on the routes. Longer expedition programs, e.g. Ski South Pole, will carry and use WAG BAGs® for the final degree approach to the South Pole. Some expeditions have trialed the use of WAG BAGs® for their entire journey and this practice is being encouraged for all expeditions. Solid waste generated on mountains or during expeditions will be returned to Union Glacier for removal from Antarctica.

Table 4 Outbound cargo by Group, 2005–2008 Season No. pax Propane Drum Drum Garbage Solid Urine (liter) cylinder (200 l) (60 l) (kg) human (kg) waste (kg) Group 4 Group 4 Group 4 Group 3, 4 Group 1 Group 1 2005-06 295 3825 433 817 4680 5760 6545 2006-07 272 5625 701 526 5040 5400 7150 2007-08 314 4590 675 844 2998 2943 8030 Annual average 284 4680 603 729 4239 4701 7242

Page 93 of 109 ANTARCTIC LOGISTICS & EXPEDITIONS LLC Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions Environmental Documentation 2013 Black water will be discharged at campsites used by the longer overland ski-expeditions or by overnight aircraft stops away from the main camp sites. The total amount of sewage waste which will be released in Antarctica is estimated to be <5000 l. Inevitably, litter may be lost or blown downwind at camps or caches, including lightweight materials such as paper and plastics but also heavier items such as empty drums.

3.2.1 Minimization & mitigation The amount of potential waste will be reduced by minimizing the amount of packaging taken to Antarctica and re-use of materials; for example, empty fuel drums will be used for shipping waste out of Antarctica or cleaned and re-used for fuel transfer. Clients and staff will be briefed on waste management procedures and waste minimization, prior to departure for Antarctica. Specific waste guidelines have been prepared for Mt Vinson and all mountaineering programs. Guides must sign a declaration indicating they have read the Vinson Waste Guidelines and instructed their clients. All South Pole Fly, Last Degree and longer South Pole expeditions are given ALE Info Maps that show approach routes to South Pole, communications protocols and waste management practices. ALE will collect all solid wastes generated during these programs and return them to Union Glacier for subsequent removal from Antarctica. As far as possible, all solid kitchen waste will be removed from Vinson Base Camp and mountain routes. All camp food wastes will be returned to Union Glacier for disposal outside Antarctica. Wherever possible renewable resources, such as solar panels and rechargeable batteries, will be used to minimize the quantity of disposable batteries taken to Antarctica. Prohibited products listed in Annex III of the Environmental Protocol will not be brought into Antarctica and there will be no incineration or open burning of waste. Wastes will be secured and stored in designated areas at camps so that material does not blow away, get lost by burial or be scavenged. Weekly inspections and cleanup will be made to retrieve any litter around camps and that may be blown downwind.

3.2.2 Education and Training Staff attend and will be expected to comply with briefings in Punta Arenas and Antarctica. They will be briefed on the Environmental Protocol, Antarctic Treaty Measures, Resolutions and Recommendations, and relevant US legislation that might affect them or their work. They will be expected to comply with any guidelines or operating procedures issued by ALE, and to act at all times with concern for the health and safety of clients and other contractors. They will be subject to the same environmental controls and constraints as clients, often taking responsibility for the environmental management of clients and operational activities. Clients will be well informed and briefed before they depart for Antarctica. They will receive several letters following booking that include booklets about ALE, how to behave in Antarctica and biosecurity concerns. All clients are required to attend pre-trip briefing in Punta Arenas where they receive instruction in safety features for their journey, biosecurity measures, a description of the areas they are likely to visit, environmental training including relevant parts of Recommendation XVII-1 (ATCM, 1994), and Protected Area information, e.g. ASMA No.5 (ATCM, 2007) Management Plan. Much of this will be repeated at Union Glacier or Vinson Base Camp prior to the start of their program.

4 USE OF DESIGNATED POLLUTANTS Table 5 gives estimates of annual use of Designated Pollutants in Antarctica. In addition, lubricant and hydraulic oils will be used by vehicles and aircraft. Estimated annual use is 750 kg. The types and estimated number batteries that will be used and removed from Antarctica are given in Table 6.

Page 94 of 109 ANTARCTIC LOGISTICS & EXPEDITIONS LLC Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions Environmental Documentation 2013 Table 5 Estimated annual use of Designated Pollutants Use Designated Pollutant Storage Jet A-1 Gasoline Propane FLIGHT Intercontinental 1,800,000 kg Fuelled in Punta Arenas Ski-aircraft 142,000 kg 60 and 200 liter tight-head drums LAND TRANSPORT Vehicles 53,000 kg 60 and 200 liter tight-head drums Snowmobiles 4500 kg 200 liter tight-head drums 750 kg 2-stroke oil in 60 l drums Generators 150 kg 200 liter tight-head drums HEATING & COOKING Camping stoves 600 kg White gas in 1 gal sealed cans Cooking 750 kg 15 kg cylinders Heating, snow 3500 kg 200 liter tight-head drums melting Table 6 Estimated annual use of batteries Battery type Use Amount Storage Alkaline AA, AAA, C, D, 9V Cameras, stereos, small 200 Leak-proof plastic boxes electrical equipment Lithium Cameras; 300 Leak-proof plastic boxes NiCad/NiH Rechargeable Cameras; radios; computers 500 Leak-proof plastic boxes Sealed gel (lead acid) batteries Vehicles; Communications 30 In vehicles or Comms tent 4.1 Fuel, Caches and Fuelling ALE’s activities will use a number of fuel types, including unleaded gasoline (for snowmobiles, generators), white gas (for camp stoves), Jet-A1 (for aircraft, vehicles, stoves, some pumps), a variety of lubricants and hydraulic fluids (for aircraft, vehicles and tractors), propane gas (for cooking and heating) and engineering gases. Fuel for use within Antarctica will be carried on intercontinental flights. Most fuels and lubes will be transported and cached in UN classified 60 l or 200 l tight-head drums. White gas will be transported in 5 gal cans. Gasses will be carried in certified cylinders. All container types will be removed from Antarctica when empty or no longer required for re-use or disposal. Fully bunded, double-walled 1500 l (350 gal) tanks will be used for fuelling of vehicles and aircraft at Union Glacier, and during some tractor traverses. These double-walled tanks are vented and marked for specific fuels and will be filled in Antarctica directly from 60 l or 200 l drums. Fuel delivery will be by an integral electric pump system and the tanks will have level and leak gauges. ALE places and maintains a number of fuel and food caches for the support and safe operation of activities. The range and weight bearing capacity of ski aircraft requires caches to cover ALE’s operational area. Caches also provide locations where ski expeditions can re-supply food and fuel, or wait for aircraft pick- up. Some of the ski-expedition programs use two or three caches on their route so that sled weights are more manageable. The large transport aircraft used for intercontinental flights, typically, have round-trip fuel capability for the Punta Arenas to Union Glacier/Patriot Hills route and will not require fuelling in Antarctica.

4.1.1 Cache Locations ALE places and maintains a number of primary caches for aircraft support, as shown in Table 7.

Page 95 of 109 ANTARCTIC LOGISTICS & EXPEDITIONS LLC Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions Environmental Documentation 2013 Table 7 Primary fuel cache locations, typical quantities stored Location Typical Quantity Purpose Jet A-1 Gasoline White Gas Propane (liter) (liter) (liter) (kg) Union Glacier 100,000 10,000 500 1500 Main fuel cache location. Majority of ski aircraft fuelling will be at this location. Thiel Mountains 20,000 200 50 0 Fuel cache for South Pole and Last Degree flights and flights to Ross Ice Shelf South Pole 15,000 200 100 50 Fuel cache for South Pole and Last Degree flights, emergency supplies for expeditions visiting the South Pole Berkner Island 7,000 60 50 50 Fuel cache for emperor penguin program and Berkner Islands ski expeditions. Vinson Base 200 0 700 50 Fuel cache to support mountaineering Camp programs Marble Point, 5,000 0 0 0 Fuel cache to support Ross Ice Shelf Wilson Piedmont programs

Examples are given in Table 8 of other caches that are placed when required by specific programs. These caches will typically be stocked for short periods only.

Table 8 Secondary and occasional cache locations and use Location Co-ordinates Purpose Gould Coast 84°S, 139°W To support programs in the Ross Ice Shelf sector Institute Ice Stream 82°S, 079°W To support vehicle access to South Pole. Joint cache with BAS and NSF King George Island 62°S, 058°W To support Peninsula flight operations Last Degree 89°S, 081°W Near program start point to reduce demands on South Pole cache; location for Last Degree and ski expeditions to cache waste. Plateau 84°S, 052°E To support Pole of Inaccessibility flights Plumber Waypoint 79°S, 081°W To support tractor runs between Patriot Hills and Union Glacier Ross Ice Shelf 82°S, 170°E To support McMurdo flights Thiel Corner 85°S, 080°W To support ski expedition programs Transantarctic Mts 80°S, 150°E To support ski expedition programs West Antarctica 82°S, 117°W To support Bay of Whales flights

Occasionally, other cache locations will be required and new caches will be noted in Advance Notification.

4.1.2 Fuelling At Union Glacier, vehicles and ski aircraft will be fuelled from double-walled 1500 l (350 gal) tanks using their integral electric pump system. Fuelling will typically take c.0.5 hr to fuel a Twin Otter. All ski aircraft will fuel at the ski runway location. Vehicles will be fuelled at set locations. At other locations, caches or landing sites vehicle and aircraft fuelling will be from 60 l or 200 l drums using a small gasoline-powered transfer pump. Semi-rotary hand pumps will be used as a back-up to powered transfer pumps and for transferring small quantities of fuel needed for vehicles, stoves, etc. ALE has a fuelling policy and Oil Spill Response plan that requires all reasonable precautions are taken so that that there is no leakage from cached fuels and that there are no spills during fuelling operations. ALE will require that all ski-aircraft carry spill kits and suitable kits and mats are used for fuelling all aircraft and vehicles. All staff and aircraft crew that manage fuelling will be briefed in these policies and plans.

Page 96 of 109 ANTARCTIC LOGISTICS & EXPEDITIONS LLC Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions Environmental Documentation 2013 All vehicle users will be instructed in oil spill containment measures. Fuelling at Union Glacier and Vinson Base Camp will be at set locations where spill mats are used. Fuelling of vehicles in the field will be done with materials to hand to clean any inadvertent spills. All fuel caches will be clearly marked with wands and GPS data recorded. Beacons will be used to mark fuel caches located in areas of high snow accumulation or significant glacier movement to enable subsequent recovery. All fuel drums will be inventoried and empty drums removed from Antarctica for re-use or cycling. The inventory will be used to ensure fuel stocks are in date and to manage their use and replacement.

4.2 Releases to air The combustion of fuels by vehicles, aircraft and other equipment will result in the release to air of combustion products. There will also be a limited release of fuel vapor from incomplete combustion and evaporation during handling and transfer of fuels. The results of emissions calculations for ALE’s activities during the 2013–14 season, including fuel combusted during intercontinental flight passage, are shown in Table 9. Factors for air transport, land transport, gas combustion and heating have been used in the calculation of all emissions. The greater part of the amounts shown in these tables represent emissions generated by aircraft, a significant portion of which occurs during landing and take-off cycles (LTO) at Union Glacier and Punta Arenas.

Table 9 Likely emission load for activities during 2013–14 season Emission Source Totals (kg3 gas) (kg3gas) Air Transport Land Gas Heating / Transport Combustion Melting Il-76 DHC-6 DC3-TP67

CO2 5760.00 261.21 190.24 161.79 6.60 32.00 6,411.85 CO 9.36 0.42 0.31 0.14 0.01 0.03 10.26

NOx 22.50 1.02 0.74 1.92 0.08 0.38 26.64

N2O 0.396 0.018 0.013 0.011 0.000 0.002 0.441

SOx 14.40 0.65 0.48 0.40 0.02 0.08 16.03

CH4 0.1566 0.0071 0.0052 0.0116 Trace Trace 0.1805 VOC 1.4040 0.0637 0.0464 0.2730 0.0111 0.0540 1.8522 Notes: 4. Emission factors from Shah, A. and P. Pope, (eds) 1994. Methods for estimating atmospheric emissions from E&P operations. E&P Forum, London. Report No. 2.59/197. 5. Weight fraction of Sulfur in fuel used for SOx calculation = 0.3% by weight for Jet-A1 and 0.02% by weight for unleaded gasoline. 6. Density of Jet-A1 = 0.85 kg l-1; Density of unleaded gasoline = 0.735 kg l-1 4.3 Fire Safety Equipment Fire safety equipment will be deployed at SCGC Runway 18M, Union Glacier during the 2013–14 season. It is proposed to use the Tri-Max compressed air foam suppression system manufactured by Kingsway Industries Inc. Two TM30-W Tri-Max 30 Wheeled CAF and two TM3-AL Tri-Max Mini-CAF units will be used to provide fire safety cover for intercontinental flights.

The units will be filled with FireStopper® XL (FFC), manufactured by FireStopper Chemicals and Technologies Company, Inc. This is a concentrated active foaming agent that is dispersed under gaseous pressure. It is rated for Class B fires (hydrocarbons liquids and gases) and Class K (cooking oils and fats) fires, and suitable for low temperature use. FireStopper® XL (FFC) meets European biodegradability standard (OECD 301 part A-E) and complies with Federal Hazardous Substances Act 16 CFR 1500. The concentrate will be stored in 5 gallon sealed containers. A total of 130 gallons of FireStopper® XL (FFC) will be stored at Union Glacier camp.

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4.4.1 Fuels ALE employs a series of spill prevention measures and has a comprehensive Oil Spill Contingency Plan. A Fuel Spill Action Card will be displayed at fuel handling locations and relevant staff receive fuel handling and spill response training. Oil spill response will be managed with a two-tier plan. The first level, which is designed to deal with small spills, such as leaking fuel drums, includes immediate containment in a ‘safe waste’ container, recovery and cleanup of the contaminated area and bagging waste snow and fuel and removal from Antarctica. Larger spills will require a second-tier response involving containment and protection of vulnerable areas. Garage and field workshops will be housed in 20ft containers that will contain any spills. Small vehicles and equipment, such as snowmobiles, will be maintained in a tented extension to the garage workshop. This extension will have a heavy duty, solid floor that will be underlain by absorbent mats over a impermeable sheet. Any spills caused during maintenance of equipment will be captured by this system. The absorbent matting will be returned to Punta Arenas for cleaning or replaced when exhausted. An inspection pit will be dug for maintenance of larger vehicles, e.g. tractors, with impermeable-backed spill matting in the bottom. Spill mats and drip-trays will be used during fuelling and engine maintenance and spill kits will be carried by all aircraft for fuelling at caches other than at Union Glacier. Minimization and mitigation is possible through correct fuelling procedures, oil spill contingency planning, effective communications, observation and reporting. Leakages at caches will be minimized by transporting and storing fuels in UN classified drums. “Safe waste” equipment will be held at Union Glacier for containment of leaking drums. Fuel caches will be sited in the same locality each season to avoid the spread of contaminated snow areas. Spills will be recorded for monitoring purposes. If there is accidental release, some fuel may evaporate; any contaminated snow/ice in the spill area will be collected and removed for treatment or disposal outside Antarctica. Fugitive emissions may occur during plane fuelling activities and from fuel spills.

4.4.2 Batteries All batteries will be removed from Antarctica. All lead-acid batteries used in vehicles and for radio use will be sealed type to minimize the chance of leakage.

4.4.3 Fire Safety Equipment The foam concentrate used in fire safety equipment will only be discharged to contain fires in order to allow personnel to escape to a safe area. No trials of the equipment will be conducted in Antarctica. The agent itself is considered to be non-hazardous to personnel and is biodegradable. FireStopper® XL (FFC) is a non-emulsifying agent that can be readily absorbed by conventional oil spill matting already used by ALE. Any discharges or spills will be cleaned and the resultant garbage and contaminated snow or ice will be removed, where practicable, from Antarctic for disposal.

4.5 Monitoring Environmental Impacts and Compliance ALE considers monitoring to be a key aspect of environmental management. ALE staff and contractors will be responsible for monitoring compliance with mitigation and minimization measures raised in the IEE and will keep records of the following aspects of their activities:  flight times and fuel use;  non-flight fuel consumption;  number of visitors and staff (person days at each site);  fuel spills;  amount of fuel at caches and inspections for leakage and damage;  areal extent of main base camps;  waste removed from Antarctica: quantity and types of waste removed;

Page 98 of 109 ANTARCTIC LOGISTICS & EXPEDITIONS LLC Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions Environmental Documentation 2013  location of grey-water disposal sites and estimated quantities of grey water disposed;  details of any waste left in Antarctica; and  monitoring access to ice-free areas close to Union Glacier and other camps. ALE staff will be responsible for monitoring compliance with mitigation and minimization measures. Verification of impacts will be conducted at each site before departing. Post-activity reports will be prepared by ALE staff and fuel spills >50 l will be recorded. Incidents of littering, fuel spill or releases of wastes to the environment, other than grey water, will be recorded and included in post-visit reports.

5 COLLECTION OF SCIENTIFIC DATA Clients and expedition members increasingly desire to outreach to schools and university departments by collecting simple scientific data. There is value to repetitive data collection, particularly in areas infrequently visited by Antarctic research organizations. ALE will review any research proposals suggested by clients or expedition members and advise that the relevant Competent Authority or research organization is contacted, particularly if a permit may be required under the requirements of the Environmental Protocol. Where the proposal will rely on simple data collection, for example using GPS units, air or snow thermistors, light meters, or automatic weather stations, etc., and where the activity will be competed within the season, ALE will include the program or expedition in annual Advance Notification. It is proposed during the 2913–14 season to install a ColdFacts 3000BX automatic weather station (AWS) at Union Glacier. The AWS is built by Leap Development B.V. (www.leapdevelopment.nl/references.php) and is similar to a model first used in the Arctic in 2005. The AWS will collect a range of meteorological data that will be transmitted via Iridium satellite. This is the first time this type of station has been deployed in Antarctica. The data output will be compared with that from ALE’s WX7 station sited nearby to determine the accuracy and precision of the ColdFacts 3000BX model under Antarctic conditions. ALE will monitor and maintain the weather station, and ensure that it is removed at the end of the expedition. Snow samples will be collected for analysis of cosmogenic Tritium deposition and isotopic composition. Shallow snow pits, 0.3–2 m deep, will be dug at approx. 10 sites along two transects between Union Glacier and the South Pole, and between the South Pole and Leverett Glacier. The pits will be dug either with clean shovels or by a hand corer. No mechanical equipment or chemicals will be used and steps will be taken to avoid contamination, for example by wearing Tyvek® suits. Snow will be sampled directly into glass bottles that will be sealed to prevent evaporation and leakage. Bottles will be stored in metal boxes for export and analysis outside Antarctica. No special refrigeration equipment will be needed to store or transport the samples.

6 EFFECTIVE DATE AND DURATION OF PERMIT The application is for a permit to be effective from October 27, 2013 through February 28, 2015. ALE undertakes to advise NSF prior to the commencement of each Antarctic season of proposed itineraries and any other relevant changes that may have a bearing on the permit.

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7 CERTIFICATION "I certify that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, and based upon due inquiry, the information submitted in this application for a permit is complete and accurate. Any knowing or intentional false statement will subject me to the criminal penalties of 18 U.S.C. 1001."

David Rootes Environmental Manager Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions LLC

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ADVANCE NOTIFICATION Tourism and other Non-Governmental Activities Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions and Adventure Network International, 2013–2014 Season SUPPLEMENTARY DOCUMENTS - UPDATE

Table 10 Continuation of Section B. Details of Transport and Equipment to be Used for the Tour/Expedition

B2. Equipment to be Used Within Antarctica 30a. Number and Types of Vehicles to be Used Number Type Use 1 Trackless-MTB and attachments Snow blower for runway snow clearance and aircraft ground support 1 Ford–RPM Tech TM220 Snow blower for runway snow clearance 1 CAT 950H Snow blower and cargo handler 1 Wausau LR44 Snow Blower Snow blower for runway snow clearance 3 Tucker Sno-Cat 1643DRE/1643E/2000E Personnel & cargo transport, ski runway grooming 3 Prinoth Alpine BR350 Ski runway grooming, cargo transport 1 Kässbohrer PistenBully 300 Polar Ski runway grooming, cargo transport 16 Snowmobile (BRP, Skidoo, Yamaha) Personnel, cargo transport, expedition support 2 Ford Crew Cab Truck Personnel transport at Union Glacier F350-Wheel, F350-Matrak 2 Ford E350 6-wheel Personnel transport and expedition support 1 BRP Commander 4x4, side by side Runway FOD clearance and inspection

30b. Number and Types of Other Mechanical Equipment to be Used Number Type Use 1 Hammarlift Container Handler Cargo container movements 5 Lehmann Sled Cargo transport 2 Pontoon Sled Cargo transport 4 Container Cargo Slides with ‘A’ Frame Cargo transport 2 Mogul Master Groomer Skiway and camp maintenance 2 Prinoth 16ft Tiller Skiway and camp maintenance 2 Sig-Marine Stove Force 10 Tent heating 4 Dickinson Stove Tent heating 8 Webasto 90S Coolant Heaters 12/24 V Water production and workspace heating 2 Herman Nelson Aero Tech BT400 Heaters for cold start of vehicles and aircraft 10 Generator (1-12 KVA) Power source for vehicles and power tools 5 Honda Fuel Pumps Fuelling aircraft and vehicles 1 Air Compressor (Honda engine) Vehicle maintenance and camp set up 3 Kovacs Enterprises Jiffy Ice Drill Camp set-up and aircraft tie-down points 5 Chain Saw Camp set-up 2 Tanaka 4” Ice auger Runway marker flags

Page 103 of 109 © ALE 2013 ANTARCTIC LOGISTICS & EXPEDITIONS LLC Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions Environmental Documentation 2013 Table 11 Intercontinental Flight Schedule Date Flight Aircraft Notes 27-Oct-13 1 Ilyushin IL76 Return flight to Union Glacier 31-Oct-13 2 Ilyushin IL76 Return flight to Union Glacier 04-Nov-13 3 Ilyushin IL76 Cargo to Union Glacier. Passengers to Punta Arenas 08-Nov-13 4 Ilyushin IL76 Cargo to Union Glacier. Passengers to Punta Arenas 11-Nov-13 5 Ilyushin IL76 Return flight to Union Glacier 15-Nov-13 6 Ilyushin IL76 Cargo to Union Glacier. Passengers to Punta Arenas 19-Nov-13 7 Ilyushin IL76 Return flight to Union Glacier 23-Nov-13 8 Ilyushin IL76 Return flight to Union Glacier 27-Nov-13 9 Ilyushin IL76 Return flight to Union Glacier 01-Dec-13 10 Ilyushin IL76 Cargo to Union Glacier. Passengers to Punta Arenas 05-Dec-13 11 Ilyushin IL76 Return flight to Union Glacier 08-Dec-13 12 Ilyushin IL76 Cargo to Union Glacier. Passengers to Punta Arenas 11-Dec-13 13 Ilyushin IL76 Return flight to Union Glacier 14-Dec-13 14 Ilyushin IL76 Cargo to Union Glacier. Passengers to Punta Arenas 17-Dec-13 15 Ilyushin IL76 Return flight to Union Glacier 21-Dec-13 16 Ilyushin IL76 Cargo to Union Glacier. Passengers to Punta Arenas 29-Dec-13 17 Ilyushin IL76 Return flight to Union Glacier 04-Jan-14 18 Ilyushin IL76 Return flight to Union Glacier 10-Jan-14 19 Ilyushin IL76 Return flight to Union Glacier 13-Jan-14 20 Ilyushin IL76 Cargo to Union Glacier. Passengers to Punta Arenas 16-Jan-14 21 Ilyushin IL76 Cargo to Union Glacier. Passengers to Punta Arenas 19-Jan-14 22 Ilyushin IL76 Cargo to Union Glacier. Passengers to Punta Arenas 22-Jan-14 23 Ilyushin IL76 Cargo to Union Glacier. Passengers to Punta Arenas 27-Jan-14 24 Ilyushin IL76 Cargo to Union Glacier. Passengers, cargo and waste to Punta Arenas

Notes to 1. In addition to the scheduled flight plan above, ALE has been contracted by various National Operators to deliver cargo to Union Glacier. This and ALE’s requirement for the delivery of hazardous and fuel cargos may add further flights. The dates will be determined by delivery of cargo to Punta Arenas, Chile, and suitable weather conditions to fly to Antarctica. 2. The primary runway is SCGC Runway 18M at Union Glacier.

Table 12 Advertised Programs and Dates Program Code From To Duration (days) South Pole Flights SP1 05 Dec 2013 11 Dec 2013 7 SP2 11 Dec 2013 17 Dec 2013 7 SP3 29 Dec 2013 04 Jan 2014 7 90S/ON 04 Jan 2014 10 Jan 2014 7 SP4 04 Jan 2014 10 Jan 2014 7 Emperor Penguins Emp1 27 Nov 2013 05 Dec 2013 9 Emps/Explor1 11 Nov 2013 19 Nov 2013 9 Emps/Explor2 23 Nov 2013 27 Nov 2013 5 Emps/Explor3 27 Nov 2013 05 Dec 2013 9 Mount Vinson V1 23 Nov 2013 05 Dec 2013 13 V2 05 Dec 2013 17 Dec 2013 13 V3 17 Dec 2013 29 Dec 2013 13 V4 29 Dec 2013 10 Jan 2014 13 V4-Ski 29 Dec 2013 10 Jan 2014 13 V5 10 Jan 2014 22 Jan 2014 13 Ski Last Degree LD1 05 Dec 2013 17 Dec 2013 13 LD2 17 Dec 2013 29 Dec 2013 13

Page 104 of 109 © ALE 2013 ANTARCTIC LOGISTICS & EXPEDITIONS LLC Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions Environmental Documentation 2013 Program Code From To Duration (days) LD3 04 Jan 2014 16 Jan 2014 13 LD2.5 27 Nov 2013 05 Dec 2013 9 Ski South Pole All the Way SKSP-H 23 Nov 2013 22 Jan 2014 61 – Hercules Inlet Start Ski South Pole All the Way SKSP-M 23 Nov 2013 10 Jan 2014 49 – Messner start Ski South Pole All the Way SKSP-AH 11 Dec 2013 10 Jan 2014 31 – Footsteps of Amundsen Ski South Pole All the Way SKSP-Ross 15 Oct 2013 15 Feb 2014 124 – Ross Is start Antarctic Odyssey AO1 05 Dec 2013 11 Dec 2013 7 AO2 11 Dec 2013 17 Dec 2013 7 AO3 29 Dec 2013 04 Jan 2014 7 AO4 04 Jan 2014 10 Jan 2014 7 The Ice Marathon Mar 19 Nov 2013 23 Nov 2013 5 Climb Antarctica Climb1 17 Dec 2013 29 Dec 2013 13 Climb2 10 Jan 2014 22 Jan 2014 13 Ski Antarctica Ski1 05 Dec 2013 17 Dec 2013 13 Ski2 29 Dec 2013 10 Jan 2014 13 Mt Sidley–Volcanic Seven Sidley 17 Dec 2013 29 Dec 2013 13 Summits

Table 13 Projected Program Client Numbers Destination No. Usual no. Duration Projected max. Departures clients per trip (days) no. of Clients South Pole Flight 5 15 7 40 Emperor Penguins and Emperors 4 10 9 45 & Explorers Mt Vinson 6 25 13 125 Mt Sidley 1 5 13 4 Ski Last Degree 4 10 13 30 Antarctic Odyssey 4 4 7 4 Climb Antarctica 2 4 13 4

Ski Antarctica 2 4 13 4 Ice Marathon 1 60 5 60 Ski South Pole All the Way – 1 5 50–65 4 Hercules Inlet Start Ski South Pole All the Way – 1 5 50–65 4 Messner start Ski South Pole All the Way – 1 5 30-35 4 Amundsen start Ski South Pole All the Way – 1 4 120 3 Ross Island Start Total maximum number 331 Table 14 Proposed expeditions (ALE as Operator) Expedition Date Notes 2013 Richard Parks, Antarctic Solo Nov-Dec 13 Unsupported solo expedition from Hercules Inlet to South Pole. 2013 Antony Jinman Nov 13- Unsupported solo return expedition from Hercules Jan 14 Inlet to South Pole.

Page 105 of 109 © ALE 2013 ANTARCTIC LOGISTICS & EXPEDITIONS LLC Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions Environmental Documentation 2013 Expedition Date Notes 2013 Daniel Burton, The South Pole Nov 13- Solo cycle expedition from Hercules Inlet to South Epic Jan 14 Pole. 2013 Douglas Tumminello Nov 13- Unsupported solo return expedition from Hercules Jan 14 Inlet to South Pole. 2013 Juan Granados, Bicycle to Pole Nov 13- Solo cycle expedition from Hercules Inlet to South Jan 14 Pole. 2013 Lewis Clarke Nov 13- Ski traverse from Hercules Inlet to South Pole. Jan 14 2013 Martin Fagan, 3 Below Zero Nov 13- Ski traverse from Messner Start to South Pole. Expedition Jan 14 2013 Scott Antarctic Expedition Nov 13- Unsupported 3-man return journey from McMurdo to Jan 14 the South Pole. 2013 Vesa Luomala Solo to the Pole Nov 13- Unsupported solo return expedition from Hercules Jan 14 Inlet to South Pole. 2013 Doug Stoup, Willis Resilience Nov 13- Driving expedition from Union Glacier to Leverett Expedition 2013 Jan 14 Glacier via South Pole. Ski expedition back up the Leverett to South Pole supported by Arctic Trucks.

Table 15 Proposed logistic services and expedition support (ALE as Contractor) Expedition Purpose No. pax on Date National Notes ALE flights Authority 2013 Maria Leijerstam SAR and 2 Dec 13 UK SAR support from South 'Keep on Cycling' flight Pole to Union Glacier. Supported by Arctic Trucks. Hand over from TAC at South Pole 2013 Geoff Wilson, Pink SAR and 1 Dec 13- Australia Crossing expedition from Polar Expedition flight Jan 14 Novolazarevskaya to Union Glacier via the South Pole. SAR support hand over from TAC at South Pole 2013 Faysal Hanneche, SAR and 1 Jan-14 Norway Crossing expedition from Solo Traverse flight Novolazarevskaya to the South Pole then kite ski to Union Glacier via. SAR support hand over from TAC at South Pole British Antarctic Survey / Logistic 0 Nov 13 UK Cargo retrograde to Punta Sub-Glacial Lake Services Arenas Ellsworth British Antarctic Survey / Logistic 0 Dec 13- UK Flight support, food and GPS Survey Services Jan 14 accommodation at Union Glacier CECS Logistic 2 Dec 13 Chile Cargo to Union Glacier for Services field station Fuerza Aérea de Chile Logistic 4 Dec 13- Chile Cargo to Union Glacier and (FACh) Services Jan 14 flight support for move of Chilean station from Patriot Hills to Union Glacier INACH Logistic 4 Dec 13- Chile Paleomagnetic Survey of Services Jan 14 Ellsworth Mts

Page 106 of 109 © ALE 2013 ANTARCTIC LOGISTICS & EXPEDITIONS LLC Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions Environmental Documentation 2013 Expedition Purpose No. pax on Date National Notes ALE flights Authority Instituto Logistic 4 Dec 13- Brazil Crisofera 1 support: Nacional de Ciencia e Services Jan 14 accommodation for Tecnologia da Criosfera scientists at Union Glacier, traverse to Thiel Mtns NSF / POLENET Logistic 0 Dec 13- USA Support LC-130 landing and Services Jan 14 Ski aircraft at Union Glacier Programma Nazionale Flight 0 Oct 13 Italy Supply of aircraft (DC3- Ricerche in Antartide Services and TP67) to support Italian Feb 14 flights to Concordia

Table 16 Proposed Staff list Location Responsibility Role Location Responsibility Role Antarctica Operations Operations Managers Antarctica Flight Pilots Communications Operators Engineers Meteorologist Aircraft Ops Hotel Services Guest Services Manager Punta Arenas Office Operations Manager Hotel Housekeeping Service Client Manager Chefs Client Relations Dish Washers/Cleaners Office Manager Client Support Flight Manager Medical Doctors/Medics Communications Garage Chief Mechanic Flight Pilot Assistant Mechanics/Drivers Co-pilot Trades Assistants Navigator Guides Vinson Camp Manager Engineers Vinson Guides Load Master Ski South Pole Guides Last Degree Guides Union Glacier Camp Guides Emperor Penguin Ornithologist

Table 17 Proposed staff numbers Antarctica Medic 5 Flight Crew 14 Guides 15 Staff 40 Punta Arenas Staff 10 Flight Crew 8 Total 92 Table 18 Antarctic Operations, Staff and Guide experience Post Name Experience Operations Director Mike Sharp 6 Seasons with BAS as Field Guide, including one as Operations Manager Rothera. 15 Seasons with ANI & Polar Logistics at Patriot Hills and Dronning Maud Land. Operations Manager, Sue Staniland Multiple seasons as Operations Manager, Punta Arenas. Punta Arenas Assistant Ops Manager, Punta Arenas 2003–04. 3 seasons at Patriot Hills. A&E Nurse. Operations Manager Steve Jones Mountain Guide with multiple Antarctic and Arctic season’s experience. Field guide, Patriot Hills Operations Manager and Vinson Base Camp Manager. Field Operations Tim Hewette Mountain Guide with multiple Antarctic and Arctic

Page 107 of 109 © ALE 2013 ANTARCTIC LOGISTICS & EXPEDITIONS LLC Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions Environmental Documentation 2013 Post Name Experience Manager season’s experience. Vinson Base Camp Manager, Vinson Mountain Guide, South Pole Camp Manager. Camp Operations Mairi Macleod Remote field logistic operations manager with Médecins Manager Sans Frontières, South Georgia Rat Eradication. Several seasons previous Antarctic experience Vinson Base Camp TBA Extensive mountain experience to international guiding Manager level. Will have previous Antarctic experience and worked several seasons on Mt Vinson. Chief Mechanic Alan Homer Qualified mechanic. Previous Antarctic experience: 2 winters and multiple summer seasons. Supported by assistant mechanics majority with more than 3 years previous Antarctic experience. Medics, Union Glacier Dr Martin Rhodes Dr Martin Rhodes has overall responsibility for provision of medical services. Other medics have extensive Mountain Rescue and Expedition experience with several seasons of previous polar or expedition experience. Vinson and Expedition 15 All mountain guides have extensive mountaineering Guides and Leaders experience to international guiding level. Over 80% have at least one season’s previous Antarctic experience. All expedition leaders have previous Antarctic experience. Other Staff, Union 40 Over 75% of staff have previous Antarctic experience. Glacier

Table 19 Primary and secondary fuel cache locations Location Use Primary caches Union Glacier 79ºS, 082ºW Main fuel cache location. Majority of ski aircraft fuelling done at this Skiway location. Patriot Hills 80°S, 081°W Secondary fuel cache at alternate runway and ski-ways. Various National Operator fuel caches located at Patriot Hills are maintained by ALE Thiel Mts Skiway 85°S, 087°W Fuel cache for South Pole and Last Degree flights and flights to Ross Ice Shelf South Pole 89°S, 099°W Fuel cache for South Pole and Last Degree flights, emergency supplies for expeditions visiting the South Pole Berkner Island 79ºS, 048ºW Fuel cache for emperor penguin program and Berkner Islands ski expeditions. Vinson Base Camp 78°S, 086°W Fuel cache to support Mt Vinson programs Marble Point, 77°S, 163°E Fuel cache to support Ross Ice Shelf programs Wilson Piedmont Gould Coast 84°S, 139ºW To support programs in the Ross Ice Shelf sector 16.1 Secondary and temporary Caches (Caches placed as required by specific programs, usually only stocked for short periods) Last Degree 88–89°S, Near program start point to reduce demands on South Pole cache; 081ºW location for Last Degree and ski expeditions to cache waste. Thiel Corner 85°S, 080°W To support ski expedition programs King George Island 62°S, 58°W To support Peninsula flight operations Transantarctic Mts 80°S, 150ºE To support ski expedition Mount Sidley 79°S, 107°W To support Mt Sidley program Institute Ice 82°S, 079°W To support ski expedition programs Stream

Page 108 of 109 © ALE 2013 ANTARCTIC LOGISTICS & EXPEDITIONS LLC Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions Environmental Documentation 2013

From: Schandlbauer, Alfred [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: 21 August 2013 16:46 To: David Rootes Cc: 'Julie Roemele'; Kennedy, Nadene G.; '[email protected]'; 'Polly Penhale'; 'Kim Crosbie'; Schandlbauer, Alfred; Trice, Jessica Subject: RE: ALE/ANI 2013-14 Advance Notification

Dear David:

As noted earlier, I received the electronic version of your DS-4131 for multiple expeditions to Antarctica for the 2013-2014 season and accompanying supporting materials.

Based on the information provided, and pending our receipt of the signed original, the Department of State has determined that the activities described in your Advance Notification comprise non-governmental expeditions organized in or proceeding from the United States under Article VII (5)(a) of the Antarctic Treaty.

Please continue to coordinate with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Science Foundation (NSF), as you have in the past, to ensure that the appropriate Environmental Impact Assessment is submitted and waste permits obtained, respectively. I have copied (among others) Julie Roemele and Jessica Trice at the EPA and Adrian Dahood at the NSF on this email. Please direct to them any questions you may have concerning the requirements of their agencies.

Regards, Alfred

Alfred Schandlbauer Advisor for Antarctica Office of Ocean and Polar Affairs (OES/OPA) U.S. Department of State 202 647 0237 [email protected]

SBU This email is UNCLASSIFIED.

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