Draft Comprehensive Environmental Evaluation for Continuation and Modernization of Mcmurdo Station Area Activities
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DRAFT COMPREHENSIVE ENVIRONMENTAL EVALUATION FOR CONTINUATION AND MODERNIZATION OF MCMURDO STATION AREA ACTIVITIES February 2019 Comments on the Comprehensive Environmental Evaluation should be addressed to: Dr. Polly A. Penhale, Senior Advisor, Environment National Science Foundation, Office of Polar Programs 2415 Eisenhower Avenue Alexandria, Virginia 22314 E-mail: [email protected] National Science Foundation 2415 Eisenhower Avenue Alexandria, Virginia 22314 This page intentionally left blank. DRAFT COMPREHENSIVE ENVIRONMENTAL EVALUATION FOR CONTINUATION AND MODERNIZATION OF MCMURDO STATION AREA ACTIVITIES TABLE OF CONTENTS Non-Technical Summary ..................................................................................................................... NS-1 1. Introduction, Purpose and Need ................................................................................................ 1-1 1.1 National Science Foundation and United States Antarctic Program Background ........... 1-1 1.1.1 History of Program and Development at McMurdo ........................................... 1-1 1.1.2 Scientific Goals of the USAP at McMurdo and Field Locations Supported by the Station ..................................................................................... 1-1 1.2 Purpose and Need for the Proposed Activity ................................................................... 1-2 1.3 Scope of the Comprehensive Environmental Evaluation ................................................ 1-3 1.3.1 Scoping Process .................................................................................................. 1-3 1.3.2 International and Domestic Obligations ............................................................. 1-3 1.3.3 Organization of Document .................................................................................. 1-3 2. Operational Developments in the USAP During the Past Three Decades in the McMurdo Area ........................................................................................................................... 2-1 2.1 Introduction ...................................................................................................................... 2-1 2.2 McMurdo Station Developments ..................................................................................... 2-1 2.2.1 Initial Station Layout and Operation................................................................... 2-2 2.2.2 Improvements to McMurdo Area ....................................................................... 2-4 2.2.3 Current Layout of McMurdo Station and Supported Facilities .......................... 2-7 2.3 International Collaborations........................................................................................... 2-10 3. Proposed Activity and Alternatives ........................................................................................... 3-1 3.1 Introduction ...................................................................................................................... 3-1 3.2 Implement AIMS Projects under the McMurdo Master Plan .......................................... 3-1 3.2.1 Summary Description of AIMS Projects ............................................................ 3-3 3.2.2 General Aspects of AIMS Construction and Operation Phases .......................... 3-5 3.3 Implement McMurdo Master Plan ................................................................................... 3-8 3.3.1 Summary Description of McMurdo Master Plan Projects .................................. 3-8 3.3.2 General Aspects of McMurdo Master Plan Project Construction and Operation .......................................................................................................... 3-10 3.4 Continued Operation of McMurdo Area Activities and Facilities ................................. 3-11 3.4.1 McMurdo Station Facilities and Operations (Baseline Conditions) ................. 3-11 3.4.2 McMurdo Station Facilities and Operations (During Construction and Post-Construction) ............................................................................................ 3-12 3.5 Closure and Demolition of McMurdo Station Facilities ................................................ 3-16 3.6 Alternatives Considered ................................................................................................. 3-16 3.6.1 Alternative B: No Action/Maintain Current Level of Activity ......................... 3-16 3.6.2 Alternatives Considered but Not Carried Forward ........................................... 3-16 i 4. Initial Environmental Reference/Affected Environment ........................................................ 4-1 4.1 Introduction ...................................................................................................................... 4-1 4.2 McMurdo Station and Ross Island ................................................................................... 4-1 4.2.1 Environmental Resources ................................................................................... 4-1 4.2.2 Ecological Resources .......................................................................................... 4-2 4.3 McMurdo Dry Valleys (MDV) ........................................................................................ 4-3 4.3.1 Environmental Resources ................................................................................... 4-3 4.3.2 Ecological Resources .......................................................................................... 4-3 4.4 Deep Field Sites ............................................................................................................... 4-3 4.4.1 Environmental Resources ................................................................................... 4-4 4.4.2 Ecological Resources .......................................................................................... 4-4 4.5 McMurdo Sound and the Ross Sea .................................................................................. 4-4 4.5.1 Environmental Resources ................................................................................... 4-4 4.5.2 Ecological Resources .......................................................................................... 4-5 4.6 Protected Areas and Other Sites of International Significance ........................................ 4-9 4.7 Prediction of Future Environmental Reference in the Absence of Proposed Activity .......................................................................................................................... 4-12 5. Identification and Prediction of Impacts .................................................................................. 5-1 5.1 Introduction ...................................................................................................................... 5-1 5.2 Methodology and Data Sources ....................................................................................... 5-1 5.3 Impacts from McMurdo Station Modernization .............................................................. 5-2 5.3.1 Building Demolition and Construction ............................................................... 5-2 5.3.2 Site Preparation, Fill, and Fines .......................................................................... 5-3 5.3.3 Drainage Improvements ...................................................................................... 5-3 5.3.4 Blasting and Explosives Use ............................................................................... 5-3 5.3.5 Import of Material ............................................................................................... 5-4 5.3.6 Vehicle Use ......................................................................................................... 5-4 5.4 Impacts from Continuing Existing McMurdo Area Activities and Operating Existing Facilities ............................................................................................................ 5-4 5.4.1 Building Use ....................................................................................................... 5-4 5.4.2 Helicopter and Fixed Wing Operations .............................................................. 5-5 5.4.3 Traverse Operations ............................................................................................ 5-5 5.4.4 Vessel and Ice Pier Operations ........................................................................... 5-5 5.4.5 Support Facility Operations ................................................................................ 5-5 5.4.6 Field Camp Operations ....................................................................................... 5-5 5.4.7 Water and Wastewater Operations...................................................................... 5-6 5.4.8 Power Operations ................................................................................................ 5-6 5.4.9 Solid Waste Operations ...................................................................................... 5-6 5.4.10 Hazardous Waste Operations .............................................................................. 5-7 5.4.11 Fuel Use and Storage .......................................................................................... 5-7 5.4.12 Hazardous Material Storage and Use .................................................................. 5-7 ii 5.4.13 Explosives Use ...................................................................................................