PREP/IP/7

Inspection Report on

Sites of Special Scientific Interest, Specially Protected Areas and Historic Monuments

(submitted by the United states)

The attached Draft Report was prepared by the U. S., 1989 Antarctic Inspection Team. as a part of its report. It is submitted for consideration in accordance with paragraph 79 of the Report of the Xlvth Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting. The final Inspection Report will be circulated at the October Consultative Meeting. EXAMINATION OF SSSIs, SPAs, and HMs

The report of the XIVth Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting I (Rio De Janerio, 1989) suggested that consultative Parties take available opportunities to visit existing Sites of Special

Scientific Interest, Specially Protected Areas and Historical

Monuments.

In general, there were no signs of human interference or even activity at the sites inspected. The fauna and flora observed seemed undisturbed. It should be noted however, that some of the

SSSIs and SPAs could benefit from better markings and explanations.

Some were clearly marked, other proved a challenge to locate. The

in the most recent Handbook of the Antarctic Treaty System require

some updating, correcting, and more detailed information that the

Team will provide directly to the Scientific Committee on Antarctic

Research (SCAR).

The Report identified information required in the compilation of

reports on visits to such sites.

During the US Inspection of Stations in , the Team

visited those sites, areas, and monuments listed in the itinerary

(appendix 1), and addressed as many of the questions set forth in

the report of the XIVth ATCM as possible. It was the first time a

US Inspection Team had broadened its itinerary to include these

types of sites. ~':" ...~ ..... -;.;. ...~ .

Caugley Beach and

(77 - 14' S/ 166 - 28'" E)

February 11, 1989

SSSI ilO, , and SPA #20, New College

Valley, Cape Bird were visited by members of the Inspection Team on

February 11, 1989. The Site was reached by helicopter from the US

Coast Guard Ice Breaker Polar Sea. A well-marked landing area exists on the beach below the two sites. The SSSI was entered on foot to what was believed to be the edge of the SPA.

Although the sites were thought to be marked, the markers were only stone cairns and poles, such that it was not possible to determine the boundary of the SSSI nor the boundary between the SSSI and the SPA. These sites would benefit from better markings, including a brief description of the area's importance and a map.

The helicopter landing site should be added to the map in the

Handbook of the Antarctic Treaty System 5th Edition.

The Team did not detect any negative effects of recent human activity and found numerous colonies of Adelie penguins and skuas.

The position of the helo landing site was identified as 77 -

14.1 S/ 166 - 24.2 E. ยท ~

-. - ..'

Scotts Hut at

(77 - 38' S/ 166 - 24' E)

February 10, 1989

Historic Monument #16, Scott's Hut at Cape Evans, ,

was visited by three members of the Inspection Team on February 10,

1989. The site was reached by helicopter from the US Coast Guard

Ice Breaker, Polar Sea. Since the team did not take the key to the

hut (available from ) only the huts exterior was inspected.

The hut was well marked with signs giving its history and it

appeared to be in good condition. Snow covered most of the ground.

The Greenpeace organization has established a station within

approximately 200 meters of the monument, but outside of the marked

historic area. There were no apparent negative signs of this or

other recent human activity. From a distance, the Greepeace

resupply vessel, Gondwana, was anchored offshore with helicopters on

deck.

No wildlife were observed at the site.

The position of the site was confirmed to be as reported. SSSI (77 - 38' S/ 166 - 9' E)

February 10,1989

SSSI il, at Cape Royds, Ross Island was visited by the

Inspection Team on February 10, 1989. The site was reached by helicopter from the US Coast Guard Ice Breaker, Polar Sea, and was visited at the same time as Shackleton's Hut, which is adjacent to the SSSI.

The SSSI is well marked on all sides, including the approach

from the beach. Bird colonies appeared thriving with no sign of

recent human interference, although several pieces of clay drain

tile were littering the site and should be regarded.

The position of this site was confirmed to be as reported. 1

Cape Royds - Shackleton's Hut

(77 - 38 1 S/ 166 - 07 1 E)

February 10, 1989

Historic Monument t15, Shackleton1s Hut at Cape Royds was visited by the US Inspection Team on February 10, 1989. The Hut was reached by helicopter from the US Coast Guard Ice Breaker, Polar

Sea. The helicopter landing site was marked with red painted rocks and was well clear of the historic site.

The Hut was well marked with signs explaining its historical significance in the four Treaty languages. The Hut was in good repair and showed no signs of inappropriate activity. Two discarded clay drain tiles were located near the penguin rookery and should be removed. The interior of the Hut was in excellent condition and reflected the work of the New Zealand curatorial staff which had been present during the season. No evidence of tampering, removal or vandalism was observed.

A New Zealand research support hut is located approximately 100 yards from the Hut on a rise overlooking the Cape Royds SSSI.

The position of the site was confirmed to be as reported. Beaufort Island SPA

(76 - 58' S /167 - 03' E) February 11, 1989

SPA #5, Beaufort Island was overflown in a helicopter by the

Inspection Team on February 11, 1989. No markers, buildings or other man-made objects were visible from the air. No negative impact of recent human activity was observed and large colonies of seals and penguins were seen.

Because it is not clear from the Antarctic Handbook whether or not it is possible to visit the island by helicopter, no attempt was made to land on the island. It is recommended that the Handbook's description be augmented with a paragraph along the following lines:

"most of the island consist of sheer cliffs and snow fields.

Those few areas of open beach are all important breeding

grounds. Therefore, it is only advisable to visit the island by

landing in a small boat or sledge across the ice. Helicopter operations should be restricted to fast ice areas or urgent

situations."

The position of Beaufort Island and the SPA was confirmed by satellite navigation to be: 76 - 58.3 S/ 166 - 57.0 E. SSSI

(77 - 30' S/ 169 - 20' E)

February 11, 1989

Cape Crozier, SSSI #4, was visited by the Inspection Team on

February 11, 1989. The site was reached by helicopter from the US

Coast Guard Ice Breaker, Polar Sea. The reference map in the

Handbook of the Antarctic Treaty 5th Edition was found to be inadequate for determining the proper helicopter landing area since the refuge hut, the helicopter landing area, and Historic Monument

#21 were all unmarked on the map. These sites should be indicated on the map provided in the handbook. The refuge hut was eventually sighted from the air. The inspection team moved toward the SSSI from the hut but encountered no precise boundary markers other than four red flag markers, whose significance was unclear. It is possible that the Team did not reach the actual boundaries of the

SSSI which in retrospect appear to be closer to the rookeries in the lower valleys away from the refuge hut and helo landing site.

Standing on the ridge above the SSSI, the Inspection Team could detect no negative affects of recent human activity. There were colonies of several lichen and moss species and a skua rookery. The -2-

site would benefit from the addition of markers with a brief description on the purpose of the SSSI, with a map of its boundaries. Such a marker should be located near the refuge hut.

The refuge hut was in good repair and appeared to be appropriately stocked for emergency use. There did not appear to be any inappropriate environmental damage resulting from its occupancy and no evidence of inappropriate waste disposal was observed.

The location of the landing site and hut was confirmed by satellite navigation to be: 77 -27.4 S/ 169 - 11.2 E, and can be described as an orange hut located approximately 850 ft above sea level on the NW side of what is called post office hill. (77 - 50' S/ 166 - 40' E)

February 9, 1989

From the border the site showed no negative signs of human

activity and its location was confirmed to be as reported. Observation Hill (77 - 51' S/ 166 - 40' E)

February 9, 1989

Historic Monument #20, the Cross on Observation Hill, was visited by two members of the Inspection Team on February 9, 1989.

The site was approached on foot from the base of the hill at McMurdo

Station.

There was considerable evidence of recent human activity, including discarded cigarette remains and bamboo scattered on the approach to the summit. At the Cross itself, there were several bamboo poles with plastic flags attached, as well as a discarded film wrapper and additional cigarette remains. These were removed from the site by the inspectors and reported to McMurdo Station.

The monument was marked by a set of signs in three of the four

Treaty languages explaining its significance. The English version had been removed from the site. -2-

Human activity in the vicinity of the monument is primarily from

McMurdo and Scott Bases. These activities will probably continue,

since climbing Observation Hill is a frequent recreation activity at

both facilities.

The position of this site was confirmed to be as noted. Cape Hallett

(72 - 18' S/ 179 - 19' E) February 14, 1989

Cape Hallett SPA #7 was visited by the US Inspection Team on

February 14, 1989. The Area was reached by small boat from the US Coast Guard Ice Breaker, Polar Sea. Although adequate helicopter

landing sites are available outside of the specially protected area,

it might be difficult to find an unoccupied helo landing site during the nesting season. The reference map in the Handbook of the

Antarctic Treaty 5th Edition was found to be accurate for general placement of the site, although the navigational positions of the site do not coincide with those contained on the reference map.

The SPA was in good condition and very well marked with a sign which included a map and an explanation of the area. The SPA is adjacent to an abandoned US/New Zealand summer camp and site of a large Adelie penguin rookery. At the time of the visit there were large numbers of young penguins throughout the cape,as well as some skuas. No seals were observed.

The remains of the US/New Zealand base contained some emergency supplies and food. The US and New Zealand are currently in the process of removing the remaining structures and fuel tanks. During ~:::'., ::.~. l. _. ~ - ~. -2-

the past season the large fuel storage tank was pumped dry and it is scheduled to be dismantled next season. It is apparent that a significant clean up effort is in progress.

The location of the site was confirmed by satellite navigation to be: 72 - 19.2 S/ 170 - 13.0 E. APPENDIX (1)

1989 US Antarctic Inspection Team Inspection Itinerary

February

8 - Arrive McMurdo Station

- Scott Base (New Zealand 9 _ Arrival Heights (SSSI #2)

- Scotts Hut (HM t16)

- Vinces Cross (HM t19) _ Cross on Observatory Hill (HM #20)

- Marble Point (US Facility) 10 - Cape Royds (SSSI #1) _ Shackletons Hut (HM #15)

- Scotts Hut (HM t18)

_ Cape Crozier (SSSI t4) 11 _ Caughley Beach (SSSI tlO)

_ New College Valley (SPA #20)

_ Cape Bird Station (New Zealand)

_ Beaufort Island (SPA t5) -2-

12 - Terra Nova Bay Station (Italy) - Gondwana Station (FRG)

14 - Cape Hal1et (SPA #7)

16 - Leningradskaya Station (USSR)

19 - Dumont d'Urvi11e (France)