MORE AND BETTER SCIENCE IN ANTARCTICA THROUGH INCREASED LOGISTICAL EFFECTIVENESS Report of the U.S. Antarctic Program Blue Ribbon Panel Washington, D.C. July 2012 This report of the U.S. Antarctic Program Blue Ribbon Panel, More and Better Science in Antarctica Through Increased Logistical Effectiveness, was completed at the request of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and the National Science Foundation. Copies may be obtained from David Friscic at [email protected] (phone: 703-292-8030). An electronic copy of the report may be downloaded from http://www.nsf.gov/od/ opp/usap_special_review/usap_brp/rpt/index.jsp. Cover art by Zina Deretsky. MORE AND BETTER SCIENCE IN AntarctICA THROUGH INCREASED LOGISTICAL EFFECTIVENESS REport OF THE U.S. AntarctIC PROGRAM BLUE RIBBON PANEL AT THE REQUEST OF THE WHITE HOUSE OFFICE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY POLICY AND THE NatIONAL SCIENCE FoundatION WASHINGTON, D.C. JULY 2012 U.S. AntarctIC PROGRAM BLUE RIBBON PANEL WASHINGTON, D.C. July 23, 2012 Dr. John P. Holdren Dr. Subra Suresh Assistant to the President for Science and Technology Director & Director, Office of Science and Technology Policy National Science Foundation Executive Office of the President of the United States 4201 Wilson Boulevard Washington, DC 20305 Arlington, VA 22230 Dear Dr. Holdren and Dr. Suresh: The members of the U.S. Antarctic Program Blue Ribbon Panel are pleased to submit herewith our final report entitled More and Better Science in Antarctica through Increased Logistical Effectiveness. Not only is the U.S. logistics system supporting our nation’s activities in Antarctica and the Southern Ocean the essential enabler for our presence and scientific accomplish- ments in that region, it is also the dominant consumer of the funds allocated to those endeavors. It is our unanimous conclusion that substantial cost savings can be realized and more science therefore accomplished, some through rather straightforward operating changes and others requiring initial investment. The latter offer long-term gains that are justified on a discounted cash-flow basis, from safety considerations, or from science returns. The essence of our findings is that the lack of capital budgeting has placed operations at McMurdo, and to a somewhat lesser extent at Palmer Station, in unnecessary jeopardy—at least in terms of prolonged inefficiency due to deteriorating or otherwise inadequate physical assets. In this report we have sought to identify areas where increases in logistical effectiveness are particularly promising in comparison with their cost. We are honored to have been asked to conduct this review and have been privileged to work with the many remarkable and dedicated individuals associated with the United States Antarctic Program. Very truly yours, Norman R. Augustine, Chair Thad Allen Craig E. Dorman Hugh W. Ducklow Bart Gordon* R. Keith Harrison Don Hartill Gérard Jugie Louis J. Lanzerotti Duncan J. McNabb Robert E. Spearing Diana H. Wall * Mr. Gordon’s membership on the Panel spanned from the Panel’s creation (October 12, 2011) until May 11, 2012, when a change of his employment activities necessitated his withdrawal. CONTENTS PREfacE ............................................................................................................................... 1 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ........................................................................................................ 2 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ........................................................................................................... 4 1. INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................. 32 2. THE AUSTRAL ENVIRONMENT ......................................................................................... 34 2.1. The Continent ......................................................................................................... 36 2.2. The Environment at USAP Research Stations ............................................................... 37 2.3. The Southern Ocean ............................................................................................... 38 2.4. Logistics for Research in the Antarctic Region ............................................................. 39 2.4.1. Indirect Research Support ............................................................................... 39 2.4.2. Direct Research Support ................................................................................. 48 3. FORECAST OF FUTURE SCIENCE NEEDS ........................................................................... 50 3.1. Science at the South Pole ......................................................................................... 52 3.2. Science on the Peninsula and West Antarctica ............................................................ 54 3.3. Science in McMurdo and the Dry Valleys .................................................................. 57 3.4. Science in the Continental Interior ............................................................................. 59 3.5. Science in the Southern Ocean................................................................................. 60 3.6. Science Using an Integrated Observation System ....................................................... 62 4. FINDINGS AND IMPLEMENTING ACTIONS ....................................................................... 64 4.1. Research Support: Research Facilities and Equipment .................................................. 64 4.2. People ................................................................................................................... 71 4.3. Technology ............................................................................................................. 76 4.4. Transportation ........................................................................................................ 81 4.4.1. Alterntatives to McMurdo Station .................................................................... 81 4.4.2. Air and Land ................................................................................................ 84 4.4.3. Sea ............................................................................................................. 95 4.5. Supply Chain ....................................................................................................... 109 4.5.1. Maintenance .............................................................................................. 113 4.5.2. Warehousing/Storage ................................................................................. 117 4.5.3. Purchasing ................................................................................................. 121 4.5.4. Inventory .................................................................................................... 122 4.6. Energy and Utilities ............................................................................................... 125 4.7. Communications and Information Technology ........................................................... 129 4.7.1. Examples of C&IT Demands Within the USAP ................................................. 129 4.7.2. Implementation of USAP C&IT ....................................................................... 132 4.7.3. Summary of Key C&IT Issues ........................................................................ 133 4.7.4. Information Assurance/Security .................................................................... 139 4.8. Human Care ........................................................................................................ 140 4.8.1. Housing ..................................................................................................... 140 4.8.2. Food ......................................................................................................... 142 4.8.3. Recreation and Morale ................................................................................ 143 4.8.4. Safety and Health ....................................................................................... 144 4.8.5. Personal Equipment ..................................................................................... 149 4.9. Environmental Stewardship .................................................................................... 151 4.9.1. Introduction ................................................................................................ 151 4.9.2. The USAP as an Environmental Leader ........................................................... 151 4.9.3. Environmental Planning ................................................................................ 152 4.9.4. Other Environmental Issues ........................................................................... 153 4.10. International Considerations ................................................................................. 154 4.10.1. Governance ............................................................................................. 154 4.10.2. Logistics Collaboration ............................................................................... 154 4.10.3. Scientific Collaboration .............................................................................. 156 4.10.4. Coordination of International Collaboration.................................................. 161 4.11. Governance of U.S. Program ............................................................................... 163 5.