Initial Environmental Evaluation National Science Foundation Submitted to the Polar Regions Department, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, as part of an application for a permit / approval under the UK Antarctic Act 1994. Submitted by: British Antarctic Survey Submitted: 29 November 2018 IEE Prepared by: Constantia Consulting Ltd. Christchurch New Zealand 2 Table of contents TABLE OF CONTENTS ................................................................................................................................................. 3 LIST OF FIGURES ........................................................................................................................................................ 8 LIST OF TABLES ........................................................................................................................................................ 12 LIST OF ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS ............................................................................................................... 13 NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY .................................................................................................................................... 15 1. INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................................... 28 2. STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS AND GUIDANCE MATERIAL ..................................................................................... 30 2.1 INTERNATIONAL REQUIREMENTS .................................................................................................................................... 30 2.1.1 The Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty ............................................................... 30 2.1.2 The Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Seals ................................................................................ 31 2.1.3 The Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources .................................................. 32 2.2 NATIONAL REQUIREMENTS ........................................................................................................................................... 32 2.2.1 United Kingdom ............................................................................................................................................. 32 2.2.2 United States of America ............................................................................................................................... 33 2.3 APPLICABLE ATCM MEASURES AND RESOLUTIONS ........................................................................................................... 33 2.3.1 Scientific research in Antarctica ..................................................................................................................... 34 2.3.2 Logistical and operational activities in Antarctica ......................................................................................... 34 2.3.3 Environmental Management in Antarctica .................................................................................................... 35 2.4 COMNAP GUIDANCE MATERIAL ................................................................................................................................... 35 3. SCOPE OF THE INITIAL ENVIRONMENTAL EVALUATION ........................................................................................ 36 3.1 AREA AND ACTIVITIES THAT ARE INCLUDED IN THE EIA SCOPE .............................................................................................. 36 3.2 ACTIVITIES THAT ARE EXCLUDED FROM THE EIA SCOPE ....................................................................................................... 37 4. DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANNED ACTIVITIES .......................................................................................................... 39 4.1 RESEARCH PROJECTS .................................................................................................................................................... 39 4.1.1 GHC ................................................................................................................................................................ 39 4.1.2 GHOST ............................................................................................................................................................ 40 4.1.3 MELT .............................................................................................................................................................. 41 4.1.4 TARSAN .......................................................................................................................................................... 41 3 4.1.5 THOR .............................................................................................................................................................. 42 4.1.6 TIME ............................................................................................................................................................... 42 4.1.7 DOMINOS and PROPHET ................................................................................................................................ 44 4.2 SEASON BY SEASON OVERVIEW ...................................................................................................................................... 45 4.2.1 2018 – 2019 Season ....................................................................................................................................... 47 4.2.2 2019 – 2020 Season ....................................................................................................................................... 50 4.2.3 2020 – 2021 Season ....................................................................................................................................... 52 4.2.4 2021 – 2022 Season ....................................................................................................................................... 54 4.2.4 2022 – 2023 Season ....................................................................................................................................... 55 4.3 RESEARCH ACTIVITIES .................................................................................................................................................. 56 4.3.1 Deployment of Data Collection Instruments and Equipment ......................................................................... 56 4.3.1.1 Glaciological survey ................................................................................................................................................... 56 4.3.1.2 Instrumentation of seals ........................................................................................................................................... 69 4.3.1.3 Autonomous and Tethered Marine Instruments and Equipment ............................................................................. 71 4.3.2 Sampling ........................................................................................................................................................ 82 4.3.2.1 Geological sampling .................................................................................................................................................. 82 4.3.2.2 Marine sediment coring and water sampling ........................................................................................................... 85 4.3.2.3 Ice sampling ............................................................................................................................................................... 91 4.4 LOGISTICAL SUPPORT ACTIVITIES .................................................................................................................................... 92 4.4.1 Ice Drilling ...................................................................................................................................................... 92 4.4.1.1 Hot water drills .......................................................................................................................................................... 92 4.4.1.2 Rapid Air Movement (RAM) drill ............................................................................................................................... 93 4.4.2 Vehicles, Vessels and Aircraft ......................................................................................................................... 94 4.4.2.1 Traverse / Over-snow transport systems .................................................................................................................. 94 4.4.2.2 Air transport .............................................................................................................................................................. 98 4.4.2.3 Marine transport ....................................................................................................................................................... 99 4.4.3 Establishment and Operation of Field Camps .............................................................................................. 101 4.4.4 Fuel Management ........................................................................................................................................ 103 5. ALTERNATIVES ..................................................................................................................................................