Initial Environmental Evaluation Scott Base and field support operations 2019-2023 Contents Executive Summary ............................................................................................................................ 1 1. Introduction ................................................................................................................................... 2 1.1. National requirements ........................................................................................................... 2 1.2. Four-year outlook .................................................................................................................. 3 1.3. Scope .................................................................................................................................... 4 1.4. Knowledge gaps ................................................................................................................... 4 2. Purpose ........................................................................................................................................ 5 2.1. Historic context ..................................................................................................................... 5 2.2. Antarctica New Zealand ........................................................................................................ 5 2.3. Science Platform ................................................................................................................... 6 2.4. Long-term science ................................................................................................................ 7 3. Location ........................................................................................................................................ 8 4. Duration ...................................................................................................................................... 13 5. Nature and intensity of Scott Base and field support operation ................................................. 14 5.1. Power generation ................................................................................................................ 15 5.2. Hazardous substances storage and use ............................................................................ 16 5.2.1. Fuel ............................................................................................................................. 16 5.2.2. Other chemicals .......................................................................................................... 16 5.3. Waste .................................................................................................................................. 17 5.3.1. Wastewater ................................................................................................................. 18 5.4. Maintenance activities ........................................................................................................ 18 5.4.1. Minor earthworks ........................................................................................................ 18 5.4.2. Water intake and outfall structure replacement .......................................................... 19 5.4.3. Satellite dome replacement ........................................................................................ 19 5.4.4. Water tank replacement .............................................................................................. 19 5.4.5. Unforeseen maintenance ............................................................................................ 19 5.5. Transport ............................................................................................................................. 19 5.5.1. Intercontinental aircraft ............................................................................................... 19 5.5.2. Shipping ...................................................................................................................... 20 5.5.3. Surface transport ........................................................................................................ 21 5.5.4. Intracontinental flights ................................................................................................. 23 5.5.5. Penguin census .......................................................................................................... 24 5.5.6. Drones and Remotely Operated Vehicles .................................................................. 26 5.6. Field support ....................................................................................................................... 26 5.6.1. Camp equipment and set up ....................................................................................... 26 5.6.2. Installations ................................................................................................................. 27 5.6.3. Field fuels .................................................................................................................... 29 5.6.4. Search and Rescue training ........................................................................................ 31 5.7. Recreation and familiarisation ............................................................................................ 31 5.7.1. Observation and familiarisation................................................................................... 32 5.7.2. Independent recreation ............................................................................................... 32 5.7.3. Organised activities ..................................................................................................... 32 5.7.4. Winter recreation ......................................................................................................... 32 5.8. Community Engagement Programme ................................................................................ 34 5.9. Invited Visitors..................................................................................................................... 34 5.10. Management of Antarctic Specially Protected Areas ......................................................... 34 5.11. Managing sites of past activity ............................................................................................ 35 5.11.1.Clean up .................................................................................................................... 36 5.11.2.Historic sites and artefacts ........................................................................................ 36 5.12. Enabling works for Scott Base Redevelopment ................................................................. 37 5.12.1.Season 2019/20 ........................................................................................................ 37 5.12.2.2020/21 – 2021/22 Seasons ..................................................................................... 39 5.13. Monitoring programmes ...................................................................................................... 39 6. Summary of permit applications ................................................................................................. 40 6.1. Interfering with native plants and invertebrates .................................................................. 40 6.2. Importing non-native micro-organisms ............................................................................... 40 6.3. ASPA entries....................................................................................................................... 41 7. Alternatives ................................................................................................................................. 43 7.1. Do not proceed ................................................................................................................... 43 7.2. Reduce period of operation ................................................................................................ 43 7.3. Reduce level of activity ....................................................................................................... 44 7.4. Reduce the area of operations ........................................................................................... 44 7.5. Reduce the size of Scott Base ............................................................................................ 44 7.6. Change energy sources ...................................................................................................... 45 7.7. Change location .................................................................................................................. 45 7.8. Summary ............................................................................................................................. 45 8. Initial environmental state ........................................................................................................... 46 8.1. Scott Base and Pram Point ................................................................................................. 46 8.1.1. Soils ............................................................................................................................ 47 8.1.2. Biota ............................................................................................................................ 47 8.1.3. Air ...............................................................................................................................