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U.S. ANTARCTIC PROGRAM AND ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIPProtection of the environment has high priority for nations that operate in the Antarctic. The Antarctic Treaty system, with its Agreed Measures for the Conservation of Fauna and Flora (1964) and its Protocol on Environmental Protection (1991), prescribes comprehensive protective measuresThe U.S. Government is pledged to uphold these principles. NSF operates the U.S. Antarctic Program in accordance with U.S. and international requirements regarding protection of the environment. Environmental protection and waste management procedures have been improved significantly in recent years. Cleanups have largely removed the waste that had accumulated during earlier decades. Following are summaries of the treaties and laws that apply to Antarctica and of recent actions taken in the U.S. Antarctic Program. Treaties and laws that protect the environmentThe Antarctic Treaty (1959) prohibits military fortifications, nuclear explosions, disposal of radioactive waste, and testing of weapons. The United States is a signatory.The Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty (1991) prohibits any activity, other than scientific research, relating to mineral resources and tightens standards for assessing impacts, conserving fauna and flora, managing waste, and preventing marine pollution. On 2 October 1996, the President signed the Antarctic Science, Tourism, and Conservation Act of 1996 (PL 104-227), which implements the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty. The protocol, which representatives from the United States and the 25 other Antarctic Treaty Consultative Parties signed in October 1991, must be ratified by all 26 countries before it enters into force. With the passage of the U.S. legislation, 24 of the 26 have now ratified the protocol, leaving only Japan and Russia yet to take action. USAP already complies with the law’s environmental provisions.
The Antarctic Conservation Act of 1978 (Public Law 95-541), and the regulations issued under it, govern the taking of fauna and flora; entry into protected areas; introduction of nonnative species; material management and waste disposal; and use of designated pollutants. A permit system enables investigators to apply to collect specimens and enter protected areas for compelling scientific purposes. The system provides for public comment on each application.
The Antarctic Marine Living Resources Convention Act of 1984 (Public Law 98-623) makes it unlawful to harvest marine species in a way that would damage ecological relationships among harvested, dependent, and related populations. Conservation and environmental proceduresNSF requires every scientist proposing research in Antarctica to analyze the environmental impact of the proposed project. NSF carefully reviews the proposal and does not give approval unless the project (sometimes modified for this purpose) complies with Antarctic environmental standards.Activities planned in USAP, science support, construction, operations, logistics, and facilities maintenance, are (a) subjected to environmental analysis specific to the proposed action or (b) governed by a program wide environmental impact statement issued in 1980 and revised in 1991. More than 120 specific environmental documents, which are public, have been issued. NSF administers the Antarctic Conservation Act permit system, which enables qualified scientists to obtain access to fauna and flora and specially protected areas on a controlled basis. Public comment is solicited (in the Federal Register) about each application, and permit requests and final reports are public information.
The Foundation produces and disseminates documents and videos to educate U.S. citizens about their environmental protection responsibilities in Antarctica and the penalties for noncompliance. Audiences include USAP participants and nongovernmental entities such as tourists, tour operators, and adventurers. All program participants sort
and recycle waste at their work sites and their living
areas. Waste management is now a "cradle-to-grave"
function that has been integrated into U.S. Antarctic
operations from procurement to
disposal. |
Last modified: February 2003; Office of Polar Programs |