United States Antarctic Inspection Team 2006: Report of Inspections under Article VII of the Antarctic Treaty and Article 14 of the Protocol on Environmental Protection PDF version Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs November 12 - December 1, 2006 Table of Contents Part I - Introduction Reports Part IV - Tour Vessel Operations Part I - Introduction The United States conducted an inspection under the Antarctic Treaty from November 12 to December 1, 2006, the twelfth U.S. inspection since the Antarctic Treaty entered into force in 1961. This report describes the observations and conclusions of the 2006 U.S. Antarctic Treaty Inspection Team. The United States carries out a long-term program of inspections in order to promote peace and security in Antarctica and to determine whether parties to the Antarctic Treaty are meeting their obligations under the Treaty and related instruments. The United States' program of inspections helps emphasize that the Antarctic continent is open to access by all countries. The last U.S. inspection was conducted in 2001. As part of this inspection, the United States inspected a number of tour vessels operating in Antarctica. This was the first time that the United States had inspected tour vessels. A review of tour operations was undertaken because of the considerable attention that has recently been devoted by Treaty parties to issues related to tourism and the increasing number of tourists visiting Antarctica. Observations made in this report will help the United States and other Antarctic Treaty Consultative Parties assess and weigh policies related to tourism in Antarctica at future Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meetings. The inspection is an interagency effort led by the U.S. Department of State, the agency that coordinates Antarctic policy within the U.S. Government. It does so in close cooperation with the National Science Foundation, which operates the U.S. Antarctic Program, including three year-round stations in Antarctica. The Inspection Team included officials from the State Department's Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, Bureau of Verification, Compliance and Implementation, and Office of the Legal Adviser, and from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the National Science Foundation. The inspection was conducted under rights established in the Antarctic Treaty itself.[1] Article VII of the Treaty and its provision for the right to inspect was precedent-setting in international diplomacy and has been a cornerstone of the Treaty. It established the right of all parties to conduct on-site unannounced inspections of all installations and facilities in Antarctica, in order to monitor compliance and ensure observance of all of the Treaty's provisions. The Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty, adopted in Madrid in 1991 (Environmental Protocol), also provides for inspection rights.[2] This was the second U.S. inspection since the entry into force of the Madrid Protocol in 1998. The 2006 U.S. Inspection Team consisted of six U.S. officials designated by the U.S. Under Secretary of State for Democracy and Global Affairs in accordance with Article VII of the Treaty. The members of the Team, whose names were communicated to all parties to the Treaty by diplomatic note of October 27, 2006, were: Mr. Evan T. Bloom LCDR Robert N. H. Duong, USN Ms. Aimee Hessert Mr. David Lopez Mr. Mark A. Simonoff Mr. Al Sutherland The Inspection Team arrived in the Antarctic Treaty Area on November 14, having departed Punta Arenas, Chile, on November 12, 2006 on the National Science Foundation's ice-strengthened vessel M/V Laurence M. Gould. The Inspection Team inspected the following stations: Rothera (United Kingdom), O'Higgins (Chile), German Receiving Station at O'Higgins (Germany), Esperanza (Argentina), Bellingshausen (Russian Federation) and Great Wall (People's Republic of China). The Team intended to inspect two other stations but could not do so: San Martin (Argentina; heavy ice conditions) and Gabriella de Castilla (Spain; had not yet opened for the summer). The Team inspected the following vessels, with the permission of the masters of each: M/S National Geographic Endeavour, M/S Lyubov Orlova, and M/S Explorer II. The Team also visited the U.S. science field camp at Petermann Island in order to review how tour operations are conducted at the site, and U.S. Palmer Station. The Inspection Team returned to Punta Arenas on December 1, 2006. The itinerary and route of the inspection are shown on the map (see following page). The United States is a founding member of the Antarctic Treaty, which was signed at Washington on December 1, 1959. The United States plans to host the thirty-second Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM) in Washington in 2009, the fiftieth anniversary of the Treaty's signing. The Treaty reserves Antarctica as an area exclusively for peaceful purposes. Moreover, it places science at the heart of international cooperation on the continent by guaranteeing freedom of scientific research, including the sharing of research and scientific information. It prohibits all military activities, including the testing of weapons, the explosion of nuclear materials, and the storage or disposal of radioactive waste. The Antarctic Treaty has been signed by 46 countries, 28 of which are conducting research on the continent, thus entitling them to the status of Consultative Party with the right to name inspectors. Acknowledgements A number of individuals and organizations contributed to the success of this inspection and their efforts are greatly appreciated. The inspection would not have been possible without the logistical and administrative support of the Office of Polar Programs of the National Science Foundation, under the leadership of its Director, Dr. Karl Erb. Captain Martin Galster, Mr. Herb Baker and the rest of the crew of the Laurence M. Gould provided the best possible support for all inspection operations. The map of the cruise and information technology support was ably supplied by Dan Elsberg and other members of the information technology team on the Gould. Agencias Universales S.A. (AGUNSA) handled logistic concerns while the Team was ashore in Chile. The Team thanks Palmer Station Manager Bob Farrell and his staff for their hospitality during the Team's short visit to Palmer, and Regina Cross of the State Department's Multi-Media Services office for designing the Team logo. Part II - General Conclusions Conclusions, including recommendations, related to individual stations are contained at the end of the chapters covering those stations. A. Antarctic Station Operations The inspectors found a high degree of knowledge of, and respect for, the Antarctic Treaty and the Environmental Protocol, in addition to applicable measures, guidelines, and domestic laws implementing those instruments. There was also a good understanding at stations of the role and importance of inspections, as shown by the universal cooperation and assistance provided to the Team by all stations visited. All station leaders expressed support for scientific research at Antarctic facilities, which is the cornerstone of cooperation among parties to the Antarctic Treaty. In addition, all station personnel spoke of significant cooperation with other stations and Antarctic programs with respect to science, safety, logistics and equipment. It is clear that the stations form part of a community, and this attitude among station managers fosters international cooperation within Antarctica and beyond. The Inspection Team found no arms violations, storage or disposal of hazardous or radioactive materials, or activities with military implications. All stations appeared to be in compliance with the provisions of the Treaty reserving Antarctica exclusively for peaceful purposes. The Inspection Team found that several stations did not seem to be fully aware of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process and pointed to decisions made by the responsible agency in their home countries -- decisions that were apparently not shared with the station manager. Given that the activities that might have an impact on the environment take place at the station itself, and that implementation of EIA's, including monitoring of environmental impacts, will be performed by personnel at the station, it is important that stations be more directly involved in the EIA process. The Inspection Team recommends that governments involve stations in all aspects of the EIA process, including the determination of whether an Initial Environmental Evaluation (IEE) should be prepared, the preparation of an IEE, the preparation of a Comprehensive Environmental Evaluation (CEE), and the monitoring of the environmental impacts of station activities. Several stations had barrels of waste oil sitting exposed to the environment, without any secondary containment. In one case, the Inspection Team found a barrel of waste oil leaking its contents into the ground. The Inspection Team recommends that stations store such waste oil, prior to its removal from the Antarctic Treaty Area, in containers that will prevent leakage into the environment. In addition to waste fuel containment, the Inspection Team noted at several stations that clean, operational fuel for station, vehicle and aircraft use was either stored in permanent tanks or temporary drums that did not have secondary containment. Some permanent tanks were in need of sandblasting, ultrasonic or other testing, and re-coating. The Team recommends that all fuel storage containers, whether permanent or temporary, have secondary containment and that all permanent fuel storage tanks be subject to a regular testing and coating maintenance program. In addition, all stations should have a ready supply of absorbent pads, booms and other clean-up material to be used in the event of both small and large oil spills. In two instances, the Inspection Team found large piles of paint and chemical cans, twisted scrap metal and other assorted solid waste stored in a haphazard manner. Annex III of the Environmental Protocol requires the removal of such waste from the Antarctic Treaty Area. The Inspection Team recommends that all stations review whether such waste exists on their premises, and that they expeditiously arrange safe and prompt removal of such waste from the Antarctic Treaty Area. The Inspection Team experienced considerable difficulty in communicating with stations to give advance notice of its intended arrival, despite having access to relevant Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs (COMNAP) materials (such as the Antarctic Telecommunication Operators Manual (ATOM)) and state-of-the-art communications equipment on board the Laurence M. Gould. Although this can in part be explained by errors that were discovered in the materials, and weather and other conditions that always make Antarctic communications uncertain, there was cause for concern. For example, in the event of distress, tour vessels and others may not be able to reach stations that might be able to assist with search and rescue activities if communications are not adequate. Moreover, stations may have difficulty seeking support from other stations in the event of medical emergencies, oils spills and other situations requiring immediate action. The Inspection Team recommends that COMNAP and the ATCM consider means to improve communications as a matter of urgency. A potential solution, for at least those stations capable of supporting a more sophisticated communications suite, may be at hand. All vessels operating in the Antarctic are now required to carry an A4 GMDSS (Global Marine Distress & Safety System) communications suite, and some types of MF-HF transceivers incorporated into these packaged equipment suites are designed to transmit only on International Telecommunications Union (ITU) channels. It would facilitate communication between ships and Antarctic stations if shore establishments selected stand-by frequencies that were on the ITU channel lists, whether simplex or duplex. It would further enhance communication between ships and stations, and between stations themselves, if stations included a standard marine MF/HF DSC (Digital Selective Calling) Controller in their MF/HF gear, and if stations were issued an MMSI number from the ITU. This would allow stations to be made aware of an attempt to contact them via MF/HF, with call-back information, in the event their communications equipment could not be continuously monitored. There are also likely to be alternative means to accomplish this objective outside the realm of marine radio equipment. One simple but very important alternative that should apply to all stations would be for COMNAP to verify, on an annual basis, the entries made into the ATOM - particularly for the commonly available communications systems: e-mail, Inmarsat and Iridium. COMNAP could verify this information by annually attempting to call or e-mail each of the listed numbers. If no confirming reply is received, the respective COMNAP member should be notified with a request for an ATOM update. The COMNAP website, where the ATOM is posted, has now moved to a system of individually-named, password-protected entry. While the Team appreciates that information technology security is important, the result of this change is likely to be that myriad telecommunications operators at the various stations may not now be able to access the manual that was designed for them. The Team suggests that COMNAP consider a means of annually sending the ATOM, via e-mail, to each station that lists its e-mail address. Where a station does not list any e-mail, then COMNAP should send the ATOM to the respective member with a request to forward to the appropriate station. Finally, all stations should consider having Iridium, which is simple to operate. B. Tourist Vessels The Inspection Team was impressed by the dedication of the tour companies to ensure that the impacts of their operations on the Antarctic environment are no more than minor or transitory. The Inspection Team observed organized and well-managed landing and activities ashore conducted by three companies at two sites on the Antarctic Peninsula. The expedition staff implemented appropriate plans and guidelines at these sites and worked to ensure that passengers avoided restricted and sensitive areas. The activities observed were designed both to give tour passengers an enjoyable Antarctic experience and to avoid impacts on the Antarctic environment. The Inspection Team also reviewed the operations of the tour ships and took note of two maritime incidents that had occurred in the past two years. While navigating through brash ice, one ship struck a growler (small iceberg) which caused minor damage to its hull. Another ship was caught on a sand bank for a number of hours and had to be pulled free by another ship. While the incidents are not necessarily representative of the Antarctic tour industry as a whole, and we understand that the number of such incidents overall is small, governments at the ATCM may wish to give further consideration to addressing the safety and environmental risks of tour ships in Antarctica. The Team did not have the opportunity to inspect large vessels carrying over 500 passengers, which by and large do not land their passengers in Antarctica. Such vessels have been a major source of publicity and attention, and whether such vessels (as well as smaller vessels) pose particular safety and environmental risks is a matter that the ATCM may wish to consider. C. Other Observations The Team observed a number of dilapidated huts and refuges in several locations. Examples were the huts at Petermann Island and Neko Harbor. In the view of the Inspection Team, an effort should be made by those responsible for such huts to either repair them fully for some reasonable use (such as support for science) or remove them. There is no basis for old structures without historic designation to be left in such places simply on the basis that they might at some point provide a bit of safety to someone; if that were an appropriate basis for building and retaining huts, they would dot the landscape in contravention of basic environmental principles, if not the Environmental Protocol itself. In addition to the aforementioned refuges, the Team passed by (but did not inspect closely) the following facilities that were unoccupied at the time: 1) A hut near Esperanza of uncertain ownership (the hut was referred to by Esperanza personnel as belonging to the UK but it had a Uruguayan flag painted on it), 2) Almirante Brown Station (Argentine, Paradise Bay) and 3) Deception Station (Argentine, Deception Island). If these facilities, and other similar ones reported, but not observed, are expected to remain unoccupied, consideration should be given to their removal. The Inspection Team found value in visits by tourist ships to stations, especially to increase knowledge of scientific pursuits in Antarctica. Nevertheless, in light of the central role of science in Antarctica, the Team found it curious that some stations (including ones not visited by the Team) seemed to be going out of their way to attract tourist vessels. While there is nothing wrong with focusing attention on the historic aspects of stations and their locales, and visits by tourists can increase general understanding of the role of stations in Antarctica, the Team felt that resources might be better focused on expanding science programs than attracting tourists. Part III - Antarctic Station Inspection Reports United Kingdom - Rothera Research Station Rothera Research Station, operated by the British Antarctic Survey (BAS), is one of two year-round United Kingdom stations in Antarctica, and it is one of the largest stations on the continent in terms of personnel. Significant science is conducted at the station. Rothera also functions as a logistics center for UK scientific activities throughout the Antarctic. The station was established in 1975. Among all-year stations on the Peninsula, only Argentina's San Martin Station is farther south. The Inspection Team arrived at Rothera's Biscoe Wharf on the evening of Sunday, November 19, 2006, and began its inspection at 8:30 a.m. local time the following morning. The Team was welcomed by Steve Hinde, Rothera's Station Manager, who led the briefings provided to the Team and also provided a comprehensive tour of Rothera's facilities. Advance notice of approximately three days had been given to the station, one day more than usual because heavy ice conditions made it advisable to coordinate earlier. The inspection lasted approximately seven hours. Physical Description The first buildings were erected in 1976, including the main accommodation buildings, power house and tractor shed. The station's main building for scientific research, the Bonner Laboratory, was completed in 1996-97. The Bonner Laboratory was destroyed by fire in winter 2001 as a result of an electrical wiring malfunction. The Laboratory was entirely rebuilt during 2002-03 and 2003-04, incorporating sprinkler systems and other anti-fire improvements. It reopened in 2004. Other key buildings include Fuchs House, which contains workshops for repairing field equipment, travel stores and a coldroom; Admirals House and Giants House for accommodations; a generator building, a garage, a hangar and a boatshed. A major feature of the station is its 900 m crushed rock gravel runway that is normally used by Dash 7 (DHC-7) and Twin Otter (DHC-6) aircraft. The runway became operational during the 1991-92 season. The station also has a secondary snow runway on a nearby glacier to the west. Rothera Point includes, adjacent to its North Cove and abutting the station, an Antarctic Specially Protected Area (ASPA No. 129). The ASPA is used by scientists as a control area for reviewing impacts on the environment made by the station. The station supports a number of field huts and facilities, especially by air, as well as field camps that vary according to the needs of scientists. Rothera manages over 15 fuel and food depots throughout the Peninsula. The fuel depots, totaling some 300 barrels, are inspected and refurbished at least once every two years. Depots consist of anywhere from 4 to 100 fuel drums. Major depots are located at Fossil Bluff and Sky Blue (both manned in the summer). This depot network provides an impressive reach throughout the Antarctic. Personnel At the time of the Inspection Team's arrival, the station had 37 persons in place, pending arrival of the remainder of the summer complement that would raise the total in mid-summer to 110 persons. The station has sleeping accommodations for 136 personnel, and over the summer approximately 230 persons will transit the station and stay at least one night. Twenty-one persons wintered over this year. Of the 110 persons on station for the summer, 33 are scientists or scientific technicians. The remaining personnel provide logistics and support functions, including 23 construction workers building the New Bransfield House. One doctor is assigned to the station in the winter and two are assigned to the station during the summer. Personnel who winter over are usually hired on contracts of between 18 and 30 months. Rothera traditionally supports a wide range of scientific disciplines - marine biology, glaciology, geoscience, meteorology, terrestrial biology and upper atmospheric physics. For the 2006-07 season, the following science programs were reported: Two glaciologists working at Pine Island Glacier in collaboration with the U.S. Antarctic Program (USAP); an aerial radar survey was conducted of Rutford Ice Stream; two biologists worked at Ellsworth Mountains; two geologists at James Ross Island; biology and geology programs were conducted involving the drilling of fresh water lakes in the Peninsula. Although no preliminary International Polar Year (IPY) work was planned at this stage, BAS indicated after the inspection that Rothera will have a prominent IPY role and that BAS is involved in 25 percent of all IPY programs. The Inspection Team noted that Pine Island glaciology has strong IPY potential for collaboration with USAP. The station supports the Bonner Laboratory, a substantially sized, stand-alone, multi-disciplinary scientific laboratory with scientific offices, conference space, general purpose labs, radioactivity lab (although no radioactive work is planned this year), chemistry/biology labs, an environmental lab, an aquarium lab, a dive locker, and a recompression chamber. Physical sciences such as meteorology and Mid Frequency (atmospheric) Radar science are supported in Bransfield House. Ships and aircraft support Rothera science. Ships include the civilian Royal Research Ship (RRS) James Clark Ross built specifically for BAS research and re-supply; HMS Endurance, a Royal Navy ship that supports BAS science and provides local helicopter support to Rothera; and the civilian RRS Ernest Shackleton, a sister ship to Endurance dedicated to BAS research and re-supply. There are four Twin Otters (DHC-6) at Rothera that provide logistical support to science throughout the BAS operating area. International collaboration in the 2006-07 season includes local terrestrial biology with Dutch and Belgian scientists as well as the annual collaboration with the USAP in a long-term ecological research (LTER) program. For the LTER program, the Laurence M. Gould will visit Rothera in January 2007 as part of a regular, annual collaboration that has been active over the past decade. Transportation, Communications and Facilities Rothera has one 60 m long wharf. The depth at the wharf was approximately 19 m allowing the Laurence M. Gould to dock pier-side without difficulty. The wharf is also used for the station's maritime operations. Rothera uses two 4.9 m outboard inflatable dinghies and four rigid-hull outboard-powered inflatable dinghies for local water operations. Rothera has a 900 m long and 45 m wide crushed rock gravel runway. Additionally, Rothera also has available to it a secondary runway on a nearby glacier. The snow runway is used for ski-equipped aircraft operations if the primary runway is out of service. Rothera operates one Dash 7 (DHC-7) and 4 Twin Otters (DHC-6). The aircraft are used to transport personnel and supplies to and from Rothera, and to conduct airborne science. The aircraft are also used to supply and support work at various sites in Antarctica. Rothera has no rotary wing aircraft. Air operations occur only in the summer months. During the season, the Dash 7 aircraft flies approximately 21 intercontinental flights while the Twin Otters operated numerous Antarctic continental flights. Rothera's runway had also been used in recent seasons by aircraft from Germany, Italy, Canada, Russia and the United States. As a safety measure, Rothera takes care to ensure that all personnel are aware of incoming flights and avoid crossing the runway when flights are arriving or departing. Twice a year, Rothera receives supplies from the James Clark Ross or the Ernest Shackleton. In addition to fresh and dry goods, both vessels also deliver fuel for aircraft and station operations. Normally, supplies are transported to the station in December and March. During the 2006-07 season, the James Clark Ross will visit Rothera four times in order to provide equipment and personnel support for ongoing building projects and scientific work. Additionally, the DHC-7 aircraft is used to bring in small loads of essential cargo as necessary. Communications. The station relies on several methods of communication, including VHF, UHF, Iridium, Sat B (Inmarsat), Mini M and a 24-hour VSAT satellite link hosting "BASnet." BASnet, which provides access to the Internet, became operational in 2004. BASnet has vastly improved communications for the base by providing 24-hour e-mail and inexpensive Internet-based telephone services, in addition to the vast range of information available on the internet. BASnet is very reliable, aside from the rare occasion when thick, wet snow interferes with the signal. Facilities. Water is provided by a reverse osmosis unit with a reported capacity of 110 l per person per day. There is a limited snow-melting capability as an emergency back-up. Toilets are salt water flush. Power is provided by three Cummins 680HP diesel generators. Typically one is operating, one is in back-up and one is in maintenance. A fourth emergency generator was reported to be in a container mounted on skids. Waste heat from the primary generators is used to heat the power plant. The station was starting to reach peak power capability and has had to reduce power demand by conservation efforts. Annual fuel consumption for power, boilers and vehicles was reported to be 600,000 l. A concerted conservation and alternative energy program was reported to be in its preliminary phase. As an initial input to this effort, monitoring gauges for water consumption at various locations were installed last year. Electric gauges will be installed during the 2006-07 season. The goal is to understand the specifics of the consumption of water and power so that conservation and alternatives can be best applied. BAS has created a new position, that of Sustainable Energy Engineer. This individual will deploy to Rothera in the 2006-07 season to develop conservation, co-generative and alternative energy plans. Currently there is no solar or wind power system, but the new building, New Bransfield House, will have solar power for water heating. Emissions are not monitored at the source, but lichens are monitored for heavy metal uptake. Hazardous chemicals are stored in a separate facility next to the Bonner Laboratory. The facility has secondary containment. The chemicals are segregated. Flammables are located separately from other chemicals. Bulk fuel storage consists of six 240,000 l tanks. The tanks are located next to the aircraft hangar. Three tanks store marine gas oil (MGO) and the other three store aviation fuel. The tanks are bermed for secondary containment. A number of secondary day tanks, located throughout the station, are used to fire boilers in various buildings. All were observed to have secondary containment. All tanks have a layer of insulating material between them and the ground. No differential settlement was observed. Piping is heated and is primarily above ground but goes under the runway to the main storage tanks. A significant amount of fuel is also stored in drums. There were 20-30 drums of gasoline for generators and vehicles, 20 drums of light kerosene for heaters, and approximately 270 drums of aviation fuel for depot maintenance. It was reported that there can be 400 to 500 depot fuel drums after a ship off-load. Currently, the drums are stored in standard 20-foot shipping containers in order to reduce exposure to corrosion. Since this is a standard fuel storage method, the Inspection Team recommends that secondary containment of these drums both on station and in the field be considered. Fuel resupply is done from the James Clark Ross and/or the Shackleton. Approximately 50 m of flexible hose is run from the ship to the permanent above ground pipeline. When fueling, "slam-shut" valves are used on piping to isolate any leaks. Drip trays (1/2 drums) are placed at joints. During fueling operations, "line walkers" patrol the piping to report and take action on any leakage. Fueling is conducted twice per year. Fuel volume in tanks is monitored by manual sounding. In the summer, fuel management is conducted by the facility engineer. In the winter, it is conducted by the power plant mechanic. It was reported that all fuel management operations are guided by written procedure. Arms and Military Support The Rothera station manager informed the Inspection Team that there were no firearms kept at the station and none were noted. However, he indicated that a variety of explosives were kept for use in scientific seismic work. Explosives and detonators were stored in separate locked compartments. The compartments were situated a safe distance from occupied station facilities. The station manager and seismic scientists were the only personnel with access to the explosives. The station is considering moving explosive compartments further away from the New Bransfield House, which is under construction. There is no military involvement in the management of Rothera or the running of the station. However, Rothera receives logistical and other support through the Royal Navy-operated HMS Endurance and from personnel of the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force. HMS Endurance provides helicopter support for BAS field parties during each season. Two Royal Navy personnel assist Rothera with radio communications in the summer. Additionally, two Royal Air Force personnel set up and maintain communication infrastructure at the station. According to station personnel, no military equipment is kept at Rothera and the station does not engage in military activities. Safety and Training In the summer season there are two doctors in residence and in winter there is one. A two-bed clinic is on station. Minor surgery (e.g., stitches, setting of bones) can be performed on station. Evacuation of personnel for major medical treatment would normally involve using the BAS Dash 7 aircraft to fly to Stanley, Falkland Islands. Plymouth Hospital in the UK provides telemedicine support. For winter evacuation, a Twin Otter might deploy from the UK or Canada. Alternatively, the UK has Chilean Air force contacts for Twin Otter support. Emergency medical support can be provided to nearby stations if requested. Air evacuation would be dependent upon availability of a Twin Otter landing site. Rothera has provided airfield and meteorology support to USAP-contracted Twin Otters performing winter medevacs at South Pole Station on two occasions. A recompression chamber is available for diving-related incidents. After a fire destroyed the original Bonner Laboratory in 2001, there was a concerted effort to determine the cause of the fire and to benefit from lessons learned. As a result, the rebuilt laboratory has a sprinkler system. Sprinklers will be installed in all new buildings, unless a review indicates that this is not necessary. Fire emergency plans are posted throughout the station. Muster points and a personnel location tagging board are located at the Bonner Laboratory and Bransfield House. Fire extinguishers are the primary fire fighting equipment. They are regularly inspected and changed. There is a portable foam fire fighting system for aircraft fires. The vehicle mechanics and an air unit assistant are specially trained in aircraft fire fighting by attending a three-day aircraft fire fighting course in the UK. A test of the fire fighting systems is conducted every week. There is a muster fire drill approximately monthly. Once per summer season there is a mass casualty drill. Smaller exercises are held in the winter. Environment Pollution (Oil and Chemical Spills). The station made available its oil spill contingency plan. The station facilities engineer, and during winter the power plant mechanic, are responsible for implementing the plan, which is maintained and updated annually by the BAS Environment Office in Cambridge. The station manager provided copies of the "Station's Risk Assessment for Oil Spill Response," the "Station Procedures for Vehicle Refueling," and the "Method Statement on Refueling, Ship to Shore." The station is equipped with approximately 100 m of Vikoma inflatable boom, absorbent boom and pads. The station also has available a Vikoma floating skimmer that, in the event of an oil spill into the marine environment, could be used to contain and collect oil and oily water. The station uses collapsible holding tanks to contain the collected oil and oily water. Training in oil spill response is given to station personnel before deployment by BAS with support of Oil Spill Ltd, an international oil spill response organization. Station personnel receive additional oil spill response training and orientation at the station once they arrive. Pollution control training exercises are carried out at least twice per year. The station's ability to provide assistance, such as personnel or equipment, in the event of a pollution incident beyond the immediate local vicinity is limited and dependent on the availability of vessels. The Team was informed that most of the station's oil spill incidents have involved the refueling of Skidoos. These are small spills and the station is taking steps to minimize and stop these incidents. The steps include improved dispensing nozzles and more training of personnel. The station's policy is to report all spills of 100 l or more to BAS Headquarters in Cambridge. Records of all spills, including those less than 100 l, are maintained at the station and periodically sent to BAS Headquarters. The station has coordinated two international oil spill exercises with visiting vessels. One was with USAP's Laurence M. Gould in 2003, and a few years earlier there was an exercise with the German vessel, Polarstern. Waste Management. The station has a well-organized and detailed Waste Management Handbook (Rev. 1 (2005)). The Station Support manager has responsibility for implementing the procedures in the Handbook. The Handbook is maintained by BAS and is reviewed and updated annually. Station personnel receive training in waste management before deployment to the Antarctic Treaty Area. The training is provided by BAS through a conference held in the UK. Once at Rothera, personnel receive additional training on the station's requirements for waste management. The Rothera Station does not use products made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or that contain polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Notices concerning waste management are displayed throughout the station facilities. These notices instruct personnel on types of waste such as recyclable materials (paper, glass, plastics, and metals) and other wastes such as spent batteries, biological and chemical wastes, as well as food wastes. The wastes are separated by category and baled and packaged for shipment to the UK. Office paper and cardboard are separately compressed; aluminum, metal cans and smaller steel objects are shredded and put into drums. All glass products are crushed and placed in drums. Plastics are similarly processed. The drums into which these materials are placed are color-coded and made ready for shipment out of the Antarctic Treaty Area. Radioactive materials used for scientific purposes are separately handled, processed and marked for transport to the UK for disposal. Treated lumber is specifically color-coded blue and are also shipped to the UK for disposal. The Station has a fully functioning sewage treatment plant. The produced sludge is pressed, dewatered and bagged for shipment to UK for disposal. The effluent water is treated under ultraviolet light and discharged into the bay. No other waste is discharged into the marine environment. The station does not put waste in landfills or ice pits, or discharge waste into the sea. Most empty fuel and lubricant drums are removed from the Antarctic Treaty Area. Some are steam-cleaned and the wash water is captured and placed in an onsite container to allow the oil and water to separate. The oil is skimmed off and the water is pumped into the treatment plant. Drums in good condition are used to transport the wastes off the station bound for either the Falkland Islands or the UK. The station has an old incinerator located outdoors near the construction for New Bransfield House. A new general waste incinerator will be brought on line during the 2006-07 season. Once the incinerator is fully functional, sewage sludge and food and clinical wastes will be incinerated at the station. The incinerator ash is bagged and shipped to the UK for disposal. The Inspection Team supported the station's need to bring a new more efficient incinerator on line as soon as possible. The current incinerator is in a poor state of repair and is fueled by scrap wood, which is not likely to produce the sufficiently high temperatures needed to properly burn wastes such as from avian products. The incomplete burning of this type of waste can produce emissions that could release the contaminants into the air that were meant to be destroyed by incineration. There is no landfilling of wastes by the station. Wastes produced by field parties is bagged and brought back to the station where it is processed and packaged for shipment to the UK. Although the station only allows imports of boneless meat (chicken, beef, etc.), other animal products/waste such as egg shells are incinerated. Laboratory cultures are sterilized through the use of autoclaves. Overall, the Inspection Team found the station's pollution and waste management well-organized and managed. Conservation. Prior to arrival at Rothera Station, all new personnel are required to attend a BAS conference where they receive lectures and reference material on the rules regarding the conservation of flora and fauna in Antarctica. Pilots carry charts indicating the location of sensitive areas. While the Ryder Bay is not known for a high concentration of wildlife, South Polar Skuas return to the area each summer to breed. A five-month permit was issued pursuant to Annex II for four individuals to make biometric measurements of these birds at Rothera Point and Anchorage Island in Marguerite Bay. Krill in Ryder Bay can attract fur seals and Adelie penguins to the station later in the season. In addition, Weddell seals, Crab Eater seals, Leopard seals, and terns can be found in the area. In 2004, fruit flies inadvertently brought to the station on fresh fruits and vegetables were found and eradicated. Since then, preventative measures and a monthly monitoring program have been instituted in food storage areas on the station. Protected Areas. Adjacent to Rothera Station is Protected Area 129, Rothera Point, Adelaide Island. This site has been in existence and managed by BAS since the station was established in 1975. There is nothing unique or rare within the site. It was specifically designed as a control area for the study of human effects on Rothera Point. Rothera personnel provided the observers with a copy of a permit authorizing entry to the ASPA by a Rothera Terrestrial Field Research Assistant for the purposes of biological sampling of soil, flora and invertebrates and monitoring of the breeding success of South Polar Skuas and Dominican Gulls. The permit appropriately included relevant provisions of the Management Plan. Rothera informs all personnel and visitors at their orientation about the location and prohibition on entering the ASPA. Maps of Rothera Station clearly indicate where the ASPA is located. Rothera reported one accidental incursion into the ASPA during the summer of 2005-06, which was duly reported through BAS channels. Another marker was added after this accidental incursion. The Inspection Team viewed the boundary of the ASPA and considered it to be well marked. A prominent sign at the point closest to the station clearly identifies the ASPA and announces the prohibition on entry. The sign also illustrates with a map the permissible walking path along the coastline. Rothera personnel indicated that the UK would release a proposed amended management plan in April 2007, more clearly showing the footpath and correcting the current management plan to state that the ASPA postings are marked by green signs rather than pink fuel barrels. Environmental Impact Assessment. Rothera Station personnel coordinate with BAS in Cambridge on environmental aspects of projects on a regular basis, including the potential environmental impact of station projects and activities. It is unclear based on discussions during the inspection whether the UK prepared written documentation of determinations that it is not necessary to prepare an Initial Environmental Evaluation (IEE) in particular cases, i.e., that "an activity is determined as having less than a minor or transitory impact," within the terms of Article 1.2 of Annex I of the Environmental Protocol. After the inspection, BAS Cambridge commented that Project Leaders must complete a Preliminary Assessment (PA) before their project can proceed. The completed PA form is assessed by the BAS Cambridge Environment Office as to whether the activity is likely to have less than a minor or transitory impact on the environment. If the determination by the Environment Office is that the impact is likely to be minor or transitory, then an IEE is carried out. If impacts are considered to be more than minor or transitory, then a Comprehensive Environmental Evaluation (CEE) is undertaken. Several field activities were described that might have environmental implications. For example, BAS maintains approximately 300 fuel drums at approximately 10 fuel depots throughout the Antarctic Peninsula and in other parts of Antarctica. It is not clear how BAS has evaluated the possible environmental impact of these fuel drums. In the future, BAS may wish to consider documenting in writing the factors and analysis that led to a determination that an IEE is not necessary in connection with this fuel depot activity and other similar activities that may have environmental implications, if it does not already do so. After the inspection, BAS commented that all field projects, including the establishment of drum depots, were evaluated for their possible environmental impact through the EIA process before they were allowed to go ahead. The PA form used by BAS documents in writing the factors and analysis that lead to a determination that an IEE is, or is not, necessary. Copies of all PA forms are held by the BAS Environment Office. Rothera reported the following Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA's) that have been prepared for activities currently being undertaken: a CEE for Rothera Point Airstrip; an IEE for expansion of Bonner Laboratory; an IEE for MF Radar; an IEE for the proposed construction of an accommodation building and operations at Rothera; and an IEE related to the 15-year planned redevelopment of the station. Rothera reported that a PA was prepared on the Sky Blue runway and field depot in October 2006. The UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office Polar Regions Unit requires pre-season and post-season reviews of EIA's. This entails review of whether the activities stated in the EIA's are indeed being carried out. This is distinct from environmental monitoring of the EIA's (see below). The station provided the Inspection Team with an IEE on the "Proposed Redevelopment of Rothera Research Station, Rothera Point, Adelaide Island, Antarctica," dated November 2005. BAS is planning to redevelop Rothera over a period of at least 15 seasons to provide new or refurbished facilities for accommodation, messing, science, recreation, storage, vehicle and boat maintenance, waste management and power generation. Several buildings are slated for demolition, and several new buildings are to be constructed. The construction and demolition will be undertaken within areas of previously leveled ground that have been subject to considerable station activity since 1975. Roughly the same number of square meters will be constructed as will be demolished. The IEE lists a series of mitigation measures that would be taken during the course of the project. The IEE concludes that "the proposed new buildings at Rothera Research Station are likely to have no more than a minor impact on the Antarctic environment, provided the recommended mitigation measures are carried out." The Inspection Team was shown the building site and confirmed that new construction will all take place within the "footprint" of the existing station. Rothera monitors four principal areas for possible environmental impacts: The concentrations of heavy metals in lichens around the BAS research station; the distribution, numbers and breeding success of nesting birds at Rothera Point, Adelaide Island and Anchorage Island; the environmental fate and effects of fuel leaks and spills at BAS research stations; and the near-shore marine biology and sewage pollution at Rothera Point, Adelaide Island. Tourism Two International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO) member tour ships are permitted at Rothera Station each summer season. IAATO tour ships coordinate with BAS in advance, and the station provides them with site guidelines for their visit. Ships either dock at the wharf or bring passengers ashore by Zodiac. Visits normally last about half a day, and visitors are given a guided tour ashore in small groups by station personnel. According to the station manager, visits to date by tour ships have been well planned, and have not caused any operational problems for the station. The station has a small store that sells souvenirs. Conclusions The Inspection Team was impressed with the overall operation of the station. Very considerable resources are expended at Rothera to ensure a high quality of support for scientific research conducted throughout a wide geographic area. Great care is taken to comply with environmental rules and to follow best practices. The Team recommends that Rothera managers not store steel drums containing waste out in the open, as was observed next to the Generator Shed. Outside storage in recycled containers can lead to accidental seepage or spills. In addition, the Team recommends that the UK implement secondary containment of fuel drums at the station and in the field to protect against spills. The Inspection Team supports the station's decision to replace in the very near future the current rusted incinerator with a newer more efficient model.
O'Higgins Base is located in the northwestern part of the Antarctic Peninsula at Cape Legoupil. The base was established in 1948 and was built in the midst of an existing Gentoo penguin rookery. The logistic support of the base is managed by the Chilean Army (Ejército de Chile). At the time of the visit, the winter-over personnel manning the base were all military. Turnover to summer personnel was expected in one week. The Inspection Team arrived at O'Higgins via Zodiac from the Laurence M. Gould on Thursday, November 23, 2006 at 1:00 p.m. The Team was greeted at the landing site by Base Commander Lt. Colonel Jorge Fuenzilida; Deputy Commander Major Pedro Sepulveda; and Science Officer Major Jorge Mell. These officers fully answered the Inspection Team's questions and provided a thorough tour of the base facilities. Two-day advance notice of the intended inspection date was attempted by telephone and e-mail directly to the base, but there were difficulties in communication as described in the communications section of this report. The Inspection Team also sought the aid of the Instituto Antártico Chileno (INACH), which was successful in alerting O'Higgins in advance to the Team's intended arrival. The inspection lasted approximately five hours. Physical Description O'Higgins Base consists of 1200 m² of combined floor area. One large, modern three-story building comprises the vast bulk of the base functions and houses all living, office, water and wastewater facilities. There are plans to move the power generators into the ground (basement) floor along with the other support facilities. There are a few additional unheated warehouses and garages on the base site. The initial building, built in phases and used from 1948 to 2000, stands adjacent to the new building built in 1999-2000. The old building is unoccupied and only serves to house minor storage and an incinerator. The old building is scheduled to be demolished and related material returned to Punta Arenas over the next few years. The base supports a refuge 47 km away near Esperanza Base (Argentina). The base commander indicated that the primary aim of the base is scientific research and establishing Chilean presence in Antarctica. Exploration away from the base has been curtailed due to three fatalities caused when a Snowcat fell into a crevasse. Personnel At the time of the Inspection Team's visit, O'Higgins had 17 persons at the station. One more person had recently left due to illness. All of these were Chilean Army personnel, assigned for a year. During the summer, there will be 53 persons at the station, comprised of the 18 military personnel, an additional complement of 15 military logistics and support specialists, and the remainder will be scientists. The station can handle a maximum of 60 persons, but the Chileans indicated that up to 50 is ideal. The station has two paramedics during the summer, but no doctor. According to the base commander, all personnel receive extensive training in Antarctic Treaty regulations from INACH before deployment, as well as training in safety, first aid, fire prevention and Antarctic maritime matters. The commander also receives special training related to his responsibilities. The 18 Army designees are chosen from among many applicants and are required to pass an examination on Treaty and other matters. All personnel must undergo medical and psychological screening, and appendectomies are mandatory. The base officers showed the Inspection Team copies of extensive materials related to the Antarctic Treaty, including treaty documents and regulations. They indicated that Chilean laws implement the requirements of the Environmental Protocol, and that staff at the station are trained in and required to follow these rules. Scientific Research O'Higgins was reported to support scientific research into ultraviolet (UV) measurements, magnetics (serving as a node in an international magnetics program headed by E. Zesta, UCLA), hydrology, oceanography and human physiology. At the time of the inspection the base was manned by the winter-over crew. There were no scientists in residence, thus the science activities being conducted primarily involved monitoring of continuous measurement instruments, namely a magnetometer for the SAMBA program (E. Zesta, Principal Investigator) and the operation of a UV Dobson meter. Weather data was recorded and transmitted to Frei Base. In addition, there was a human physiology study sponsored by Italy in which personnel were assigned exercise regimens on a variety of gym equipment (tread mills, weights and various workout machines) to see if there were changing physiological effects on humans caused by periods of darkness and light. A program of retinal physiology affected by periods of darkness and light was also performed. There is no separate laboratory, but one was reported to be planned. There are no radioisotopes used in scientific investigations. Transportation. O'Higgins is located on an island that is separated by about 50 m from the Antarctic continent during high tide. There were minor access trails on the facility. A wire bridge connected the main base with the base garage on the continent. O'Higgins maintains a 47 km snow/ice trail from the station to the Chilean Refugio General Jorge Boonen Rivera. The station uses a variety of ground vehicles including a forklift tractor, a Rigo container transporter, a Snowcat and eight Skidoo snowmobiles. The vehicles provide logistical support for the base as well as transportation for scientific work on the continent. O'Higgins had a small permanent concrete dock that allows a small boat to deliver containers from a supply ship to the station. O'Higgins also has a temporary small craft dock that is used for Zodiac operations. The dock is assembled in November and disassembled in March. The station operates one Zodiac. O'Higgins operates an ice runway on the nearby glacier. The runway is used by Twin Otters (DHC-6) flying from the Chilean Frei Base. Twin Otter flights average about one per month. Air operations are used to bring in essential supplies as well as personnel, and for emergency situations. Helicopters from Chilean naval vessels and Frei Base have also used the glacier landing area, but generally for only emergency situations. O'Higgins receives supplies approximately four times a year. In August, the base receives the majority of its supplies including fresh food and dry goods as well as fuel (diesel, oil, gas) for the year. In December, January and March, the base is re-supplied with fresh food as well as other essential material. O'Higgins is supplied by the Chilean Navy vessels Oscar Viel, Lautoro, and Leucoton. Additionally, supplies are also brought to the base via the Twin Otter. Communications. The Inspection Team had difficulty making contact with O'Higgins when trying to give advance notice of arrival. For example, the telephone number listed in the COMNAP ATOM directory turned out to be a private residence in Chile not connected with the base. Station personnel provided the following numbers for the base: Commercial Telephone: (56) (02) 4411245 or 4411525; Iridium Satellite: 881641417732. Station personnel confirmed that the email address is: baseohiggins@entelchile.net . INACH provided assistance in ultimately advising the base of the Team's intended arrival. Station personnel noted that its VHF radio is VHF 156.8 MHz (16) and not VHF 155.4 and 156.2 MHz as stated in the COMNAP Communications Directory. Its HF is 3100 KHz. Facilities. Potable water is supplied by a reverse osmosis system capable of generating 500 l per day. A backup snow melter is also on site. Power is supplied by three generators. Two produce 290 kw each and one produces 304 kw. The latter was to be shipped back to Chile for repair. No alternative energy sources are used. No hazardous chemicals were reported to be in use. Industrial chemicals (cleaning supplies) were stored in a location separate from the main station. Diesel fuel is stored in twelve outdoor storage tanks. There were three newer tanks containing 16,800 l each, eight older tanks containing 20,000 l each, and one older tank containing 21,000 l, for a total of 231,400 l. The newer tanks were well coated with paint but had no secondary containment. The paint on the older tanks was in need of re-coating. The older tanks did have secondary containment. It was reported that the older tanks were to be replaced and all tanks were to get secondary containment. Piping to and from storage tanks is over-ground. Refueling is from ship and a flexible hose is run from the ship to the permanent piping. Approximately six drums of helicopter fuel were stored outside without secondary containment. A 5000 l bladder of petrol (gasoline) for light vehicles was reported but not observed. Arms and Military Support O'Higgins is operated by the Chilean Army. Military personnel maintain the infrastructure as well as assist in the scientific work at the station. The Chilean Navy provides logistical support to O'Higgins on a routine basis. Additionally, a Chilean naval vessel is assigned to support and provide whatever assistance is required by all Chilean stations on the Antarctic continent. There are two paramedics on station. There is a small clinic for minor medical and dental care. Emergency medical evacuation can be facilitated by Twin Otters landing on the glacier behind the station. Evacuation would be first to Frei Base, where there is a larger clinic, and then on to Punta Arenas for more serious problems. Twin Otters can land at the base in summer or winter. A fire emergency plan with risk assessment was shown to the Inspection Team. There are fire hose locations throughout the station. All military personnel receive thorough fire training. Fire drills are conducted monthly - announced and unannounced. There is a survival station with survival food and equipment located in the basement of the gymnasium, a building separate from the main station. Day-long survival training is provided. Environment Pollution (Oil and Chemical Spills). The base has an oil and chemical spill contingency plan. The plan is updated annually. The plan will be updated shortly after the new commander arrives at the end of November. Pumps and approximately 140 l of dispersants are the only equipment available on base in the event of an oil spill. The base does not have booms or absorbent materials. Should there be the need to respond to an oil spill, the dispersants would be applied with the use of hand pump sprayers. The Inspection Team recommends that the base obtain absorbent pads and absorbent booms for oil and other chemical spills. The base has 12 separate fuel storage tanks. Eight of these hold 20,000 l of fuel (diesel) each and are within an open-air metal containment structure with sufficient capacity to hold the single largest fuel container. These tanks appear to be the older tanks on the base and appear to be in poor condition. As the base expanded, the need for additional fuel was addressed by adding another four tanks: one holding 21,000 l and three 16,880 l tanks. These tanks do not have secondary containment, whereas the older tanks do have secondary containment. Base personnel indicated that the older tanks were soon to be replaced. The Inspection Team endorses this planned replacement and recommends that secondary containment be installed on all tanks. If the older tanks will not be immediately replaced, the Team recommends that they be sandblasted, tested ultrasonically and re-coated. The base's fuel is delivered once per year and off-loaded to the tanks through hoses and surface pipe. Fuel (benzene (gasoline)) for the snow machines (Skidoos) is contained in a collapsible 5,000 l bladder. The base commander did not have any information or history of recent spills at the base; however he indicated that he is required to report all environmental spills/incidents to the Antarctic Department in Punta Arenas, Chile and to INACH. The base personnel receive pollution control training through INACH seminars in Punta Arenas, Chile. Once deployed to the base, the personnel receive base orientation on oil and chemical spill prevention and response. O'Higgins could possibly provide personnel but not equipment to assist in the event of a pollution incident nearby. The base commander recalled that there has not been a need to take a response action pursuant to Article 15 or the Environmental Protocol due to any environmental emergency. Waste Management. The base has a written waste management plan. The base's waste management plan is updated annually. A new waste management plan will be in place soon after the change of command. The station separates its waste by category. All paper, cardboard, glass, metal, wood, iron (old machinery), medical waste and batteries are separated and stored until shipped out of the Antarctic Treaty Area. The storage/holding area for these wastes is located in O'Higgins Base buildings. Several of these old buildings are scheduled for dismantling and the debris from these buildings will also be shipped out of the Treaty Area. Before being deployed, personnel receive specific training in Punta Arenas on the requirements for waste management in the Antarctic Area. Receptacles are marked for the separation of wastes. Electrical batteries are specially separated and packaged for shipment out of the Treaty Area to Punta Arenas for disposal. Waste oil is stored in drums that are kept in the open. The Inspection Team was concerned that the drums are beginning to rust and could leak as the metal oxidizes over a long period of time. Chilean personnel reported that there are no wastes containing harmful levels of heavy metals or acutely toxic or harmful persistent compounds on site. The base does not utilize PVC or polyurethane foams or polystyrene foam. All wood, including any treated wood, is removed from the Treaty Area to Punta Arenas. Some older fuel drums are located at the base. The base maintains a cache of fuel for helicopters from Frei Base should the fuel be needed. Secondary containment of all drums (whether for waste or fuel) is recommended. All other solid, non-combustible wastes are separated and stored until removed from the Treaty Area. Residues of carcasses of imported animals and all food wastes are incinerated; the ash is collected and stored until removed to Punta Areas. The incinerator is located in the older part of the station that is being dismantled. The incinerator appears to be part of the original construction of the base that was put in place in 1948. Although it is reported that the incinerator receives regular maintenance on a yearly basis, the Inspection Team noticed a distinct smoky odor coming from the incinerator that permeated throughout the older section of the station. The Inspection Team recommends that the incinerator and flue be inspected for leaks and repaired. It further recommends that consideration be given to replacing the incinerator with a modern high temperature system. The base employs a state-of-the-art sewage treatment system and treats all sewage and grey water with the effluent being discharged into the marine environment. Any waste generated by field parties is brought back to the station for separation and storage until removed from the Treaty Area. There is no landfill, ice pit disposal or open burning taking place at the station. An inventory of the volumes of wastes removed from the Treaty Area was not available to the observers during this visit. The station does not have fuel depots at this time. Conservation. Prior to arrival at O'Higgins, all personnel attend an INACH meeting in Chile where they receive a lecture on the rules regarding the conservation of flora and fauna in Antarctica. It was reported that there are no biological studies conducted at the base, and no permits have been issued pursuant to implementation of Annex II of the Environmental Protocol. The base was constructed in 1948 in the midst of an existing Gentoo penguin rookery. Monitoring by base personnel shows that many of the Gentoo penguin nests are in the same location as in 1948. While base personnel said they attempt to maintain a distance from the nesting penguins to prevent any disturbance, many of the nests are on or near base facilities where people must pass during daily activities, and thus close human contact with these animals is unavoidable. It is unclear whether penguin nests were taken during the construction of the new part of the Chilean facilities in 1999 and 2000, and if so, whether any permit was obtained for the taking of these nests. Protected Areas. There are no protected areas in the vicinity of the base. Environmental Impact Assessment. Most of the old part of the base is slated for demolition, while a few buildings dating back to 1948 will be preserved and probably restored. Construction of the new part of the station was completed in 2000. The base commander believed that both an IEE and a CEE had been performed prior to the construction of the new base and in relation to the upcoming demolition of the old part of the station. However, no copies of the IEE or CEE were available for review. It was suggested that INACH would have these materials. An IEE is in the process of being prepared in relation to the removal of existing fuel tanks and the installation of new fuel tanks. The commander stated that INACH is very diligent in ensuring that all activities receive appropriate environmental evaluation as required by the Environmental Protocol and Chilean law. INACH reviews the activities of the base with base personnel on a regular basis to determine whether an IEE or CEE is necessary, and it reportedly documents decisions not to conduct an IEE. Observers reviewed a document providing guidelines and questions to determine whether an IEE or CEE is needed. The base has a log book documenting environmental impacts on a weekly basis. For example, penguin nests, eggs and chicks are monitored, as well as other birds in the vicinity of the base. All monitoring is visual; there is no tagging and no touching of the birds. Tourism Conclusions The Inspection Team is in full accord with the stated plans to remove all or most of the existing old and unused portion of the base. As noted above, the remains of the old base should be removed from the Treaty Area. Absorbent pads and booms should be stored on site for use in any oil or chemical spill. The incinerator leaks should be sealed. The incinerator appears quite old and replacement with a new one should be considered. The base should have on hand copies of relevant IEE's and CEE's, particularly with regard to the demolition of the old base buildings and construction of the new buildings. The base should be more integrally involved in the environmental impact assessment process, including evaluation, preparation, implementation and monitoring of IEE's and CEE's. The Inspection Team is fully in accord with the intention of Chile to build a laboratory at the base. Science could be enhanced at the base and the fact that the base is within the boundaries of a Gentoo rookery would seem to afford a unique opportunity to study the wildlife and ecology of the region. A German scientific station is located next to, indeed within a few meters from, Chile's O'Higgins Base, and the Inspection Team took the opportunity at the time of its visit to O'Higgins Base to conduct a brief inspection of the German facilities. The Inspection Team was given a tour by the leader of the German station, Dr. Alfons Zimmer, and several of his colleagues. The facility is called the German Antarctic Receiving Station at O'Higgins. It is physically distinct from the Chilean station, and although the two entities cooperate closely pursuant to an agreement between Chile and Germany and share some resources, the two operate independently. The station at the time of our visit had six persons in residence (four Germans, one Brazilian and one Chilean). During the summer, this number rises to 12. The station is occupied four to five months per year, and the rest of the time O'Higgins personnel provide basic caretaking services. Personnel are medically screened prior to deployment. The German station consists of a series of modern prefabricated structures, brought in by ship in 1990, and occupies approximately 350 m2. It also includes a prominent satellite dish located next to the bay. The station is funded entirely by the Federal Republic of Germany, and is affiliated with the German Aerospace Center (DLR). A principal function of the station is to serve as an international ground segment of the German remote sensing data center. The station receives satellite data and imagery, including data related to measurement of the ozone hole over Antarctica, and Terra and Aqua MODIS Satellite images. Work is also performed by the German Federal Agency for Cartography and Geodesy, which measures terrestrial baselines between receiving stations in other parts of the world. The work is part of the Very Long Baseline Interferometer (VLBI) project. The Germans do not have their own vehicles and boats and must rely on Chile and others in this regard. Personnel come to the station via air from Frei Station. A German support vessel visits occasionally. The German Government requires that station personnel be trained in Antarctic Treaty-related regulations. Station personnel were not aware of any environmental assessment having been performed at the station, despite the fact that a power supply was added to the station two or three years ago. After the inspection, the German Federal Foreign Office commented that the installation of a backup power supply had been planned for several years but the installation took longer than originally planned. In the early stages of the planning process, the environmental impacts related to the installation had been examined and found to be less than minor or transitory. The installation of the power supply was subsequently approved by Germany's Federal Environment Agency on January 7, 2004. The related logistic operations (e.g., transport of the container) were not part of the environmental assessment because they were undertaken in accordance with a German-Chilean agreement that places such actions within the area of responsibility of the Chilean station operator. According to the documentation of the applicant, neither animals nor plants were directly or indirectly affected by the project. It appeared that the large satellite dish and much of the station itself, which was built in approximately 1990, had been constructed on the site of a penguin rookery. It was unclear to the Team whether penguin nests were taken during the construction of the German facility, and, if so, whether permits were obtained for the taking of penguin nests, consistent with the 1964 Agreed Measures for Flora and Fauna, which were in effect at the time of the construction of the station. After the inspection, the German Federal Foreign Office commented that, with respect to the location of the antenna in the immediate vicinity of a group of penguins, the construction created a wind-free area immediately adjacent to the concrete base on which the antenna had been built. Until recently, this area had hardly been used by penguins, since it was not ice-free for long enough periods of time required for breeding. The main penguin colony is found on the opposite side of the adjacent Chilean O'Higgins station. The area around the German station is experiencing high wind velocities which would normally prevent penguins from breeding there. By creating a less windy area, the installation of the antenna prompted the penguins to come to this spot. The researchers at GARS, who are physicists and technicians, report an increase in the overall number of penguins nearby the station in recent years. They do not interfere with the penguins but monitor them using webcams. The Inspection Team was shown a very impressive array of equipment supporting the station's operation, including generators, a waste water treatment facility, and reverse osmosis equipment for production of drinking water. The station appeared to be following carefully necessary protocols for disposal and separation of wastes. Firefighting and safety equipment appeared to be up to date. Overall, the Team left with the impression that the German station was well-run and organized. The Team appreciated the good will shown by the German station personnel, who had no advance notice from the U.S. Team, but nevertheless welcomed the Team warmly and cooperated in all respects. Argentina - Esperanza Base Esperanza Base is a year-round Argentine base located at the northern tip of the Antarctic Peninsula, on Hope Bay. It is operated by the Argentine Army, in coordination with Argentina's Dirección Nacional del Antártico (DNA). According to the base commander, it functions primarily as a scientific and logistical base, and also to establish a significant Argentine presence in Antarctica. A naval post was first established on the site in 1930. The base was established in 1952. In 1978, Argentina first brought families to the base, a practice which has continued. The Inspection Team arrived at the base at 10:00 a.m. on November 24. The Team was welcomed by the commander of the base, Major Alejandro Berto, who led the briefings and provided a full tour of the base's facilities. The Inspection Team gave Esperanza advance notice of approximately two days. The inspection lasted approximately seven hours. Physical Description The base, which occupies almost four square kilometers, has the appearance of a small town spread out on a hillside above Hope Bay, at the base of Mt. Flora, near Buenos Aires Glacier. The base consists of 37 buildings, variously constructed out of corrugated metal, concrete, and fiberglass. Many of these buildings were constructed after 1978. Among the buildings that the Inspection Team visited were the power station, the communication center, the hangar, the "casino" housing the kitchen and dining hall, the mechanics shop, a residence, the infirmary, two small laboratory buildings, the solid waste storehouse and the schoolhouse. Overhead electricity wires provide electricity throughout the complex. The terrain is loose rock, and a few gravel roads form the major arteries of the base. Near the base's dock is a kind of outdoor museum, featuring an old sledge, a recreation of an original Swedish stone hut, and a building with placards naming Argentine personnel who worked at the base affixed to the side. The Inspection Team was informed that there are plans to convert this building into a museum for visiting tourists. The base supports several refuges in the vicinity of the upper Antarctic Peninsula: Refugio Independencia, Refugio Cristo Redentor, Refugio Güemes, Refugio Abrazo Maipú and Refugio Malvinas. These refuges were reported to be used regularly for scientific and logistical purposes, as well as for search and rescue training. The base is adjacent to thriving Adelie and Gentoo penguin rookeries. A specially protected area, ASPA number 148, is approximately 3 km from the base, consisting of the upper portion of Mt. Flora. Personnel There were 57 persons at Esperanza at the time the Inspection Team visited, consisting of about 30 members of the Argentine Army, their family members (total of 7 families) and 4 scientists. All of them wintered over. In summer, the base has about 90 persons. Among the 90, 30 to 35 would be the military officers who wintered-over, 30 more military personnel working on logistics, a dozen additional scientists, plus family members of the officers. There are sometimes several non-Argentines among the scientists. This summer, additional personnel will arrive to work on finishing a museum housed in an existing building. Others may come for a few weeks at a time. The capacity of the base is about 100. There were reported to be twenty children living at the base at the time of the inspection, although the Inspection Team did not see any children. There are three teachers at the base, including a husband-and-wife team. Primary school students receive training from these teachers, while secondary students use distance learning for their education. Military officers assigned to the base must, prior to deployment, complete an eight-month course on matters relevant to their duties, including study of the Antarctic Treaty, related regulations and environmental protection. Scientists also have their own courses, as do wives of the officers. Courses are provided by DNA as well as the military. All persons on the base are subject to medical and psychological screening. Base personnel showed the Inspection Team detailed documents published by the Argentine authorities related to the Antarctic Treaty and its various underlying rules and regulations, including the Environmental Protocol. Relevant documents are maintained at the base's main office. In addition to training in Argentina, new arrivals receive orientation training at the base on its procedures, protection of flora and fauna, and other matters. Every two months, there is additional training on various subjects. Scientific Research Scientific studies at Esperanza were reported to be in the fields of biology, marine biology, limnography, seismic studies (in conjunction with Italy), tide measurements, avian and mammal studies, glaciology and oceanography. There were four scientists on station at the time and approximately 12 were expected throughout the season. The base houses two laboratories which consist of two 20-foot storage containers converted to office/lab space. Permanent instrumentation consists of a tide gauge, and a seismometer. Scientists are typically expected to bring their own equipment and supplies. A new laboratory that will concentrate on wind power is under construction. This project will be conducted in conjunction with Canada. Typically, two to three foreign national scientists were reported to participate in scientific studies every year. Scientists normally are Ph.D. or Masters level depending upon the type of projects. There was a reported 50/50 split between Instituto Antártico Argentino (IAA) staff scientists and University based scientists. Typical international collaborations with Japan, Spain and Italy were reported. No radioisotope work is done on the base. Transportation, Communications and Facilities Transportation. Esperanza has approximately 1.5 km of unfinished access roads throughout the base. The road surface consisted of gravel and crushed rocks. The base used a variety of ground vehicles, including nine tracked-type vehicles, one all-terrain vehicle, three wheeled-type heavy duty trucks, and 16 snowmobiles. The vehicles allow for personnel and supply transportation throughout the area of the base. Esperanza receives supplies three times a year. The supplies are transported to the base by the Argentine Navy ship Almirante Irizar in December, February, and March. Goods are either transported in by Zodiacs or flown to the base via helicopter from the ship. Additionally, supplies are also brought to Esperanza via Twin Otters (DHC-6) operating at the glacier airfield nearby. Esperanza has two small wooden and metal docks from which small boats operate. The base has three semi-rigid inflatable boats. At the time of the inspection, only one boat was operational. The boats are mainly utilized to support scientific work. Esperanza operates an ice runway on the nearby Buenos Aires Glacier. Twin Otters (DHC-6) operating from the Argentine Station Marambio land at the base 15 to 20 times a year. Additionally, the base also maintains a helicopter pad. Helicopters from Marambio and the Argentine Navy use the pad for logistics operations and for emergency transportation. Communications. Communication facilities include basic and cellular telephone, VHF, UHF and HF radio, e-mail and internet. Facilities. Water is provided from a nearby snow melt lagoon, which is located near a penguin rookery. The water is filtered and chlorinated. Power is provided by three 180 kw Caterpillar diesel generators. Only one generator operates at any one time. Annual fuel consumption was reported to be 200,000 - 220,000 l. Currently, there is no alternative energy used. Hazardous chemicals such as paint are stored in a loft in the sewage treatment plant. No hazardous scientific chemicals were reported. The primary fuel used is diesel. It is stored in thirty-two 10,000 l tanks plus three 15,000 l tanks. These tanks are all co-located away from the main base and manifolded together. They stand on cement platforms but have no secondary containment. There is sufficient spare volume in tank capacity that if one were to leak, its contents could be pumped into other tanks. There are float alarms in each tank that indicate any leakage. This data is transmitted to a central control room. The tanks appear to be well maintained and well coated. There are 2000 l of JP-1 and 500 l of gasoline stored in drums in a warehouse. They are used for Twin Otter and Skidoo fueling. Piping is above ground. Fuel is brought to the base by ship and helicopters based off the ship. Helicopters ferry 2000 l tanks from the ship to shore where the contents are pumped into the storage tanks. This annual fueling process takes approximately two days. A senior mechanic is responsible for fuel management. For the transferring of fuel, a ship-based helicopter lifts a fuel bladder to a staging area where it is connected to the land fuel pump system to be transferred to the base's tanks. A container more rigid than a bladder is used to transfer the fuel from the ship to shore. The transfer process takes about two days to complete. The availability of some absorbents at the base is generally helpful in the event of a spill, but there are no spill containment booms available in the event of a discharge of oil while the transfers are under way. Arms and Military Support The base commander indicated that there were no firearms or explosives at the base and none were noted by the inspectors. Esperanza Base is operated by the Argentine Army, in conjunction with DNA. The Argentine Navy provides logistical support to Esperanza on a routine basis. Safety and Training There are typically one doctor and two nurses at the base during winter and summer. At the time of the inspection, there were two doctors. The second doctor was the spouse of the primary doctor. The base has a small clinic, a pharmacy and a dental office. Emergency evacuation for medical situations beyond the capability of the base can be done by Twin Otters operating out of Marambio Station. This can be done in summer or winter. In the summer there is also the possibility of helicopter transport through Marambio and ship support. The base has a fire emergency plan and showed a copy of the plan to the Inspection Team. There is a water hydrant system throughout the base and fire extinguishers are in each building. Each home was reported to have a smoke detector and a carbon dioxide (CO2) detector. All personnel are trained in fire fighting. A training emphasis is on fire prevention. There are two fire muster stations. Fire drills are practiced typically every two months and are typically desktop (paper) drills. The base engages in search and rescue exercises, at times coordinating with Chile's O'Higgins Base, which is the closest base to Esperanza. Environment Pollution (Oil and Chemical Spills). The base has an oil and chemical spill contingency plan that is updated annually. Revisions and updates to the plan coincide with the change in personnel and command. Revisions to the plan are based on need. The base stores a supply of oil absorbent material but does not have containment booms. Base personnel receive training in oil and chemical spill response as part of their overall training prior to deployment to the Antarctic Treaty Area. Personnel arriving at the base receive additional training and orientation of base operations. This additional training is given by the outgoing base commander and other officers. Bimonthly training seminars are held throughout the year. The training strongly stresses care and prevention of spills at their facilities. In the event of a pollution incident nearby, the base's ability to provide assistance is limited by the number of personnel available and the distance from the base where the incident may have occurred. The primary method of assistance for such an incident may be limited to assistance with communications. The base commander did not have any records or recollection of pollution that may have damaged the facilities or had an impact on the environment. By Argentine law, the base personnel are required to report all fires or spills of greater than 20 l to the IAA-Environmental Division and internally to the Argentine Army Command. Waste Management. The base has a written waste management plan that is updated annually. Revisions and updates to the plan coincide with the change in personnel and command. Personnel receive training on the requirements of waste management and the need to minimize the impact of waste on the environment in the Antarctic Treaty Area. The training stresses the need to separate wastes by category, regulations governing the storage of waste, and the need for the safe removal of the wastes from the Antarctic Treaty Area. The wastes are separated in the categories for, inter alia, glass, paper, plastic, cardboard, metal, waste oil/lubricants and wood. The commander showed the Inspection Team a framed color coded chart explaining the waste categories and stated that they are located throughout the base, including in all residences. Used lead-acid and dry cell batteries are stored separately. The liquid from the batteries is drained and stored separately from the other wastes. The dry cell batteries are also kept separated from the rest of the wastes. The number of dry cell batteries is very small. The wastes removed from the base out of the Antarctic Treaty Area are taken to Buenos Aires for final disposal by the contractor hired through IAA. The base produces monthly waste reports. The base neither uses nor stores radioactive materials, and does not have any materials that contain heavy metals or acutely toxic or harmful compounds. The base does use PVC piping at its facility. The observers notified the base commander of the need to specifically track any waste PVC materials and to ensure that these are removed from the Antarctic Treaty Area. The observers noticed the presence of small amounts of polystyrene packing material and advised the base commander of the Protocol's prohibition on the introduction of such material under Annex III, Article 7. The base does not use treated wood products. Fuel drums on base are recycled as containers for waste storage and removed from the Antarctic Treaty Area. Some of these drums are used to store waste oil, waste lubricants and sludge from the fuel oil storage tanks. The drums containing these waste oil materials are held outside to await removal from the base. The Inspection Team counted approximately 30 of these drums, some of which were rusted. The Team expresses concern that the waste oil drums may start to leak and spill their contents into the environment. Food wastes including carcasses of imported animals, avian products and kitchen food waste is incinerated and the ash is collected and stored in crates to await removal from the Antarctic Treaty Area. Emissions from the incinerator are not monitored. Waste produced by field parties is collected and brought back to the base for separation and processing. The base operates a biological based sewage treatment plant. The plant is in operation on Mondays, Wednesday, Friday and Saturdays. The effluent water is treated with chlorine before being discharged into the marine environment. Every three months, the sewage sludge is removed and placed in drums for storage until it is removed from the Antarctic Treaty Area. On average, three drums of sludge are produced every three months. The base does not have any trash/waste landfill operations. An old landfill that was once used by the base was closed many years ago, and was reported to have been cleaned up. It was reported that there is no open burning, sea ice discharge or ice pit disposal at that base. Conservation. Esperanza base personnel and their families all take a mandatory course in Argentina which includes rules on the conservation of flora and fauna in Antarctica. The base also has reference guides that include instructions on how to prevent harmful interference with flora and fauna in Antarctica. There is a large Adelie penguin rookery in close proximity to the base reported to have an estimated 120,000 breeding pairs, as well as a smaller Gentoo penguin rookery. Base personnel are restricted from entering areas where penguins are nesting. Also, it was reported that the base closed a helicopter pad to avoid any disturbance to penguins nesting in a nearby rookery, and constructed a new pad in an area distant from nesting penguins. There are ongoing biological studies of the penguins, and a permit was issued pursuant to Annex II for three researchers to study the reproductive parameters of the Adelie and Gentoo penguins through their diets. The timeframe of the permit is from October 2006 to February 2007. There was another permit issued in December 2004 to two individuals to recover dead penguins, skuas, and cormorants for taxidermy. All equipment is cleaned and fumigated before entering Antarctica. Fresh fruits are brought to the base in minimal quantities. No alien species have been reported at the base. Protected Areas. ASPA no. 148, formerly Site of Special Scientific Interest no. 31, Mt. Flora, is located approximately 3 km from the base, beginning about a third of the way up the mountain. Its purpose is to preserve the fossils contained in the rocks of the mountain. The site was one of the first fossil floras discovered in Antarctica and has played a significant role in deducing the geological history of the Antarctic Peninsula. The base does not depict the boundaries of the ASPA on maps of the area, but the Inspection Team was informed that there are plans to prepare a map showing the ASPA boundaries. The ASPA boundary is not marked, and there are no signs at the entrance to the ASPA. Base personnel are briefed on the location of the ASPA, and are told that they are prohibited from entering it. The ASPA is located outside of the perimeter of the base, and base personnel are prohibited from leaving the perimeter of the base. On the tour of the base, the commander pointed out the general area on the mountain where the protected area began. The commander provided the Inspection Team with a copy of a one-week permit authorizing two army personnel and one DNA employee to enter the ASPA for the purpose of taking GPS positions to be used for the creation of a topographical map of Mt. Flora. Base personnel did not have a copy of the management plan, and appeared to be unaware of its existence. The Inspection Team provided the base with a copy of its English language version of the management plan. The management plan states that the site's "long history as an easily accessible site and the large amount of fossiliferous debris occurring in scree has made it vulnerable to souvenir collectors, and the amount of material available for serious research has been considerably depleted." The Team recommends that the base create a map of the ASPA clearly showing its boundaries, and that the base post signs at markers at the base of Mt. Flora which show the boundaries of the ASPA and inform visitors of the prohibition on entry. The Inspection Team recommends that Esperanza implement these recommendations, especially in light of the considerable presence of tourists at the base. Environmental Impact Assessment. The base provided an environmental manual and a "practical guide" on environmental protection, which contain sections on EIA's, including discussion of the procedure for preparing CEE's and IEE's. Base personnel stated that DNA required authorization prior to any new construction, and that DNA was diligent about environmental review. However, it did not appear that base personnel were familiar with the EIA requirements. For example, base personnel were not aware whether a CEE or IEE had been prepared prior to the construction of the sewage treatment plant in 2000. In addition, base personnel did not know whether an IEE had been prepared with respect to a new project with Canada on wind energy which will include the conversion of a residence into a laboratory and the construction of more than one wind tower. In addition, while the commander reported that the base performs no monitoring of the environmental impact of the activities of the base, a document provided by the base suggested that the base does regularly monitor water quality and the penguins living nearby. The Inspection Team recommends that DNA more closely involve base personnel in the Environmental Impact Assessment process, including the review of whether an IEE is necessary in the first instance, the preparation of IEE's and CEE's, and the implementation of IEE's, including monitoring of environmental impacts of base activities. Tourism Esperanza Base is frequently visited by tourists in the Antarctic Peninsula, and may be one of the Antarctic sites most frequently visited by tourists. Indeed, it appeared that Esperanza actively seeks tourist vessel visits. Statistics collected by the base show that each year they receive visits from approximately 25 tour ships carrying between 45 and 200 passengers, as well as approximately two or three yachts, and flights from Twin Otter planes and helicopters. In total, the base is visited by approximately 2,300 tourists per year. The base has developed procedures to manage tourist visits and provides guided tours of the base. Small groups of 20 to 25 people are guided on an hour-and-a-half tour of the base, and no more than three groups are on-site simultaneously. The base is converting one of its buildings into a museum, and there is a gift shop and a number of historic artifacts on-site. Tourist operators give sufficient advance notice to base personnel. On a few occasions, the base has notified a tourist operator of conflicts that have prevented a visit. Conclusions Esperanza Base appeared to be very well managed and maintained. Personnel at the base appear to take great pride in their work and to have deep appreciation of the importance of preserving the Antarctic environment and the wildlife adjacent to the base. The Inspection Team recommends that the base create a map of ASPA no.148 clearly showing its boundaries, and that the base post signs and markers at the base of Mt. Flora which show the boundaries of the ASPA and inform visitors of the prohibition on entry. It also recommends that DNA more closely involve base personnel in the Environmental Impact Assessment process, including the review of whether an IEE is necessary in the first instance, the preparation of IEE's and CEE's, and implementation of IEE's and CEE's, including monitoring of environmental impacts. The Inspection Team believes that the base should install secondary containment for fuel drums containing waste oil to ensure that oil leaks do not affect the environment. The Adelie penguin rookery adjacent to Esperanza Base is thought to be the most northern large colony of Adelies. It has been estimated to number up to 120,000 pairs. It would appear that the convenient location of such a large colony could lead to an expansion of census and scientific study of the animals and the local ecology. The Inspection Team encourages such an expansion of biological, ecological studies and that the results of such studies be made readily available.
Bellingshausen Station is a year-round station located in Maxwell Bay on King George Island. Bellingshausen is operated by the Russian Antarctic Expedition (RAE). It functions primarily as a scientific station. Bellingshausen Station was established in February 1968 and has been in continuous operation since that time. It is the most recent Antarctic station built by the RAE. The station is adjacent to Chile's Frei Station. The Inspection Team arrived at the station at 9:30 a.m. on November 27. The Team was welcomed by the station manager, Mr. Oleg Sakharov. Mr. Sakharov and Mr. Sasha Orup provided all the responses on behalf of the station. Since another U.S. team had visited the station in 2001, the Inspection Team was seeking only an update to information previously provided. As a result, the inspection lasted only three hours. The Inspection Team attempted to give Bellingshausen two days advance notification. However, due to communication difficulties, Bellingshausen had only one day of advance notice. After the inspection, Mr. Sakharov transported the Inspection Team to the nearby Chinese Great Wall Station for the Team's next inspection appointment. Physical Description Bellingshausen occupies an area of one square kilometer. It is situated on loose rock with a few gravel roads throughout the facility. The station consists of 15 buildings. The station's buildings include a meeting building, communication center, computer lab, administrative office, living quarters, kitchen and dining hall, power plant, garage, warehouse, and church. The initial buildings were erected in 1968. The most recent structure is a Russian Orthodox Church built in 2004. The church was built in Siberia. It was disassembled and shipped to Bellingshausen where it was reassembled. It is located on the ground of an abandoned "hut." The station manager indicated that there is no plan for expansion of the facility in the near future. Bellingshausen is in the vicinity of the Antarctic Specially Protected Area Ardley Island (ASPA No. 150). The site is protected because of its penguin and petrel population. Personnel At the time of the visit, the station had 18 persons, including 6 scientists, 4 mechanics, a doctor, a priest and his assistant. Three more personnel were expected shortly. There is a resident doctor who is at the station all year. The normal winter complement is 13. In winter, the station's maximum capacity is 28, and 40 persons could be housed at the station in an emergency. Most personnel stay for a year, although the station manager and some others have one and a half year terms. Personnel were given initial training courses in Russia prior to departure and supplemental training while at the station on issues such as safety, environmental rules and related matters, including implementation of the Antarctic Treaty and Environmental Protocol. All personnel are subject to advance medical clearance in St. Petersburg. This clearance has been made stricter than in the past. At the station, each person is subject to a heart diagnostic each month, and the data is sent to Russia for analysis. Inspectors were informed that the Antarctic Treaty and other relevant documents were available at the station. The station manager instructs the staff with respect to what they must do to ensure compliance. The station manager reported that studies were being conducted in marine biology, ecology, flora (lichen studies), hydrology, and ornithology. (RAE later noted that the station was conducting studies on sea ice and coastal monitoring and meteorology.) A continuing cooperative program with Germany has resulted in a winter ecology and ornithology program with emphasis on skuas and sheathbills. One German scientist who had wintered over was on station at the time of the Team's visit. The station manager reported that a collaborative program with the Korean Antarctic Program has been initiated. As part of the collaborative efforts, the Koreans will populate and outfit a laboratory in one building at Bellingshausen. The Russians will provide logistic support including housing, food, power and water for the program. At the time of the visit, an existing building was in the process of being cleared out for future use as a laboratory. Interior construction of the lab was scheduled to commence in January 2007. The station manager indicated that the collaborative nature of the project was patterned after successful cooperation between Argentina and Germany in the Dallman Laboratory at Argentina's Jubany Base. The cooperation between Korea and Russia was reported to start in the 2007-08 season. No radioisotopes were reported to be used in scientific experiments. Transportation, Communications and Facilities Transportation: Bellingshausen is connected by a system of unimproved gravel roads to Frei Base, Great Wall Station and Artigas Station. The roads are used for transportation between the four stations. Bellingshausen's ground vehicles included three trucks, one car, one bulldozer, and one tractor. Bellingshausen does not have a small craft pier. However, the station operates two small craft: a small inflatable boat and a landing craft for cargo transport. Bellingshausen has no aircraft or helicopter at the station. The station does not operate a helicopter pad. Communications: The station manager reviewed the COMNAP Antarctic Communications Directory and noted several erroneous entries. The accurate information is as follows: Inmarsat: Phone: 762-284-325 The station uses VHF and HF radio. At the time of the inspection, the station had Internet access on a trial basis, including WIFI. The station manager was hopeful that Internet would remain at the station on a long-term basis. Facilities: Potable water for Bellingshausen is provided by a glacial melt stream and lake that flows freely all summer. In winter, the lake does not freeze, allowing a constant source for the station's two water tanks. It was reported that there was no need for water filtering or chemical treatment. Three new generators (60 kw, 75 kw, and 100 kw) had been installed since the previous inspection. Only one generator is needed to power the station and the lowest output generator is selected to accommodate the need. The annual consumption of fuel was reported to be less than the 100 tons noted in the previous inspection, but actual annual consumption was not available. No solar, wind or co-generative energy conservation measures were reported. After the inspection, RAE commented that there is a plan to turn one of the existing older buildings into a greenhouse equipped with solar batteries and a wind generator. The work will be done in cooperation with Mission Antarctica, a UK non-governmental organization. There are three 1000 ton, and six 200-300 ton fuel tanks located about 2 km from the Station. It was reported that only two of those tanks were in use. These tanks are rusted and pitted with no secondary containment. The condition in which all large oil tanks are maintained at the station was a matter of concern to the Inspection Team. The fuel from these large tanks is transported to the station by a truck with a tank to fill four large day tanks located near the power station. The day tanks had recently been cleaned, visually inspected and recoated. A new secondary containment concrete berm had been installed since the last inspection. This berm, however, was only about 6-8 inches high around the perimeter of the tanks and appears to be insufficient to contain a spill from one tank if it were to empty fully. In addition, an open 1-1/2 inch pipe was installed in the base of the berm as a water drain. This would also drain any fuel leak until plugged. Arms and Military Support The station manager reported that there were no firearms or explosives at the station and none were noted by the inspectors. Additionally, the manager also indicated that the station had 4 "flare rockets" for use by small craft crew during an emergency. The station manager indicated that Bellingshausen Station does not receive support from, or provide assistance to, the Russian military. Safety and Training There is a small one-bed medical clinic and a one-chair dental clinic staffed by a doctor who is on station both winter and summer. There is cooperation with doctors and medical facilities at nearby stations. Emergency evacuation, if necessary, could be done with Chilean air assets at Frei Station. The station is equipped with fire extinguishers. No sprinklers and no fire detectors are installed on station. Environment Pollution (Oil and Chemical Spills). The Team was shown a Russian language copy of the oil and chemical spill contingency plan. Bellingshausen has a limited supply of oil spill containment materials such as absorbent pads and booms. Station personnel receive seminars on oil and chemical spill prevention and response prior to departing for the Antarctic Treaty Area. The Inspection Team was informed that the station carries out pollution training exercises on a regular basis. Station personnel are not equipped to provide assistance with equipment but would be willing to assist in any other way should a pollution incident occur nearby. The Inspection Team was informed that there have not been any accidents in the last three years resulting in damage to station facilities or the environment. Any incidents would be reported to RAE in St. Petersburg and to Roshydromet in Moscow. Waste Management. The station manager provided a Russian language copy of the station's waste management plan. Bellingshausen's personnel receive training on waste management at the station and on the need to minimize the environmental impact of waste. Waste management notices are displayed near waste receptacles in the various buildings at the station. Batteries are separated from the rest of the station wastes. Bellingshausen collects used oil in metal drums and stores them until removed from the station. Plastics, paper, food scraps and avian products are incinerated and the ash is collected and stored. PVC pipe material is collected and stored at the station's waste deposit. Fuel drums are reused as waste storage containers for glass, metal cans, and waste/used oil. Scrap metal from old equipment is also stored until it is removed from the Treaty Area. Bellingshausen operates an incinerator for paper, food scraps and avian products. The incinerator ash is collected and stored at the dep |
