Title  : Sanitary wastewater management, McMurdo
Type   : Antarctic EAM
NSF Org: OD / OPP
Date   : December 29, 1989
File   : opp93003

                             FINDING

Proposed Action:

Proposal for Improvement of Sanitary Wastewater Management at
McMurdo Station, Antarctica.

Sponsoring Agency:

U.S. Antarctic Program (USAP)
Office of Safety, Environment and Health
Division of Polar Programs
Directorate for Geosciences
National Science Foundation

Environmental Summary:

The discharge of raw sewage and other wastewater (i.e., kitchen and
bath wash water) into the ocean at McMurdo Stations is highly
controversial.  The newly proposed Antarctic Treaty Code of Conduct
recommends maceration of station domestic wastewater and deposition
where conditions exist for rapid dispersal in the ocean.

USAP has, for a number of years, considered various alternatives
for the effective treatment and management of domestic wastewater
discharges from its coastal antarctic stations.  Currently,
wastewater effluent from McMurdo Station is discharged directly to
McMurdo Sound.  The goals of the proposed action are to establish
primary treatment of the wastewater through maceration and dilution
and to submerge the now elevated outfall.  The action will include
monitoring of current patterns, and periodic testing of the
effluent.

Environmental Determination:

 X  "I find the proposed action to be of no significant
     environmental impact."

   /"I find the proposed action to be of no significant
     environmental impact provided that it is modified by the
     following mitigative measures:...."

   / "I find the proposed action to be of significant environmental
     impact."

The Environmental Impact Assessment is attached to this document.
The Assessment, together with this FINDING, has been distributed to
those organizations indicated on the attached list.

signed                             Date: Dec 29, 1989
Robert W. Corell
Assistant Director for Geosciences

Additional information on the Environmental assessment and the
FINDING can be obtained by contacting Dr. Sidney Draggan,
Environmental Officer, Office of Safety, Environment and Health,
Division of Polar Programs, National Science Foundation,
Washington, DC  20550; Telephone (202)357-7766.

EXTERNAL DISTRIBUTION LIST

Council on Environmental Quality
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Federal Activities
U.S. Department of State
Parties to the Antarctic Treaty

    +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

                 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT
                               for

          IMPROVEMENT OF SANITARY WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT

                               at
                   McMurdo Station, Antarctica

                         Prepared by the
                   Division of Polar Programs
                   National Science Foundation

                        December 1, 1989

Approved: signed                         Date: December 7, 1989
          Sidney Draggan, Ph.D.
          Environmental Officer

Approved: signed                         Date: December 10, 1989
          Peter E. Wilkniss
          Division Director

    +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

                    ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
          IMPROVEMENT OF SANITARY WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT
                   MCMURDO STATION, ANTARCTICA

                            CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

BACKGROUND
     The Long-Range Development Plan
     Current Safety, Environment, and Health Developments

CURRENT WASTEWATER SITUATION

     Characterizing McMurdo Station's Wastewater
     Current Patterns in McMurdo Sound
     Potential Effects of Fill Placement on the Benthos
     Potential Effects of the Wastewater Effluent on the
          Benthos

OVERVIEW OF THE PROPOSED ACTION

     Proposed Action
     Alternatives Considered

PURPOSE OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT

Description of the Project Environment
     Existing Site Conditions
     Site of the Proposed Action
     Proposed Site Alterations or Improvements
     Buildings or Other Structures
     Other Site Alterations or Improvements
     Description of McMurdo Station's Utility Systems

ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS

Environmental Assessment Criteria
     Use of natural resources
     Pollution
     Environmental management associated with the action
     Human values
     Project modications considered

ASSESSMENT QUERIES

Summary of Responses
     Use of natural resources
     Pollution
     Environmental management associated with the action
     Human values
     Project modications considered

COMMENTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

REFERENCES

APPENDIX A

                             FIGURES

Figure 1.  Current Patterns in McMurdo Sound near McMurdo Station.
Redrawn from J. Barry (Personal communication).

Figure 2.  Schematic drawing of Benthic Survey Sampling Transects
at location of proposed action.

Figure 3.  Map of McMurdo Station.

Figure 4.  Schematic Drawing of Plan for Proposed Action.

Figure 5.  Schematic Drawing of Plan for Proposed Action.

                             TABLES

Table 1.  McMurdo Station wastewater analysis

Table 2.  McMurdo Station sewage and brine flow

                          INTRODUCTION

The United States Antarctic Program (USAP) is the nation's program
for research and presence in Antarctica.  It is funded and managed
by the Federal Government.  The National Science Foundation (NSF)
has overall funding and management (lead agency) responsibility for
USAP and U.S. activities in Antarctica.  NSF conducts detailed
planning of logistics, and transmittal of logistics requirements to
the Naval Support Force Antarctica, to the U.S. Coast Guard
(primarily provision of icebreaker services), and to a civilian
contractor (currently ITT/Antarctic Services, Inc.).  NSF guides
these support units in facilities management, design, planning,
engineering, construction, and maintenance.

Background

The site of McMurdo Station was chosen by the United States, during
the International Geophysical Year, as the main logistics staging
base for U.S. activities in Antarctica.  The site has an important
role as a base in the support of science on the Antarctic
Continent.  Periodic reviews of national policy and scientific
research objectives have repeatedly confirmed that McMurdo
Station's location makes it the primary choice for staging U.S.
scientific activities in Antarctica for, at least, the next several
decades.

Early development of the site of McMurdo Station was characterized
by an ad hoc construction program developed to satisfy rapidly
changing operational and scientific requirements.  During this
early development the Antarctic Program was viewed by decision
makers as expeditionary, and many of the structures were considered
temporary in nature.  In the mid-1960s, the U.S. Navy (as the
Program's manager) recognized that U.S. presence in Antarctica was
more permanent than had been thought, and additional construction
was begun.  This construction included reticulated water and sewage
utility connections.  Many of these old facilities are in use
today.  This period in McMurdo's development lasted through the
early 1970s when responsibility for the Program was transferred to
the National Science Foundation.

Unfortunately, over many years the budget for facilities
construction has been austere, limiting the orderly replacement of
all old expeditionary structures and facilities.  Additionally,
increased emphasis on scientific research, and an increasing level
of scientific research being accomplished at McMurdo Station placed
burdens on an already over-loaded facilities infrastructure.  Many
temporary structures and facilities were added to satisfy needs.

The Long-Range Development Plan.  To address the facilities
infrastructure shortfall, and in recognition of increasing
awareness about wise antarctic development and environmental
management, NSF commissioned a Long Range Development Plan (LRDP)
in the late 1970s.  Today, NSF continues to be engaged in an
extensive program to upgrade McMurdo Station's physical plant.

The LRDP addresses safety, environmental, quality of life,
scientific and logistic support, and other issues instrumental in
delineating a program of planned station development.  The
following criteria governed formulation of the LRDP:

o  Reduction of the station's physical size to minimize utility
   runs and circulation requirements;

o  Consolidation of like functions;

o  Grouping of operational functions requiring continual interface;

o  Adoption of a construction program that affords early completion
   of priority facilities;

o  Development of a physical layout that minimizes energy and
   manpower requirements (includes closing of seasonal-use
   facilities);

o  Development of a physical plant layout suitable for
   efficient operation by either military or civilian personnel;
   and

o  Development of a construction program that will not adversely
   affect station or aircraft operations.

Throughout the construction plan proposed in the LRDP, a parallel
demolition program was outlined to eliminate outmoded, inefficient
or unsafe facilities.  Though the LRDP is over 10 years old, it
serves, as yet, as the basis for development and new construction
at McMurdo Station.

In 1980, the USAP prepared a Final Programmatic Environmental
Impact Statement (EIS) that reviewed the continuation of the
Program, including the introduction of improved waste treatment
technologies from time to time (Division of Polar Programs 1980).
Since the proposed action is within the program analysis of the
EIS, this Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) will be considered
part of the tiering process associated with that EIS.  Currently,
this programmatic EIS is being supplemented by the Division of
Polar Programs.

Current Safety, Environment, and Health Developments.  In the
President's Fiscal Year (FY) 1990 budget request to the U.S.
Congress, the National Science Foundation proposed a major, multi-
year Safety, Environment, and Health Initiative.  One of the
environmental goals of the initiative is to bring present
operations into agreement with current regulations, prevailing
attitudes, and current technology.  This Initiative would provide
the human and financial resources needed to effect environmental-
related improvements, including waste disposal and management, and
environmental monitoring.  In FY 1990, NSF expects to receive about
$10.0M to plan and implement environment-related tasks.

Current Wastewater Situation

The discharge of raw sewage and other wastewater (i.e., kitchen and
bath wash water) into the ocean at the McMurdo and Palmer Stations
is highly controversial.  The existing Code of Conduct for
Antarctic Expeditions and Station Activities adopted by the
Antarctic Treaty parties recommends, at a minimum, that all sewage
from coastal stations be macerated before dispersal (Scott Polar
Research Institute 1987).  The newly proposed Code of Conduct for
Antarctic Expeditions and Station Activities recommends maceration
of coastal station domestic wastewater and deposition where
conditions exist for rapid dispersal in the ocean (Scientific
Committee on Antarctic Research 1989).

USAP has, for a number of years, considered various alternatives
for the effective treatment and management of domestic wastewater
discharges from McMurdo Station into McMurdo Sound, Antarctica.
Currently, wastewater effluent from the station (i.e., human faeces
and urine, bath water, and kitchen wash water) is discharged
directly to McMurdo Sound.  Immediately adjacent to this raw sewage
outfall is an outfall for brine from McMurdo's desalination plant.

Characterizing McMurdo Station's Wastewater.  Two wastewater
samples were analyzed to characterize the station's wastewater
effluent at the end of the 1988-1989 austral research season.
General indicators of pollution used in these tests indicated, as
expected, an effluent best characterized as a strong, raw domestic
sewage.  No unusual levels of heavy metals or substances deemed
toxic or hazardous were found in the effluent (Table I).

                             TABLE I
               McMurdo Station Wastewater Analyses

                                             Sampling Date
Parameter
Measured                    05-JAN-89        09-FEB-89

Arsenic                     <0.02 ppm        <0.02 ppm
Boron (soluble)              0.4 ppm          0.3 ppm
Cadmium                     <0.02 ppm        <0.02 ppm
Copper                       0.45 ppm         0.50 ppm
Cyanide                     <0.01 ppm        <0.01 ppm
Iron                         3.3 ppm          0.8 ppm
Lead                         0.05 ppm        <0.05 ppm
Manganese                   <0.05 ppm        <0.05 ppm
Mercury                     <0.05 ppm        <0.05 ppm
Nickel                      <0.05 ppm        <0.05 ppm
Selenium                    <0.02 ppm        <0.02 ppm
Silver                      <0.05 ppm        <0.05 ppm
Zinc                         0.5 ppm          0.35 ppm

Ammonia-N                   13.4 ppm         16.6 ppm
Nitrate-N                    0.45 ppm         0.11 ppm
Nitrate-N                   0.017 ppm        0.018 ppm
Total Kjeldahl-N            71.2 ppm         131.0 ppm
Total Phosphorus            250.0 ppm         13.0 ppm

Total Suspended Solids      182              539
Volatile Suspended
 Solids                     132              500
Total Dissolved Solids      1248             2045

Biochemical Oxygen          545              1680,1590
  Demand

ORGANICS

Chloroform                  0.0011           <0.0004
Bromoform                   <0.0002          <0.0002
Bromodichloro-methane       <0.0001          <0.0001
Chlorodibromo-methane       <0.0001          <0.0001
Glycol                      <0.6             <0.6

VOLATILE ORGANICS

Benzene                     <0.004           <0.004
Carbon tetrachloride        <0.0001          <0.0001
1,2 dichloroethane          <0.0150          <0.0150
1,1 dichloroethylene        <0.002           <0.002
1,1,1 trichloroethane       <0.0001          <0.0001
para dichlorobenzene        <0.020           <0.020
vinyl chloride              <0.005           <0.005
methyl isobutyl ketone      <0.2             <0.2
methyl ethyl ketone         <1.3             <1.3

USAP actively enforces policies that prohibit the addition of toxic
or hazardous substances into the wastewater effluent streams of its
antarctic coastal stations.  In its interpretation of the results
of this limited, yet rigorous, sampling effort the testing
laboratory noted that given the characteristics of the domestic
sewage effluent NSF needed "... to evaluate the acceptability of
the strength of this waste in the context of the isolation of the
base, the volume of waste being released and the potential for
dilution and dispersion" (C.J. Nokes, personal communication).

Information on sewage and brine flow were obtained from a single
set of measurements conducted by the Manager of the Eklund
Biological Laboratory at McMurdo.  Results of this limited study
appear in Table II.

                            TABLE II

Parameter      Sewage       Brine            Combined
Measured       Discharge    Discharge        Discharge

Temperature (oC)  25.5      36.0             30.3
Salinity (ppt)    -         46               21
Refractive Index  -          1.3415          -
Flow Rate (L/sec)  1.9       1.6              3.5

Consideration, with respect to ocean currents and biotic
communities in the vicinity of the existing wastewater outfall, has
been given to the selection of an appropriate site for a proposed
submerged outfall. This was to assure that effluent is not taken up
by the seawater intake for drinking water production (from
desalination); and, to minimize potential impacts to the scientific
research value of near shore marine environments at McMurdo Station
that might be caused by sewage effluent as well as sedimentation
from fill materials used to support a submerged outfall.

Current Patterns in McMurdo Sound.  While most studies of seawater
circulation patterns in McMurdo Sound have been made in the
vicinity of McMurdo Station, the activity of currents near the site
of the proposed action are, as yet, incompletely understood
(Raytheon Service Company 1983; Barry and Dayton 1988).  Recent
data and opinion (J. P. Barry, personal communication) on nearshore
current patterns indicate a predominant northward flow.  It is
known that current direction changes with the tidal cycle but that
net movement is northward.  Currents in the area of the proposed
submerged wastewater outfall are believed weak; however,
measurements have been made in that area (Figure 1). During 1990,
USAP plans to install current meters in the area of the proposed
submerged outfall to clarify the nature of current patterns.  This
information will be assessed and included in the supplement to the
programmatic EIS.

Potential Effects of Fill Placement on the Benthos.  On November
20, 1989, a survey of the benthos at the site of the proposed
submerged wastewater outfall was conducted by divers.  Three 100-
foot transect lines were deployed at the base of the proposed
wastewater outfall jetty.  The lines were marked at 25-foot
intervals.  North and south transect lines were placed at
opposing 45o angles to the central (westerly) transect line that
followed the path of the proposed submerged outfall (Figure 2).  At
25-foot intervals along each of these transect lines, divers made
visual sightings and measurements within a 4.0 foot2 area.  At
thirteen sampling sites, they noted:

o  abundance and variety of benthic organisms;

o  depth of siltation (in inches); and

o  pneumofathometer depth soundings.

Numbers of motile benthos (starfish, urchins, worms, and fish) were
greater at nearshore sampling sites; numbers of sessile benthos
(anemones) were greater at offshore sampling sites.  These
observations were consistent with observations made previously at
the site of McMurdo Station's seawater intake.

Siltation ranged from an average depth of about 0.75 inches at the
25- and 50-foot marks of each transect line to about 2.25 inches at
the 100-foot marks.  Silt in the area of the proposed action was
noted to be coarser than that noted previously at the site of
McMurdo's seawater intake.  This difference may indicate that silt
at the site of the proposed action derives from the effluent
issuing from the existing elevated outfall rather than from surface
runoff.

Tangentially, during four years of work at the site of McMurdo's
seawater intake, large quantities of fill and rock were used to
prepare a jetty resulting in moderate dispersal of silt.  Silt
deposition offshore decreased with increasing depth.  This moderate
siltation over a four year period appears to have had little or no
effect on marine life at the site of seawater intake jetty (D.
Rubino, personal communication).

The survey team noted that the benthic communities at the site of
the proposed action and at the seawater intake jetty were
comparable; and, that numbers of organisms increase proportionally
with depth.  The influx of freshwater from either snowmelt or from
the existing elevated outfall may account for this relationship.
Barry and Dayton (1988a, 1988b) have noted dramatic differences in
the productivity of McMurdo Sound's benthos.  These authors note
that advective processes clearly influence benthic faunal patterns;
but, that existing information on their productivity fails to
explain these patterns.

Siltation from the placement of fill is expected to have minimal
effect on benthic communities in the vicinity of the proposed
action as their presence actually derives from siltation resulting
either from freshwater runoff or the existing wastewater outfall.
Siltation would have an effect on the sponge community near the
site of proposed action; however, this community has already been
adversely affected by previous siltation (P. Dayton; R. McLean, R.
Reed, and S. Railsback, personal communications).

Variables Determining the Potential Effects of the Wastewater
Effluent on the Benthos.  Additional measurements are needed to
supplement the information on effluent characteristics reported in
Table II since flow rates for sewage and brine noted there were
approximately equal:  a brine flow rate significantly higher than
that for sewage would be expected.  The discrepancy may be due to
the fact that the single sample was obtained while the Old Water
Plant was in use (supplementing the freshwater output of the New
Water Plant); or, because the sample was obtained at a time when
water usage exceeded water production.  Also, more information is
needed on the temperature of effluent that would issue from the
proposed submerged outfall.  Its temperature will depend on heat
loss as it passes through the proposed outfall pipe.  This heat
loss will depend on pipe type and size, and effluent flow rate and
velocity.

Distribution of suspended solids from the proposed submerged
wastewater outfall will depend on the characteristics of the
resultant plume.  Nearshore benthic communities will be afforded
greater protection if the plume exits the outfall pipe at low
velocity, allowing suspended solids to deposit in a confined area.
A neutrally-buoyant or slowly rising plume is most desirable.  A
plume's dispersion and buoyancy characteristics are controlled by
the density of the effluent (which depends on effluent temperature
and salinity) and by its exit velocity.  A plume's temperature may
be adjusted by controlling addition of brine and by selecting the
pipe diameter to control heat exchange over the length of the pipe
(different pipe diameters and outlet sizes result in different
rates of effluent cooling). Salinity of a plume may be adjusted by
controlling addition of brine.  Effluent exit velocity may be
controlled by choice of effluent pipe diameter.

Smith and Nelson (1985, 1986) and Wilson et al. (1986) have noted
that warming and dilution of antarctic surface waters tend to
increase primary productivity and promote productivity in higher
trophic levels.  Such warming and dilution would accrue from the
domestic wastewater effluent as would increased input of nutrients
associated with the effluent (i.e., for example, carbon, nitrogen,
and phosphorus).  El-Sayed and Mandelli (1965) and Holm-Hansen
(1985) have shown that nutrient levels in antarctic waters are
usually high and they believe that these may not be critical to
primary production. These studies suggest that only very high
levels of warming, seawater dilution and nutrient input could be
expected to alter (negatively or positively) the character or
benthic communities near the McMurdo Station submerged wastewater
outfall.

                 OVERVIEW OF THE PROPOSED ACTION

Proposed Action

Initiation of Maceration and Dilution of McMurdo's Domestic Sewage
Effluent and Installation of a Submerged Wastewater Outfall.
As noted above, USAP has considered over several years how best to
improve treatment of the domestic wastewater effluent generated at
McMurdo Station.  The first goal of such improvement is to
establish primary treatment of the wastewater through maceration
and dilution
(with the hot brine residual from the station's seawater
desalination facility) prior to discharge to McMurdo Sound.  This
improvement would go beyond recommendations in the Antarctic
Treaty's Codes of Conduct noted above.  The action will include
subsequent monitoring of nearshore current patterns, and periodic
analysis of the primary treated effluent to determine if additional
treatment is necessary.  Figures 3 and 4 show the location of the
proposed action.

Alternatives Considered

Alternatives considered during planning for the proposed action
included:

o  Do nothing;

o  Adopt only dilution of the wastewater prior to elevated
   outfall discharge;

o  Adopt only maceration of the wastewater prior to elevated
   outfall discharge (as recommended in the Codes of Conduct);

o  Adopt dilution and maceration of the wastewater prior to
   elevated outfall discharge;

o  Adopt nearshore, submerged raw effluent discharge with
   dispersion;

o  Adopt secondary treatment of the wastewater prior to submerged
   discharge, with consideration of necessary infrastructure and
   required levels of performance;

o  Adopt tertiary treatment of the wastewater prior to submerged
   discharge, with consideration of necessary infrastructure and
   required levels of performance; and

o  Adopt a closed system for the recycling and recovery of all
   substances in McMurdo Station's domestic wastewater.

         PURPOSE OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT

NSF's Division of Polar Programs has conducted this environmental
assessment to provide the cognizant officials of all USAP
components, and interested parties, with an understanding of
environmental issues pertinent to the proposed action.

The assessment was conducted pursuant to Executive Order 12114, and
Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting Recommendation XIV-2 (Human
impact on the antarctic environment:  Environmental impact
assessment.).  The assessment addresses the environmental
implications of initiating primary treatment of McMurdo Station's
wastewater by the processes of maceration and dilution; and,
discharging this primary treated effluent via a submerged outfall
into McMurdo Sound, Antarctica. This assessment examines whether
this action will significantly affect the quality of the
environment at that location.  This document and its findings will
be transmitted to Antarctic Treaty Parties through appropriate
channels.

Description of the Project Environment

Existing Site Conditions.  McMurdo Station (77o51'S 166o40'E) is
located on Ross Island, Antarctica.  The island is of volcanic
origin and is roughly triangular in shape, approximately 45.0 miles
on a side.  Land not covered by ice and snow amounts to only a
small percentage of the island's total area.  Approximately 2.0
square miles of land are exposed in the vicinity of McMurdo
Station, of which less than 0.5 square miles constitutes the
station complex.  McMurdo Station is located on the southern slope
of a circular basin which is bordered by three prominent hills and
McMurdo Sound which is 8,047 square miles in area.  The entire
station area consists of volcanic rocks that are predominately
basaltic.  Scoriaceous and cindery masses are found on the ground's
surface.

McMurdo Station has 8 basic land use categories:

o  Science Support Facilities;

o  Living Facilities;

o  Logistic Support Facilities;

o  Recreation Facilities;

o  Air and Ship Operations Facilities;

o  Utilities' Plants;

o  Utilities' Systems; and

o  Circulation Systems.

Site of the Proposed Action.  Figure 4 shows the area at McMurdo
Station where the proposed action will take place.  The current
elevated (about 4 feet above the seawater surface) and separate
sewage and brine outfalls are located at the southern side of
Winter Quarters Bay.

An existing quay, to be extended as part of the proposed action was
constructed earlier from local fill material (see Figure 5).

Proposed Site Alterations or Improvements.  This assessment details
USAP's proposal to initiate primary treatment (through maceration
and dilution of McMurdo Station's domestic wastewater effluent) and
to combine and submerge the now elevated outfalls.  The end of the
new outfall pipe would be about 50 feet offshore (Figure 4)

To protect the proposed 16-inch diameter, polyethylene outfall pipe
from damage by sea ice, it would be placed within a 48-inch
diameter corrugated steel culvert.  The submerged outfall
pipe/culvert combination would be supported by a 15 to 20 foot,
seaward extension of the outfall quay that would then slope down
further seaward to a depth of about 50 feet (Figure 5).  The
supporting and extending material would be fill obtained from an
existing construction site.  It is estimated that about 3,000 cubic
yards of this fill material will be required for extension of the
quay and for support of the submerged outfall pipe/culvert
combination.

A sample of this fill material was sieved, dried and subjected to
a grain size distribution analysis.  The analysis revealed that
about 25 percent of the fill material is within a size category of
2.0 mm diameter or less.  With sufficient current activity, fill of
this size could spread to areas surrounding the work area during
placement of the fill.

Buildings or Other Structures.  A building to house a sewage
macerator and dilution facilities already exists at the site of the
proposed action.

Other Site Alterations or Improvements.  Re-routing of the domestic
wastewater outfall to maximize the separation between the outfall
and the seawater intake for potable water production has been
considered.  The facilities utilidor serving the area of the
proposed action will be enlarged.

Description of McMurdo Station's Utility Systems.  In the early
days of the Program, some structures at McMurdo Station were
connected by a complex utility system with overhead lines for
electrical distribution and aboveground lines for water
distribution and sewage collection.  Buildings were added to the
distribution system as the Program matured.  Separate support
structures were built for the overhead power, telephone, and fire
alarm lines as well as for the aboveground fire suppression water,
seawater, potable water, wastewater, and fuel distribution lines.
These utilities are currently being relocated into a single support
structure carrying all utilities in a single, consolidated right-
of-way.

Water lines at McMurdo Station are a combination of fiberglass,
polyvinyl chloride, cooper, and galvanized piping.  Insulation for
these lines are a mix of different materials.  These lines are
being replaced, in conjunction with the consolidated right-of-way
concept (within a pre-insulated utilidor pipe).

Most of the larger buildings at McMurdo are now connected to
portable water lines and to sewer lines.  Most of the domestic
sewage is collected and piped by a gravity system to the elevated
outfall located on the southern side of Winter Quarters Bay.  This
main outfall has existed at several locations, but in the same
general area, for as long as McMurdo Station has had a sewage
collection system.  One temporary outfall operates; but, it will be
incorporated into the main outfall.

                     ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS

The proposed action involves the initiation of primary treatment of
McMurdo Station's wastewater by the processes of maceration and
dilution; and, the discharge of this primary treated effluent via
a submerged wastewater outfall into McMurdo Sound, Antarctica.  It
does not signify the potential for an increase in research or
logistic activity within the Program (as materials to accomplish
the action are currently on-site).  The action is expected to
upgrade wastewater characteristics and should allow for more
efficient waste management.

Environmental Assessment Criteria

To assist in the identification of potentially sensitive or
critical environmental effects, the Division of Polar Programs used
a set of 21 environmental impact criteria as a guide for this
analysis.  These criteria, in five categories, are shown below:

I.  USE OF NATURAL RESOURCES

 1.  Will the proposed action change traditional use of the site?

 2.  Will the proposed action use land or ocean areas for purposes
     unsuitable to their physical or environmental characteristics?

 3.  Will the proposed action have any associated indirect impacts
     on the environment?

II.  POLLUTION

 4.  Has protection of the environment and human health from
     unnecessary pollution been considered for this proposed
     action (includes such considerations as pollution
     abatement or mitigation, and waste management)?

 5.  Has environmental protection been considered in any
     construction or logistics operations associated with
     implementation of proposed action (i.e., disposition of
     one-time use materials, construction wastes)?

 6.  Will the proposed action change ambient air quality at
     the site?

 7.  Will the proposed action change ambient water quality
     at the site?

 8.  Will the proposed action change waste generation or
     management at the site?

 9.  Will the proposed action change energy production or demand,
     personnel and life support, or transportation requirements
     at the site?

10.  Will the proposed action adversely affect scientific studies
     or locations of research interest (near and distant, short-
     term and longterm)?

11.  Will the proposed action affect terrestrial marine or
     freshwater ecosystems within the environs of McMurdo Station?

III.  ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATED WITH THE ACTION

12.  Overall, will the proposed action include measures and
     facilities for the management of biological laboratory
     wastes?

13.  Overall, will the proposed action include direct or indirect
     measures and facilities for the management of laboratory or
     industrial chemicals or substances that may be deemed
     hazardous or toxic?

14.  Overall, will the proposed action include measures and
     facilities for the management of radioisotopes and
     radioisotope wastes?

15.  Overall, will the proposed action include measures and
     facilities for assuring occupational health and safety?

IV HUMAN VALUES

16.  Will the proposed action encroach upon any historical property
     of the site?

17.  What other aspects of the site and what environmental values
     associated with the site, that might be affected by the
     proposed action, have been considered?

V.   PROJECT MODIFICATIONS CONSIDERED (includes alternatives and
     mitigative measures considered).

18.  Have alternatives to the proposed action been identified;
     and, have the probable effects of such alternatives been
     considered?

19.  Have measures have been identified and considered to
     mitigate adverse impacts of the proposed action?

20.  Have any modifications of the proposed action been taken
     or considered to minimize environmental impacts?

21.  Have measures to assess the indirect costs of the proposed
     action been identified or considered?

Environmental Impact Assessment Queries to Responsible Officials
and Experts

Officials responsible for the proposed action, cognizant NSF staff
members, and experts knowledgeable about the proposed action,
antarctic marine environments and environmental impacts were
interviewed about the proposed action.  Relevant representatives of
the NSF's Committee on Environmental Statements and Office of the
General Counsel were also canvassed concerning this assessment (see
Appendix A for individuals queried).

Summary of Responses

In the following paragraphs, the responses of these officials and
experts on the environmental impact criteria and relevant
environmental issues are summarized:

USE OF NATURAL RESOURCES.

Criterion 1.   Received, overall, a NO  response.  From the early
               days of McMurdo Station development, the station's
               wastewater effluent has been disposed of at, or
               near, the site of the proposed action.

Criterion 2.   Received, overall, a NO response.  Given the
               relatively large size, high productivity and
               normally high nutrient levels of McMurdo Sound, it
               possesses a capacity to assimilate (Woodwell 1987)
               the organic carbon (and other nutrient
               elements) associated with the stations wastewater
               effluent.

Criterion 3.   Received, overall, a YES response.  Initiation of
               primary treatment of domestic wastewater at McMurdo
                            Station will make the effluent more
                            assimilable. Outfall submersion will
                            enhance dispersion--again improving
                            effluent assimilation through the
                            natural environmental process of
                            degradation.  It will also preclude
                            use of additional treatment that would
                            be both cost-and energy-inefficient or
                            that would introduce environmentally-
                            troublesome substances (e.g.,
                            trihalomethanes) into the natural
                            environment.

POLLUTION

Criterion 4.   Received, overall, a YES response.  The proposed
               action represents an effort at pollution abatement
               within the contexts of the antarctic environment
               and antarctic operations.  It will enhance
               wastewater management at McMurdo Station.

Criterion 5.   Received, overall, a YES response. Most of the
               materials to be used for the proposed action are
               already on-site or of local origin.  This precludes
               environmental impacts associated with materials
               transportation.  Excess materials from construction
               will be either re-stocked or retrograded,
               as necessary.

Criterion 6.   Received, overall, a NO response.

Criterion 7.   Received, overall, a YES response.  The proposed
               action will improve the assimilability of McMurdo
               Station's wastewater effluent through natural
               environmental processes.  Wastewater management at
               the station will improve as the effluent will be
               monitored in a more comprehensive fashion.

Criterion 8.   Received, overall, a YES response.  Overall,
               wastewater management and monitoring will be
               enhanced.

Criterion 9.   Received, overall, a YES response.  Use of
               maceration equipment may incur a slight increase
               in energy usage.  The effluent's diluent (brine)
               is a by product of water desalination that would
               have to be pumped into McMurdo Sound irrespective
               of the proposed action (i.e., there will be no
               additional energy usage for dilution). There will
                            be an increase in effort for
                            environmental monitoring associated
                            with the proposed action.

Criterion 10.  Received, overall, a YES response.  The submersion
               of the outfall, coupled with appropriate plume
               characteristics will confine solids associated with
               the effluent.  Additional impacts to the sponge
               community near McMurdo Station, already affected by
               siltation from prior activities and snowmelt
               runoff, are expected to be negligible.

Criterion 11.  Received, overall, a YES response.  Siltation
               associated with fill placement and outfall
               operation is expected to enhance development of the
               soft-bottom (benthic) communities in a localized
               area in which they normally do not exist.

               The sponge community will experience a negligible
               negative impact from siltation.

               Primary productivity in an area already rich in
               nutrients is not expected to change.

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATED WITH THE ACTION

Criterion 12.  Received, overall, a YES response.  No laboratory
               waste, other than those permitted for wastewater
               disposal by USAP policies, will enter the domestic
               sewage system.

Criterion 13.  Received, overall, a YES response.  USAP has,
               and enforces, policies precluding disposal of such
               wastes substances in the domestic sewage system.
               There are acid collection or neutralization
               facilities, and waste oil capture systems
               available, and in use.  Toxic or hazardous
               substances are collected and retrograded.

Criterion 14.  Received, overall, a YES response.  All radioisotope
               wastes is collected and retrograded.

Criterion 15.  Received, overall, a YES response.

HUMAN VALUES

Criterion 16.  Received, overall, a NO response.

Criterion 17.  Received, overall, a YES response.  The proposed
               action is near a site that experienced poor
               environmental protection and management in the past.
               The proposed action includes efforts to ameliorate
               environmental damage at and near that site.

PROJECTED MODIFICATIONS CONSIDERED.

Projected Modifications Considered

Criterion 18.  Received, overall, a YES response.

Criterion 19.  Received, overall, a YES response.  USAP plans to
               conduct further monitoring of current patterns at
               the site, as well as more comprehensive analysis of
               the effluent.  Should these efforts evidence
               problems, USAP is prepared to consider higher
               levels of wastewater treatment.

Criterion 20.  Received, overall, a YES response.  Originally, only
               primary treatment (maceration and dilution) was
               considered.  Adoption of outfall submersion,
               following expert advice, was viewed as more
               environmentally compatible and more sensitive to
               the scientific value of McMurdo's nearshore marine
               environments.

Criterion 21.  Received, overall, a YES response.

                  COMMENTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Following the period of enquiry, responses of the responsible
officials and experts were analyzed and summarized.  Again, this
environmental impact assessment addressed the environmental
implications of initiation of primary treatment of McMurdo
Station's wastewater by the processes of maceration and dilution;
and, the discharge of this primary treated effluent into McMurdo
Sound, Antarctica via a submerged wastewater outfall.

The results of any monitoring and modelling efforts not available,
or incomplete, during the period of this environmental impact
assessment will be considered during the supplementing of the
Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PELS) for the U.S.
Antarctic Program. Work to supplement this PEIS is now going on.

Overall, the discussion and responses provided by the panelists
suggest that the proposed action will not significantly affect the
quality of the environment at McMurdo Station, Antarctica.

Given the findings of this environmental impact assessment, it is
recommended that a finding of no significant impact be attached to
the proposed action.

                           REFERENCES

Barry, J. P. and P. K. Dayton. 1988a.  Current patterns in McMurdo
Sound, Antarctica and their relationship to local benthic
communities.  Polar Biology  8:367-376.

Barry, J.P. and P. K. Dayton. 1988b. Hydrographic patterns in
McMurdo Sound, Antarctica and their relationship to local benthic
communities.  Polar Biology  8:377-391.

Division of Polar Programs.  1980.  U.S. Antarctic Program, Final
Environmental Impact Statement (reprinted October 1984).  National
Science Foundation Report No. NSF 84-81.  National Science
Foundation, Washington, DC.

Holm-Hansen, O. 1985.  Nutrient cycles in Antarctic marine
communities (pp. 6-10).  In W. R. Siegfried, P. R. Condy, and R. M.
Laws (eds.), Antarctic Nutrient Cycles and Food Webs. Fourth
Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research Symposium on Antarctic
Biology.  Wilderness, South Africa (September 1983).

El-Sayed, S. Z. and E. F. Mandelli.  1965. Primary Production and
standing crop of phytoplankton in the Weddell Sea and Drake
Passage.  Antarctic Research Series 5:87-106

Raytheon Service Company.  1983.  Report on the McMurdo Station
Water Quality Study. Middletown, RI.

Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR). 1989.  Waste
Disposal in the Antarctic:  Report of the SCAR Panel of Experts on
Waste Disposal.  Scott Polar Research Institute.  Cambridge,
England. 53pp.

Scott Polar Research Institute.  1987.  Handbook of the Antarctic
Treaty System (Fifth Edition).  Scott Polar Research Institute.
Cambridge, England.

Smith, W. O. and , D. M. Nelson.  1985,  Phytoplankton bloom
produced by a receding ice edge in the Ross Sea:  Spatial coherence
with the density field. Science 227:163-166.

Smith, W. O. and, D. M. Nelson.  1986.  Importance of ice edge
phytoplankton production in the Southern Ocean.  BioScience 36:251-
257.

Wilson, D. L., W. O. Smith, Jr., and D. M. Nelson.  1986.
Phytoplankton bloom dynamics of the waters of the western Ross Sea
ice edge.  I.  Primary productivity and species-specific
production.  Deep-Sea Research 33:1357-1387.

                           APPENDIX A

Chairman

Dr. Sidney Draggan
Office of Safety, Environment and Health

Responsible Officials

Mr. Gary Staffo
Office of Safety, Environment and Health

Mr. Erick Chiang
Operations Section

Mr. David Bresnahan
Operations Section

Mr. Robert Haehnle
Operations Section

Mr. George Fitzsimmons
Operations Section

Mr. Thomas Forhan
Operations Section

Dr. Ted E. DeLaca
Science Section

Dr. Bernhard Lettau
Science Section

Dr. Polly A. Penhale
Science Section

Dr. Roger Hanson
Science Section

Mr. Charles E. Myers
Information and Coordination Section

Other NSF Staff

Dr. Julian P. Shedlovsky
NSF Committee on Environmental Statements

Mr. Lawrence Rudolph
Office of the General Counsel

External Experts

Dr. James P. Barry
Scripps Institution of Oceanography

Dr. Paul Dayton
Scripps Institution of Oceanography

Mr. Harry Fyke
ITT Antarctic Services, Inc.

Dr. Judith A. Hansen
Scripps Institution of Oceanography

Dr. Steven Kottmeier
ITT Antarctic Services, Inc.

Dr. Donal T. Manahan
University of Southern California

Dr. Richard McLean
Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Mr. Richard Morrill
ITT Antarctic Services, Inc.

Mr. C. J. Nokes
Chemistry Division, New Zealand Department of
  Scientific and Industrial Research

Dr. John Oliver
Moss Landing Marine Laboratory

Dr. John Pearse
University of California - Santa Cruz

Dr. Steven Railsback
Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Dr. Robert Reed
Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Mr. Sherwood Reed
Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory

Dr. Richard Rivkin
University of Maryland

Mr. R. D. Roop
Labat-Anderson, Inc.

Mr. Douglas Rubino
ITT Antarctic Services, Inc.

Dr. Cornelius W. Sullivan
University of Southern California