**TRACKING # MCST0000.R04** 

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## RECORD OF ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW (ROER) **Background Information**  Stage of Action: Initial Decision X SI P Revised Scope In

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- field change  Group sponsoring activity (i.e.; event #, proposal #, WBS#) _ASA Operations WBS 2.23.0 _________________  Scope/ty pe of activity (i.e.; geology, tower relocation, traverse) _Use of freeze cells in ice pier to repair cracks  Principal contact(s): John Hahn, ASA

_  Activity lo cation(s) Ice Pier, McMurdo Station Antarctica 

### Intensity and Scope  Duration of activit y (approximate dates): _TBD_____________________________  Activity will occur in an area with special environmental and/or scientific management standards? Yes No X **If yes** , the site is located in: ____________________________ sector of the South Pole Station. ____________________________ area of the Dry Valleys ____________________________ (name) rookery/colony ____________________________ (name) SSS I or SPA ____________________________ (name) other special area  Is the activity

consistent with current operations or long

- range plans in terms of size, personnel, and/or footprint? Yes X No  Are complex, cumulative, large

- scale, or irreversible effects likely ? Yes No X  Is activity

likel y to preclude or conflict with other foreseeable activities? Yes No X  Activity is expected to create no significant effects on the following environments/resources: air X aquatic X marine X terrestrial X glacial X historic X aesthetic X  Are there EMI or EMR issues associated with this project? Yes No X 

### Environ **me ntal Docum**  **entation**  ACA permit required for: Flora/Fauna SSSI /SPA Not required X  Activity fits into a category

of exclusion Yes X No **If yes** , which one? Small scale collection of geological and/or biological specimen

Routine, laboratory

- based research Seismic research utilizing explosives Renovation and/or remo deling of existing facilities X Deployment of retrievable instrumentation Use of weather/research balloons Use of radioisotopes (in compliance with applicable laws) **If no** , is additional assessment required? Yes No X If yes, for which act ivities?_______________________________________________________  Do existing environmental document(s) adequately describe likel y effects? Yes X No **If yes** , list file name(s) of environmental document(s): Ref. ROER MCST9800.R12, 8

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- 98 Experi mental freeze cells performed well with no accidental discharges to the environment.

This Environmental Review was prepared b y: William A. Coughran Date: 3

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### Signature Block This Environmental Review for the stage of the action cited on line one is adequate for the action to proceed as noted.

Yes X Yes , with mitigation (attached) No If no, wh y?

_________________

______________________________________________________________________________________ Responsible Official: /s/ William A. Coughran Date: 3/3/00A man

- made ice pier is used to support ship off load operations at McMurdo Station. On occasion cracks develop in the ice pier and must be repaired if the pier is to be safe for use. I n 1998, freeze cells were used on an exper imental basis to determine if they would be effective in stimulating ice growth to repair cracks in the ice pier. The experiment was successful. The cells stimulated adequate ice growth and were removed with no impact to the environment. Since the techn ique has proven successful, freeze cells will be used on a recurring basis when cracks develop that require additional ice growth to effect repair. Cells will be removed after repairs are complete. Cells will consist of fort y foot lengths of three and on e half inch outside diameter pipe filled with propy lene gl ycol and sealed. Approximately twenty feet of the pipe length will be exposed to the atmosphere. All freeze cells will be removed when the repairs are completed.