Document ID: EPA-HQ-OW-2013-0262-0007
Agency: epa
Document Type: Supporting & Related Material
Title: 
Posted Date: 2014-04-22T04:00Z

TRACKING #   MCST0000.R04__________
RECORD OF  ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW  (ROER) 
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Background Information
 Stage of Action: 	Initial Decision  X	SIP	   Revised Scope           In-the-field change  
 Group sponsoring activity (i.e.; event #, proposal #, WBS#) _ASA Operations  WBS 2.23.0  _________________
 Scope/type 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 location(s)  Ice Pier, McMurdo Station Antarctica
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Intensity and Scope
 Duration of activity (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) SSSI 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 likely 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			
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Environmental Documentation
 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 remodeling 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 activities?_______________________________________________________  
 Do existing environmental document(s) adequately describe likely effects?		  Yes X      No 
If yes, list file name(s) of environmental document(s): Ref.  ROER MCST9800.R12, 8-14-98  Experimental freeze cells performed well with no accidental discharges to the environment.

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This Environmental Review was prepared by:  William A. Coughran	 	 Date:  3-3-00
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, why? _________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
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Responsible Official:    /s/  William A. Coughran			 Date: 3/3/00

A 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.  In 1998, freeze cells were used on an experimental 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 technique 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 forty foot lengths of three and one half inch outside diameter pipe filled with propylene glycol 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.