Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS): Proposed Rule on Environmental Impact Assessment of Nongovernmental Activities in Antarctica

EPA published a Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on the proposed rule on Environmental Impact Assessment of Nongovernmental Activities in Antarctica in August 2001.

The Final EIS is presented in Adobe Acrobat format. Information on obtaining the Acrobat Reader, as well as basic information and configuration instructions, is available at EPA's About PDF page. If you would prefer that a paper copy of the Final EIS be mailed to you, please contact Katherine Biggs via email or telephone at (202) 564-7144.

FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT

Summary/Table of Contents (PDF) (370K)
Chapter 1: Purpose and Needs (PDF) (125K)
Chapter 2: Affected Environment: The Physical and Biological Environment (PDF) (1,670K)
Chapter 3: Affected Environment: Human Activities in Antarctica (PDF) (610K)
Chapter 4: Alternatives for the Final Rule: Environmental Impact Assessment of Nongovernmental Activities in Antarctica (PDF) (310K)
Chapter 5: Environmental Consequences (PDF) (405K)
Chapter 6: Comments on Draft EIS (PDF) (70K)
Chapter 7: List of Preparers and Contributors (PDF) (95K)
Chapter 8: Distribution List (PDF) (110K)
Chapter 9: Index (PDF) (80K)
Chapter 10: References (PDF) (180K)
Appendices 1 - 18 (PDF) (1900K)
Appendix 1: Statues and Executive Orders to be Considered by EPA in the Final Rule-Making

Appendix 2: Stations of SCAR Nations Operating in the Antarctic, Winter 1999

Appendix 3: Peninsula Area Sites Visited by Ship Based Tours for the 8-Year Period, 1989 - 1997: Sites Grouped by Number of Visitors at the Sites

Appendix 4: Characteristics of the Eleven Most Visited Tourist Sites in the Peninsula Area for the 8-Year Period 1989-1997

Appendix 5: Antarctic Specially Protected Areas and Historic Monuments

Appendix 6: U.S. Antarctic Program: Research Stations, Summer Field Camps and Other Temporary Facilities, Support Ships and Aircraft, and Research Activities of U.S. Federal Government Agencies

Appendix 7: International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO): Member Objectives, Membership Categories and Criteria, Membership as of June 2000, and Bylaws

Appendix 8: Guidance for Those Organising and Conducting Tourism and Nongovernmental Activities in the Antarctic and Guidance for Visitors to the Antarctic

Appendix 9: U.S.-Based IAATO Member Operators: Opportunistic Process for Selecting Landing Sites

Appendix 10: Quark Expeditions' Use of Helicopters Aboard the Kapitan Khlebnikov

Appendix 11: Adventure Network International Environmental Policy and Operational Guidelines for Antarctica

Appendix 12: Total Number of Antarctic Visitors by Season and Percentage Change from Preceding Season

Appendix 13 : Comparison of Landings in the Peninsula and Ross Sea Areas

Appendix 14: Antarctic Tourism for the Three Austral Seasons, 1997 through 2000

Appendix 15: Total Number of Peninsula Area Landings and Visitors by Season and Percent Change from Preceding Season

Appendix 16: Zodiacs in the Peninsula Area: 35 Peninsula Area Sites Visited by Zodiac Landings in the Base Season (1989-90), and Subsequent Number of Landings by Season, and Number of Annual Zodiac Landings in the Peninsula Area

Appendix 17: Activities in the Peninsula Area Other Than Zodiac Landings

Appendix 18: Forecast for Ship-Borne Antarctic Tourism
Appendix 19: 40 CFR Part 8, Environmental Impact Assessment of Nongovernmental Activities in Antarctica, Final Rule (PDF) (1925K)
Appendix 20: Scoping Comments Received by EPA (PDF) (1830K)
Appendices 21 - 27 (PDF) (735K)
Appendix 21: Scoping Information Considered During Development of the Alternatives

Appendix 22: Significant Issues Identified During Scoping: Commentors, Summary of Comments, and Any Related Interim Final Rule Requirements

Appendix 23: Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty: Article 3, Article 8 and Annex I

Appendix 24: Potential Environmental Impacts and Proposed Control Measures Identified by U.S.-Based Nongovernmental Operators

Appendix 25: Assessment of the Possible Cumulative Environmental Impacts of Commercial Ship-Based Tourism in the Antarctic Peninsula Area

Appendix 26: Summary of Conventions, the Protocol, and MARPOL 73/78 as Applicable to Nongovernmental Activities in Antarctica

Appendix 27: U.S. Domestic Statutes and Regulations Implementing the Antarctic Treaty System Conventions and the Protocol Applicable to Nongovernmental Activities in Antarctica
Appendix 28: Comments Received by EPA on the Draft EIS and EPA's Responses to Comments (PDF) (2.9MB)
Appendix 29: Changes Between Draft and Final EISs (PDF) (114K)

Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS): Proposed Rule on Environmental Impact Assessment of Nongovernmental Activities in Antarctica

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