Environmental Evaluations for Proposed Activities in Antarctica

Background

Any person proposing to carry out any activity in Antarctica must prepare an environmental impact assessment. Recent Initial Environmental Evaluations (IEEs) and Comprehensive Environmental Evaluations (CEEs) received by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade regarding proposed Antarctic activities are listed below.

 

Initial Environmental Evaluations (IEEs)

An IEE describes an activity's purpose, location, duration and intensity, and considers alternatives and assesses impacts, including cumulative impacts, in the light of existing and known planned activities.

 

Comprehensive Environmental Evaluations (CEEs)

For a proposed activity likely to have more than a minor or transitory effect on the Antarctic environment, a CEE must be prepared. A CEE must include the above descriptions of the activity as required for an IEE, and must also include the matters listed in Article 3(2) of the Protocol on Environmental Protection [external link], such as a description of the initial environmental reference state with which predicted changes are to be compared and a prediction of the future environmental reference state in the absence of the proposed activity.

If you are interested in obtaining a copy of any IEEs or CEEs (if listed below) please contact the Antarctic Policy Unit.

 

Comprehensive Environmental Evaluations Received

Paragraph 4 of Article 3 of Annex I to the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty requires that all Parties be notified of the availability of a Comprehensive Environmental Evaluation (CEE) at least 120 days prior to the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting at which the CEE is to be considered.

1. The United Kingdom has prepared a draft CEE for a proposed investigation of the Ellsworth Subglacial Lake in West Antarctica. The investigation is scheduled to take place in late 2012.  The full text of the CEE (in English only) can be found at the following website:

• EIAs for proposed activities in Antarctica prepared by the UK (British Antarctic Survey website)

2. The Republic of Korea has prepared a draft CEE for the proposed Construction and Operation of the Jang Bogo Antarctic Research Station at Terra Nova Bay, Antarctica. The full text of the CEE can be found on the following website:

• Jang Bogo Station Comprehensive Environmental Evaluation (CEE) (Korea Polar Research Institute)

3. "MV Orion": Antarctic voyages by the "MV Orion" to Antarctica, 2011/12. Voyage: Mawson's Centenary Antarctica, 1 - 20 Dec. 2011, Voyage: Mawson's Centenary Antarctica, 1-21 Jan, 2012 and Voyage: Scott and Shackleton's Centenary Antarctica, 21 Jan - 10 Feb, 2012. The primary purpose of these voyages is to provide a unique interactive/educational Antarctic experience to a group of tourists. These educational/tourist voyages will carry up to 100 passengers.

Deadline for comments: 3 November 2011.

If you would like to comment on these CEEs/IEE please email apu@mfat.govt.nz