(Fig. B2 and 13, main text). The site is just within
Contaminated snow and ice would be scraped
the accumulation zone of the ice shelf. The winds
up, placed in containers, and transported to
in the area are variable, and there are no rock
McMurdo for removal of contaminants, if fea-
exposures in the vicinity. No wildlife resources
sible, and retrograding. Clean snow would be
are present at the site itself, although skuas and
spread on affected areas to prevent further dete-
other animals (for example, seals or penguins)
rioration.
occasionally do move into the area. White Island,
Although the site does not support any wild-
a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), is approx-
life populations that would be affected by con-
imately 15 km from the Pegasus site. McMurdo
struction or operation, Weddell seal populations
Sound lies approximately 13 km to the northwest
occur at SSSI No. 18 on the northwest side of
and is an important area for marine mammals and
White Island and in the vicinity of Scott Base and
birds. Weddell seals, Adelie penguins, and Em-
McMurdo Station. Aircraft landing and taking off
peror penguins use the area for breeding. Histori-
from the Pegasus site would be directed not to fly
cally, seal and penguin populations have been
over SSSI No. 18 to avoid any disturbance to seal
affected by human populations in the McMurdo
populations there. Wildlife in the vicinity of Scott
vicinity (for example, used as a food supply for
Base and McMurdo have become accustomed to
dogs), but currently impacts are minimal and
aircraft operations, and aircraft landings farther
limited to scientific studies and the presence of
away at Pegasus are unlikely to disturb these
humans in the area (NSF 1991).
populations.
Atmospheric emissions from aircraft, support
Environmental consequences of
vehicles, and power generators at Pegasus would
developing a runway at the Pegasus site
occur. Such emissions would be similar to, but
Construction and operational impacts of a blue-
less than, those presently generated at McMurdo
ice or compacted-snow runway at the Pegasus
and would be a very small addition to present
site are expected to be negligible. The area is ap-
emissions. No significant deterioration of air qual-
proximately 13 km from McMurdo on the Ross
ity would be anticipated from construction and
Ice Shelf and does not provide habitat for any
operation of the Pegasus site.
terrestrial or aquatic plant or animal life. Opera-
Solid and liquid wastes produced at the site
tion of construction equipment would result in
during construction and operation would be trans-
small amounts of combustion products emitted
ported to McMurdo for appropriate disposal. Sani-
to the atmosphere and small amounts of oil,
tary wastes would be collected in barrels that
lubricants, and fuel leaked onto the ice surface. A
would be returned to McMurdo and emptied into
temporary building would provide shelter and
the McMurdo wastewater system. Periodically,
office space for the construction crew, and addi-
the site would be policed to remove trash, dun-
tional moveable buildings would be located at
nage, and barrels. Pallet supports used for bag-
the site once the runway was successfully tested
gage and cargo would be returned to McMurdo
to provide an emergency shelter, a heated rest
for reuse.
facility, and a toilet facility.
Fuel spills could occur during refueling of
Environmental consequences of the
aircraft and equipment at the site. In the early
no-action alternative at the Pegasus site
stages of operation, fuel would be transported to
The no-action alternative would result in no
the site in small tanks mounted on sleds. If opera-
development of a blue-ice or compacted-snow
tions increase, a large fuel storage tank would be
runway at the Pegasus site. Impacts of existing
moved to the site. Spills or leaks of oil, fuel, lubri-
operations at the sea-ice runway and Williams
cants, and other fluids from aircraft, runway con-
Field are addressed in the SEIS (NSF 1991). If the
struction and maintenance equipment, vehicles
Pegasus site is not developed, no additional
to transport people and cargo, support buildings
activities would occur at the site, no impacts from
and facilities, and fuel storage sites would de-
future development activities would occur, and
crease the surface albedo and could result in dete-
the existing test runways would quickly return to
rioration of the snow and ice surface. To prevent
a natural state. Use of wheeled aircraft for rede-
surface deterioration and contamination of the
ployment at the end of the season would not be
environment, spills and leaks would be cleaned
possible, and the potential for extending the sea-
up as quickly as possible by using absorbents.
son would not exist.
107
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