be faster and much easier because spilled fluids
Mount Howe site
would not soak into porous snow but rather would
and Mill Glacier sites
remain on the ice surface. Impacts of atmospheric
Affected environment
emissions from aircraft and equipment are
Mount Howe (8720'S, 14950'W), located in
expected to be negligible because of the small
the Transantarctic Mountains, is the closest blue-
number of flights, the limited size of the support
ice runway site to the South Pole (about 300 km)
facilities, and the remote location. Some deterio-
(Fig. B3). The site (elevation 2,400 m) is located
ration of the pristine environment immediately
immediately west of the Mount Howe ridge (ele-
surrounding these sites would result, but in gen-
vation of peaks about 2,930 and 2,790 m) and
eral the impact would be less than minor or tran-
associated moraines. The area of interest is rela-
sitory (that is, of no significance). Solid, liquid,
tively smooth and free of crevasses and snow
and sanitary wastes would be collected and re-
drifts. It is about 7 km long, running in a NNE
turned to McMurdo for appropriate disposal.
SSW direction, and its width, which is limited by
Development of blue-ice runways at these sites
crevasses to the west, ranges from about 23 km.
would also involve development of traverse routes
The prevailing winds are from the mountain ridge.
to the South Pole Station. Environmental impacts
An automated weather station was installed at
of these traverse routes are not assessed in this
the site during the 199192 season. The area sup-
IEE, but they will be assessed in environmental
ports no plants or animals.
documentation prepared for any rebuilding or
The Mill Glacier site (8506'S, 16715'E) is a
replacement of the South Pole Station.
blue-ice area located near Plunket Point in the
Development of these runways would indi-
Transantarctic Mountains about 540 km from
rectly impact the South Pole Station because of
the South Pole (Fig. B3). Mill Glacier is a valley
the need for increased personnel and support
glacier that flows down from the Grosvenor
needed at the South Pole during initial construc-
Mountains, past the Otway Masif, and down
tion and annual rebuilding of the runway.
between the Dominion Range and the Support-
ers Range, joining the Beardmore Glacier near
Environmental consequences of
Plunket Point. The site is at an elevation of about
the no-action alternative
1,800 m and is bounded on the west by the Meyer
If blue-ice runways were not developed at
Desert, an ice-free rock massif, and on the east by
Mount Howe or Mill Glacier, no additional envi-
giant rifts in the glacier surface (Mellor and
ronmental impacts would occur from USAP
Swithinbank 1989). The crevasse-free area within
activities at these sites. No buildings would be
which an airfield could be located is more than 7
located at the sites, and human presence at the
km long, running in a NNWSSE direction, and
sites would not increase. Mill Glacier has already
varies in width from 1 km at the northern end to
been used for landings and may continue to be
100 m at the southern end. The wind direction
used for such purposes in the future. However,
appears to be 160 true. The site does not support
the site would not be developed for providing
any animal or plant life.
support to the South Pole and future use is likely
to be restricted to support for field camps.
Environmental consequences of
developing blue-ice runways
South Pole Station
Impacts of developing a blue-ice runway at
Mount Howe or Mill Glacier would be similar to
Affected environment
those of developing a blue-ice runway at the
The South Pole Station is located on the Polar
Pegasus site. Because these two sites are located
Plateau at an elevation of 2,900 m. The high pla-
on the Polar Plateau, no plant or animal life would
teau causes persistent and predictable winds to
be affected by construction or operation activi-
blow down slope toward the perimeter of the
ties. Spills or leaks of oil, fuel, lubricants, and
continent. The circulation of coastal storms affects
other fluids from aircraft; runway construction
surface winds at the South Pole infrequently.
and maintenance equipment; vehicles to trans-
Consequently, peak winds at the South Pole are
port people and cargo; support buildings and
quite low in comparison with those in coastal
facilities; and fuel storage sites could result in
areas of Antarctica. Temperatures measured at
deterioration of the ice surface. These spills or
the South Pole have ranged from a minimum of
80.6C to a maximum of 13.6C. The mean
leaks would be cleaned up. Such cleanup would
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