Receipt of Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) Regarding Nongovernmental Activities in Antarctica
Updated U.S. Policy on the Antarctic Region
On May 17, 2024, former President Biden signed a National Security Memorandum on United States Policy on the Antarctic Region. Under this policy, the United States will continue to lead cooperative international efforts through the Antarctic Treaty System to maintain the Antarctic Region for peaceful purposes, protect its relatively pristine environment and ecosystems, and conduct scientific research, long into the future.
Read more about scientific cooperation through the United States Antarctic Program and our diplomatic efforts, including through the Antarctic Treaty System.
As required by the Antarctic Science, Tourism, and Conservation Act of 1996, EPA has issued regulations that provide for the environmental impact assessment of nongovernmental activities (including tourism) in Antarctica, and that coordinate the information review of environmental impact assessments received from other Parties. These activities are called for by the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty of 1959.
When nongovernmental operators (including tour operators) plan to conduct expeditions to Antarctica, they are required to submit environmental documentation to EPA. The purpose of the documentation is to evaluate the potential environmental impact of their proposed activities.
Below is a list of Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) received by EPA regarding nongovernmental activities in Antarctica for the current austral summer season (October through March). An EIA describes an activity’s purpose, location, duration and intensity, and considers alternatives and assesses impacts, including cumulative impacts, in light of existing and known proposed activities.
The list includes Initial Environmental Evaluations (IEEs) and Preliminary Environmental Review Memorandums (PERMs).
If you are interested in obtaining a copy of these documents or a list of previous austral summer season EIAs, please contact Julie Roemele (roemele.julie@epa.gov).
2024-2025
July 18, 2024
Initial Environmental Evaluation submitted on July 18, 2024, for the Linder Expedition to the Antarctic
Chris Linder
9116 Falls Bridge Lane
Potomac, Maryland 20854
Tel: 508/728-2855
Email: chris@chrislinder.com
July 26, 2024
Supplemental Information submitted on July 26, 2024, for the Multi-Year Initial Environmental Evaluation by Polar Latitudes, Inc for an Antarctic Cruise Program
Polar Latitudes, Inc
PO Box 1227
White River Junction, Vermont 05001
Contact: Hayley Shephard
Tel: 802/698-8479
Email: hayley@polar-latitudes.com
July 31, 2024
Multi-Year Initial Environmental Evaluation submitted on July 31, 2024, by Scenic USA for Ship-Based Expeditions in the Peninsula Area
Scenic USA and the Scenic Group
4000 Hollywood Boulevard #625
Hollywood, Florida 33021
Contact: Jason Flesher
Tel: 855/517-1200
Email: Jason.Flesher@scenic.eu
August 1, 2024
Supplemental Information submitted on August 1, 2024, for the Multi-Year Initial Environmental Evaluation by Silversea Cruises Ltd. for Ship-Based Expeditions in the Peninsula Area
Silversea Cruises Ltd.
1050 Caribbean Way
Miami, Florida 33132
Contact: Bill Davis
Tel: 954/225-2567
Fax: 954/522-4499
Email: BillD@silversea.com
August 1, 2024
Supplemental Information submitted on August 1, 2024, for the Multi-Year Initial Environmental Evaluation by Seabourn Cruise Line Limited for Ship-Based Expeditions in the Antarctic
Seabourn Cruise Line Limited
450 Third Avenue West
Seattle, Washington 98119
Contact: Diana Mihalache
Tel: 206/861-5827
Email: dmihalache@hollandamericagroup.com
August 4, 2024
Supplemental Information submitted on August 4, 2024, for the Multi-Year Initial Environmental Evaluation by Poseidon Expeditions USA, LLC for Ship-Based Expeditions in the Peninsula Area
Poseidon Expeditions USA, LLC
245 Waterman Street, Suite 502
Providence, Rhode Island 02906
Contact: Steve Wellmeier
Tel: 347/801-2610
Email: swellmeier@poseidonexpeditions.com
August 13, 2024
Supplemental Information submitted on August 13, 2024, for the Multi-Year Initial Environmental Evaluation by Dr. Dale T Andersen for the Untersee Oasis Research Project
Dr. Dale T. Andersen
Carl Sagan Center, SETI Institute
339 Bernardo Ave., Suite 200
Mountain View, California 94043
Tel: 650/961-6633
Email: dandersen@seti.org
August 22, 2024
Supplemental Information submitted on August 22, 2024, for the Multi-Year Initial Environmental Evaluation by Antarctic Logistics and Expeditions LLC for Activities in Antarctica
Antarctic Logistics and Expeditions LLC
4741 South Commerce Drive
Murray, Utah 84107
Contact: David Rootes
Tel: 801/266-4876
Fax: 801/266-1592
Email: info@antarctic-logistics.com
August 22, 2024
Initial Environmental Evaluation submitted on August 2, 2024, for Lynch Expedition’s scientific survey of penguin colonies along the South Shetland Islands and the western Antarctic Peninsula
Stony Brook University
163 IACS Building
Stony Brook, New York 11794
Contact: Heather Lynch
Tel: 631/632-2384
Email: heather.lynch@stonybook.edu
August 28, 2024
Supplemental Information submitted on August 28, 2024, for the Multi-Year Initial Environmental Evaluation by Quark Expeditions, Inc for Ship-Based Expeditions in the Peninsula Area
Quark Expeditions, Inc.
3131 Elliott Avenue, Suite 250
Seattle, Washington 98121
Contact: Ben Bradley
Tel: 203/852-5580
Fax: 203/857-0427
Email: Enquiry@quarkexpeditions.com
September 3, 2024
Supplemental Information submitted on September 3, 2024, for the Multi-Year Initial Environmental Evaluation by Quixote Expeditions for proposed Antarctic Peninsula Cruises
Quixote Expeditions, LLC
1498 Paradise Point Road
Oakland, Maryland 21550
Contact: Laura K. O. Smith
Tel: 240/ 619-0129
Email: info@quixote-expeditions.com
September 3, 2024
Supplemental Information submitted on September 3, 2024, for the Multi-Year Initial Environmental Evaluation by Lindblad Expeditions for Ship-Based Expeditions in the Peninsula Area
Lindblad Expeditions
2502 2nd Avenue, Suite 300
Seattle, Washington 98121
Contact: Susan Slavin
Tel: 206/403-1500
Fax: 206/403-1501
Email: susans@expeditions.com
September 5, 2024
Supplemental Information submitted on September 5, 2024, for the Multi-Year Initial Environmental Evaluation by Oceanites, Inc. for Antarctic Site Inventory activities in the Peninsula Area
Oceanites, Inc.
P.O. Box 15259
Chevy Chase, Maryland 20825
Contact: Ron Naveen
Tel: 202/302-4211
Email: oceanites@icloud.com
September 6, 2024
Supplemental Information submitted on September 6, 2024, for the Multi-Year Initial Environmental Evaluation by EYOS vessels to the South Orkneys, South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula
EYOS Expeditions LTD
15319 91st Avenue SW/ PO Box 2535
Vashon Island, Washington 98070
Contact: Sarah Merkel
Email: sarah@eyos-expeditions.com
September 10, 2024
Supplemental Information submitted on September 10, 2024, for the Multi-Year Initial Environmental Evaluation by Swan Hellenic for Ship-Based Expeditions in the Antarctica Peninsula Area
Swan Hellenic
1800 SE 10th Avenue, Suite 240
Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33316
Contact: Joe Maloney
Tel: 917/969-3034
Website: https://us.swanhellenic.com
September 13, 2024
Supplemental Information submitted on September 13, 2024, for the Multi-Year Initial Environmental Evaluation by Albatros Expeditions for Ship-Based Expeditions in the Antarctica Peninsula Area
Albatros Expeditions US Ltd.
4770 Biscayne Boulevard PHR
Miami, Florida 33137
Contact: John Dennis
Tel: 305/447-2789
Email: jde@albatros-travel.com
September 13, 2024
Supplemental Information submitted on September 13, 2024, for the Multi-Year Initial Environmental Evaluation by Atlas Ocean Voyages for Ship-Based Expeditions in the Antarctica Peninsula Area
Atlas Ocean Voyages
1 East Broward Boulevard, Suite 800
Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33301
Contact: David Sagrista
Email: david.sagrista@mysticcruises.com
September 13, 2024
Initial Environmental Evaluation submitted on September 13, 2024, for the Landfall Expedition
Landfall
48359 197th Street
Astoria, South Dakota 57213
Contact: Dennis Ommen
Tel: 612/454-7236
Email: landfall@predictmail.com
September 19, 2024
Supplemental Information submitted on September 19, 2024, for the Multi-Year Initial Environmental Evaluation by Holland America Line, Inc. for Cruise only, no landings Ship-Based Tourism in the Peninsula Area
Holland America Line N.V.
c/o Holland America Line, Inc.
450 Third Avenue West
Seattle, Washington 98119
Contact: Diana Mihalache
Tel: 206/861-5827
Email: dmihalache@hollandamericagroup.com
September 19, 2024
Multi-Year Initial Environmental Evaluation submitted on September 19, 2024, for the by the M/V Allankay Expedition
Sea Shepherd Global
1217 S 9th Street
Tacoma, Washington 98405
Contact: Daniel Villa
Tel: 425/499-1212
Email: operations@seashepherdglobal.org
September 26, 2024
Supplemental Information submitted on September 26, 2024, for the Multi-Year Initial Environmental Evaluation by the Friedlaender Expedition for proposed research activities in the Antarctica Peninsula Area
Ari. S. Friedlaender
IMS
UCSC 115 McAllister Way
Santa Cruz, California 95060
Tel: 919/672-0103
Email: ari.friedlaender@ucsc.edu
September 27, 2024
Initial Environmental Evaluation submitted on September 27, 2024, by the SY Destination Expedition
Antarctic Ice Pilot
14 Washington Avenue
San Rafael, California 94903
Contact: Ashley Perrin
Email: amperrin@antarcticicepilot.com
September 28, 2024
Supplemental Information submitted on September 28, 2024, for the Multi-Year Initial Environmental Evaluation by Abercrombie & Kent USA, LLC for Ship-Based Expeditions in the Peninsula Area
Abercrombie & Kent USA, LLC
1411 Opus Place
Executive Towers West II, Suite 300
Downers Grove, Illinois 60515
Contact: Bob Simpson
Tel: 630/725-3400
Fax: 630/725-3401
Email: bsimpson@abercrombiekent.com
October 7, 2024
Supplemental Information submitted on October 7, 2024, for the Multi-Year Initial Environmental Evaluation by Princess Cruises for Ship-Based Expeditions in the Peninsula Area
Princess Cruises
24305 Town Center Drive
Santa Clarita, California 91355
Contact: Richard Boydon
Tel: 661/219-1290
Fax: 206/501-2577
Email: rboydon@princesscruises.com
October 15, 2024
Initial Environmental Evaluation submitted on October 15, 2024, for the National Geographic Society Expedition to the Antarctica Peninsula
National Geographic Society
1145 17th Street NW
Washington, DC 20036
Contact: Sujatha Bagal
Tel: 703/399-6826
Email: sbagal@ngs.org
October 15, 2024
Supplemental Information submitted on October 15, 2024, for the Multi-Year Initial Environmental Evaluation by Norwegian Cruise Line for Ship-Based Expeditions in the Peninsula Area
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.
7665 Corporate Center Drive
Miami, Florida 33126
Contact: Sarah Ferguson-Brown
Tel: 305/436-4349
Email: sbrown@nclcorp.com
October 28, 2024
Initial Environmental Evaluation submitted on October 28, 2024, by S/V IONA for a Voyage to the Antarctica Peninsula
S/V IONA
105 Laurel Springs Road
Newport, Virginia 24128
Contact: John Verbeck
Tel: 540/808-8881
Email: johnnysarverb@gmail.com
November 3, 2024
Preliminary Environmental Review Memorandum submitted on November 3, 2024, for the Bone Expedition
Global Jetcare, Inc.
1542 Technology Drive
Brooksville, Florida 34604
Contact: John R. Bone
Tel: 352/799-7771
Email: jrbone@me.com
November 12, 2024
Initial Environmental Evaluation submitted on November 12, 2024, by Antarctic Peninsula Archaeological Survey Project
Spirit of Sydney Expedition/Consulting Antarctica
328 Highway 89 North
BABB, Montana 95411
Contact: Darrel Day
Tel: 406/390-0676
Email: darrel@spiritofsydney.co