Receipt of Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) Regarding Nongovernmental Activities in Antarctica
Updated U.S. Policy on the Antarctic Region
Under the May 17, 2024 National Security Memorandum on United States Policy on the Antarctic Region, 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.
2025-2026
May 20, 2025
Multi-Year Initial Environmental Evaluation submitted on May 20, 2025, for the SV Gringo Antarctic Expedition
John “Barry” Kennedy
655 Spruce Street, Box 322
Del Norte, Colorado 81132
Tel: 801/419-8492
Email: barrykennedy@gmail.com
May 28, 2025
Multi-Year Initial Environmental Evaluation submitted on May 28, 2025, for the SY Moli Antarctic Expedition
Randall Reeves
4343 Sequoyah Road
Oakland, California 94605
Tel: 415/999-7698
Email: rreeves0802@gmail.com
July 7, 2025
Supplemental Information submitted on July 7, 2025, 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, 5th Floor
Miami, Florida 33132
Contact: Jaime Lemus
Tel: 754/971-0726
Email: jlemus@rccl.com
July 21, 2025
Supplemental Information submitted on July 21, 2025, for the Multi-Year Initial Environmental Evaluation 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
July 21, 2025
Supplemental Information submitted on July 21, 2025, 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 Smith
Tel: 240/ 619-0129
Email: info@quixote-expeditions.com
July 23, 2025
Supplemental Information submitted on July 23, 2025, 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 60515-1182
Contact: Stefan Kredel
Email: SKredel@abercrombiekent.com
July 23, 2025
Supplemental Information submitted on July 23, 2025, for the Multi-Year Initial Environmental Evaluation by Cheesemans’ Ecological Safaris for Ship-Based Expeditions in the Peninsula Area
Cheesemans’ Ecological Safaris
10947 Potrero Road
PO Box 304
Moss Landing, California 95039
Contact: Krista Hanni
Email: krista.hanni@cheesemans.com
July 24, 2025
Supplemental Information submitted on July 24, 2025, for the Multi-Year Initial Environmental Evaluation by Polar Latitudes, Inc for an Antarctic Cruise Program
Polar Latitudes, Inc
2206 Jericho Street
White River Junction, Vermont 05001
Contact: Hayley Shephard
Tel: 802/698-8479
Email: hayley@polar-latitudes.com
July 29, 2025
Supplemental Information submitted on July 29, 2025, 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 3, 2025
Multi-Year Initial Environmental Evaluation submitted on September 13, 2024, by Ocean Nova Expeditions for an Antarctic Cruise Program
Ocean Nova Expeditions
2820 Selwyn Avenue #388
Charlotte, North Carolina 28209
Contact: Richard Del Valle
Email: Rdvshipping@outlook.com
August 5, 2025
Supplemental Information submitted on August 5, 2025, 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@hollandamerica.com
August 7, 2025
Multi-Year Initial Environmental Evaluation submitted on July 18, 2024, by Marathon Adventures for an Antarctic Land Program
Marathon Adventures
10361 Yates Drive North
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55443
Contact: Steve Hibbs
Tel: 763/360-3810
Email: info@marathon-adventures.com
August 15, 2025
Supplemental Information submitted on August 15, 2025, for the Multi-Year Initial Environmental Evaluation by Poseidon Expeditions Corp for Ship-Based Expeditions in the Peninsula Area
Poseidon Expeditions Corp
4300 Biscayne Boulevard, Suite 203
Miami, Florida 33137-3255
Contact: Angelica Vorea
Tel: 305/395-5656
Email: av@poseidonexpeditions.com
August 18, 2025
Initial Environmental Evaluation submitted on August 18, 2025, by CNN for an expedition within an expedition aboard the MV Ultramarine operated by Quark Expeditions
CNN
30 Hudson Yards
20th Floor
New York, New York 10001
Contact: Julian Quinones
Tel: 917/573-9376
Email: julian.quinones@cnn.com
August 20, 2025
Supplemental Information submitted on August 18, 2025, for the Multi-Year Initial Environmental Evaluation by EYOS vessels to the South Orkneys, South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula
EYOS Expeditions LTD
PO Box 2535
Vashon Island, Washington 98070
Contact: Sarah Merkel
Email: sarah@eyos-expeditions.com