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  1. Home
  2. International Cooperation

Receipt of Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) Regarding Nongovernmental Activities in Antarctica

Learn more about EPA's role in Antarctica
  • Environmental Impact Assessment of Nongovernmental Activities in Antarctica (PDF) - (Final Rule 12/06/01)(19 pp, 229 K, About PDF)
  • EPA's Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Rule on Environmental Impact Assessment of Nongovernmental Activities in Antarctica 
  • Compendium of Antarctic Peninsula Visitor Sites 

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
 

Contact Us about International Cooperation to ask a question, provide feedback, or report a problem.
Last updated on August 22, 2025
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