Preliminary Environmental Assessment

South Georgia

Background

British Antarctic Survey (BAS) operates in Antarctica and South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands. The environmental requirements are similar but are governed by different legislation regimes as below:

  • Antarctica – Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty (1991) and the provisions of the Antarctic Act (1994, 2013) and accompanying Antarctic Regulations 1995/490 – requires an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for all activities and prohibits certain activities (mineral resource activities, harm to fauna or flora, introduction of non-native species or entry into ASPAs) without a Specialist Activity Permit issued by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) or under delegated authority by BAS.
  • South Georgia – Wildlife and Protected Areas (WPA) Ordinance (2011) provides a legal basis for the strict environmental policies of the Government of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands (GSGSSI). Under the Ordinance it is an offence to wilfully or carelessly introduce non-native species, to handle or harm any flora or fauna or conduct activities that are likely to result in damage to habitats. The GSGSSI issues Regulated Activity Permits (RAPs) for all planned activities.

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)

Completion of an EIA is a requirement of the protocol on environmental protection to the Antarctic Treaty (1991) and the provisions of the Antarctic Act (1994, 2013) and accompanying Antarctic Regulations 1995/490. The minimum level of EIA, which all project leads must complete, is a Preliminary Environmental Assessment (PEA).
Also under the Antarctic Act (1994, 2013) the following specialist activities are prohibited without a permit issued by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office or under delegated authority e.g. BAS:

  • Mineral resource activities for the purpose of scientific research
  • The taking of, or harmful interference with, fauna or flora
  • The intentional introduction of non-native species
  • Entry into an Antarctic Specially Protected Area (ASPA)
  • Temporarily removing objects from an Antarctic Historic Site and Monument (HSM) for conservation or repair

How to apply for a PEA and Specialist Activity Permits?

BAS staff or those supported by BAS logistics that intend to conduct science or other project activities in Antarctica or South Georgia must complete and submit a PEA and Specialist Activity Permit Application form by 31st May each year to BAS Environment Office pea@bas.ac.uk.

The BAS Environment Office will review the PEA and work with the project lead to identify any environmental impacts and agree mitigation measures to allow the activity to proceed with minimal impact on the environment. The final issued PEA is environmental approval from BAS for the activity to proceed:

  • For projects in Antarctica: The PEA will also help identify if the project is undertaking any activities that require a Specialist Activity Permit, and the BAS Environment Office will discuss requirements and coordinate the issue of permits as appropriate.
  • For projects in South Georgia: The PEA is an internal BAS requirement to ensure that BAS projects in South Georgia meet our environmental requirements. Once the PEA is approved by BAS Environment Office, the project lead is also required to apply to the GSGSSI for a Regulated Activity Permit (RAP) directly through their online application form – https://gov.gs/regulated-activity-permit/. BAS Environment office will advise upon review of the PEA.

When to complete a Post-Season Environmental Review?

All Antarctic projects which have been reviewed and assessed via a PEA must also undergo a retrospective review of their activities upon completion of the project. This must be submitted to the BAS Environment Office pea@bas.ac.uk in the form of a EIA Post-Season Questionnaire by 30th of April or upon completion of the project, if at a later date.

Guidance Documents

The following documents provide guidance for minimising impacts in the field.