16 USC 2403 - Environmental impact assessment

Collapse to view only § 2403a. Environmental impact assessment

§ 2401. Congressional findings and declaration of purpose
§ 2402. Definitions
§ 2403. Prohibited acts
§ 2403a. Environmental impact assessment
§ 2404. Permits
§ 2405. Regulations
§ 2406. Notification of travel to Antarctica
§ 2407. Civil penalties
§ 2408. Criminal offenses
§ 2409. Enforcement
§ 2410. Jurisdiction of district courts
§ 2411. Federal agency cooperation
§ 2412. Relationship to existing treaties
§ 2413. Saving provisions

§ 2401. Congressional findings and declaration of purpose

(a) Findings

The Congress finds that—

(1) for well over a quarter of a century, scientific investigation has been the principal activity of the Federal Government and United States nationals in Antarctica;

(2) more recently, interest of American tourists in Antarctica has increased;

(3) as the lead civilian agency in Antarctica, the National Science Foundation has long had responsibility for ensuring that United States scientific activities and tourism, and their supporting logistics operations, are conducted with an eye to preserving the unique values of the Antarctic region;

(4) the Antarctic Treaty and the Protocol establish a firm foundation for the conservation of Antarctic resources, for the continuation of international cooperation and the freedom of scientific investigation in Antarctica; and

(5) the Antarctic Treaty and the Protocol establish international mechanisms and create legal obligations necessary for the maintenance of Antarctica as a natural reserve devoted to peace and science.

(b) Purpose

(Pub. L. 95–541, § 2, Oct. 28, 1978, 92 Stat. 2048; Pub. L. 104–227, title I, § 101, Oct. 2, 1996, 110 Stat. 3034.)

§ 2402. DefinitionsFor purposes of this chapter—

(1) the term “Administrator” means the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency;

(2) the term “Antarctica” means the area south of 60 degrees south latitude;

(3) the term “Antarctic Specially Protected Area” means an area identified as such pursuant to Annex V to the Protocol;

(4) the term “Director” means the Director of the National Science Foundation;

(5) the term “harmful interference” means—

(A) flying or landing helicopters or other aircraft in a manner that disturbs concentrations of birds or seals;

(B) using vehicles or vessels, including hovercraft and small boats, in a manner that disturbs concentrations of birds or seals;

(D) willfully disturbing breeding or molting birds or concentrations of birds or seals by persons on foot;

(E) significantly damaging concentrations of native terrestrial plants by landing aircraft, driving vehicles, or walking on them, or by other means; and

(F) any activity that results in the significant adverse modification of habitats of any species or population of native mammal, native bird, native plant, or native invertebrate;

(6) the term “historic site or monument” means any site or monument listed as an historic site or monument pursuant to Annex V to the Protocol;

(7) the term “impact” means impact on the Antarctic environment and dependent and associated ecosystems;

(8) the term “import” means to land on, bring into, or introduce into, or attempt to land on, bring into or introduce into, any place subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, including the 12-mile territorial sea of the United States, whether or not such act constitutes an importation within the meaning of the customs laws of the United States;

(9) the term “native bird” means any member, at any stage of its life cycle (including eggs), of any species of the class Aves which is indigenous to Antarctica or occurs there seasonally through natural migrations, and includes any part of such member;

(10) the term “native invertebrate” means any terrestrial or freshwater invertebrate, at any stage of its life cycle, which is indigenous to Antarctica, and includes any part of such invertebrate;

(11) the term “native mammal” means any member, at any stage of its life cycle, of any species of the class Mammalia, which is indigenous to Antarctica or occurs there seasonally through natural migrations, and includes any part of such member;

(12) the term “native plant” means any terrestrial or freshwater vegetation, including bryophytes, lichens, fungi, and algae, at any stage of its life cycle (including seeds and other propagules), which is indigenous to Antarctica, and includes any part of such vegetation;

(13) the term “non-native species” means any species of animal or plant which is not indigenous to Antarctica and does not occur there seasonally through natural migrations;

(14) the term “person” has the meaning given that term in section 1 of title 1 and includes any person subject to the jurisdiction of the United States and any department, agency, or other instrumentality of the Federal Government or of any State or local government;

(15) the term “prohibited product” means any substance banned from introduction onto land or ice shelves or into water in Antarctica pursuant to Annex III to the Protocol;

(16) the term “prohibited waste” means any substance which must be removed from Antarctica pursuant to Annex III to the Protocol, but does not include materials used for balloon envelopes required for scientific research and weather forecasting;

(17) the term “Protocol” means the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty, signed October 4, 1991, in Madrid, and all annexes thereto, including any future amendments thereto to which the United States is a party;

(18) the term “Secretary” means the Secretary of Commerce;

(19) the term “Specially Protected Species” means any native species designated as a Specially Protected Species pursuant to Annex II to the Protocol;

(20) the term “take” means to kill, injure, capture, handle, or molest a native mammal or bird, or to remove or damage such quantities of native plants that their local distribution or abundance would be significantly affected;

(21) the term “Treaty” means the Antarctic Treaty signed in Washington, DC, on December 1, 1959;

(22) the term “United States” means the several States of the Union, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, American Samoa, the Virgin Islands, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and any other commonwealth, territory, or possession of the United States; and

(23) the term “vessel subject to the jurisdiction of the United States” includes any “vessel of the United States” and any “vessel subject to the jurisdiction of the United States” as those terms are defined in section 2432 of this title.

(Pub. L. 95–541, § 3, Oct. 28, 1978, 92 Stat. 2048; Pub. L. 104–227, title I, § 102, Oct. 2, 1996, 110 Stat. 3035.)

§ 2403. Prohibited acts

(a) In generalIt is unlawful for any person—

(1) to introduce any prohibited product onto land or ice shelves or into water in Antarctica;

(2) to dispose of any waste onto ice-free land areas or into fresh water systems in Antarctica;

(3) to dispose of any prohibited waste in Antarctica;

(4) to engage in open burning of waste;

(5) to transport passengers to, from, or within Antarctica by any seagoing vessel not required to comply with the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships (33 U.S.C. 1901 et seq.), unless the person has an agreement with the vessel owner or operator under which the owner or operator is required to comply with Annex IV to the Protocol;

(6) who organizes, sponsors, operates, or promotes a nongovernmental expedition to Antarctica, and who does business in the United States, to fail to notify all members of the expedition of the environmental protection obligations of this chapter, and of actions which members must take, or not take, in order to comply with those obligations;

(7) to damage, remove, or destroy a historic site or monument;

(8) to refuse permission to any authorized officer or employee of the United States to board a vessel, vehicle, or aircraft of the United States, or subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, for the purpose of conducting any search or inspection in connection with the enforcement of this chapter or any regulation promulgated or permit issued under this chapter;

(9) to forcibly assault, resist, oppose, impede, intimidate, or interfere with any authorized officer or employee of the United States in the conduct of any search or inspection described in paragraph (8);

(10) to resist a lawful arrest or detention for any act prohibited by this section;

(11) to interfere with, delay, or prevent, by any means, the apprehension, arrest, or detention of another person, knowing that such other person has committed any act prohibited by this section;

(12) to violate any regulation issued under this chapter, or any term or condition of any permit issued to that person under this chapter; or

(13) to attempt to commit or cause to be committed any act prohibited by this section.

(b) Acts prohibited unless authorized by permitIt is unlawful for any person, unless authorized by a permit issued under this chapter—

(1) to dispose of any waste in Antarctica (except as otherwise authorized by the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships [33 U.S.C. 1901 et seq.]) including—

(A) disposing of any waste from land into the sea in Antarctica; and

(B) incinerating any waste on land or ice shelves in Antarctica, or on board vessels at points of embarcation or debarcation, other than through the use at remote field sites of incinerator toilets for human waste;

(2) to introduce into Antarctica any member of a nonnative species;

(3) to enter or engage in activities within any Antarctic Specially Protected Area;

(4) to engage in any taking or harmful interference in Antarctica; or

(5) to receive, acquire, transport, offer for sale, sell, purchase, import, export, or have custody, control, or possession of, any native bird, native mammal, or native plant which the person knows, or in the exercise of due care should have known, was taken in violation of this chapter.

(Pub. L. 95–541, § 4, Oct. 28, 1978, 92 Stat. 2049; Pub. L. 104–227, title I, § 103, Oct. 2, 1996, 110 Stat. 3036.)

§ 2403a. Environmental impact assessment

(a) Federal activities

(1)

(A) The obligations of the United States under Article 8 of and Annex I to the Protocol shall be implemented by applying the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) to proposals for Federal agency activities in Antarctica, as specified in this section.

(B) The obligations contained in section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C)) shall apply to all proposals for Federal agency activities occurring in Antarctica and affecting the quality of the human environment in Antarctica or dependent or associated ecosystems, only as specified in this section. For purposes of the application of such section 102(2)(C) under this subsection, the term “significantly affecting the quality of the human environment” shall have the same meaning as the term “more than a minor or transitory impact”.

(2)

(A) Unless an agency which proposes to conduct a Federal activity in Antarctica determines that the activity will have less than a minor or transitory impact, or unless a comprehensive environmental evaluation is being prepared in accordance with subparagraph (C), the agency shall prepare an initial environmental evaluation in accordance with Article 2 of Annex I to the Protocol.

(B) If the agency determines, through the preparation of the initial environmental evaluation, that the proposed Federal activity is likely to have no more than a minor or transitory impact, the activity may proceed if appropriate procedures are put in place to assess and verify the impact of the activity.

(C) If the agency determines, through the preparation of the initial environmental evaluation or otherwise, that a proposed Federal activity is likely to have more than a minor or transitory impact, the agency shall prepare and circulate a comprehensive environmental evaluation in accordance with Article 3 of Annex I to the Protocol, and shall make such comprehensive environmental evaluation publicly available for comment.

(3) Any agency decision under this section on whether a proposed Federal activity, to which paragraph (2)(C) applies, should proceed, and, if so, whether in its original or in a modified form, shall be based on the comprehensive environmental evaluation as well as other considerations which the agency, in the exercise of its discretion, considers relevant.

(4) For the purposes of this section, the term “Federal activity” includes all activities conducted under a Federal agency research program in Antarctica, whether or not conducted by a Federal agency.

(b) Federal activities carried out jointly with foreign governments

(1) For the purposes of this subsection, the term “Antarctic joint activity” means any Federal activity in Antarctica which is proposed to be conducted, or which is conducted, jointly or in cooperation with one or more foreign governments. Such term shall be defined in regulations promulgated by such agencies as the President may designate.

(2) Where the Secretary of State, in cooperation with the lead United States agency planning an Antarctic joint activity, determines that—

(A) the major part of the joint activity is being contributed by a government or governments other than the United States;

(B) one such government is coordinating the implementation of environmental impact assessment procedures for that activity; and

the requirements of subsection (a) of this section shall not apply with respect to that activity.

(3) In all cases of Antarctic joint activity other than those described in paragraph (2), the requirements of subsection (a) of this section shall apply with respect to that activity, except as provided in paragraph (4).

(4) Determinations described in paragraph (2), and agency actions and decisions in connection with assessments of impacts of Antarctic joint activities, shall not be subject to judicial review.

(1) The Administrator shall, within 2 years after October 2, 1996, promulgate regulations to provide for—

(A) the environmental impact assessment of nongovernmental activities, including tourism, for which the United States is required to give advance notice under paragraph 5 of Article VII of the Treaty; and

(B) coordination of the review of information regarding environmental impact assessment received from other Parties under the Protocol.

(2) Such regulations shall be consistent with Annex I to the Protocol.

(d) Decision to proceed

(1) No decision shall be taken to proceed with an activity for which a comprehensive environmental evaluation is prepared under this section unless there has been an opportunity for consideration of the draft comprehensive environmental evaluation at an Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting, except that no decision to proceed with a proposed activity shall be delayed through the operation of this paragraph for more than 15 months from the date of circulation of the draft comprehensive environmental evaluation pursuant to Article 3(3) of Annex I to the Protocol.

(2) The Secretary of State shall circulate the final comprehensive environmental evaluation, in accordance with Article 3(6) of Annex I to the Protocol, at least 60 days before the commencement of the activity in Antarctica.

(e) Cases of emergency

(f) Exclusive mechanism

(g) Decisions on permit applications

(h) Publication of notices

(Pub. L. 95–541, § 4A, as added Pub. L. 104–227, title I, § 104, Oct. 2, 1996, 110 Stat. 3038.)

§ 2404. Permits

(a) In general

(b) Applications for permits

(1) Applications for permits under this section shall be made in such manner and form, and shall contain such information, as the Director shall by regulation prescribe.

(2) The Director shall publish notice in the Federal Register of each application which is made for a permit under this section. The notice shall invite the submission by interested parties, within 30 days after the date of publication of the notice, of written data, comments, or views with respect to the application. Information received by the Director as a part of any application shall be available to the public as a matter of public record.

(1) If the Director receives an application for a permit under this section requesting authority to undertake any action with respect to—

(A) any native mammal which is a marine mammal within the meaning of section 1362(5) 1

1 See References in Text note below.

of this title;

(B) any native mammal, native bird, or native plant which is an endangered species or threatened species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.); or

the Director shall submit a copy of the application to the Secretary of Commerce or to the Secretary of the Interior, as appropriate (hereinafter in this subsection referred to respectively as the “appropriate Secretary”).

(2) After receiving a copy of any application from the Director under paragraph (1) the appropriate Secretary shall promptly determine, and notify the Director, whether or not any action proposed in the application also requires a permit or other authorization under any law administered by the appropriate Secretary.

(3) If the appropriate Secretary notifies the Director that any action proposed in the application requires a permit or other authorization under any law administered by the appropriate Secretary, the Director may not issue a permit under this section with respect to such action unless such other required permit or authorization is issued by the appropriate Secretary and a copy thereof is submitted to the Director. The issuance of any permit or other authorization by the appropriate Secretary for the carrying out of any action with respect to any native mammal, native bird, or native plant shall not be deemed to entitle the applicant concerned to the issuance by the Director of a permit under this section.

(d) Issuance of permits

(e)2

2 So in original. Two subsecs. (e) have been enacted.

Terms and conditions of permits

(1) Each permit issued under this section shall—

(A) if applicable, specify—

(i) the number and species of native mammals, native birds, native plants, or native invertebrates to which the permit applies, and

(ii) the manner in which the taking or harmful interference shall be conducted (which manner shall be determined by the Director to be humane) and the area in which it will be conducted;

(B) the period during which the permit is valid; and

(C) such other terms and conditions as the Director deems necessary and appropriate to ensure that any act authorized under the permit is carried out in a manner consistent with the purpose of this chapter, the criteria set forth in paragraph (2), if applicable, and the regulations prescribed under this chapter.

(2) The terms and conditions imposed by the Director in any permit issued under this section that authorizes any of the following acts shall be consistent with the following criteria:

(A) Permits authorizing the taking or harmful interference within Antarctica of any native mammal or native bird (other than a Specially Protected Species of any such mammal or bird)—

(i) may be issued only for the purpose of providing—(I) specimens for scientific study or scientific information, or(II) specimens for museums, zoological gardens, or other educational or cultural institutions or uses, or(III) for unavoidable consequences of scientific activities or the construction and operation of scientific support facilities; and

(ii) shall ensure, as far as possible, that—(I) no more native mammals and native birds are taken in any year than can normally be replaced by net natural reproduction in the following breeding season, and(II) the variety of species and the balance of the natural ecological systems within Antarctica are maintained.

(B) Permits authorizing the taking of Specially Protected Species may be issued only if—

(i) there is a compelling scientific purpose for such taking; and

(ii) the actions allowed under any such permit will not jeopardize any existing natural ecological system, or the survival, of such species.

(i) if the entry is consistent with an approved management plan, or

(ii) if a management plan relating to the area has not been approved but—(I) there is a compelling purpose for such entry which cannot be served elsewhere, and(II) the actions allowed under the permit will not jeopardize the natural ecological system existing in such area.

(e)2 Judicial review

(f) Modification, suspension, and revocation

(1) The Director may modify, suspend, or revoke, in whole or part, any permit issued under this section—

(A) in order to make the permit consistent with any change made after the date of issuance of the permit, to any regulation prescribed under section 2405 of this title;

(B) if there is any change in conditions which makes the permit inconsistent with the purpose of this chapter; or

(C) in any case in which there has been any violation of any term or condition of the permit, any regulation prescribed under this chapter, or any provision of this chapter.

(2) Whenever the Director proposes any modification, suspension, or revocation of a permit under this subsection, the permittee shall be afforded opportunity, after due notice, for a hearing by the Director with respect to such proposed modification, suspension, or revocation. If a hearing is requested, the action proposed by the Director shall not take effect before a decision is issued by him after the hearing, unless the proposed action is taken by the Director to meet an emergency situation. Any action taken by the Director after such a hearing is subject to judicial review on the same basis as is provided for with respect to permit applications under subsection (e).

(3) Notice of the modification, suspension, or revocation of any permit by the Director shall be published in the Federal Register within 10 days from the date of the Director’s decision.

(g) Permit fees

(Pub. L. 95–541, § 5, Oct. 28, 1978, 92 Stat. 2050; Pub. L. 104–227, title I, § 105, Oct. 2, 1996, 110 Stat. 3040.)

§ 2405. Regulations

(a) Regulations to be issued by Director

(1) The Director shall issue such regulations as are necessary and appropriate to implement Annex II and Annex V to the Protocol and the provisions of this chapter which implement those annexes, including section 2403(b)(2), (3), (4), and (5) of this title. The Director shall designate as native species—

(A) each species of the class Aves;

(B) each species of the class Mammalia; and

which is indigenous to Antarctica or which occurs there seasonally through natural migrations.

(2) The Director, with the concurrence of the Administrator, shall issue such regulations as are necessary and appropriate to implement Annex III to the Protocol and the provisions of this chapter which implement that Annex, including section 2403(a)(1), (2), (3), and (4) of this title, and section 2403(b)(1) of this title.

(3) The Director shall issue such regulations as are necessary and appropriate to implement Article 15 of the Protocol with respect to land areas and ice shelves in Antarctica.

(4) The Director shall issue such additional regulations as are necessary and appropriate to implement the Protocol and this chapter, except as provided in subsection (b).

(b) Regulations to be issued by Secretary of Department in which Coast Guard is operating

(Pub. L. 95–541, § 6, Oct. 28, 1978, 92 Stat. 2053; Pub. L. 104–227, title I, § 106, Oct. 2, 1996, 110 Stat. 3041.)

§ 2406. Notification of travel to Antarctica

The Secretary of State shall prescribe such regulations as may be necessary and appropriate to implement, with respect to United States citizens, paragraph 5 of Article VII of the Treaty pertaining to the filing of advance notifications of expeditions to, and within, Antarctica. For purposes of this section, the term “United States citizen” shall include any foreign person who organizes within the United States any expedition which will proceed to Antarctica from the United States.

(Pub. L. 95–541, § 7, Oct. 28, 1978, 92 Stat. 2054.)

§ 2407. Civil penalties

(a) Assessment of penalties

(b) Hearings

(d) Penalties under other laws

(Pub. L. 95–541, § 8, Oct. 28, 1978, 92 Stat. 2054.)

§ 2408. Criminal offenses

(a) Offenses

(b) Punishment

(Pub. L. 95–541, § 9, Oct. 28, 1978, 92 Stat. 2054.)

§ 2409. Enforcement

(a) Responsibility

(b) Powers of authorized officers

Any officer who is authorized (by the Director, the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of Commerce, the Secretary of the Interior, the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating, or the head of any Federal or State agency which has entered into an agreement with the Director or any such Secretary under subsection (a)) to enforce the provisions of this chapter and of any regulation or permit issued under this chapter may—

(1) secure, execute, and serve any order, warrant, subpena, or other process, which is issued under the authority of the United States;

(2) search without warrant any person, place, or conveyance where there is reasonable grounds to believe that a person has committed or is attempting to commit an act prohibited by section 2403(a) of this title;

(3) seize without warrant any evidentiary item where there is reasonable grounds to believe that a person has committed or is attempting to commit any such act;

(4) offer and pay rewards for services or information which may lead to the apprehension of violators of such provisions;

(5) make inquiries, and administer to, or take from, any person an oath, affirmation, or affidavit, concerning any matter which is related to the enforcement of such provisions;

(6) detain for inspection and inspect any package, crate, or other container, including its contents, and all accompanying documents, upon importation into, or exportation from, the United States; and

(7) make an arrest with or without a warrant with respect to any act prohibited by section 2403(a) of this title if such officer has reasonable grounds to believe that the person to be arrested is committing such act in his presence or view, or has committed such act.

(d) Forfeiture

(1) Any animal or plant with respect to which an act prohibited by section 2403(a) of this title is committed shall be subject to forfeiture to the United States.

(2) All guns, traps, nets, and other equipment, vessels, vehicles, aircraft, and other means of transportation used in the commission of any act prohibited by section 2403(a) of this title shall be subject to forfeiture to the United States.

(3) Upon the forfeiture to the United States of any property or item described in paragraph (1) or (2), or upon the abandonment or waiver of any claim to any such property or item, it shall be disposed of by the Director, the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of Commerce, the Secretary of the Interior, or the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating, as the case may be, in such a manner, consistent with the purposes of the chapter, as may be prescribed by regulation; except that no native mammal, native bird, or native plant may be disposed of by sale to the public.

(e) Application of customs laws

(f) Regulations

(Pub. L. 95–541, § 10, Oct. 28, 1978, 92 Stat. 2055.)

§ 2410. Jurisdiction of district courts

The district courts of the United States shall have exclusive jurisdiction over any case or controversy arising under the provisions of this chapter or of any regulation prescribed, or permit issued, under this chapter.

(Pub. L. 95–541, § 11, Oct. 28, 1978, 92 Stat. 2056.)

§ 2411. Federal agency cooperation

Each Federal department or agency whose activities affect Antarctica shall utilize, to the maximum extent practicable, its authorities in furtherance of the purposes of this chapter, and shall cooperate with the Director in carrying out the purposes of this chapter.

(Pub. L. 95–541, § 12, Oct. 28, 1978, 92 Stat. 2056.)

§ 2412. Relationship to existing treaties

Nothing in this chapter shall be construed as contravening or superseding the provisions of any international treaty, convention, or agreement, if such treaty, convention, or agreement is in force with respect to the United States on October 28, 1978, or of any statute which implements any such treaty, convention, or agreement.

(Pub. L. 95–541, § 13, Oct. 28, 1978, 92 Stat. 2056.)

§ 2413. Saving provisions

(a) Regulations

(b) Permits

(Pub. L. 95–541, § 14, as added Pub. L. 104–227, title I, § 107, Oct. 2, 1996, 110 Stat. 3042.)