Environmental impact assessment under the National Environmental Policy Act and the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty
- Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (United States)
Antarctica has been set aside by the international community for protection as a natural reserve and a place for scientific research. Through the Antarctic Treaty of 1961, the signing nations agreed to cooperate in protecting the antarctic environment, in conducting scientific studies, and in abstaining from the exercise of territorial claims. The 1991 signing of the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty (Protocol) by representatives of the 26 nations comprising the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Parties (Parties) significantly strengthened environmental protection measures for the continent. The Protocol required ratification by each of the governments individually prior to official implementation. In this paper, the authors describe the two instruments and highlight key similarities and differences with particular attention to environmental impact assessment. Through this comparison of the environmental impact assessment (EIA) requirements of the US National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the Protocol, they show how the requirements of each can be used in concert to provide enhanced environmental protection for the antarctic environment.
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE; USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC05-96OR22464
- OSTI ID:
- 6210690
- Journal Information:
- Environmental Management, Vol. 24:1; ISSN 0364-152X
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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