The Antarctic Treaty system, with its Agreed Measures for the Conservation of Fauna and Flora (1964) and its Protocol on Environmental Protection (1991), prescribes comprehensive protective measures.  The U.S. Government is pledged to uphold these principles.  In operating the USAP, the NSF follows U.S. and international requirements regarding environmental protection.  The following are standard USAP environmental and waste management practices:

• Cradle-to-grave management of supply/­­waste stream
• Source-point sorting and removal of all solid and hazardous waste from Antarctica, of which approximately 65 percent is recycled
• Environmental monitoring and research
• Comprehensive spill prevention and cleanup program (e.g., fuel lines and hoses, double-walled or bermed fuel tanks, cleanup training and equipment)
• Permitting system in place for all scientific and other activities involving Antarctic fauna and flora
• Educational and enforcement procedures for waste management and environmental protection
• Sewage treatment plant at McMurdo, now fully operational
• Improvement of management plans for Specially Protected Areas, in cooperation with other Antarctic Treaty nations
• Antarctic Specially Managed Area in 2004 to enhance environmental stewardship of the McMurdo Dry Valleys; management plan written and submitted to the Antarctic Treaty by the United States and New Zealand 
• In compliance with all applicable treaties and U.S. laws *

For more information about the protection of the Antarctic environment, read about the U.S. Antarctic Program Environmental Stewardship.

* The Antarctic Conservation Act, Public Law 95-541, authorizes U.S. regulations for compliance.  See http://www.nsf.gov/od/opp/antarct/aca/aca.jsp