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ARTICLE 3
ARTICLE 3
ENVIRONMENTAL PRINCIPLES
1. The protection of the Antarctic environment and dependent and associated
ecosystems and the intrinsic value of Antarctica, including its wilderness
and aesthetic values and its value as an area fbr the conduct of scientific
research, in particular research essential to understanding the global
environment, shall be fundamental considerations in the planning and conduct
of all activities in the
Antarctic Treaty area.
2. To this end:
(a) activities in the Antarctic Treaty area shall be planned and conducted
so asto limit adverse impacts on the Antarctic environment and dependent
and associated ecosystems;
(b) activities in the Antarctic Treaty area shall be planned and conducted
so asto avoid:
(i)adverse effects on climate or weather patterns;
(ii)significant adverse effects on air or water quality;
(iii)significant changes in the atmospheric, terrestrial (including
aquatic), g lacial or marine environments;
(iv)detrimental changes in the distribution, abundance or productivity
of speci es or populations of species of fauna and flora;
(v)further jeopardy to endangered or threatened. species or populations
of such species; or
(vi)degradation of, or substantial risk to, areas of biological,
scientific, hi storic, aesthetic or wilderness significance.
(c) activities in the Antarctic Treaty area shall be planned and conducted
on the basis of information sufficient to allow prior assessments of, and
informed judgments about, their possible impacts on the Antartic environment
and dependent and associated ecosystems and on the value of Antarctica
for the conduct of scientific research; such judgments shall takefull account
of:
(i)the scope of the activity, including its area,duration and
intensity;
(ii)the cumulative impacts of the activity, bothby itself and
in combination wi th other activities in the Antarctic Treaty area;
(iii)whether the activity will detrimentally affect any other
activity in the A ntarctic Treaty area;
(iv)whether technology and procedures are available to provide
for environmenta lly safe operations;
(v)whether there exists the capacity to monitorkey environmental
parameters and ecosystem components so as to identify and provide
early warning of any advers e effects of the activity and to provide for
such modification of operating pro cedures as may be necessary in the light
of the results of monitoring or increa sed knowledge of the Antarctic environment
and dependent and associated ecosyst ems; and
(vi)whether there exists the capacity to respond promptly and
effectively to ac cidents, particularly those with potential environmental
effects;
(d) regular and effective monitoring shall take place to allow assessment
of the impacts of ongoing activities, including the verification of predicted
impacts;
(e) regular and effective monitoring shall take place to facilitate
early detection of the possible unforeseen effects of activities carried
on both within and outside the Antarctic Treaty area on the Antarctic environment
and dependent and associated ecosystems.
3. Activities shall be planned and conducted in the Antarctic Treaty area so as to accord priority to scientific research and to preserve the value of Antarctica as an area for the conduct of such research, including research essential to understanding the global environment.
4. Activities undertaken in the Antarctic Treaty area pursuant to scientific
research programmes, tourism and all other governmental and non-governmental
activities in the Antarctic Treaty area for which advance notice is required
in accordance with Article VII (5) of the Antarctic Treaty including associated
logistic support activities, shall:
(a) take place in a manner consistent with the principles in this Article;
and
(b) be modified, suspended or cancelled if they result in or threaten
to result in impacts upon the Antarctic environment or dependent
or associated ecosystems inconsistent with those principles.
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