U.S.C.
section 2401 et seq., provides civil and criminal penalties for the
following activities, unless authorized by regulation of statute: the
taking of native mammals or birds; the introduction of nonindigenous
plants and animals; entry into specially protected or scientific
areas; the discharge or disposal of pollutants; and the importation
into the US of certain items from Antarctica. Violation of the
Antarctic Conservation Act carries penalties of up to $10,000 in fines
and one year in prison. The Departments of Treasury, Commerce,
Transportation, and Interior share enforcement responsibilities.
Public Law 95-541, the US Antarctic Conservation Act of 1978, requires
expeditions from the US to Antarctica to notify, in advance, the
Office of Oceans and Polar Affairs, Room 5801, Department of State,
Washington, DC 20520, which reports such plans to other nations as
required by the Antarctic Treaty. For more information, contact Permit
Office, Office of Polar Programs, National Science Foundation,
Arlington, Virginia 22230 (703) 306-1031.

@Antarctica:Economy

Economy-overview: No economic activity at present except for fishing
off the coast and small-scale tourism, both based abroad.

Communications

Telephones: NA

Telephone system:
domestic: NA
international: NA

Radio broadcast stations: AM NA, FM NA, shortwave NA

Radios: NA

Television broadcast stations: NA

Televisions: NA

@Antarctica:Transportation

Ports and harbors: none; offshore anchorage

Airports: 18 (1997 est.); 39 landing facilities at different locations
operated by 16 national governments party to the Treaty; two
additional air facilities operated by commercial (nongovernmental)
tourist organizations; helicopter pads at 33 of these locations;
runways at 13 locations are gravel, sea ice, glacier ice, or compacted
snow surface suitable for wheeled fixed-wing aircraft; no paved
runways; 14 locations have snow-surface skiways limited to use by
ski-equipped planes-8 runways/skiways greater than 3,000 m, 12
runways/skiways 1,000 to 3,000 m, 2 runways/skiways less than 1,000 m,
and 5 of unspecified or variable length; airports generally subject to
severe restrictions and limitations resulting from extreme seasonal
and geographic conditions; airports do not meet ICAO standards;
advance approval from the respective governmental or nongovernmental
operating organization required for landing (1997 est.)

Airports-with unpaved runways:
to