The Antarctic Conservation Act provides for the protection of any Antarctic ecosystems and their native plants, mammals, or birds from unlawful influence by the United States of America, it's inhabitants or expeditions. Like the Antarctic Environmental Protection Act from Canada, it becomes regulatory law for someone, regardless of whether they are an American citizen or not, if they are in any way associated with an American mission to the area.
It became illegal to:
Here, violations are subject to fine or imprisonment, representing concrete methods to protect the natural environment which are not present in other treaties put forth.
https://www.loc.gov/law/help/guide/nations/antarctica.php
https://www.nsf.gov/geo/plr/antarct/aca/aca.jsp
It became illegal to:
- interfere with the environment in a degrading way
- enter areas under special protection in the region
- introduce species to Antarctica
- discharge or dispose of waste
- provide the distribution of certain products in the states or abroad
- especially involving the movement of native animals
Here, violations are subject to fine or imprisonment, representing concrete methods to protect the natural environment which are not present in other treaties put forth.
https://www.loc.gov/law/help/guide/nations/antarctica.php
https://www.nsf.gov/geo/plr/antarct/aca/aca.jsp