The South Pole ASMA Management Group presently formally includes Norway, the United Kingdom and the United States. As the only permanently resident operator at the South Pole and the original proponent of the Antarctic Specially Managed Area (ASMA), the United States plays a lead role in coordinating day-to-day activities within the ASMA. The Management Plan is subject to review and approval by the Antarctic Treaty Parties at regular intervals, and there is frequent dialog among national programs and non-governmental visitors who travel to the South Pole. Norway has a particular interest because the Norwegian Roald Amundsen was the first to reach the South Pole on 14 December 1911, and the expedition left a tent at the Pole which has now been designated as Historic Site and Monument No. 80 (now deeply buried in ice some distance from the Pole). The United Kingdom also has a strong interest, originating with the historic expeditions of Captain Robert Falcon Scott and Ernest Shackleton.
.Five years after the ASMA was adopted, a review of the current Management Plan was initiated by the US. This review took stock of developments since the ASMA was first agreed (e.g. changes in scientific programs, support infrastructure and non-governmental activities), and took into account wider changes in the Antarctic Treaty forum over this period (e.g. new guidelines that have been agreed more generally). The process involved consultation amongst stakeholders with operations or interests at the South Pole, updating and improving the Management Plan to ensure it remains current and relevant. An important part of the review were updates to the maps, taking into account the movement of facilities on the ice over the period. It was a complex process, involving numerous stakeholder groups. The comprehensively revised Management Plan for the South Pole ASMA (Adobe PDF) was adopted by the Treaty Parties in 2017.
National Parties who wish to join the Management Group are encouraged to contact the United States Antarctic Program (USAP). Other interested stakeholders who wish to be involved in the update of the Management Plan are also encouraged to contact the USAP.
Because the permanent infrastructure and most of the activities occurring at the South Pole are related to the US Program, the Management Group responsible for implementation of the ASMA Management Plan is at present formed and led by the US, with Norway being the other principal member. Other National Programs, tour operators, or private expeditions are encouraged to contact the Management Group in advance of any planned activities so these can be coordinated properly to ensure that there is no conflict with scientific programs, logistical needs, or environmental priorities.
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