Notice of Availability of Draft Comprehensive Environmental Evaluation (CEE) for Continuation and Modernization of McMurdo Station Area Activities in Antarctica, 16547 [2019-07903]

Download as PDF khammond on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 76 / Friday, April 19, 2019 / Notices ambient air. This unventilated area borders the return air-courses of the active mine. Any gases that emit from the abandoned area will be carried to an exhaust vent shaft and removed from the mine—never reaching any active work areas or areas not already maintained to function in a gassy environment. —Westvaco’s active workings receive forced air from the surface. This mechanical ventilation creates a positive pressure environment that impedes the air in the impounded area from migrating through the barricades. —The abandoned area is flooded, creating a liquid barrier between the submersible pump components and the ambient air. (7) The physical design of the submersible pump system places the intake nozzle above the pump system’s electrical components. The system’s low water level shutoff sensor is a permissible component, and is positioned 15 feet above the pump’s intake nozzle. The result of this design ensures that the electrical components will always be submerged, preventing their exposure to the ambient air. Because the non-permissible components will always be submerged, liquid barrier ensures that nonpermissible equipment is not used in areas where methane may enter the air current. (8) The pump system(s) will be in locations that are inaccessible by miners and the pumps operate autonomously, with remote control possible from the surface. (9) Petitioner proposes to install autonomous equipment into a permanently abandoned area to support its milling activities on the surface. The petitioner states that if it is forced to undertake an alternative extraction method for the trona solution, the nonautonomous solution will likely require miners to be involved in the extraction which is less safe than an autonomous operation that only requires miners on the surface. The use of automated, submersible pump systems allows petitioner to avoid exposing miners to hazards associated with underground mining. (10) The submersible pumps and technological upgrades that petitioner intends to install to perform liquid mining in underground impounded areas where no miners are present will provide a greater measure of safety than would be provided by having miners working in these areas who would then be exposed to the potential hazards of underground mining. Moreover, the use VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:23 Apr 18, 2019 Jkt 247001 of automated, submersible pumps to transport a liquid trona solution to the surface for refining will not result in a diminution of safety compared to traditional underground mining activities. The modification requested in this petition provides the same or greater degree of protection to persons underground as would be afforded by other methods of compliance and avoids reducing safety by the use of other methods. Sheila McConnell, Director, Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances. [FR Doc. 2019–07934 Filed 4–18–19; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4520–43–P NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION Notice of Availability of Draft Comprehensive Environmental Evaluation (CEE) for Continuation and Modernization of McMurdo Station Area Activities in Antarctica National Science Foundation. Notice of Availability. AGENCY: ACTION: The National Science Foundation (NSF) has made available for public review and comment the Draft Comprehensive Environmental Evaluation (CEE) for Continuation and Modernization of McMurdo Station Area Activities, pursuant to the Antarctic Conservation Act, as amended, its implementing regulations, and in accordance with the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty. The proposed activity would implement modernization projects at McMurdo Station while continuing United States Antarctic Program (USAP) science and operations at McMurdo Station and locations supported by the Station. NSF invites interested members of the public to provide written comments on this Draft CEE. Substantive comments will be addressed in a Final CEE. DATES: NSF will accept comment on this permit application until July 11, 2019. The draft CEE may be viewed by interested parties at https:// www.nsf.gov/geo/opp/antarct/treaty/ modernization_cee.jsp. ADDRESSES: Written comments should be addressed to Dr. Polly A. Penhale, Senior Advisor, Environment, Office of Polar Programs, National Science Foundation, 2415 Eisenhower Avenue, Alexandria, Virginia 22314 or CEE.comments@nsf.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information regarding the CEE SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00093 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 16547 process, please contact Dr. Polly A. Penhale, at the above address, 703–292– 8030, or CEE.comments@nsf.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A Notice of Availability of the CEE to modernize McMurdo Station and continue McMurdo area science and operational activities was also published in the Federal Register (Vol 84, No.71/Friday, April 12, 2019, Page 14936) and is available through the Environmental Protection Agency’s Environmental Impact Statement Database at https:// cdxnodengn.epa.gov/cdx-enepa-II/ public/action/eis/details?eisId=269627. Additional information on the proposed actions and purpose and need are provided in the Notice of Intent to prepare a CEE published in the Federal Register (Vol. 81, No. 164/Wednesday, August 24, 2016, Pages 57940–57941). Erika N. Davis, Program Specialist, Office of Polar Programs. [FR Doc. 2019–07903 Filed 4–18–19; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7555–01–P NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION [NRC–2019–0097] Information Collection: Nuclear Energy Innovation and Modernization Act Local Community Advisory Board Questionnaire Nuclear Regulatory Commission. ACTION: Proposed information collection; request for comment. AGENCY: The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) invites public comment on this proposed collection of information. The information collection is entitled, ‘‘Nuclear Energy Innovation and Modernization Act Local Community Advisory Board Questionnaire.’’ SUMMARY: Submit comments by June 18, 2019. Comments received after this date will be considered if it is practical to do so, but the Commission is able to ensure consideration only for comments received on or before this date. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by any of the following methods: • Federal Rulemaking Website: Go to https://www.regulations.gov and search for Docket ID NRC–2019–0097. Address questions about docket IDs in Regulations.gov to Jennifer Borges; telephone: 301–287–917; email: Jennifer.Borges@nrc.gov. For technical questions, contact the individual listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of this document. DATES: E:\FR\FM\19APN1.SGM 19APN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 76 (Friday, April 19, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Page 16547]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-07903]


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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


Notice of Availability of Draft Comprehensive Environmental 
Evaluation (CEE) for Continuation and Modernization of McMurdo Station 
Area Activities in Antarctica

AGENCY: National Science Foundation.

ACTION: Notice of Availability.

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SUMMARY: The National Science Foundation (NSF) has made available for 
public review and comment the Draft Comprehensive Environmental 
Evaluation (CEE) for Continuation and Modernization of McMurdo Station 
Area Activities, pursuant to the Antarctic Conservation Act, as 
amended, its implementing regulations, and in accordance with the 
Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty. The 
proposed activity would implement modernization projects at McMurdo 
Station while continuing United States Antarctic Program (USAP) science 
and operations at McMurdo Station and locations supported by the 
Station. NSF invites interested members of the public to provide 
written comments on this Draft CEE. Substantive comments will be 
addressed in a Final CEE.

DATES: NSF will accept comment on this permit application until July 
11, 2019. The draft CEE may be viewed by interested parties at https://www.nsf.gov/geo/opp/antarct/treaty/modernization_cee.jsp.

ADDRESSES: Written comments should be addressed to Dr. Polly A. 
Penhale, Senior Advisor, Environment, Office of Polar Programs, 
National Science Foundation, 2415 Eisenhower Avenue, Alexandria, 
Virginia 22314 or [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information regarding the 
CEE process, please contact Dr. Polly A. Penhale, at the above address, 
703-292-8030, or [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A Notice of Availability of the CEE to 
modernize McMurdo Station and continue McMurdo area science and 
operational activities was also published in the Federal Register (Vol 
84, No.71/Friday, April 12, 2019, Page 14936) and is available through 
the Environmental Protection Agency's Environmental Impact Statement 
Database at https://cdxnodengn.epa.gov/cdx-enepa-II/public/action/eis/details?eisId=269627.
    Additional information on the proposed actions and purpose and need 
are provided in the Notice of Intent to prepare a CEE published in the 
Federal Register (Vol. 81, No. 164/Wednesday, August 24, 2016, Pages 
57940-57941).

Erika N. Davis,
Program Specialist, Office of Polar Programs.
[FR Doc. 2019-07903 Filed 4-18-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 7555-01-P
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