Notice of Permit Applications Received Under the Antarctic Conservation Act of 1978, 49118-49119 [2019-20142]

Download as PDF 49118 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 181 / Wednesday, September 18, 2019 / Notices Permit Application: 2020–009 3. Applicant: Robin West, Director of Expedition Operations, Onboard Revenue, Seabourn Quest, Seabourn Cruise Line Ltd., 450 Third Ave. W, Seattle, WA 98119. Activity for Which Permit is Requested: Waste Management. The applicant proposes to operate small, battery-operated remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) consisting, in part, of a quadcopter equipped with cameras to collect commercial and educational footage of the Antarctic. The quadcopter would not be flown over concentrations of birds or mammals, or over Antarctic Specially Protected Areas or Historic Sites and Monuments. The RPAS would only be operated by pilots with extensive experience, who are pre-approved by the Expedition Leader. Several measures would be taken to prevent against loss of the quadcopter including painting them a highly visible color; only flying when the wind is less than 25 knots; flying for only 15 minutes at a time to preserve battery life; having prop guards on propeller tips, a flotation device if operated over water, and an ‘‘auto go home’’ feature in case of loss of control link or low battery; having an observer on the lookout for wildlife, people, and other hazards; and ensuring that the separation between the operator and quadcopter does not exceed an operational range of 500 meters. The applicant is seeking a Waste Permit to cover any accidental releases that may result from operating the RPAS. Location: Antarctic Peninsula Region. Dates of Permitted Activities: November 1, 2019–March 31, 2023. Erika N. Davis, Program Specialist, Office of Polar Programs. [FR Doc. 2019–20143 Filed 9–17–19; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7555–01–P NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION Notice of Permit Applications Received Under the Antarctic Conservation Act of 1978 National Science Foundation. ACTION: Notice of permit applications received. khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES AGENCY: The National Science Foundation (NSF) is required to publish a notice of permit applications received to conduct activities regulated under the Antarctic Conservation Act of 1978. NSF has published regulations under the Antarctic Conservation Act in the Code of Federal Regulations. This is the SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:01 Sep 17, 2019 Jkt 247001 required notice of permit applications received. DATES: Interested parties are invited to submit written data, comments, or views with respect to this permit application by October 18, 2019. This application may be inspected by interested parties at the Permit Office, address below. ADDRESSES: Comments should be addressed to Permit Office, Office of Polar Programs, National Science Foundation, 2415 Eisenhower Avenue, Alexandria, Virginia 22314. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nature McGinn, ACA Permit Officer, at the above address, 703–292–8030, or ACApermits@nsf.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The National Science Foundation, as directed by the Antarctic Conservation Act of 1978 (Pub. L. 95–541, 45 CFR 670), as amended by the Antarctic Science, Tourism and Conservation Act of 1996, has developed regulations for the establishment of a permit system for various activities in Antarctica and designation of certain animals and certain geographic areas a requiring special protection. The regulations establish such a permit system to designate Antarctic Specially Protected Areas. Application Details Permit Application: 2020–005 1. Applicant: Grant Ballard, Point Blue Conservation Science, 3820 Cypress Dr #11, Petaluma, CA 94954. Activity for Which Permit is Requested: Take, Harmful Interference, Enter Antarctic Specially Protected Areas (ASPAs). The applicant proposes to enter ASPAs at Cape Royds, ASPA 121, and Cape Crozier, ASPA 124, to conduct surveys of the Adelie penguin colonies via remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS). The areas would be accessed by helicopters and the ASPAs would be entered on foot. In order to survey the large colonies in a timely manner, the applicant proposes to employ multiple, self- and collectivelyaware remotely piloted aircraft simultaneously. The RPAS will be piloted by a trained, experienced, and certified operator and the operations will also involve additional visual observers. Test flights of the system will be conducted prior to Antarctic deployment and in Antarctica in an area in which there is minimal risk to wildlife or sensitive environments. For the surveys, the RPAS launch site would be at least 20 meters away from nesting birds and the RPAS would be operated at altitudes of 30–80 meters PO 00000 Frm 00031 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 above ground level to help ensure minimal disturbance. Surveys at Cape Crozier have the potential to disturb south polar skuas nesting near the penguin colony. Images obtained from the surveys would be used to estimate the number of nesting adults and chicks, as well as nesting density. Location: ASPA 121, Cape Royds, Ross Island; ASPA 124, Cape Crozier, Ross Island. Dates of Permitted Activities: November 10, 2019—September 30, 2020. Permit Application: 2020–007 2. Applicant: Peter West, National Science Foundation, Office of Polar Programs, 2415 Eisenhower Ave, Alexandria VA 22314. Activity for Which Permit is Requested: Enter Antarctic Specially Protected Areas (ASPAs). The National Science Foundation, as U.S. taxpayer supported government agency, routinely selects members of the U.S. news media to visit Antarctica and report on the science the foundation facilitates there. The newsgathering process requires journalists to visit specific sites and to speak with the researchers conducting science there. Any interviews, photographs or video gathered during visits to ASPAs would be used to inform the general public about the importance of the science conducted on the continent. Visits to the ASPAs listed in this application would take place in conjunction with valid scientific activities, for the express purposes of gathering images, footage, or information on scientific research, general scenic locations, and interviews with scientists working in the field. Journalists visiting Antarctica will be accompanied at all times by an NSF staff ‘‘escort’’. The escort will be a person who has years of experience working with field parties, with scientists and with journalists. The escort is cognizant of—and will follow the requirements contained in—the ASPA management plans and the Antarctic Conservation Act. They will ensure that every effort is made to practice ‘‘low impact’’ documentary procedures with regard to the natural environment as well as to adhere to all USAP operations and procedures. Location: ASPA 121, Cape Royds, Ross Island; ASPA 122, Arrival Heights, Hut Point Peninsula, Ross Island; ASPA 124, Cape Crozier, Ross Island; ASPA 131, Canada Glacier, Lake Fryxell, Taylor Valley, Victoria Land; ASPA 155, Cape Evans, Ross Island; ASPA 157, Backdoor Bay, Cape Royds, Ross Island; ASPA 158 Hut Point, Ross Island; ASPA 172, Lower Taylor Glacier and Blood E:\FR\FM\18SEN1.SGM 18SEN1 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 181 / Wednesday, September 18, 2019 / Notices Falls, Taylor Valley, McMurdo Dry Valleys, Victoria Land. Dates of Permitted Activities: October 31—December 31, 2019. Permit Application: 2020–008 3. Applicant: Robert Sanders, Department of Biology, Temple University, 1900 N 12th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19122. Activity for Which Permit is Requested: Introduce Non-indigenous Species into Antarctica. The applicant would use cultures of the bacteria as a food source during a study of Antarctic mixotrophic phytoplankton aboard the research vessel Nathaniel B. Palmer. The bacterial culture is a nonpathogenic marine species (Photobacterium angustum) obtained from American Type Culture Collection. This bacterial species would be used as it has been shown to have the ability to incorporate a thymidine substitute that can be used to identify which phytoplankton have ingested the bacteria. The feeding experiments would be conducted in sealed plastic containers kept isolated from the environment. At the conclusion of the experiments, any sample or culture remaining, including filtered seawater, would be destroyed by autoclaving on the ship. Supplies and equipment would be sterilized at the end of each experiment by autoclaving or using ethanol. The applicant and permit agents are experienced in using sterile techniques and in maintaining safe practices with microbial cultures. Location: West Antarctic Peninsula region. Dates of Permitted Activities: November 1–December 28, 2019. Erika N. Davis, Program Specialist, Office of Polar Programs. [FR Doc. 2019–20142 Filed 9–17–19; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7555–01–P NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES Advisory Committee for Education and Human Resources; Notice of Meeting In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act (Pub. L. 92– 463, as amended), the National Science Foundation (NSF) announces the following meeting: Name and Committee Code: Advisory Committee for Education and Human Resources (#1119) Date and Time: October 29, 2019; 8:30 a.m.—5:00 p.m. Place: Holiday Inn Alexandria— Carlyle, 2460 Eisenhower Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22314 VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:01 Sep 17, 2019 Jkt 247001 To attend the meeting in person, all visitors must contact the Directorate for Education and Human Resources at least 48 hours prior to the meeting to arrange for a visitor’s badge. All visitors must access NSF via the Visitor Center entry adjacent to the south building entrance on Eisenhower Avenue on the day of the meeting to receive a visitor’s badge. It is suggested that visitors allow time to pass through security screening. Type of Meeting: Open Contact Person: Keaven M. Stevenson, National Science Foundation, 2415 Eisenhower Avenue, Room C11001, Alexandria, VA 22314; (703) 292–8600/ kstevens@nsf.gov Summary of Minutes: Minutes and meeting materials will be available on the EHR Advisory Committee website at https://www.nsf.gov/ehr/advisory.jsp or can be obtained from Dr. Nafeesa Owens, National Science Foundation, 2415 Eisenhower Ave., Room C11045, Alexandria, VA 22314; (703) 292–8600; nowens@nsf.gov. Purpose of Meeting: To provide advice with respect to the Foundation’s science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education and human resources programming. 49119 The National Science Foundation (NSF) is required to publish a notice of requests to modify permits issued to conduct activities regulated and permits issued under the Antarctic Conservation Act of 1978. NSF has published regulations under the Antarctic Conservation Act in the Code of Federal Regulations. This is the required notice of a requested permit modification and permit issued. SUMMARY: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nature McGinn, ACA Permit Officer, Office of Polar Programs, National Science Foundation, 2415 Eisenhower Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22314; 703– 292–8224; email: ACApermits@nsf.gov. The National Science Foundation (NSF), as directed by the Antarctic Conservation Act of 1978 (Pub. L. 95–541, 45 CFR 670), as amended by the Antarctic Science, Tourism and Conservation Act of 1996, has developed regulations for the establishment of a permit system for various activities in Antarctica and designation of certain animals and certain geographic areas a requiring special protection. On November 3, 2015, the National Agenda Science Foundation issued an Antarctic Morning Sessions Conservation Act permit to Michael J. Polito for take, import into the USA, • Remarks from the EHR Advisory export from the USA, and entry into Committee Chair and EHR Assistant Antarctic Specially Protected Areas. The Director • Federal STEM Education 5-Year permit holder and his agents are Strategic Plan permitted to collect sediments and • NSF BIG IDEAS organic remains from active and • Revisiting EHR’s Strategic Revisioning abandoned penguin colonies and to Report collect feather samples from gentoo, chinstrap, and Adelie penguins. The Afternoon Sessions permit holder and agents are also • EHR AC Subcommittee Updates permitted to enter ASPAs in the South • EHR Response to Graduate Education Orkney Islands, the South Shetland AC Subcommittee Report Islands, the Antarctic Peninsula regions, • Discussion with Chief Operating the Ross Sea region, the Victoria Land Officer, F. Fleming Crim Coast, the McMurdo Station area, and Final agenda can be located at the East Antarctica, as listed in the issued EHR AC website: https://www.nsf.gov/ permit. ehr/advisory.jsp A recent modification of the permit, Dated: September 13, 2019. dated November 3, 2017, allowed the Crystal Robinson, salvage whole or partial specimens of Committee Management Officer. native Antarctic birds and whole eggs [FR Doc. 2019–20194 Filed 9–17–19; 8:45 am] that are found non-viable on beaches BILLING CODE 7555–01–P and at bird colonies. All specimens would be imported into the USA for identification and analysis. The ultimate NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION disposition of the specimens would be at academic institutions or museums. Notice of Permit Modification Received Now the permit holder proposes a Under the Antarctic Conservation Act permit modification to extend the of 1978 expiration date of the permit until AGENCY: National Science Foundation. August 31, 2020. ACTION: Notice of permit modification Dates of Permitted Activities: request received and permit issued. September 1, 2019 to August 31, 2020. PO 00000 Frm 00032 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: E:\FR\FM\18SEN1.SGM 18SEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 181 (Wednesday, September 18, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 49118-49119]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-20142]


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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


Notice of Permit Applications Received Under the Antarctic 
Conservation Act of 1978

AGENCY: National Science Foundation.

ACTION: Notice of permit applications received.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The National Science Foundation (NSF) is required to publish a 
notice of permit applications received to conduct activities regulated 
under the Antarctic Conservation Act of 1978. NSF has published 
regulations under the Antarctic Conservation Act in the Code of Federal 
Regulations. This is the required notice of permit applications 
received.

DATES: Interested parties are invited to submit written data, comments, 
or views with respect to this permit application by October 18, 2019. 
This application may be inspected by interested parties at the Permit 
Office, address below.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be addressed to Permit Office, Office of 
Polar Programs, National Science Foundation, 2415 Eisenhower Avenue, 
Alexandria, Virginia 22314.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nature McGinn, ACA Permit Officer, at 
the above address, 703-292-8030, or [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The National Science Foundation, as directed 
by the Antarctic Conservation Act of 1978 (Pub. L. 95-541, 45 CFR 670), 
as amended by the Antarctic Science, Tourism and Conservation Act of 
1996, has developed regulations for the establishment of a permit 
system for various activities in Antarctica and designation of certain 
animals and certain geographic areas a requiring special protection. 
The regulations establish such a permit system to designate Antarctic 
Specially Protected Areas.

Application Details

Permit Application: 2020-005

1. Applicant: Grant Ballard, Point Blue Conservation Science, 3820 
Cypress Dr #11, Petaluma, CA 94954.

    Activity for Which Permit is Requested: Take, Harmful Interference, 
Enter Antarctic Specially Protected Areas (ASPAs). The applicant 
proposes to enter ASPAs at Cape Royds, ASPA 121, and Cape Crozier, ASPA 
124, to conduct surveys of the Adelie penguin colonies via remotely 
piloted aircraft systems (RPAS). The areas would be accessed by 
helicopters and the ASPAs would be entered on foot. In order to survey 
the large colonies in a timely manner, the applicant proposes to employ 
multiple, self- and collectively-aware remotely piloted aircraft 
simultaneously. The RPAS will be piloted by a trained, experienced, and 
certified operator and the operations will also involve additional 
visual observers. Test flights of the system will be conducted prior to 
Antarctic deployment and in Antarctica in an area in which there is 
minimal risk to wildlife or sensitive environments. For the surveys, 
the RPAS launch site would be at least 20 meters away from nesting 
birds and the RPAS would be operated at altitudes of 30-80 meters above 
ground level to help ensure minimal disturbance. Surveys at Cape 
Crozier have the potential to disturb south polar skuas nesting near 
the penguin colony. Images obtained from the surveys would be used to 
estimate the number of nesting adults and chicks, as well as nesting 
density.
    Location: ASPA 121, Cape Royds, Ross Island; ASPA 124, Cape 
Crozier, Ross Island.
    Dates of Permitted Activities: November 10, 2019--September 30, 
2020.

Permit Application: 2020-007

2. Applicant: Peter West, National Science Foundation, Office of Polar 
Programs, 2415 Eisenhower Ave, Alexandria VA 22314.

    Activity for Which Permit is Requested: Enter Antarctic Specially 
Protected Areas (ASPAs). The National Science Foundation, as U.S. 
taxpayer supported government agency, routinely selects members of the 
U.S. news media to visit Antarctica and report on the science the 
foundation facilitates there. The newsgathering process requires 
journalists to visit specific sites and to speak with the researchers 
conducting science there. Any interviews, photographs or video gathered 
during visits to ASPAs would be used to inform the general public about 
the importance of the science conducted on the continent. Visits to the 
ASPAs listed in this application would take place in conjunction with 
valid scientific activities, for the express purposes of gathering 
images, footage, or information on scientific research, general scenic 
locations, and interviews with scientists working in the field. 
Journalists visiting Antarctica will be accompanied at all times by an 
NSF staff ``escort''. The escort will be a person who has years of 
experience working with field parties, with scientists and with 
journalists. The escort is cognizant of--and will follow the 
requirements contained in--the ASPA management plans and the Antarctic 
Conservation Act. They will ensure that every effort is made to 
practice ``low impact'' documentary procedures with regard to the 
natural environment as well as to adhere to all USAP operations and 
procedures.
    Location: ASPA 121, Cape Royds, Ross Island; ASPA 122, Arrival 
Heights, Hut Point Peninsula, Ross Island; ASPA 124, Cape Crozier, Ross 
Island; ASPA 131, Canada Glacier, Lake Fryxell, Taylor Valley, Victoria 
Land; ASPA 155, Cape Evans, Ross Island; ASPA 157, Backdoor Bay, Cape 
Royds, Ross Island; ASPA 158 Hut Point, Ross Island; ASPA 172, Lower 
Taylor Glacier and Blood

[[Page 49119]]

Falls, Taylor Valley, McMurdo Dry Valleys, Victoria Land.
    Dates of Permitted Activities: October 31--December 31, 2019.

Permit Application: 2020-008

3. Applicant: Robert Sanders, Department of Biology, Temple University, 
1900 N 12th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19122.

    Activity for Which Permit is Requested: Introduce Non-indigenous 
Species into Antarctica. The applicant would use cultures of the 
bacteria as a food source during a study of Antarctic mixotrophic 
phytoplankton aboard the research vessel Nathaniel B. Palmer. The 
bacterial culture is a non-pathogenic marine species (Photobacterium 
angustum) obtained from American Type Culture Collection. This 
bacterial species would be used as it has been shown to have the 
ability to incorporate a thymidine substitute that can be used to 
identify which phytoplankton have ingested the bacteria. The feeding 
experiments would be conducted in sealed plastic containers kept 
isolated from the environment. At the conclusion of the experiments, 
any sample or culture remaining, including filtered seawater, would be 
destroyed by autoclaving on the ship. Supplies and equipment would be 
sterilized at the end of each experiment by autoclaving or using 
ethanol. The applicant and permit agents are experienced in using 
sterile techniques and in maintaining safe practices with microbial 
cultures.
    Location: West Antarctic Peninsula region.
    Dates of Permitted Activities: November 1-December 28, 2019.

Erika N. Davis,
Program Specialist, Office of Polar Programs.
[FR Doc. 2019-20142 Filed 9-17-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 7555-01-P
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