Notice of Permit Applications Received Under the Antarctic Conservation Act of 1978, 54251 [2021-21201]

Download as PDF LOTTER on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 187 / Thursday, September 30, 2021 / Notices awardees from four postsecondary community/technical colleges or systems. The NTEWS sample design will meet the needs of both NCSES and NCES by providing coverage of the workforce-eligible adult population and including an oversample of adults who are in skilled technical occupations. Estimate of Burden: The expected response rate for the overall NTEWS sample is 62 percent, or 30,565 respondents. The amount of time to complete the survey may vary depending on an individual’s circumstances and the collection mode (web, paper, or telephone). NCSES estimates an average completion time of 15 minutes. NCSES estimates that the average annual burden for the initial NTEWS for the three-year OMB clearance period will be no more than 2,547 hours [(30,565 completed cases × 15 minutes)/3 years]. Updates: A few changes occurred between the publication of the first FRN and this second FRN. The first FRN did not include the estimated burden of the non-production seeded sample and bridge panel studies, which are reflected in this FRN. The estimated burden for the production sample in the first FRN approximated the average annual burden for the initial NTEWS throughout the three-year OMB clearance period to be 2,084 hours [(25,000 completed cases × 15 minutes)/ 3 years]. NCSES increased the production sample size from 42,000 to 43,200 to meet precision requirements for NTEWS estimates. This FRN contains revised burden information. Comments: Comments are invited on (a) aspects of the data collection effort (including, but not limited to, the following: the availability of administrative and supplemental sources of data on the skilled technical workforce, survey content, contact strategy, and statistical methods); (b) whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of NCSES, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (c) the accuracy of the NCSES’s estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information; (d) ways to enhance the quality, use, and clarity of the information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology; and (e) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology. VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:15 Sep 29, 2021 Jkt 253001 Dated: September 27, 2021. Suzanne H. Plimpton, Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation. [FR Doc. 2021–21254 Filed 9–29–21; 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. Notice of permit applications received. AGENCY: ACTION: 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 November 1, 2021. 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 or ACApermits@nsf.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Polly Penhale, ACA Permit Officer, at the above address, 703–292–8030. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The National Science Foundation, as directed by the Antarctic Conservation Act of 1978 (Publ. L. 95–541, 45 CFR 671), 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 as requiring special protection. The regulations establish such a permit system to designate Antarctic Specially Protected Areas. SUMMARY: Application Details Permit Application: 2022–010 1. Applicant: Dr. John Durban, 446 Harbor Vista Drive Friday Harbor, WA 98250. Activity for Which Permit Is Requested: Take, Import into the U.S.A. The Applicant seeks an Antarctic PO 00000 Frm 00103 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 54251 Conservation Act permit for continued research activities studying the health of whale populations in the Southern Ocean and impacts of environmental changes on Antarctic marine ecosystems. The applicant will use aerial photogrammetry to collect data on whale morphometrics and health. The applicant proposes to use unoccupied aerial systems (UAS), particularly small, radio-controlled hexacopters, for aerial photogrammetry, and to use handheld cameras for photo-identification. The hexacopters will be flown greater than 100 ft above the whales for identification and assessment purposes. The applicant also proposes use of the UAS to collect respiratory (blow) samples of commonly encountered whales to aid in understanding of cetacean microbiomes and respiratory health. This data will be supplemented by the collection of remote biopsy samples of whale skin and blubber, which will provide more detailed information on cetacean diet and contribute to genetic understanding of whale populations in the Southern Ocean. Additionally, opportunistic samples of dead marine mammals may be salvaged by the applicant to further understanding of killer whale diet and ecology. Samples will be imported into the United States for analysis and ultimate disposition at the Southwest Fisheries Science Center. Location: Antarctic Peninsula Region, Southern Ross Sea region. Dates of Permitted Activities: December 1, 2021–April 30, 2026. Erika N. Davis, Program Specialist, Office of Polar Programs. [FR Doc. 2021–21201 Filed 9–29–21; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7555–01–P NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request; Grantee Reporting Requirements for NSF NRT Program National Science Foundation. Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request. AGENCY: ACTION: The National Science Foundation (NSF) has submitted the following information collection requirement to OMB for review and clearance under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. This is the second notice for public comment; the first was published in the Federal Register and no comments were received. NSF is forwarding the proposed new submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\30SEN1.SGM 30SEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 187 (Thursday, September 30, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Page 54251]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-21201]


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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.

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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 November 1, 2021. 
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 or [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Polly Penhale, ACA Permit Officer, at 
the above address, 703-292-8030.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The National Science Foundation, as directed 
by the Antarctic Conservation Act of 1978 (Publ. L. 95-541, 45 CFR 
671), 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 as requiring special protection. 
The regulations establish such a permit system to designate Antarctic 
Specially Protected Areas.

Application Details

Permit Application: 2022-010

    1. Applicant: Dr. John Durban, 446 Harbor Vista Drive Friday 
Harbor, WA 98250.
    Activity for Which Permit Is Requested: Take, Import into the 
U.S.A. The Applicant seeks an Antarctic Conservation Act permit for 
continued research activities studying the health of whale populations 
in the Southern Ocean and impacts of environmental changes on Antarctic 
marine ecosystems. The applicant will use aerial photogrammetry to 
collect data on whale morphometrics and health. The applicant proposes 
to use unoccupied aerial systems (UAS), particularly small, radio-
controlled hexacopters, for aerial photogrammetry, and to use handheld 
cameras for photo-identification. The hexacopters will be flown greater 
than 100 ft above the whales for identification and assessment 
purposes. The applicant also proposes use of the UAS to collect 
respiratory (blow) samples of commonly encountered whales to aid in 
understanding of cetacean microbiomes and respiratory health. This data 
will be supplemented by the collection of remote biopsy samples of 
whale skin and blubber, which will provide more detailed information on 
cetacean diet and contribute to genetic understanding of whale 
populations in the Southern Ocean. Additionally, opportunistic samples 
of dead marine mammals may be salvaged by the applicant to further 
understanding of killer whale diet and ecology. Samples will be 
imported into the United States for analysis and ultimate disposition 
at the Southwest Fisheries Science Center.
    Location: Antarctic Peninsula Region, Southern Ross Sea region.
    Dates of Permitted Activities: December 1, 2021-April 30, 2026.

Erika N. Davis,
Program Specialist, Office of Polar Programs.
[FR Doc. 2021-21201 Filed 9-29-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-P
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