[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 208 (Friday, October 27, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55065-55066]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-26691]



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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION

Notice of Permit Applications Received Under the Antarctic 
Conservation Act of 1978 (Pub. L. 95-541)

AGENCY: National Science Foundation.

ACTION: Notice of permit applications received under the Antarctic 
Conservation Act of 1978, Pub. L. 95-541.

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SUMMARY: The National Science Foundation (NSF) is required to publish 
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 at Title 45 Part 670 
of 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 these permit applications by October 6, 1995. 
Permit applications may be inspected by interested parties at the 
Permit Office, address below.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be addressed to Permit Office, Room 755, 
Office of Polar Programs, National Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson 
Boulevard, Arlington, Virginia 22230.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Nadene G. Kennedy at the above address or (703) 306-1031.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The National Science Foundation, as directed 
by the Antarctic Conservation Act of 1978 (Pub. L. 95-541), has 
developed regulations that implement the ``Agreed Measures for the 
Conservation of Antarctic Fauna and Flora'' for all United States 
citizens. The Agreed Measures, developed by the Antarctic Treaty 
Consultative Parties, recommended 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 Specially 
Protected Areas and Sites of Special Scientific Interest.
    The applications received are as follows:
1. Applicant, Thomas A. Day, Department of Botany, Box 871601, Arizona 
State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287-1601, Permit Application No. 96-
017

Activity for Which Permit is Requested

    Take; Enter Specially Protected Area; Enter Site of Special 
Scientific Interest, and Import into the United States. The applicant 
requests permission to enter Litchfield Island (SPA #17) and Biscoe 
Point (SSSI #20) to collect up to 100 seeds and/or reproductive 
structures from the following vascular plants: Antarctic hairgrass 
(Deschampsia antarctica) and Antarctic pearlwort (Colobanthus 
quitensis). The Litchfield Island site is one of very few sites 
containing both plant species. Collection of samples from Biscoe Point 
is desirable since it is a relatively isolated site from others 
containing plant species and the researchers wish to determine whether 
the Biscoe populations are genetically similar to other antarctic plant 
populations. The seeds will be imported into the United States, 
propagated in growth chambers at Arizona State University, and used to 
determine how these species are influenced by environmental factors 
such as UV radiation and temperature.

Location

SPA #17--Litchfield Island, and SSSI #20--Biscoe Point, Anvers Island

Dates

December 1, 1995--April 30, 1997
2. Applicant, William D. Fraser, Biology Department, Montana State 
University, Bozeman, Montana 59717, Permit Application No. 96-024

Activity for Which Permit is Requested

    Import into the United States. The applicant proposes to salvage, 
for educational purposes, no more than 3 specimens of each species 
annually, if encountered. The species which may be salvaged are listed 
below:

Penguins: King (A. patagonicus), Adelie (Pygoscelis adeliae), Chinstrap 
(P. antarctica), Gentoo (P. papua), Macaroni (Eudyptes chrysolophus), 
and Rockhopper (E. chrysocome).
Albatrosses: Wandering (Diomedea exulans), Black-browed (D. 
melanophris), Gray-headed (D. chrysostoma), Sooty (Phoebetria fusca), 
and Light-mantled Sooty (P. palpebrata).
Fulmars, Prions and Petrels: Southern Giant Petrel (M. giganteus), 
Antarctic Fulmar (Fulmarus glacialoides), Antarctic Petrel (Thalassoica 
antarctical), Cape Petrel (Daption capense); Snow Petrel (Pagodroma 
nivea), Blue Petrel (Halobaena caerulea), White-chinned Petrel 
(Procellaria aequinoctialis), and Antarctic Prion (Pachyptila 
desolata).

[[Page 55066]]

Storm Petrels: Wilson's Storm Petrel (Oceanites oceanicus) and Black-
bellied Storm Petrel (Fregetta tropica).
Cormorants: Blue-eyed Shag (Phalacrocorax atriceps).
Sheathbills: Greater Sheathbill (Chionis alba)
Skuas: South Polar Skua (Catharacta maccormicki), and Brown Skua (C. 
lonnbergi).
Gulls and Terns: Kelp Gull (Larus dominicanus), and Antarctic Tern 
(Sterna vittata).

Location

Palmer Station vicinity and nearby islands accessible by zodiac.

Dates

October 1, 1995-May 31, 1998
3. Applicant, Rennie S. Holt, U.S. AMLR Program, Southwest Fisheries 
Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, 8604 La Jolla Shores 
Drive, La Jolla, California 92038, Permit Application No. 96-025

Activity for Which Permit is Requested

    Taking. The applicant proposes to continue collection of data on 
seabirds, in accordance with CCAMLR Protocols, that was begun at Seal 
Island in 1986. A census of up to 15,000 birds from each of the 
following species will be conducted: Chinstrap penguins, Macaaroni 
penguins and Cape Petrels. In addition, the applicant will capture and 
release up to 500 Chinstrap and Macaroni penguins each for purposes of 
measuring, weighing and examining to gather data on seabird abundance 
and growth to compare with data collected during previous years.

Location

South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninisula region.

Dates

January 1, 1996-April 1, 2001
4. Applicant, Rennie S. Holt, U.S. AMLR Program, Southwest Fisheries 
Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, 8604 La Jolla Shores 
Drive, La Jolla, California 92038, Permit Application No. 96-026

Activity for Which Permit is Requested

    Taking and Enter Sites of Special Scientific Interest. The 
applicant proposes to enter Byers Peninsula (SSSI #6) and Cape Shirreff 
(SSSI #32) to study pinnipeds and seabirds. A comprehensive census of 
these populations has been conducted periodically and repeat censuses 
are needed. At both sites, care will be taken to minimize disturbance 
to terrestrial habitats and lifeforms. All activities to be conducted 
would comply with the approved SSSI management plans enforce for each 
area.
    The pinniped research to be conducted consists of ship-supported 
and land-based studies in the region of the Antarctic Peninsula. The 
U.S. AMLR Program will conduct a census of seals at various sites in 
preparation of selecting a new study site. In following years, the AMLR 
land-based site at Seal Island will be relocated to a suitable site.
    The Seal Island study site will be occupied on a limited basis. Up 
to 1,000 Fur seal pups will be weighed and released. These data will be 
compared with previous data to examine the population dynamics of 
Antarctic Fur seals. Obtaining information on the status of seals at 
the present time is particularly important in light of the potential 
development that is being considered for antarctic marine resources.

Location

SSSI #6-Byers Peninsula, Livingston Island, South Shetland Islands; and 
SSSI #32-Cape Shirreff, Livingston Island, South Shetland Islands.

Dates

January 1, 1996-April 1, 2001.
Nadene G. Kennedy,
Permit Office, Office of Polar Programs.
[FR Doc. 95-26691 Filed 10-26-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-M