[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 170 (Friday, August 30, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 45989-45991]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-22181]


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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


Notice of Permits Issued Under the Antarctic Conservation Act of 
1978

AGENCY: National Science Foundation.

ACTION: Notice of permits application under the Antarctic Conservation 
Act of 1978, Public Law 95-541.

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SUMMARY: The National Science Foundation (NSF) has received a request 
for a waste management permit to be issued under the Antarctic 
Conservation Act of 1978 to Forum International for a sky diving 
expedition of up to 40 people to the South Pole, Antarctica.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Ms. Nadene Kennedy, Permit Office, Office of Polar Programs, Rm. 755, 
National Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 
22230.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On July 10, 1996, the National Science 
Foundation received a waste permit application from: Forum 
International Inc., Friendship Expedition '97, Application for Waste 
Disposal Permit, Prepared for: NSF Office of Polar Programs, Date: June 
28, 1996.

A. Background of Forum International, Inc.

    Forum International, Inc. (FII) was founded in 1965 as a non-profit 
educational organization. Forum is dedicated to providing a world-wide 
forum for education, research and action on a transdisciplinary supra-
national and ecosystemic basis with special emphasis on environmental 
integrity, social responsibility, human health and fitness in their 
widest sense and the ecosystemic interrelation among these various 
factors.

B. Profile of Expedition Leaders and Demonstration of Ability

    FII's Technical Director and Expedition Leader for the Friendship 
Expedition is Robert D. ``Bob'' Christ of West Chester, PA USA. Bob is 
an ATP rated pilot with over 4,000 hours of logged flight time. He is 
also a United States Parachute Association-rated Accelerated Freefall 
Instructor/Examiner with 1,400 logged skydives as well as a FAA-
certified Senior Parachute Rigger. Bob is a veteran of two North Pole 
Skydiving Expeditions.

C. Equipment to be Used

    The Friendship Expedition originates in Punta Arenas, Chile and 
travels aboard an IL-78 (or functionally equivalent where equipment is 
specified) to the South Pole where our expedition members will exit at 
an altitude of 18,000 ft. MSL. Awaiting our arrival at the South Pole 
will be an AN-74 STOL (Short Take-Off and Land) ski-equipped jet 
transport. Upon dropping the personnel at the South Pole, the IL-78 
will proceed to the blue-ice runway at Patriot Hills and await the 
arrival of the expeditioners from the Pole. Once the expeditioners 
arrive at Patriot Hills aboard the AN-74, they will board the IL-78 for 
the return trip to Punta Arenas. Motorized equipment will be limited to 
the IL-78 and AN-74. Two 30man Arctic tents will be used as housing for 
the ground crew of the AN-74 as well as the expeditioners at the South 
Pole. Propane heating for cooking and temperature control will be used 
within the tents.

[[Page 45990]]

D. Trip Profile and Objectives

    The trip is broken into two segments associated with the operation 
of the individual aircraft. The AN-74 will travel from Punta Arenas to 
King George Island and refuel for the trip to the South Pole. It will 
then land at Patriot Hills and refuel from internal tank storage then 
proceed to the South Pole to set up base camp to await the arrival of 
the expeditioners. Once the expeditioners are prepared for evacuation, 
the crew of the AN-74 will break camp and fly all to Patriot Hills for 
equipment change. The AN-74 will then refuel from fuel aboard the IL-78 
and proceed to King George Island then on to Punta Arenas for the 
termination of the expedition.
    The IL-78 will leave Punta Arenas with 40 expeditioners in route to 
the South Pole. After checking the winds at the Pole and making a 
flight at 500 feet for altimeter calibration, the aircraft will climb 
to the exit altitude of 18,000 feet for exit. After dropping the 
expeditioners, the IL-78 will proceed to Patriot Hills to set up camp 
and await the arrival of the expeditioners. Upon arrival of the 
expeditioners, the crew of the IL-78 will break camp and proceed back 
to Punta Arenas with the expeditioners aboard. This profile will be 
accomplished within three days.
    VHF radio communications will be maintained in accordance with 
procedures established by the Standing Committee on Antarctic Logistics 
and Operations of the Council of Managers of National Antarctic 
Programs. Proper notification will be given of visits to the South Pole 
Station so as to properly coordinate flight operations.

E. Fuel Use and Emissions

    Fuel for this expedition will be limited to the local equivalent of 
AIWAIN-8 Aviation Jet Fuel and Propane LPG. The jet fuel will be aboard 
and consumed in the IL-78 as well as the AN-74. Jet fuel will be stored 
internally within the IL-78's cargo hold (the IL-78 is a tanker version 
of the popular IL-76--the backbone of the Russian air cargo industry). 
The AN-74 will store fuel internally as well as in the metric version 
of 55 gallon drums within its cargo hold. Emissions will be limited to 
that consumed by the drive sections of the propulsion turbines of the 
aircraft. The propane usage will be limited to heating and cooking 
stoves within the tents at the respective camp locations at the South 
Pole and Patriot Hills.

F. Other Waste Generation and Disposal

     The only other waste products generated during this operation will 
be food refuge and human wastes. All solid wastes will be carried 
aboard the aircraft to receive proper disposal back at Punta Arenas. 
Human fecal matter will receive the same treatment as other solid 
waste. All liquid refuse will be buried in snow pits in accordance with 
the provisions of 45 CFR Part 671. However, no wastes will be disposed 
of in the vicinity of the South Pole Station and surrounding research 
sites.

G. Compliance With 45 CFR Part 671

    All US citizen expedition members will receive copies of 45 CFR 
Part 671 and will know its provisions in order to be on The Friendship 
Expedition. the responsible member and point of contact for this 
expedition is as follows: Robert D. ``Bob'' Christ, 115B East Biddle 
Street, West Chester, PA 19380, Phone: (610)431-3237, e-mail: 
[email protected]
    All citizens of other nationalities will comply with that country's 
regulatory requirements, but in no instance will they be in violation 
of the environmental provisions of 45 CFR Part 671.

H. Itinerary for the Expedition

    On or about, January 4, 1997 AN-74 leaves Punta Arenas for King 
George Island then on to Patriot Hills where they will rest for the 
trip to the Pole. On or about, January 5, 1997 AN-74 leaves Patriot 
Hills for the South Pole and sets up camp outside of NSF compound. On 
or about, January 6, 1997 IL-78 leaves Punta Arenas for the South Pole, 
drops expeditioners and proceeds to Patriot Hills.
    On or about, January 1, 1997 AN-74 leaves the South Pole with 
expeditioners and travels to Patriot Hills. The expeditioners then 
change equipment for their return trip to Punta Arenas. AN/4 refuels 
and proceeds to King George Island then on to Punta Arenas for the 
termination of the expedition.

I. Analysis of Environmental Impact

    The exposure of pollutants to the Antarctic Environment will be 
limited to emissions from the turbines of the jet aircraft and 
emissions from propane stoves within the camp sites. All specially 
Protected Areas as well as Sites of Special Scientific Interest will be 
avoided. The Aircraft flight routes will travel mostly over routes 
established by the Standing Committee on Antarctic Logistics and 
Operations of the Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs. 
All of the stopover points are base locations where current permanent 
bases are maintained. The Friendship Expedition's marginal Cumulative 
Impact Effects from previous operations by other operators are minimal. 
There will be no incineration of any waste products. All equipment and 
baggage will be inspected for the presence of exotic organisms before 
leaving Punta Arenas and same will be eliminated before departure for 
Antarctica. Since the planned stopover points are essentially ice-
bound, the risk of impacting terrestrial fauna and flora are minimal. 
The environmental impact of this operation will be transitory and 
minimal.

Safety and Contingency Plans

A. Fuel Spill Contingency Plan

    Abroad the AN-74, fuel will be stored in the metric equivalent of 
55 gallon drums. These drums are made to Russian military 
specifications to be air-dropped and are extremely rugged. If fuel is 
spilled, it will be limited to a maximum of the contents of the drums. 
Fuel absorbent mats and drip pans will be used during refueling 
operations. The batteries aboard the aircraft for system operations as 
well as batteries for portable radios are contained in separate 
compartments from other pollutants. Spill kits will be carried aboard 
the aircraft in case of accidental spillage from the aircraft machinery 
or battery leakage.

B. Emergency Evaluation and Medical Considerations

    A total of two equipped doctors will be abroad the aircraft for 
this operation and will arrived with the expedition members. All 
airborne operations will be conducted so that if injury does occur, 
immediate evaluation can be accomplished. Food and warming tents will 
be established at the camps at Patriot Hills and the South Pole. Short 
wave radio communications will be maintained at all times between base 
camp in Punta Arenas and the 2 field camp locations at Patriot Hills 
and the South Pole. All aircraft are equipped with survival equipment 
and emergency supplies.

C. Monitoring and Audit Arrangements

    Proper accounting of the fuel used as well as any ending inventory 
will be maintained. All items taken from Punta Arenas will be 
inventoried at the beginning of the expedition and either consumed or 
brought back for proper disposal. Documents and accounting records are 
available at any time for

[[Page 45991]]

inspection by representatives of the National Science Foundation or 
USAP.

Supplemental Factors

A. Participant Qualifications and Minimum Experience Requirements

    In order to participate on this expedition, the participants will 
require a minimum of 500 parachute jumps. Also, they are required to 
undergo Flight Physiological Training under a program approved by the 
aviation board of their respective country. There will be approximately 
5 high-profile members of the expedition who are not experienced 
skydivers who will be accompanying an experienced tandem skydiving 
instructor who will be responsible for their safety and conduct. 
Further training on Antarctic Operations will be conducted before 
departure from Punta Arenas. The majority of the participants are 
veterans of one of our North Pole Skydiving Expeditions and are 
experienced in cold weather operations.

B. Non-Interference With Other Scientific Projects

    The Friendship Expedition will exercise caution not to interfere 
with projects at the South Pole Station as well as any other 
encountered along the travel route.

C. Conclusion

    The Friendship Expedition represents no more than a minor or 
transitory impact upon the Antarctic Environment. This expedition is 
being undertaken and conducted by environmentally-responsible 
individuals with the goal of protecting and maintaining the Ecology of 
the Antarctic Continent for the generations to come.
    Interested persons are asked to comment within 30 days of this 
notice.
Ms. Nadene Kennedy,
Permit Office.
[FR Doc. 96-22181 Filed 8-29-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-M