[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 207 (Monday, October 27, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55658-55659]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-28383]


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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


Notice of Permit Applications Received under the Antarctic 
Conservation Act of 1978, Public Law 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 November 20, 
1997. Permit applications may be inspected by interested parties at the 
Permit Office, address below.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be addressed to the 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) 306-1033.

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 requiring special protection. The regulations 
establish such a permit system to designate Specially Protected Areas 
and Sites of Special Scientific Interest.
    The application received is as follows:

1. Applicant
    Alexandra C. Brown, University of Colorado, INSTAAR, Campus Box 
450, Boulder, Colorado 80309-0450, Boulder, Colorado 80309-0450

Permit Application No. 98-016

Activity for Which Permit Is Requested

    Enter Site of Special Scientific Interest.

[[Page 55659]]

    The applicant proposes to enter the Cape Royds Site of Special 
Scientific Interest for purposes of collecting soil samples to isolate 
and identify natural organic matter contained therein. A minimum amount 
of soil will be removed as close to the shoreline as possible 
(1kg), thereby minimizing impact on the nesting colony. 
Laboratory analysis will be performed in the Crary Lab at McMurdo 
Station. In addition, a survey of Pony lake will be performed at 
different cross sections. Dissolved oxygen, conductivity, depth, light 
intensity, and pH will be measured. All water samples will be collected 
from the side of Pony Lake opposite of the penguin rookery.
    Location: Cape Royds Site of Special Scientific Interest No. 1, 
Ross Island, Antarctica.
    Dates: November 25, 1997 to January 20, 1998.

2. Applicant
    Philip R. Kyle, Department of Earth and Environmental Science, New 
Mexico Tech, Socorro, New Mexico, 87801

Permit Application No. 98-018

Activity for Which Permit Is Requested

    Enter Site of Special Scientific Interest.
    The applicant proposes to enter the Tramway Ridge, Site of Special 
Scientific Interest No. 11, on Mount Erebus to measure the temperature 
of the soil as a means of monitoring the volcanic activity of Mount 
Erebus. In addition, as the only area of soil on Mount Erebus, the 
applicant plans to measure the quantity of CO2 in the soil 
and measure its flux into the atmosphere. This will provide information 
on the degassing behavior of the magmatic system underlying Mount 
Erebus.
    Location: Tramway Ridge (SSSI #11), Mount Erebus, Ross Island, 
Antarctica.
    Dates: December 1, 1997 to December 30, 1997.

3. Applicant
    Gary and Robert Miller, Biology Department, University of New 
Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131

Permit Application: 98-019

Activity for Which Permit Is Requested

    Taking and Importing into the U.S.
    The applicant proposes to collect blood samples (1.0-1.5 ml) from 
less than 200 adult penguins from each of the following species: 
Pygoscelis adelie (adelie), Pygoscelis antarctica (chinstrap) and 
Pygoscelis papua (gentoo). Blood will also be collected from about 20 
Eudyptes chrysolopha (macroni). Tissue samples will be taken from the 
carcasses of chicks from the species listed above, including 
Aptenodytes forsteri. The samples will be used to analyze the 
phylogenetic relationships and the genetic variation of 2 major genera 
of penguins, the Spheniscus and Pygoscelis penguins. The Macaroni and 
Emperor samples will be used as outgroups to help elucidate the 
relationships of the other species. The applicant will study the major 
histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes from nuclear DNA and cytochrome 
b genes from mitochondrial DNA obtained from small tissue samples or 
whole blood samples. Molecular methods have the advantage of showing 
small intraspecific variations. This will enable the applicant to 
compare small genetic differences among populations to determine the 
distribution of genetic variation and predict the colonization history 
of populations.
    The applicant will be traveling in the Antarctic Peninsula as a 
lecturer onboard a cruise ship and will visit many sites over the next 
two seasons. Sampling of breeding populations will take place on an 
opportunity basis and attempts will be made to collect 15 samples from 
each site. The blood and tissue samples will be returned to University 
of New Mexico for analysis.
    Location: South Orkney Islands, South Shetland Islands, Antarctic 
Peninsula and East Antarctic Coastline.
    Dates: November 15, 1997 to March 15, 1999.
Nadene G. Kennedy,
Permit Officer, Office of Polar Programs.
[FR Doc. 97-28383 Filed 10-24-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-M