[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 225 (Friday, November 21, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 62363]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-30662]


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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


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

AGENCY: National Science Foundation.

ACTION: Notice of permit application received under the Antarctic 
Conservation Act.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the National Science Foundation 
(NSF) has received a waste management permit application for operation 
of a small research camp at Patriot Hills, Antarctica by Dr. Red 
Whittaker, a citizen of the United States. The application is submitted 
to NSF pursuant to regulations issued under the Antarctic Conservation 
Act of 1978 .

DATES: Interested parties are invited to submit written data, comments, 
or views with respect to this permit application within 30 days of the 
publication of this notice. 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: Joyce A. Jatko or Nadene Kennedy at 
the above address or (703) 306-1033

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NSF's Antarctic Waste Regulation, 45 CFR 
Part 671, requires all U.S. citizens and entities to obtain a permit 
for the use or release of a designated pollutant in Antarctica, and for 
the release of waste in Antarctica. NSF has received a permit 
application under this Regulation for the establishment of a field camp 
at Patriot Hills Antarctica (80 deg.18' S 61 deg.16' W) to support 
field testing of robotic components for possible future use in 
Antarctica. The field camp will be operated for approximately one month 
for each of three austral summer research seasons, from January 1998 to 
February 2000. The permit period requested is from January 1, 1998 
through February 29, 2000. The permit applicant is: Dr. Red Whittaker, 
Director, Field Robotics Center, Carnegie Mellon University, 5000 
Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213.

Activity for Which a Permit is Requested

    Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University wish to establish a 
temporary field camp to be used as the base camp for trials of robotic 
components in Antarctica. The camp will consist of three temporary 
structures and four backup tents housing up to seven researchers and 
their equipment. The scientists will also use two snowmobiles to carry 
equipment and personnel to sites outside the camp, generally within a 
30 km radius. Approximately 800 liters (220 gallons) of unleaded 
gasoline will be used each season in snowmobiles and electric 
generators. Also, batteries will be used in some of the instrumentation 
to be evaluated. Generators will be equipped with drip pans to reduce 
the risk of spills. Any spills will be contained and clean up. Any 
solid waste generated will be removed from Antarctica at the conclusion 
of each season's field work. No waste will be left in Antarctica. 
Conditions of the permit would include requirements to educate all 
participants with the provisions of the Antarctic Conservation Act 
(ACA), report on the removal of materials and any accidental releases, 
and management of all waste, including human waste, in accordance with 
Antarctic waste regulations.
Nadene G. Kennedy,
Permit Officer.
[FR Doc. 97-30662 Filed 11-20-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-M