[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 158 (Tuesday, August 17, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44752-44756]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-21204]


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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


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

AGENCY: National Science Foundation.

ACTION: Notice of permit applications received under the Antarctic 
Conservation Act of 1978, P.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 September 13, 
1999. Permit applications may be inspected by interested parties at the 
Permit Office, address below.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be addressed to Permit Office, Room 755,

[[Page 44753]]

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) 306-1030.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The National Science Foundation, as directed 
by the Antarctica Conservation Act of 1978 (Public Law 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 applications received are as follows:

1. Applicant: Steven D. Emslie, Department of Biological Sciences, 
University of North Carolina, Wilmington, NC 28403

[Permit Application No. 2000-001]

Activity for Which Permit Is Requested

Take, Enter Antarctic Specially Protected Areas and Import Into the 
U.S.A.
    The applicant proposes to conduct surveys and excavations of modern 
and abandoned penguin colonies by surveying ice-free areas to locate 
evidence of a breeding colony (pebble and/or bone sconcentrations, and 
rich vegetation). The sites will be sampled by placing a test pit, no 
more than 1x1 meter in size, in the colony and excavating in 5-10 cm 
level until bedrock or non-ornithogenic sediments are encountered. To 
minimize impacts, test pits will be placed in areas with little or no 
vegetation when possible. Upon completion of the excavation, test pits 
will be refilled and any vegetation disturbed on the surface will be 
replaced. Collected sediments will be taken to the laboratory for 
processing. Sediments will be washed through fine-mesh screens; all 
organic remains will be sorted from the sediments and preserved for 
identification and analysis.
    The applicant proposes to enter the following Antarctic Specially 
Protected Areas to conduct surveys: ASPA 106--Cape Hallett, Victoria 
Land; ASPA 113--Litchfield Island, Arthur Harbor; ASPA 121--Cape Royds, 
Ross Island; ASPA 124--Cape Crozier, Ross Island; ASPA 125--Fildes 
Peninsula, King George Island; ASPA 128--Western shore of Admiralty 
Bay, King George Island; ASPA 129--Rothera Point, Adelaide Island; ASPA 
132--Potter Peninsula, King George Island; ASPA 139--Biscoe Point, 
Anvers Island; and ASPA 151--Lions Rump, King George Island.
    The applicant also wishes to salvage and import into the U.S. whole 
remains of native Antarctic birds, or partial specimens, that are found 
on beaches or at the colonies. The specimens will be shipped to the 
University of North Carolina, Wilmington, for identification and 
analysis. All specimens will remain at the University or other 
appropriate universities or museums for permanent storage.
    Results of the research will provide information on the former 
distribution of penguins in Antarctica. These data will be compared to 
the paleoclimatic record to investigate patterns in population 
fluctuations of penguins in relation to climate change in the past. 
This information, in addition to data on modern population changes with 
global warming, will test hypotheses on how penguins respond to climate 
change and will help develop predictive model for future responses by 
these species to continued global warming.

Location

ASPA 106--Cape Hallett, Victoria Land;
ASPA 113--Litchfield Island, Arthur Harbor;
ASPA 121--Cape Royds, Ross Island
ASPA 124--Cape Crozier, Ross Island;
ASPA 125--Fildes Peninsula, King George Island;
ASPA 128--Western shore of Admiralty Bay, King George Island;
ASPA 129--Rothera Point, Adelaide Island;
ASPA 132--Potter Peninsula, King George Island;
ASPA 139--Biscoe Point, Anvers Island; and
ASPA 151--Lions Rump, King George Island.

Dates

January 1, 2000 to December 31, 2005

2. Applicant: Donald B. Siniff, Department of Ecology, Evolution and 
Behavior, 100 Ecology Building, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, 
Minnesota 55108

[Permit Application No. 2000-003]

Activity for Which Permit Is Requested

Taking, Export from the U.S. and Import into the U.S.
    The applicant proposes to tag and collect epidermal and adipose 
tissue (0.5 cm by o.5 cm) from the rear flipper of several seal 
species. Modern molecular genetic methods will be used to analyze the 
DNA extracted from the tissue samples. The project is part of a large 
international program studying Antarctic Pack Ice Seals (APIS). This 
particular project is to address the genetic patterns among the four 
species of Antarctic pack ice seals (Weddell, Leopard, Ross and 
Crabeater seals). The project is investigating the patterns of 
heterozygosity among the four species and relating these patterns to 
their overall life history characteristics. The work will contribute to 
the understanding of the evolutionary history of pack ice species with 
respect to the origin of ecological separation. Samples collected by 
other investigators will contribute to a continent-wide assessment of 
the degree of genetic variation with populations of Antarctic phocids.
    In addition, the applicant wishes to salvage any seal skulls that 
are found. These samples will be cleaned and analyzed for age and 
placed on permanent loan to the National Marine Mammal Lab or the 
University of Minnesota Bell Museum of Natural History and will be used 
for educational purposes.

Location

Pack ice areas in the Ross Sea and Bellingshausen Sea

Dates

December 12, 1999 to February 15, 2000

3. Applicant: Paul J. Ponganis, CMBB/Scripps Institute of Oceanography, 
University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093-0204

[Permit Application No. 2000-004]

Activity for Which Permit Is Requested

Taking and Import Into the U.S.
    The applicant proposes to capture up to 60 Emperor adults and equip 
them with various depth recorders, physiological recorders, or a video 
camera unit. These instruments will measure temperature change and 
mechanisms of heat loss during diving. The video camera research will 
document the frequency and techniques of prey capture, and relate 
feeding events to temperature change.
    The applicant also proposes to capture up to 40 Emperor chicks to 
biopsy muscle samples. This will allow examination of myoglobin mRNA 
content in relation to myoglobin concentration in both adults and 
developing chicks. The chicks will be biopsied over several months to 
sample different age groups. In addition, a

[[Page 44754]]

group of approximately 15 Emperor chicks will be transported to McMurdo 
and maintained there for about a month in order to obtain samples in 
older (post-fledge) chicks. All birds will be released back into the 
wild at the end of the study.
    The applicant also wishes to salvage up to 10 Emperor carcasses per 
year and transport them back to the U.S. for anatomical studies at 
Scripps Institute of Oceanography.

Location

McMurdo Sound sea ice, Cape Washington and McMurdo Station

Dates

September 1, 1999 to February 28, 2002

4. Applicant: Michael A. Castellini, Institute of Marine Science, 
University of Alaska, Fairbanks, Alaska 99775

[Permit Application No. 2000-005]

Activity for which Permit is Requested

Taking and Import into the United States
    The applicant is a participant in a multi-institutional program to 
study Antarctic Pack Ice Seals (APIS). As a component of this project, 
the applicant proposes to capture up to 200 Weddell, Crabeater and 
Leopard seals each, and up to 10 each of Ross, Fur and Elephant seals. 
Blood and biopsy samples of blubber will be collected. The blood and 
biopsy samples, along with a suite of morphometric analyses, will be 
collected from all seals to assess a suite of bio-indicators of health. 
Data will be taken along with other program components which will 
provide medical examinations of each seal, acoustic and behavioral 
studies, oceanographic, ice and weather observation and capture of prey 
items. The combined results will provide the most detailed model of the 
link between ice seals and their environment.

Location

Sea Ice areas of the Ross and Amunden Seas

Dates

December 15, 1999 to April 1, 2001

5. Applicant: Wayne Z. Trivelpiece, P.O. Box 271, Antarctic Ecosytsem 
Research, Southwest Fisheries Science Center, La Jolla, CA 92038

[Permit Application No. 2000-006]

Activity for Which Permit is Requested

Take and Enter Antarctic Specially Protected Area.
    The applicant is continuing a study of the behavioral ecology and 
population biology of the Adelie, Gentoo, and Chinstrap penguins and 
the interactions among these species and their principal avian 
pedators: skuas, gulls, sheathbills, and giant petrels. The applicant 
proposes to band 1000 Adelie and Gentoo penguin chicks, plus adults of 
all three penguin species, as needed (not greater than 150 per 
species), to fulfill research goals. In addition, bands will be applied 
to adults and chicks of the avian predator species as necessary. The 
applicant will continue a study of the penguins' foraging habits which 
involves the application of radio-transmitters (Txs), satellite tags 
(PTTs), and time-depth recorders (TDRs) to a maximum of 50 adult 
penguins per species. The study of foraging habits also involves the 
stomach pumping of a maximumn of 40 adult penguins per species. Finally 
the applicant will collect one (1) milliliter blood samples from a 
maximum of 20 breeding adults of each penguins species for use in DNA 
analysis.

Location

Admiralty Bay (ASPA #128 King George Island, South Shetland Islands

Dates

October 1, 1999 to April 2000
6. Applicant: David Ainley, H.T. Harvey & Associates, P.O. Box 1180, 
Alviso, CA 95002

[Permit Application No. 2000-007]

Activity for Which Permit Is Requested

Taking and Enter Antarctic Specially Protected Areas
    The applicant is conducting research to attempt to explain why 
penguin populations have been increasing in the Ross Sea, by intensive 
studies at colonies on Ross Island. This work will be incorporated into 
the long-term study of populations dynamics mentioned in the Royds 
management plan. The applicant proposes to enter Cape Crozier (ASP 
#124) and Cape Bird for purposes of banding up to 1,000 chicks at each 
site. Furthermore the applicant proposes to band up to 400 chicks each 
at Cape Royds (ASPA # 121) and Beaufort Island (ASPA 
105). Approximately 150 adults will be banded at 
these four sites. The banding of chicks at Beaufort Island is necessary 
to test the theory that the Adelie Penguin Colony at Beaufort could be 
a ``source'' colony for emigrants that eventually breed at other Ross 
Island colonies. It is believed Beaufort is a source colony because 
there is very little availability of additional nesting sites. Banding 
a sample of chicks and looking for them at nearby colonies in 
subsequent years would test this theory.
    Approximately, 15 adult Adelies per year at Royds, Bird and 
Crozier, and 7 at Beaufort Island will be fitted with radio 
transmitters to be worn for 2-3 weeks during January and then removed. 
The radio transmitters will provide information on the penguins 
foraging area offshore. Additionally, 25 adult Adelies at Cape Bird and 
Cape Crozier and 15 adults at Cape Royds will be fitted with time-
depth-recorders (TDRs). The TDR's will record swimming depth, frequency 
of dives and number of dives per foraging trip. PIT tags (Passively 
Interrogated Transponder) will also be fitted to 10-20 adults each year 
at Capes Bird, Royds and Crozier. The goal is to have 70 tagged birds 
at each colony each year; thus, new birds given the tags each year 
replace only those that did not reappear one year to the next.
    To obtain an index on chick condition, between 30-50 chicks will be 
measured and weighed weekly for a month at Capes Royds, Bird and 
Crozier. Only 30 chicks will be weighed and measured at the Beaufort 
Island colony on one of two trips to the site during the season. The 
applicant proposes to conduct studies of the foraging energetic of 
Adelie Penguins on Ross Island. This involves the capturing of up to 25 
birds each at Cape Crozier and Cape Bird and possibly Cape Royds. The 
birds will be weighed, a 3 cc blood sample drawn and then injected with 
0.6 cc's of double-labeled water. The birds will be held for 3 hours to 
allow the injected water to equilibrate, then a second blood sample 
will be drawn. The doubly labeled water studies will provide 
information on the energetics of foraging, and specifically, if longer 
foraging trips are more energy demanding than shorter ones for penguins 
at Cape Bird or Cape Royds.
    Samples collected in the field will be returned to the U.S. for 
complete analysis.

Location

Cape Crozier (ASPA #124), Cape Royds (ASPA #121) and Cape Bird, Ross 
Island, and Beaufort Island (ASPA 105), Ross Sea.

Dates

December 1, 1999 to February 15, 2002

7. Applicant: W. Berry Lyons, Department of Geology, University of 
Alabama, Box 870338, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0338

[[Page 44755]]

[Permit Application No. 2000-008]

Activity for Which Permit Is Requested

Enter Antarctic Specially Protected Area
    The applicant proposes to enter Antarctic Specially Protected Area 
(ASPA #131), Canada Glacier, Lake Fryxell, Taylor Valley, for purposes 
of conducting studies under the Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) 
Program. The applicant proposes to enter the site to conduct 
maintenance on the previously installed continuously recording stream 
gage station that provides one of the longest records of discharge in 
the Taylor Valley. In addition, the applicant proposes to collect water 
quality samples of the meltwater coming off the Canada Glacier and 
along the length of the stream to study in-stream biogeochemical 
processes. Samples of the microbial mats may also be collected once per 
summer field season.
    The applicant also proposes to enter the Antarctic Specially 
Protected Area to study the site's unique soil content. The Canada 
stream has occasional algal blooms, and the system is of interest 
because of its relatively high primary production unlike the typical 
dry valley soils. The LTER team plans to collect soil samples on a 
transect starting in the stream channel and working eastward 
perpendicular to the stream channel.
    The Canada Glacier is the most intensively studied glacier in the 
LTER study program. One particularly import aspect of the glacier mass 
balance study is the calving and melting of ice from the glacier walls. 
Therefore, the applicant requests access to the glacier wall twice 
during each field season to take measurements.

Location

Antarctic Specially Protected Area #131: Canada Glacier, Lake Fryxell, 
Taylor Valley, Victoria Land

Dates

October 1, 1999 to February 2005

8. Applicant: John E. Carlstrom, Center for Astrophysical Research in 
Antarctica (CARA), Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics, University 
of Chicago, 5640 South Ellis Avenue, Chicago, IL 60637

[Permit Application No. 2000-010]

Activity for Which Permit Is Requested

Introduce a non-indigenous species into Antarctica
    The applicant plans to ship 200 pounds of active dry baking yeast 
(Saccharomyces cerevisiae) to Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station as part 
of an educational outreach project in conjunction with NASA and their 
new thrust in astrobiology and extremophiles. The commercial packaging 
consists of strips of 3-quarter ounce packages. The yeast will remain 
in the commercial packaging, in plastic bags, in a container while in 
Antarctica. The containerized yeast will be exposed to the extreme 
climate of the South Pole during the summer and winter months. Middle 
and elementary school students will be able to follow the deployment of 
the yeast, and the weather conditions at the Pole via a web site. The 
web site will have many facets such as a question and answer section, a 
travel log of the deployment, weather conditions, digital images of the 
trip and the yeast container as the season progresses. The goal of the 
project is to motivate students to try hands-on experiments to learn 
more about Antarctica and the scientific research conducted there. 
After a year, the yeast container will be shipped back to the States 
where the yeast packages will be distributed nationally to 
schoolchildren. The students will conduct experiments to look for 
changes in the yeast's metabolic activity and volume of carbon dioxide 
production, under given conditions, after being exposed to months of 
extreme cold temperatures.

Location

Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station

Dates

October 1, 1999 to January 1, 2002

9. Applicant: Brent S. Stewart, Hubbs-Sea World Research Institute, 
2595 Ingraham Street, San Diego, CA 92109

[Permit Application: 2000-011]

Activity for Which Permit is Requested

Taking and Import Into the United States
    The applicant is a participant in a multidisciplinary research 
program to study the foraging ecology, reproduction, demography, 
disease and pathology, and population and immunogenetics of Antarctic 
seals in the circumpolar pack ice zone. The applicant proposes to 
capture, collect samples, and release up to 800 Crabeater seals, 400 
Leopard and Weddell seals, and 75 Ross, Antarctic Fur and Elephant 
seals. Physical exams will be performed to evaluate the musculoskeletal 
system, cardiovascular system, integument, eyes, ears, nares and oral 
cavity. Blood will be collected from the extradural vein or 
interdigital vein of phocids and from the caudal gluteal vein of 
otariids. Approximately 40-60 ml will be collected from each seal for 
evaluation of petroleum hydrocarbon and pollutant exposure, hematology, 
serum biochemistry, disease exposure, genetics, nutritional status, and 
reproductive endocinology. Ocular, nasal, vaginal, and rectal 
microbiological samples will be collected. Ectoparasites will be 
collected when encountered. Urine will be collected opportunistically. 
Skin scrapings and cultures will be made when lesions are observed and 
to provide normal control samples. Hair, skin and blubber samples will 
also be collected. All collections of samples will be coordinated 
directly with other components of the multidisciplinary research 
program to prevent duplicate takings and to maximize use of collected 
materials.
    The applicant plans to import collected samples into the United 
States for further scientific study. In addition, the applicant wishes 
to export samples from the U.S. and share them with investigators 
collaborating in other countries.

Location

Circumpolar pack ice and sites ashore

Dates

September 1, 1999 to August 30, 2004

10. Applicant: Ron Naveen, Oceanities, Inc., P.O. Box 15259, Chevy 
Chase, MD 20825

[Permit Application: 2000-012]

Activity for Which Permit Is Requested

Taking; and Enter Antarctic Specially Protected Area
    The applicant plans to continue data collection under the Antarctic 
Site Inventory Project. Various sites will be regularly surveyed and 
censused in the Antarctic Peninsula/South Shetland Islands region, with 
a concentration of visits expected at heavily visited tourist sites. 
The applicant wishes to enter Antarctic Specially Protected Area #128, 
Western Shore of Admiralty Bay, to coordinate the Site Inventory 
Project with the researchers working within the site.

Location

Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Island sites, and ASPA #128, 
Western Shore of Admiralty Bay, King George Island

Dates

September 1, 1999 to August 31, 2000

11. Applicant: Norbert Wu, Norbert Wu Productions, 1065 Sinex Avenue, 
Pacific Grove, CA 93950

[[Page 44756]]

[Permit Application: 2000-013]

Activity for Which Permit Is Requested

Enter Antarctic Specially Protected Area
    The applicant is a participant in the U.S. Antarctic Program's 
Artists and Writers Program and is continuing work on ``A Photographic 
Survey of Antarctic Marine Species'' and producing a film entitled 
``Under Antarctic Ice.'' The applicant proposes visit and camp at Cape 
Crozier during two different time periods to ensure filming success.
    The applicant proposes to conduct general photography and filming 
of Adelie penguins, Emperor penguins, Leopard seals, Orcas, and Minke 
whales. Some of the work will involve underwater photography. Visit to 
the site will be selected to target Adelie penguin events (nesting, egg 
tending, and hatching), such as population peak in the rookery. The 
applicant plans to skirt the edges of the Adelie and Emperor rookeries 
and will not enter into the midst of the nesting penguins.
    The applicant plans to camp near the East Colony outside the 
Specially Protected Area for easier access to the water and ease the 
encumbrance of hauling heavy photography and dive equipment.

Location

Antarctic Specially Protected Area #124, Cape Crozier, Ross Island

Dates

November 1, 1999 to February 28, 2000

12. Applicant: Gary miller, Biology Department, University of New 
Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001

[Permit Application: 2000-014]

Activity for Which Permit Is Requested

Taking and Import into the United States
    The applicant plans to continue his analysis of the phylogenetic 
relationships and population genetics of 2 major genera of penguins. He 
will collect blood and tissues samples from Magellanic (S. 
magellanicus), Adelie (P. adeliae), Chinstrap (P. antarctica), Gentoo 
(P. papua), Macaroni (Eudyptes chrysalophus), and Emperor (Aptenodytes 
forsteri) penguins throughout their distribution. The Macaroni and 
Emperor samples are to be used as out-groups to help elucidate the 
relationships of the other species. Using a combination of Cytochrome b 
and microsatellite markers, he will investigate their genetic variation 
on a variety of geographic scales.
    The applicant will travel onboard tour ships as a lecturer and will 
repeatedly visit many sites during the next two Antarctic summer 
season. He plans to collect 1.0-1.5 ml of whole blood from live 
penguins and collect tissue samples from penguin carcasses. No more 
than 15 samples will be collected from any given site. Blood samples 
will be stored in a lysis buffer, and tissue samples will be 
homogenized into a buffer solution to stabilize the DNA. Samples will 
be returned to either the University of Western Australia or to the 
University of New Mexico for processing.
    In addition, the applicant will work in collaboration with a 
research team from the University of Western Australia who will 
investigate the diseases of penguins and skuas around Australia's Davis 
Station. Blood samples and swabs from the throat and cloaca of each 
bird will be collected. Blood samples will be spun down to separate the 
plasma and then preserved for later laboratory work. The Australian 
research team will secure all necessary permits for this project.

Location

Antarctic Peninsula and associated islands, South Shetland Islands, 
South Orkney Islands, East Antarctica and the Ross Sea region

Dates

October 1, 1999 to April 1, 2001
Nadene G. Kennedy,
Permit Officer, Office of Polar Programs.
[FR Doc. 99-21204 Filed 8-16-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-M