[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 70 (Tuesday, April 11, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Page 19395]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-8853]


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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 Modification 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 a 
notice of requests to modify permits issued 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 a requested permit modification.

DATES: Interested parties are invited to submit written data, comments, 
or views with respect to these permit applications by May 8, 2000. 
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) 306-1030.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The National Science Foundation, as directed 
by the Antarctic 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 a requiring special protection. The 
regulations establish such a permit system to designate Specially 
Protected Areas and Sites of Special Scientific Interest.
    Description of Permit Modification Requested: The Foundation issued 
a permit (2000-001) to Dr. Steven D. Emslie on September 21, 1999. The 
issued permit allows the applicant access to certain Antarctic 
Specially Protected Areas in order 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 
concentrations, and rich vegetation). Not all sites will be visited in 
single season and access depends upon research vessel cruise tracks and 
accessibility to the site(s). The sites visited would 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 would be refilled and any vegetation disturbed on 
the surface 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 access additional Antarctic Specially 
Protected Areas only on an opportunity basis depending upon vessel 
cruise tracks and schedules. The additional ASPA's are listed under 
Location, below:

Location

ASPA 104--Sabrina Island, Balleny Island
ASPA 105--Beaufort Island
ASPA 107--Dion Islands
ASPA 108--Green Island, Berthelot Islands
ASPA 112--Coppermine Peninsula, Robert Island
ASPA 115--Legotellerie Island, Marguerite Bay
ASPA 116--New College Valley, Caughley Beach, Cape Bird
ASPA 117--Avian Island, Northwest Marguerite Bay
ASPA 126--Byers Peninsula, Livingston Island
ASPA 133--Harmony Point, Nelson Island
ASPA 134--Cierva Point, Danco Coast
ASPA 149--Cape Shirref, Livingston Island
ASPA 150--Ardley Island, King George Island
ASPA 154--Cape Evans, Ross Island

    Dates: January 1, 2000 to December 31, 2005.

Nadene G. Kennedy,
Permit Officr, Office of Polar Programs.
[FR Doc. 00-8853 Filed 4-10-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-M