[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 49 (Tuesday, March 13, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14597-14598]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-6192]


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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, Pub. 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 April 12, 2001. 
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) 292-7405.

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 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 (1999-009) to Dr. William R. Fraser 
on September 25, 1998. The issued permit allows the applicant to 
capture and release a variety of seabirds to access how annual 
environmental variability affects their diets, breeding success, growth 
rates, population trends, foraging success and seasonal dispersal. The 
applicant proposed to census populations; capture, mark, and weigh a 
select number of adults, chicks and eggs; obtain diet samples, place 
radio/satellite transmitters on some individuals to develop profiles on 
foraging effort and dispersal; and use GIS/GPS technologies to map and 
characterize breeding habitat features.
    The applicant proposes to modify his permit by expanding his study 
to include a few additional seabird species. The applicant estimates 
studying up to 50 Emperor penguins, 100 Gentoo penguins, 100 Chinstrap 
Pengins, and 100 each of Snow, Cape

[[Page 14598]]

and Antarctic Petrels. All seabirds will be released unharmed.

Location

    Palmer Station and Antarctic Peninsula vicinity.

Nadene G. Kennedy,
Permit Officer, Office of Polar Programs.
[FR Doc. 01-6192 Filed 3-12-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-M