[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 201 (Wednesday, October 17, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Page 52793]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-26118]


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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


Notice of Permit Applications Received Under the Antarctic 
Conservation Act of 1978 (Pub. L. 94-541)

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 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: 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 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 (2000-004) to Dr. Paul J. Ponganis on September 21, 1999. The 
issued permit allows the applicant to capture up to 60 Emperor adults 
and 55 Emperor chicks for collection of samples and application of 
various depth recorders, physiological recorders or video cameras to 
study the thermoregulation and underwater behavior of Emperor penguins.
    The applicant requests a modification to his permit to allow access 
to Beaufort Island, Ross Sea, Antarctic Specially Protected Area No. 
105 to perform a census at the Emperor penguin colony. Current 
satellite images and sea ice conditions extend further north and well 
beyond Beaufort Island than in previous seasons. These conditions offer 
a unique opportunity to census the Beaufort Island Emperor colony and 
compare that count with the aerial photo censuses taken over the past 
15 years. Access will be via helicopter landing offshore on the sea ice 
and the visit is expected to require approximately 3 hours.
    Location: ASPA 105--Beaufort Island, Ross Sea.
    Dates: November 15, 2002 to February 28, 2002.

Nadene G. Kennedy,
Permit Officer, Office of Polar Programs.
[FR Doc. 01-26118 Filed 10-16-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-M