[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 43 (Tuesday, March 5, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Page 10004]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-5238]


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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 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 as 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 (ACA #2001-025) to Dr. Daniel P. Costa on March 12, 2001. The 
issued permit allows the applicant to capture up to 25 Crabeater seals 
(Lobodon carcinophagus), and up to 10 each of Leopard (Thydrrurga 
leoptony), Weddell (Leptonyshotes weddellii), and Ross seals 
(Ommatophoca rossil) per season over the next 3 years for the purpose 
of collecting blood, tissue and stomach samples, take measurements, and 
attach satellite relay data loggers (SRDL) and VHF radio tags. The 
samples will be studied to determine and better understand the foraging 
strategies utilized by marine predators in the face of meso- and fine-
scale ecological variability.
    The applicant requests a modification to his permit to allow access 
to the Antarctic Specially Protected Areas of the Dion Islands (ASPA 
#107), Lagotellerie Island (ASPA #115), Avian Island (ASPA #117), and 
Rothera Point, Adelaide Island (ASPA #129) located in the Antarctic 
Peninsula. The applicant had difficulty locating seals in the 
Marguerite pack ice in the spring last season and requests to enter the 
specially protected areas locate seals hauled out on the shore. This 
would greatly improve chances of meeting sample goals and allowing 
vessel usage to be more optimized for the oceanographic studies 
underway. Access to sites will be by zodiac or small boat.
    Location: Dion Islands (ASPA #107), Lagotellerie Island (ASPA 
#115), Avian Island (ASPA #117), and Rothera Point, Adelaide Island 
(ASPA #129).
    Dates: April 1, 2001 to August 31, 2003.

Nadene G. Kennedy,
Permit Officer, Office of Polar Programs.
[FR Doc. 02-5238 Filed 3-4-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-M