[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 124 (Friday, June 27, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 38399]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-16347]


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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


Notice of Permit Applications Received Under the Antarctic 
Conservation Act of 1978

AGENCY: National Science Foundation.

ACTION: Notice of Permit Applications Received under the Antarctic 
Conservation Act of 1978, Public Law 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 this permit application by July 28, 2003. This 
application 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 95-5411), as 
amended by the Antarctic Science, Tourism and Conservation Act of 1996, 
has developed regulations for the 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 Antarctic Specialty 
Protected Areas.
    The applications received are as follows:

1. Applicant: Permit Application No. 2004-006

Eric Chiang, Head, Polar Research Support Section, Office of Polar 
Programs, Rm. 755, National Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Boulevard, 
Arlington, Virginia 22230.

Activity for Which Permit Is Requested

Enter Antarctic Specially Protected Areas

    The applicant proposes to conduct recreational and educational 
visits, by authorized U.S. Antarctic Program (USAP) participants, to 
the following areas: ASPA 154-Cape Evans, including Scott's 
Hut; ASPA 158-Cape Adare, including the historic huts; ASPA 
156-Cape Royds, including Shackleton's Hut; and ASPA 
157-Discovery Hut (Hut Point). McMurdo Station is located on 
Hut Point, Ross Island, and is in very close proximity to several 
historic huts, especially Discovery Hut, which sits adjacent to the 
station. Access to the huts will be by tracked vehicle, helicopter, or 
on foot as appropriate. All visits will be conducted in accordance with 
the management plans for the specific sites. In addition, procedures 
for monitoring numbers of USAP visitors throughout the season will be 
implemented.
    In addition, the applicant proposes entry to ASPA 122 
(Arrival Heights), by authorized U.S. Antarctic Program (USAP) 
participants, for the purpose of monitoring sensitive scientific 
equipment installed to record signals associated with upper atmospheric 
programs, and other essential local communications equipment as 
described in the Management Plan.

Location

    ASPA 154--Cape Evans, including Scott's Hut; ASPA 
158--Cape Adare, including the historic huts; ASPA 
156-Cape Royds, including Shackleton's Hut; ASPA 
157--Discovery Hut, Hut Point; and, ASPA 122 Arrival 
Heights, Ross Island.

Dates: October 1, 2003-September 30, 2008

2. Applicant: Permit Application No. 2004-007

Grant Ballard, 4990 Shoreline Highway, Stinson Beach, CA 94970.

Activity for Which Permit Is Requested

    Take and Import into the U.S.A. The applicant proposes to collect 
up to 10 specimens of a lichen discovered in Antarctica that may be a 
new species. The specimens will be brought back to the United States 
for further analysis and identification. Approximately half of the 
samples will be shipped from the U.S. to foreign lichen experts for 
collaboration on identification. Any remaining samples will be 
deposited to the California Academy of Sciences botanical collection.

Location

Igloo Spur (near Cape Crozier), Ross Island

Dates: November 10, 2003 to February 1, 2004

Nadene G. Kennedy,
Permit Officer, Office of Polar Programs.
[FR Doc. 03-16347 Filed 6-26-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-M