[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 167 (Monday, August 30, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Page 52940]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-19760]


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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request

AGENCY: National Science Foundation.

ACTION: Notice; Submission for OMB review; Comment request.

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SUMMARY: The National Science Foundation (NSF) has submitted the 
following information collection requirement to OMB for review and 
clearance under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Pub. L. 104-13. 
This is the second notice for public comment; the first was published 
in the Federal Register at 69 FR 39515, and no comments were received. 
NSF is forwarding the proposed renewal submission to the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) for clearance simultaneously with the 
publication of this second notice. Comments regarding (a) whether the 
collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of 
the functions of the agency, including whether the information will 
have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of 
burden including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; 
(c) ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information 
to be collected; (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of 
information on those who are to respond, including through the use of 
appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological 
collection techniques or other forms of information technology should 
be addressed to: Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs of OMB, 
Attention: Desk Officer for National Science Foundation, 725--17th 
Street, NW., Room 10235, Washington, DC 20503, and to Bijan Gilanshah, 
Assistant General Counsel, through surface mail (National Science 
Foundation, 4201 Wilson Boulevard, Room 1265, Arlington, Virginia 
22230); e-mail ([email protected]) or fax (703-292-9041). Comments 
regarding these information collections are best assured of having 
their full effect if received within 30 days of this notification. 
Copies of the submission(s) may be obtained by calling 703-292-8060.
    NSF may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless 
the collection of information displays a currently valid OMB control 
number and the agency informs potential persons who are to respond to 
the collection of information that such persons are not required to 
respond to the collection of information unless it displays a currently 
valid OMB control number.
    Under OMB regulations, the agency may continue to conduct or 
sponsor the collection of information while this submission is pending 
at OMB.

ADDRESSES: Submit written comments to Bijan Gilanshah, Assistant 
General Counsel, through surface mail (National Science Foundation, 
4201 Wilson Boulevard, Room 1265, Arlington, Virginia 22230); e-mail 
([email protected]) or fax (703-292-9041).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Call or write, Bijan Gilanshah, 
Assistant General Counsel, at the National Science Foundation, 4201 
Wilson Boulevard, Room 1265, Arlington, Virginia 22230; call (703) 292-
8060, or send e-mail to [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title of Collection: Antarctic emergency response plan and 
environmental protection information.
    OMB Approval Number: 3145-0180.
    Abstract: The NSF, pursuant to the Antarctic Conservation Act of 
1978 (16 U.S.C. 2401 et seq.,) (``ACA'') regulates certain non-
governmental activities in Antarctica. The ACA was amended in 1996 by 
the Antarctic Science, Tourism, and Conservation Act. On September 7, 
2001, NSF published a final rule in the Federal Register (66 FR 46739) 
implementing certain of these statutory amendments. The rule requires 
non-governmental Antarctic expeditions using non-U.S flagged vessels to 
ensure that the vessel owner has an emergency response plan. The rule 
also requires persons organizing a non-governmental expedition to 
provide expedition members with information on their environmental 
protection obligations under the Antarctic Conservation Act.
    Expected Respondents. Respondents may include non-profit 
organizations and small and large businesses. The majority of 
respondents are anticipated to be U.S. tour operators, currently 
estimated to number twelve.
    Burden on the Public. The Foundation estimates that a one-time 
paperwork and recordkeeping burden of 40 hours or less, at a cost of 
$500 to $1400 per respondent, will result from the emergency response 
plan requirement contained in the rule. Presently, all respondents have 
been providing expedition members with a copy of the Guidance for 
Visitors to the Antarctic (prepared and adopted at the Eighteenth 
Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting as Recommendation XVIII-1). 
Because this Antarctic Treaty System document satisfies the 
environmental protection information requirements of the rule, no 
additional burden shall result from the environmental information 
requirements in the proposed rule.

    Dated: August 25, 2004.
Lawrence Rudolph,
General Counsel, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 04-19760 Filed 8-27-04; 8:45 am]
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