[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 25 (Tuesday, February 8, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Page 6739]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-2408]


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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, Public Law 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 by March 10, 2005. 
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: Polly A. Penhale at the above address 
or (703) 292-8030.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The National Science Foundation, as directed 
by the Antarctic Conservation Act of 1978 (Pub. L. 95-541), 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 Specially 
Protected Areas.
    Description of Permit Modification Requested: The Foundation issued 
a permit (2004-009) to Dr. Robert L. Pitman on January 15, 2004. The 
issued permit allows the applicant to collect biopsy samples (size of a 
pencil eraser) of skin and tissue from up to 200 Killer Whales (Orcinus 
orca). These samples help to determine the taxonomic status of the 
three different morphotypes of Killer Whales observed in the Antarctic.
    The applicant requests a modification to his permit to extend his 
permit for one year, to cover the full extent of his grant. In addition 
he wishes to collect skin and tissue samples from up to 10 Minke 
(Balaenoptera bonaerensis) and 5 Arnoux's beaked whales (Berardius 
arnouxii). The applicant during his research has identified a species 
of diatoms on the Killer Whales and is interested to see if the same 
species of diatoms are present on other whales in the southern Ross 
Sea. If the diatoms are different from then the samples could provide 
additional evidence that there is more than one species of Killer Whale 
in Antarctica.
    Location: Waters surrounding Antarctica, including the Ross Sea.
    Dates: April 1, 2005, to March 31, 2006.

Polly A. Penhale,
Environmental Officer, Office of Polar Programs.
[FR Doc. 05-2408 Filed 2-7-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-M