[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 137 (Tuesday, July 18, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Page 40739]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-6274]


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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


Notice of the Availability of Finding of No Significant Impact 
for a Marine Geophysical Survey in the Arctic Ocean

AGENCY: National Science Foundation.

ACTION: Notice of availability of a Finding of No Significant Impact 
for proposed activities in the Arctic Ocean.

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SUMMARY: The National Science Foundation gives notice of the 
availability of a Finding of No Significant Impact for proposed 
activities in the Arctic Ocean.
    The Office of Polar Programs (OPP) has prepared an Environmental 
Assessment of a marine geophysical study by the Coast Guard cutter 
Healy in the western Canada Basin, Chukchi Borderland and Mendeleev 
Ridge, July-August-September 2006. Given the United States Arctic 
Program's mission to support polar research, the proposed action is 
expected to result in substantial benefits to science.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the Finding of No Significant Impact and the 
Environmental Assessment are available upon request from: Dr. Polly A. 
Penhale, National Science Foundation, Office of Polar Programs, 4201 
Wilson Blvd., Suite 755, Arlington, VA 22230. Telephone: (703) 292-
8033.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The National Science Foundation prepared a 
draft Environmental Impact Assessment (EA) for a marine geophysical 
survey in the western Canada Basin, Chukchi Borderland and Mendeleev 
Ridge and solicited public comments (Federal Register: March 8, 2006, 
Vol. 71, No. 45, Page 11681). The National Science Foundation has 
prepared a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) based on this EA, 
in accordance with CEQ regulations Sec.  1500-1508 and 45 CFR part 640. 
It was determined that the proposed activity would not result in a 
significant impact on the quality of the human environment within the 
meaning of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969. 
Therefore, a FONSI was issued, and no environmental impact statement is 
required.
    Copies of the FONSI and the Environmental Assessment entitled, 
Environmental Assessment of a Marine Geophysical Survey by the USCG 
Healy of the Western Canada Basin, Chukchi Borderland and Mendeleev 
Ridge, Arctic Ocean, July-August 2006, are available upon request from: 
Dr. Polly A. Penhale, National Science Foundation, Office of Polar 
Programs, 4201 Wilson Blvd., Suite 755, Arlington, VA 22230. Telephone: 
(703) 292-8033.

Polly A. Penhale,
Environmental Officer, Office of Polar Programs, National Science 
Foundation.
[FR Doc. 06-6274 Filed 7-17-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-M