[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 118 (Tuesday, June 19, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Page 36581]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-14838]



[[Page 36581]]

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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.

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SUMMARY: The National Science Foundation (NSF) is required to publish a 
notice of permit applications received to conduct activities regulated 
under the Antarctic Conservation Act of 1978.

DATES: Interested parties are invited to submit written data, comments, 
or views with respect to this permit application by July 19, 2012. 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: Polly A. Penhale at the above address 
or (703) 292-7420.

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 a requiring special protection. 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. The regulations establish such 
a permit system to designate Antarctic Specially Protected Areas.
    The applications received are as follows:

1. Permit Application: 2013-008.

    Applicant Celia Lang, Lockheed Martin IS&GS, Antarctic Support 
Contract, 7400 S. Tucson Way, Centennial, CO 80112-3938.

Activity for Which Permit is Requested

    Take. The applicant plans to periodically ``herd'' native mammals 
and seabirds that enter aircraft runways, roads, and ice pier at 
McMurdo Station, or the pier or general station area at Palmer Station. 
The presence of these animals pose operation safety concerns as well as 
potential harm to the animals. The herding method uses non-lethal and 
humane techniques to cause as little disturbance as possible to the 
animals. The primary technique consists of personnel slowly approaching 
the animals with their airs outstretched to the sides, and continuing 
in the animal's direction until they have been moved approximately 20-
30 feet from the operational area (e.g. runways, roads, etc.). 
Individuals tasked with herding the animals will be trained in the 
proper technique.

Location

    McMurdo Station, Ross Island, and Palmer Station, Anvers Island.

Dates

    July 9, 2012 to August 31, 2017.

2. Permit Application: 2013-009.

    Applicant Kristin M. O'Brien, Institute of Arctic Biology, 
University of Alaska Fairbanks, P.O. Box 757000, Fairbanks, AK 99775-
7000.

Activity for Which Permit is Requested

    Enter Antarctic Specially Protected Areas. The applicant plans to 
fish using benthic trawls and fish traps/pots in the Antarctic 
Peninsula area for capturing Antarctic fishes to study their physiology 
and biochemistry. Benthic Otter trawling is restricted to areas with 
smooth bottom surfaces in order to avoid damaging the net. Only a few 
such areas have been identified during previous field seasons. These 
areas include regions SW of Low Island, Western Bransfield Strait (ASPA 
152), off of the S. shore of Brabant Island, in the vicinity of 
Astrolabe Needle in Dallmann Bay (ASPA 153), the SE. shore of 
Livingston Island, and a more distant area off the S. shore of Elephant 
Island.

Location

    SW of Low Island, Western Bransfield Strait (ASPA 152), off of the 
S. shore of Brabant Island, in the vicinity of Astrolabe Needle in 
Dallmann Bay (ASPA 153), the SE. shore of Livingston Island, and a more 
distant area off the S. shore of Elephant Island.

Dates

    April 1, 2013 to July 1, 2013.

Nadene G. Kennedy,
Permit Officer, Office of Polar Programs.
[FR Doc. 2012-14838 Filed 6-18-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-P