[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 106 (Monday, June 3, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Page 33115]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-12959]


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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 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 a 
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 3, 2013. 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. The 
regulations establish such a permit system to designate Antarctic 
Specially Protected Areas.
    The applications received are as follows:

1. Applicant

    Jennifer Burns, Department of Biological Sciences, CPISB 202C, 
University of Alaska, Anchorage, AK 99508.
    Permit Application: 2014-003.

Activity for Which Permit Is Requested

    Take and Enter Antarctic Specially Protected Areas (ASPA's). The 
applicant plans to study the interactions between reproduction, molt, 
and condition is particularly important in Weddell seals, as molt 
coincides with the end of embryonic diapause and the start of active 
gestation. The research will address three fundamental questions: (1) 
What intrinsic and/or extrinsic factors determine molt phenology in 
Weddell seals; (2) How does late season condition and molt status 
influence current pregnancy and future parturition rates; and (3) To 
what extent might changes in food availability during the austral 
summer impact molt timing and future reproductive success. To achieve 
project goals, 24 adult females of known-age and known-reproductive 
history will receive a full health assessment (mass, morphometrics, 
blood and tissue samples) and be outfitted with VHF (to facilitate 
relocation) and TDR/GPS tags (to track mid-summer behavior). Should any 
of these females be accompanied by nursing pups, the pups will be 
flipper tagged and weighed. In addition to handling activities, a 
range-wide population survey will be conducted. The applicant plans to 
enter ASPA 121-Cape Royds, ASPA 155-Cape Evans, and/or ASPA 157-
Backdoor Bay, Cape Royds should any seals be relocated in the area. The 
applicant plans to salvage tissue samples from dead seals if found.

Location

    Erebus Bay, McMurdo Sound Sea Ice, ASPA 121-Cape Royds, ASPA 155-
Cape Evans, and/or ASPA 157-Backdoor Bay, Cape Royds.

Dates

    November 1, 2013 to February 28, 2017.

Nadene G. Kennedy,
Permit Officer, Office of Polar Programs.
[FR Doc. 2013-12959 Filed 5-31-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-P