[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 144 (Friday, July 26, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 45278-45279]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-17964]


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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


Notice of Permit Emergency Provision Under the Antarctic 
Conservation Act of 1978 (Pub. L. 95-541)

AGENCY: National Science Foundation.

ACTION: Notice of permit emergency provision for hazardous waste stored 
in Antarctica at South Pole Station for more than 15 months due to an 
emergency, as specified by Sec.  671.17.

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[[Page 45279]]

SUMMARY: The Program of Environment Safety and Health (PESH) in the 
Division of Polar Programs (GEO/PLR), in accordance with Sec.  671.17, 
is giving notice that an emergency relating to considerations of the 
safety of human life or of ships, aircraft or other equipment and 
facilities of high value, or the protection of the environment caused 
hazardous waste to be stored in at South Pole Station for more than 15 
months.
    Hazardous waste in the form of batteries, regulated medical waste, 
non-controlled medicines, laboratory chemical waste, contaminated 
laboratory glassware, gas cylinders, light bulbs and paint cans, with 
an aggregate of approximately 2000 lbs. net weight, was segregated and 
packaged for removal from the station.
    The waste was to be removed in February 2013, at the end of 2012-
2013 austral summer season. The unusual warming and melting of the ice 
runway at McMurdo Station resulted in reduced flight availability to 
the South Pole in late January and early February. Compatibility issues 
related to flying hazardous cargo and passengers further reduced the 
available flights to removing the hazardous waste material. During the 
final week of the season, the temperature conditions resulted in the 
formation of ground level contrails. The resulting hazy conditions and 
extremely low visibility prevented safe airplane loading operations. 
Potential damage to the airplane and/or harm to human life were the 
considerations which prevented the hazardous waste from leaving the 
station.
    During the early part of the 2013-2104 austral summer season, the 
priority will be to remove the South Pole hazardous waste to McMurdo 
Station, where it will be removed from the continent.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Polly A. Penhale at (703) 292-
7420.

Nadene G. Kennedy,
Division of Polar Programs.
[FR Doc. 2013-17964 Filed 7-25-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-P