[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 224 (Wednesday, November 20, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 69709-69710]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-27678]


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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


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

AGENCY: National Science Foundation.

ACTION: Notice of permit modification request 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 December 20, 2013. 
Permit applications may be inspected by interested parties at the 
Permit Office, address below.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be addressed to Permit Office, Room 755, 
Division of Polar Programs, National Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson 
Boulevard, Arlington, Virginia 22230.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Polly Penhale, Environmental Officer, 
at the above address or [email protected] 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.
    Description of Permit Modification Requested: The Foundation issued 
a permit (ACA 2012-WM-001) to George Watters on September 29, 2011. The 
issued permit allows the applicant to operate a small research camp 
within ASPA 128 (Western Shore of Admiralty Bay) and properly handle 
waste associated with the field camp. Up to six researchers at a time 
would conduct biological studies on the nearby penguin colonies. Wastes 
generated as part of research operations or camp activities include air 
emissions (from fuel combustion), metal bird bands, radio

[[Page 69710]]

transmitters (including batteries) and wastewater. All of these wastes 
would be handled in accordance with the Protocol on Environmental 
Protection to the Antarctic Treaty and would be disposed of properly
    Now the applicant proposes a modification to his permit to allow 
for deploying up to 10 cameras to monitor the penguin colonies. The 
cameras would be deployed for the duration of the permit, including the 
intervening winter seasons. The cameras would allow for year-round time 
lapse photographic monitoring and research. The cameras are powered by 
12 lithium ion AA batteries and would be mounted on aluminum poles; the 
poles would be anchored at ground level in a simple rock-basket 
enclosed in wire mesh. Additionally, the applicant plans to deploy up 
to two (2) custom made time-lapse systems developed by the Australian 
Antarctic Division. These systems are solar powered 35mm Canon digital 
SLRs, housed in modified Pelican cases and mounted on sturdy tripods 
with ground-level rock anchors. The surface anchors for both systems 
are designed to minimize disturbance on shallow soils near penguin 
colonies. Each system would be maintained, repositioned, replaced, and/
or removed, from the field, as necessary, to continue providing high-
quality images of penguin colonies for periods up to 12 months. Cameras 
would be completely removed from the area upon permit expiration unless 
a renewal for their continued use is granted.
    Successful deployment of the cameras would allow research on the 
penguin colonies to continue in the absence of researchers at the 
campsite.
    Location: ASPA 128 Western Shore of Admiralty Bay.
    Dates: November 25, 2013 to March 15, 2016.

Nadene G. Kennedy,
Polar Coordination Specialist, Division of Polar Programs.
[FR Doc. 2013-27678 Filed 11-19-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-P