[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 175 (Friday, September 9, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 62543-62546]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-21655]


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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, 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 October 11, 2016. 
This application 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: Nature McGinn, ACA Permit Officer, at 
the above address or [email protected] or (703) 292-7149.

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.

Application Details

 Permit Application: 2017-014

1. Applicant: Jerry McDonald (Principal in Charge), Leidos Innovations 
Group, Antarctic Support Contract, 7400 S. Tucson Way, Centennial, CO 
80112-3938.
Activity for Which Permit Is Requested
    Enter Antarctic Specially Protected Areas (ASPAs). The applicant 
plans to transit through three marine ASPAs (ASPA 145 Port Foster, 
Deception Island, South Shetland Islands; ASPA 152 Western Bransfield 
Strait and ASPA 153 Eastern Dallmann Bay) only when necessary and when 
transit through the areas does not jeopardize the values to be 
protected as described in each management plan.
Location
ASPA 145 Port Foster, Deception Island, South Shetland Islands
ASPA 152 Western Bransfield Strait
ASPA 153 Eastern Dallmann Bay
Dates
    September 1, 2016 to September 1, 2021

Permit Application: 2017-015

2. Applicant: Jerry McDonald (Principal in Charge), Leidos Innovations 
Group, Antarctic Support Contract, 7400 S. Tucson Way, Centennial, CO 
80112-3938.
Activity for Which Permit Is Requested
    Enter Antarctic Specially Protected Areas (ASPAs). The following 
ASPAs contain historic huts from the Heroic Age of Antarctic 
Exploration: ASPA 155 Cape Evans, Ross Island; ASPA 157 Backdoor Bay, 
Cape Royds, Ross; ASPA

[[Page 62544]]

158 Hut Point, Ross Island and ASPA 159 Cape Adare, Borchgrevink Coast.
    The permit will allow educational visits to the historic huts for 
persons associated with the United States Antarctic Program. All visits 
will be conducted in accordance with the management plan for the 
specific sites.
Location
ASPA 155 Cape Evans, Ross Island
ASPA 157 Backdoor Bay, Cape Royds, Ross
ASPA 158 Hut Point, Ross Island
ASPA 159 Cape Adare, Borchgrevink Coast
Dates
    September 1, 2016 to September 1, 2021

Permit Application: 2017-016

2. Applicant: Jerry McDonald (Principal in Charge), Leidos Innovations 
Group, Antarctic Support Contract, 7400 S. Tucson Way, Centennial, CO 
80112-3938.
Activity for Which Permit Is Requested
    Enter Antarctic Specially Protected Areas (ASPAs). The following 
sites will potentially be visited: ASPA 105 Beaufort Island, McMurdo 
Sound, Ross Sea; ASPA 116 New College Valley, Caughley Beach, Cape 
Bird, Ross Island; ASPA 121 Cape Royds, Ross Island; ASPA 122 Arrival 
Heights, Hut Point Peninsula, Ross Island; ASPA 124 Cape Crozier, Ross 
Island; ASPA 155 Cape Evans, Ross Island; ASPA 157 Backdoor Bay, Cape 
Royds, Ross; ASPA 158 Hut Point, Ross Island; and ASPA 172 Lower Taylor 
Glacier and Blood Falls, Taylor Valley, McMurdo Dry Valleys, Victoria 
Land. The purpose is to gather professional video footage, still 
photographs, and to Interview scientists. Any footage, pictures, 
Interviews, and information gathered during site visits to the ASPA's 
could potentially be used in outreach videos, archived for future use, 
or be published in The Antarctic Sun, the official online news 
publication of the U.S. Antarctic Program which is managed by the 
National Science Foundation. Visits to the ASPA's listed in this 
application will be limited as operational, scientific conditions, and 
the availability of transportation permit.
Location
ASPA 105 Beaufort Island, McMurdo Sound, Ross Sea
ASPA 116 New College Valley, Caughley Beach, Cape Bird, Ross Island
ASPA 121 Cape Royds, Ross Island
ASPA 122 Arrival Heights, Hut Point Peninsula, Ross Island
ASPA 124 Cape Crozier, Ross Island
ASPA 155 Cape Evans, Ross Island
ASPA 157 Backdoor Bay, Cape Royds, Ross
ASPA 158 Hut Point, Ross Island
ASPA 172 Lower Taylor Glacier and Blood Falls, Taylor Valley, McMurdo 
Dry Valleys, Victoria Land
Dates
    September 1, 2016 to September 1, 2021

Permit Application: 2017-017

3. Applicant: Jerry McDonald (Principal in Charge), Leidos Innovations 
Group, Antarctic Support Contract, 7400 S. Tucson Way, Centennial, CO 
80112-3938.
Activity for Which Permit Is Requested
    Take. Periodically native mammal and bird species enter the 
aircraft runways, the roads, and the ice pier at McMurdo Station, or 
the pier or general station area at Palmer Station. Such invasions pose 
operational safety concerns as well as the potential to harm the 
animals. As such, it will be necessary to herd these animals out of 
harm's way. 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 arms outstretched to the sides, and continuing toward the animal 
until they have been moved approximately 20 to 30 feet from the 
operational area. Occasionally, it may be necessary to use flags 
mounted on bamboo poles in order to steer animals out of the 
operational areas. Individuals tasked with wildlife removal will be 
trained in proper techniques designed to minimize disturbance.
Location
McMurdo Station and associated operational sites, Ross Island and 
Palmer Station, Antarctic Peninsula.
Dates
    September 1, 2016 to September 1, 2021

Permit Application: 2017-018

4. Applicant: Jerry McDonald (Principal in Charge), Leidos Innovations 
Group, Antarctic Support Contract, 7400 S. Tucson Way, Centennial, CO 
80112-3938.
Activity for Which Permit Is Requested
    Entry into ASPA 122 Arrival Heights, Hut Point Peninsula, Ross 
Island in order to conduct scientific projects already in place, or 
conduct projects added during the term of this permit. Scientists 
conduct research projects that include, but are not limited to 
operation of an ELFNLF receiver, riometer and magnetometer for studies 
of the earth's magnetic field and ionosphere, high latitude neutral 
mesospheric and thermospheric dynamics and thermodynamics, UV 
monitoring, aerosols investigations, and pollution surveys. Daily 
access is needed for equipment monitoring, data acquisition, 
calibrations, and repairs. Scientific visitors may enter the site for 
educational and for oversight purposes. Personnel from the Antarctic 
Support Contractor departments may be called upon to perform 
inspections, maintenance, fueling, or repair functions at the 
facilities within the ASPA. Other personnel will need to enter the ASPA 
to monitor and maintain or repair weather equipment within the site. 
Government officials may enter the site to observe and determine 
whether modifications to the Management Plan or the USAP implementing 
procedures are warranted.
Location
ASPA 122 Arrival Heights, Hut Point Peninsula, Ross Island
Dates
    September 1, 2016 to September 1, 2021

Permit Application: 2017-019

5. Applicant: Jerry McDonald (Principal in Charge), Leidos Innovations 
Group, Antarctic Support Contract, 7400 S. Tucson Way, Centennial, CO 
80112-3938.
Activity for Which Permit Is Requested
    Enter Antarctic Specially Protected Areas: ASPA 113 Litchfield 
Island, Arthur Harbor, Anvers Island, Palmer Archipelago; ASPA 117 
Avian Island, Marguerite Bay, Antarctic Peninsula; ASPA 128 Western 
shore of Admiralty Bay, King George Island, South Shetland Islands; 
ASPA 139 Biscoe Point, Anvers Island, Palmer Archipelago; and ASPA 149 
Cape Shirreff and San Telmo Island, Livingston Island, South Shetland 
Islands. The Antarctic Support Contractor's staff provides routine 
logistics support in the transport of science teams and supporting 
personnel, and in field camp put-in and take-out. Entry into an ASPA 
would occur only to support a science project for which a permit has 
been issued. Entry needs and requirements will be reviewed by ASC 
Environmental Health and Safety Department prior to entry and reported 
per standard procedures.

[[Page 62545]]

Location
ASPA 113 Litchfield Island, Arthur Harbor, Anvers Island, Palmer 
Archipelago
ASPA 117 Avian Island, Marguerite Bay, Antarctic Peninsula
ASPA 128 Western shore of Admiralty Bay, King George Island, South 
Shetland Islands
ASPA 139 Biscoe Point, Anvers Island, Palmer Archipelago
ASPA 149 Cape Shirreff and San Telmo Island, Livingston Island, South 
Shetland Islands
Dates
    September 1, 2016 to September 1, 2021

Permit Application: 2017-020

6. Applicant: Permit Application: 2017-020, Jerry McDonald (Principal 
in Charge), Leidos Innovations Group, Antarctic Support Contract, 7400 
S. Tucson Way, Centennial, CO 80112-3938.
Activity for Which Permit Is Requested
    Introduce non-indigenous species into Antarctica. An ACA permit is 
requested for import and use of a commercially available, bacteria 
supplement for municipal Wastewater Treatment Plants, to be used in the 
wastewater treatment plant at McMurdo Station, Antarctica. Benefits 
include better sludge settling and dewatering, control of surface foam 
and filamentous growth, reduction of total sludge volume and improved 
plant performance even in well-operated treatment plants. This 
supplement is a proprietary mixture of enzymatic substrate, nutrient 
base and bacteria for the treatment process. Bacteria would not be 
released to the marine environment. Most of the bacteria are eventually 
captured in the wastewater treatment plant's solids that are dewatered, 
compressed and retrograded to the U.S. The effluent from the wastewater 
treatment plant is treated with a UV sterilization system before it is 
discharged from the plant, killing all remaining bacteria before it 
reaches the sewage outfall.
Location
McMurdo Station, Ross Island, Antarctica
Dates
    September 1, 2016 to September 1, 2021

Permit Application: 2017-021

7. Applicant: Jerry McDonald (Principal in Charge), Leidos Innovations 
Group, Antarctic Support Contract, 7400 S. Tucson Way, Centennial, CO 
80112-3938.
Activity for Which Permit Is Requested
    Enter Antarctic Specially Protected Areas (ASPAs): ASPA 121 Cape 
Royds, Ross Island; ASPA 122 Arrival Heights, Hut Point Peninsula, Ross 
Island; ASPA 124 Cape Crozier, Ross Island; ASPA 131 Canada Glacier, 
Lake Fryxell, Taylor Valley, Victoria Land; ASPA 137 North-west White 
Island, McMurdo Sound; ASPA 138 Linneaus Terrace, Asgard Range, 
Victoria Land; ASPA 172 Lower Taylor Glacier and Blood Falls, Taylor 
Valley, McMurdo Dry Valleys, Victoria Land; and ASPA 175 High Altitude 
Geothermal sites of the Ross Sea region. The Antarctic Support 
Contractor's staff provides routine logistics support in the transport 
of science teams and supporting personnel. Additionally, staff is 
required to conduct occasional operations, maintenance, construction, 
and rehabilitation activities in support of science at designated ASPA 
locations in the Ross Island Area. Petroleum Helicopters Incorporated 
is the primary means of transport for grantees and support personnel to 
and from sites; a pilot and helicopter technician would also enter the 
ASPA. Entry into an ASPA would occur only to support a science project 
for which a permit has been issued. Entry needs and requirements will 
be reviewed by ASC Environmental Health and Safety Department prior to 
entry and reported per standard procedures.
Location
ASPA 121 Cape Royds, Ross Island
ASPA 122 Arrival Heights, Hut Point Peninsula, Ross Island
ASPA 124 Cape Crozier, Ross Island
ASPA 131 Canada Glacier, Lake Fryxell, Taylor Valley, Victoria Land
ASPA 137 North-west White Island, McMurdo Sound
ASPA 138 Linneaus Terrace, Asgard Range, Victoria Land
ASPA 172 Lower Taylor Glacier and Blood Falls, Taylor Valley, McMurdo 
Dry Valleys, Victoria Land
ASPA 175 High Altitude Geothermal sites of the Ross Sea region
Dates
    September 1, 2016 to September 1, 2021

Permit Application: 2017-022

8. Applicant: Jerry McDonald (Principal in Charge), Leidos Innovations 
Group, Antarctic Support Contract, 7400 S. Tucson Way, Centennial, CO 
80112-3938.
Activity for Which Permit Is Requested
    Introduce non-indigenous species into Antarctica. An ACA permit is 
requested for import of a of the commercially available freeze-dried 
marine bacterium Vibrio fisheri for experimental use and calibration of 
equipment at the Crary Science and Engineering Center McMurdo Station. 
The bacterium is used as one of the reagents for the Microtox toxicity 
analyzer. All equipment used with the bacterium will be autoclaved to 
destroy any residual bacteria; there will be no release to the 
environment.
Location
McMurdo Station, Ross Island, Antarctica
Dates
    September 1, 2016 to September 1, 2021

Permit Application: 2017-023

9. Applicant: Jerry McDonald (Principal in Charge), Leidos Innovations 
Group, Antarctic Support Contract, 7400 S. Tucson Way, Centennial, CO 
80112-3938.
Activity for Which Permit Is Requested
    Enter Antarctic Specially Protected Areas (ASPAs): ASPA 105 
Beaufort Island, McMurdo Sound, Ross Sea; ASPA 106 Cape Hallett, 
Northern Victoria Land, Ross Sea; ASPA 113 Litchfield Island, Arthur 
Harbor, Anvers Island, Palmer Archipelago; ASPA 121 Cape Royds, Ross 
Island; ASPA 122 Arrival Heights, Hut Point Peninsula, Ross Island; 
ASPA 123 Barwick and Balham Valleys, Southern Victoria Land; ASPA 124 
Cape Crozier, Ross Island; ASPA 131 Canada Glacier, Lake Fryxell, 
Taylor Valley, Victoria Land; ASPA 137 North-west White Island, McMurdo 
Sound; ASPA 138 Linneaus Terrace, Asgard Range, Victoria Land; ASPA 139 
Biscoe Point, Anvers Island, Palmer Archipelago; ASPA 154 Botany Bay, 
Cape Geology, Victoria Land; ASPA 172 Lower Taylor Glacier and Blood 
Falls, Taylor Valley, McMurdo Dry Valleys, Victoria Land; and ASPA 175 
High Altitude Geothermal sites of the Ross Sea region. The purpose is 
to conduct a review of the ASPA management plans, which normally occurs 
every five years per the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the 
Antarctic Treaty. The Antarctic Support Contract Environmental Health 
and Safety Department will enter an ASPA on an as needed basis. Reasons 
for entering the ASPA could be to collect information on site status in 
anticipation of the 5 year ASPA review, general management and 
maintenance

[[Page 62546]]

concerns such as ensuring that all signs and boundary markers are 
legible and secured, or to address any environmental concern or 
potential environmental release within the ASPA. Visits for these 
management purposes would be pre-approved by the U.S. Antarctic 
Program's Environmental Officer.
Location
ASPA 105 Beaufort Island, McMurdo Sound, Ross Sea
ASPA 106 Cape Hallett, Northern Victoria Land, Ross Sea
ASPA 113 Litchfield Island, Arthur Harbor, Anvers Island, Palmer 
Archipelago
ASPA 121 Cape Royds, Ross Island
ASPA 122 Arrival Heights, Hut Point Peninsula, Ross Island
ASPA 123 Barwick and Balham Valleys, Southern Victoria Land
ASPA 124 Cape Crozier, Ross Island
ASPA 131 Canada Glacier, Lake Fryxell, Taylor Valley, Victoria Land
ASPA 137 North-west White Island, McMurdo Sound
ASPA 138 Linneaus Terrace, Asgard Range, Victoria Land
ASPA 139 Biscoe Point, Anvers Island, Palmer Archipelago
ASPA 154 Botany Bay, Cape Geology, Victoria Land
ASPA 172 Lower Taylor Glacier and Blood Falls, Taylor Valley, McMurdo 
Dry Valleys, Victoria Land
ASPA 175 High Altitude Geothermal sites of the Ross Sea region
Dates
    September 1, 2016 to September 1, 2021

Nadene G. Kennedy,
Polar Coordination Specialist, Division of Polar Programs.
[FR Doc. 2016-21655 Filed 9-8-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 7555-01-P