[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 198 (Monday, October 16, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Page 48124]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-22295]


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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


Notice of Permit Modification Received Under the Antarctic 
Conservation Act of 1978

AGENCY: National Science Foundation.

ACTION: Notice of permit modification requests received and permits 
issued.

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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 and permits issued under the Antarctic Conservation Act of 
1978. NSF has published regulations under the Antarctic Conservation 
Act in the Code of Federal Regulations. This is the required notice of 
a requested permit modification and permit issued.

DATES: October 6, 2017 to September 1, 2021.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nature McGinn, ACA Permit Officer, 
Office of Polar Programs, National Science Foundation, 2415 Eisenhower 
Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22314; 703-292-8224; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The National Science Foundation (NSF), as 
directed by the Antarctic Conservation Act of 1978 (Pub. L. 95-541, 45 
CFR 670), 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.
    1. NSF issued a permit (ACA 2017-019) to Jerry McDonald, Principal 
in Charge, Leidos Innovations Group, Antarctic Support Contract, on 
October 30, 2016. The issued permit allows the applicant to enter five 
Antarctic Specially Protected Areas (ASPAs) in the Antarctic Peninsula 
region. 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.
    A recent modification to this permit, dated March 9, 2017, 
permitted the applicant to enter ASPA No. 126, Byers Peninsula, 
Livingston Island.
    Now the applicant proposes a permit modification to enter ASPA No. 
161, Terra Nova Bay, Ross Sea and ASPA No. 173, Cape Washington and 
Silverfish Bay, Terra Nova bay, Ross Sea for the purposes described in 
this permit. The Environmental Officer has reviewed the modification 
request and has determined that the amendment is not a material change 
to the permit, and it will have a less than a minor or transitory 
impact.
    2. NSF issued a permit (ACA 2017-016) to Jerry McDonald, Principal 
in Charge, Leidos Innovations Group, Antarctic Support Contract, on 
October 30, 2016. The issued permit allows the applicant to enter nine 
Antarctic Specially Protected Areas (ASPAs) in the Ross Sea region for 
the purposes of gathering professional video footage, still 
photographs, and to interview scientists. Visits to these ASPAs are 
limited and only occur as logistics and scientific conditions allow. 
Entry needs and requirements will be reviewed by ASC Environmental 
Health and Safety Department prior to entry and reported per standard 
procedures.
    Now the applicant proposes to enter ASPA No. 113 Litchfield Island, 
Arthur Harbor, Anvers Island, Palmer Archipelago for the purposes 
described in this permit. The Environmental Officer has reviewed the 
modification request and has determined that the amendment is not a 
material change to the permit, and it will have a less than a minor or 
transitory impact. NSF will also add an escort condition to this permit 
to ensure that the Antarctic Support Contract staff are accompanied by 
an expert in the values to be protected by the ASPA and to achieve 
consistency with similar permits issued to non-experts.
    These permit modifications were issued on October 6, 2017.

Nadene G. Kennedy,
Polar Coordination Specialist, Office of Polar Programs.
[FR Doc. 2017-22295 Filed 10-13-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 7555-01-P