[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 183 (Thursday, September 20, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 47645-47646]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-20470]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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 in 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 22, 2018. 
This application may be inspected by interested parties at the Permit 
Office, address below.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be addressed to Permit Office, Office of 
Polar Programs, National Science Foundation, 2415 Eisenhower Avenue, 
Alexandria, Virginia 22314.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nature McGinn, ACA Permit Officer, at 
the above address, 703-292-8030, or [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The National Science Foundation, 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. 
The regulations establish such a permit system to designate Antarctic 
Specially Protected Areas.

[[Page 47646]]

Application Details

Permit Application: 2019-007

1. Applicant
    Natasja van Gestel, Texas Tech University, Biological Sciences 
Department, 2901 Main Street, Lubbock, TX 79409.
    Activity for Which Permit Is Requested: Enter Antarctic Specially 
Protected Area, collect soil and vegetation samples. The applicant 
proposes to enter Antarctic Specially Protected Area (ASPA) 113, 
Litchfield Island, Arthur Harbor, to study Antarctic soils, microbial 
communities, and vegetation. The studies would involve short-term, 
temporary installation of chambers around study plots; temporary 
installations of data loggers, sensors, and gauges; minimal soil sample 
collection; and collection of minimal vegetation samples. The applicant 
would collect 5 plants each of the species Deschampsia antarctica and 
Colobanthus quitensis and up to 20 small samples of various moss 
species. Moss samples would be collected near Palmer Station 
preferentially, if species are available there. All samples would be 
taken to the home institution for analysis and, ultimately, herbarium 
curation.
    Location: ASPA 113, Litchfield Island, Arthur Harbor; Anvers 
Island, Palmer Station area.
    Dates of Permitted Activities: December 5, 2018-April 10, 2019.

Permit Application: 2019-008

2. Applicant
    Caitlin Saks, WGBH, 1 Guest Street, Boston, MA 02135.
    Activity for Which Permit Is Requested: Enter Antarctic Specially 
Protected Areas (ASPA). The applicant would enter ASPA 121, Cape Royds, 
Ross Island; ASPA 155, Cape Evans, Ross Island; ASPA 157, Backdoor Bay, 
Cape Royds, Ross Island; ASPA 158, Hut Point, Ross Island; ASPA 172, 
Lower Taylor Glacier and Blood Falls, Taylor Valley to film scientific 
research being conducted, historically significant locations, and the 
natural environment. The resulting film and photography would be used 
to create a series of media products including a two-hour documentary. 
The applicant proposes to employ a video-camera and tripod, possibly a 
light stand (inside historic huts), a 360 degree virtual reality 
camera, and, where feasible and allowable, a small, remotely piloted 
aircraft system with a camera payload. The applicant would enter the 
historic huts with a trained guide and would abide by the management 
plans of all ASPAs visited. The results of this work are expected to be 
useful for outreach and education about Antarctica and the scientific 
research conducted there.
    Location: ASPA 121, Cape Royds, Ross Island; ASPA 155, Cape Evans, 
Ross Island; ASPA 157, Backdoor Bay, Cape Royds, Ross Island; ASPA 158, 
Hut Point, Ross Island; ASPA 172, Lower Taylor Glacier and Blood Falls, 
Taylor Valley; McMurdo Station area; McMurdo Dry Valleys.
    Dates of Permitted Activities: October 22-November 19, 2018.

Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 2018-20470 Filed 9-19-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 7555-01-P