[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 191 (Tuesday, October 2, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Page 49583]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-21417]


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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 request received and permit 
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.

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 (Public Law 95-541, 
45 CFR 671), 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 2016-008) to David Rootes, 
Environmental Manager, Antarctic Logistics and Expeditions, LLC, on 
October 23, 2015. The issued permit allows the applicant to operate a 
remote camp at Union Glacier, Antarctica, and provide logistical 
support services for scientific and other expeditions, film crews, and 
tourists. These activities include aircraft support, cache positioning, 
camp and field support, resupply, search and rescue, medevac, medical 
support and logistic support for some National Operators.
    A recent modification to this permit, dated October 6, 2017, 
permitted the permit holder to continue permitted activities, including 
minimization, mitigation, and monitoring of waste, for the 2017-2018 
Antarctic season.
    Now the permit holder proposes a permit modification to continue 
permitted activities, including minimization, mitigation, and 
monitoring of waste, for the 2018-2019 Antarctic season. One addition 
is the establishment and operation of a small camp near the base of 
Mount Sporli. 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.
    Dates of Permitted Activities: October 1, 2018-February 28, 2020.
    2. NSF issued a permit (ACA 2018-015) to Brandon Harvey, Director, 
Expedition Operations, Polar Latitudes, Inc., on November 2, 2017. The 
issued permit allows the permit holder to conduct waste management 
activities associated with coastal camping and operating remotely 
piloted aircraft systems.
    Now the permit holder proposes a permit modification to continue 
permitted activities, including minimization, mitigation, and 
monitoring of waste, for the 2018-2019 Antarctic season. In addition, 
Hayley Shephard now holds the position of Director of Expedition 
Operations. 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.
    Dates of Permitted Activities: October 30, 2018-March 30, 2022.
    These permit modifications were issued on September 25, 2018.

Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 2018-21417 Filed 10-1-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 7555-01-P