[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 183 (Friday, September 20, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Page 49563]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-20359]


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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.

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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 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 21, 2019. 
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.

Application Details

Permit Application: 2020-013.

1. Applicant: Orla Doherty, BBC Worldwide Americas, 1120 Avenue of the 
Americas, New York, NY 10036.

    Activity for Which Permit is Requested: Harmful Interference, Enter 
Antarctic Specially Protected Areas (ASPA). The applicant and agents 
propose to film Antarctic wildlife, natural environments and scientific 
research being conducted. The resulting footage and photography would 
be used to create media products including a multi-part series for 
television. The applicant would film Weddell seals (adults and pups) 
underwater and on the sea ice with handheld cameras, cameras on 
tripods, remotely operated vehicles (underwater), pole cameras, remote 
cameras, and cameras attached to remotely piloted aircraft systems 
(RPAS; aka small copter drone). Film team members would approach seals 
slowly, over time, and may get as close as five meters. The applicant 
proposes to operate the RPAS at a minimum altitude of 23 meters, with 
the potential to operate at 10 meters above ground level if no 
disturbance of the seals is noted. Additional observers would be 
employed when film team members are operating RPAS or handheld gimbal 
cameras. The applicant also proposes to record seal vocalizations using 
a hydrophone. The applicant and agents would also film minke whales, 
killer whales, and Adelie penguins from helicopters and RPAS as well as 
from the sea ice edge. In addition, while filming by helicopter, the 
applicant and agents proposes to fly over ASPA 131, Canada Glacier, and 
ASPA 172 Lower Taylor Valley and Blood Falls. The applicant and agents 
would adhere to overflight guidance in ASPA management plans. Finally, 
the applicant proposes to approach Adelie penguins, gentoo penguins, 
southern giant petrels, south polar skuas, and brown skuas whilst 
documenting ongoing ecological research in the Antarctic Peninsula. In 
the course of this filming effort, it is possible that the applicant 
and agents would enter ASPA 113, Litchfield Island, and ASPA 139, 
Biscoe Point. The results of this work are expected to be useful for 
outreach and education about Antarctica and the scientific research 
conducted there.
    Location: ASPA 113, Litchfield Island, Arthur Harbor, Anvers 
Island, Palmer Archipelago; ASPA 131, Canada Glacier, Lake Fryxell, 
Taylor Valley, Victoria Land; ASPA 139, Biscoe Point, Anvers Island, 
Palmer Archipelago; ASPA 172, Lower Taylor Glacier and Blood Falls, 
Taylor Valley; McMurdo Station area; McMurdo Dry Valleys.
    Dates of Permitted Activities: October 11, 2019-February 10, 2020.

Erika N. Davis
Program Specialist, Office of Polar Programs.
[FR Doc. 2019-20359 Filed 9-19-19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-P