[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 189 (Monday, September 30, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Page 51643]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-21173]


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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


Notice of Availability of a Record of Decision Following a Final 
Comprehensive Environmental Evaluation (CEE) for Continuation and 
Modernization of McMurdo Station Area Activities in Antarctica

AGENCY: National Science Foundation.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: The National Science Foundation (NSF) gives notice of the 
availability of a Record of Decision following a Final Comprehensive 
Environmental Evaluation (CEE) for Continuation and Modernization of 
McMurdo Station Area Activities, pursuant to the Antarctic Conservation 
Act, as amended, its implementing regulations, and in accordance with 
the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty. The 
proposed activity would implement modernization projects at McMurdo 
Station while continuing United States Antarctic Program science and 
operations at McMurdo Station and locations supported by the Station.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the Notice of Availability of the Record of 
Decision are available upon request from Dr. Polly A. Penhale, Senior 
Advisor, Environment, Office of Polar Programs, National Science 
Foundation, 2415 Eisenhower Avenue, Alexandria, Virginia 22314 or 
[email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information regarding the 
CEE process, please contact Dr. Polly A. Penhale, at the above address, 
703-292-8030, or [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Article 3 of Annex I to the Protocol on 
Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty requires the 
preparation of a CEE for any proposed Antarctic activity likely to have 
more than a minor or transitory impact. The draft CEE was made 
available to Antarctic Treaty Parties and the Committee for 
Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty for a 120-day period, 
as specified above.
    The draft CEE was published in the Federal Register (Vol. 84, No. 
76/Friday, April 19, 2019, Page 16547) for a 90-comment period, as 
specified in 45 CFR 641.18.
    Comments were received and considered as described in the Final CEE 
for Continuation and Modernization of McMurdo Station Area Activities 
in Antarctica. The Final CEE was published in the Federal Register (Vol 
84, No. 159, Friday, August 16, 2019, Page 42021).
    The Final CEE may be viewed by interested parties at https://www.acpt.nsf.gov/geo/opp/antarct/treaty/cees/AIMS/Final%20CEE_McMurdo%20Modernization_v8_05Aug2019.pdf.
    Additional information on the proposed actions and purpose and need 
was provided in the Notice of Intent to prepare a CEE published in the 
Federal Register (Vol. 81, No. 164/Wednesday, August 24, 2016, Pages 
57940-57941).

Erika N. Davis,
Program Specialist, Office of Polar Programs.
[FR Doc. 2019-21173 Filed 9-27-19; 8:45 am]
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