[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 197 (Thursday, October 10, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Page 54649]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-22193]


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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 November 12, 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

    1. Applicant: Lee Welhouse, 1225 West Dayton Street, Madison, 
Wisconsin, USA 53706--Permit application No. 2020-014.
    Activity for Which Permit Is Requested--Enter Antarctic Specially 
Protected Area (ASPA). The applicant would enter ASPA 106, Cape 
Hallett, to perform maintenance and updates on an already installed 
automatic weather station and to retrieve data collected from the 
station. The permit holder and agents would approach the area by small 
fixed-wing aircraft and enter the ASPA on foot. The permit holder would 
adhere to all guidance in the ASPA management plan.
    Location--ASPA 106, Cape Hallett, Northern Victoria Land, Ross Sea.
    Dates of Permitted Activities--November 10-30, 2019.
    2. Applicant: Patricia Ward, Nutopia Ltd., Kirkman House, 12-14 
Whitfield Street, London, W1T 2RF, UK--Permit application No. 2020-015.
    Activity for Which Permit Is Requested--Harmful Interference. The 
applicant and agents propose to film emperor penguins (Aptenodytes 
forsteri) underwater and on the sea ice, using handheld cameras, pole-
mounted cameras, and cameras attached to remotely piloted aircraft 
systems (RPAS). The resulting footage and photography would be used to 
create media products including a multi-part series for television. The 
applicant and agents would access the filming area via helicopter and 
approach the penguins on foot or while diving. Divers would not 
approach penguins, but penguins are expected to come within five meters 
of divers. On the sea ice and when operating the RPAS, the applicant 
and agents would maintain distance from penguins that would avoid or 
minimize disturbance. The results of this work are expected to be 
useful for outreach and education about Antarctica and the scientific 
research conducted there.
    Location--McMurdo Sound, Ross, Sea, Antarctica.
    Dates of Permitted Activities--November 13-December 15, 2019.

Erika N. Davis,
Program Specialist, Office of Polar Programs.
[FR Doc. 2019-22193 Filed 10-9-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 7555-01-P