[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 216 (Thursday, November 7, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 60115-60116]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-24283]
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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 (Pub. L. 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.
[[Page 60116]]
1. NSF issued a permit (ACA 2015-010) to Lockheed Martin
Corporation on October 31, 2014. The issued permit allows the permit
holder to, as the contractor providing operational support for the
United States Antarctic Program (USAP), be responsible for waste
management activities for the USAP.
A modification to this permit, dated November 7, 2016, allowed a
change in permit holder from Lockheed Martin Corporation to Leidos
Innovations Group (Leidos), 7400 South Tucson Way, Centennial, CO
80112. Another, recent modification to this permit extended the
expiration date from September 30, 2019 to October 31, 2019.
This modification would be to extend the expiration date of the
permit from October 31, 2019 to November 8, 2019. 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.
Date of Permitted Activities: October 31, 2014-November 8, 2019.
The permit modification was issued on November 1, 2019.
2. On October 23, 2015, the National Science Foundation (NSF)
issued a waste management permit to David Rootes, Environmental Manager
of Antarctic Logistics and Expeditions, LLC (ALE). Under that permit
(ACA #2016-008), ALE was permitted 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. The permit expires
February 28, 2020. On September 3, 2019, Mr. Rootes provided NSF an
update based on activities planned for the 2019-2020 field season.
ALE's activities are the same or similar as those detailed in the
original permit (and previous modifications) and the estimates for
emissions and waste generation are updated based on the planned
activities for this season. 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.
Date of Permitted Activities: October 23, 2015-February 28, 2020.
The permit modification was issued on November 1, 2019.
3. On November 2, 2017, the National Science Foundation (NSF)
issued a waste management permit to Brandon Harvey, Director,
Expedition Operations, Polar Latitudes, Inc. Under that permit (ACA
#2018-015), Polar Latitudes was permitted to conduct waste management
activities associated with coastal camping and operating remotely
piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) In the Antarctic Peninsula region.
Coastal overnight camping of no more than 30 campers and two expedition
staff for a maximum of 10 hours ashore. Camping must be away from
vegetated sites and at least 150 meters from wildlife concentrations or
lakes, protected areas, historical sites, and scientific stations. The
permit holder engages experienced pilots to fly small, battery-
operated, remotely controlled quadcopter equipped with cameras to
capture aerial footage for commercial and educational uses. The permit
expires March 30, 2022.
On September 4, 2018, Polar Latitudes provided NSF an update based
on activities planned for the 2018-2019 field season. The activities
are the same or similar as those detailed in the original permit.
Hayley Shephard now holds the position of Director of Expedition
Operations. In addition, coastal camping should no longer occur in
close proximity to Almirante Brown/Brown Base. On February 25, 2019,
NSF issued a modification to allow waste management activities
associated with whale tagging research aboard the MS ISLAND SKY, led by
Daniel Zitterbart as part of an expedition within an expedition.
On August 30, 2019, Polar Latitudes provided NSF an update based on
activities planned for the 2019-2020 field season (attached). The
activities are the same or similar as those detailed in the original
permit and previous modifications. On October 14, 2019, Polar Latitudes
provided NSF an update (attached) on the support of whale tagging
activities this season aboard the MC Hebridean Sky in March 2020.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.
Date of Permitted Activities: November 2, 2017--March 30, 2022.
The permit modification was issued on November 3, 2019.
Erika N. Davis,
Program Specialist, Office of Polar Programs.
[FR Doc. 2019-24283 Filed 11-6-19; 8:45 am]
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