[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 234 (Thursday, December 5, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 66699-66700]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-26239]


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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 January 6, 2020. 
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 671), 
as amended by the Antarctic Science, Tourism and Conservation Act of 
1996, has developed regulations for the establishment of a permit 
system for

[[Page 66700]]

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: 2020-022

1. Applicant: Chris Eckstrom, Frans Lanting Studio, 108 High Road at 
Delaware Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA 95060.

    Activity for Which Permit is Requested: Waste management. The 
applicant proposes to operate small, battery-operated remotely piloted 
aircraft systems (RPAS) consisting, in part, of a quadcopter equipped 
with cameras to collect commercial and educational footage of the 
Antarctic. The quadcopter would not be flown over concentrations of 
birds or mammals, or over Antarctic Specially Protected Areas or 
Historic Sites and Monuments. The RPAS would only be operated by pilots 
with extensive experience, who are approved by the Tour Operator. 
Several measures would be taken to prevent against loss of the 
quadcopter including painting the them a highly visible color; only 
flying when the wind is less than 25 knots; flying for only until 
reaching 25% battery life level; having prop guards on propeller tips, 
a flotation device if operated over water, and an ``auto go home'' 
feature in case of loss of control link or low battery; having an 
observer on the lookout for wildlife, people, and other hazards; and 
ensuring that the separation between the operator and quadcopter does 
not exceed visual line of sight of the pilot or observer. The applicant 
is seeking a Waste Permit to cover any accidental releases that may 
result from operating the RPAS.
    Location: Antarctic Peninsula region.
    Dates of Permitted Activities: January 1-February 28, 2020.

Permit Application: 2020-024

2. Applicant: David Lloyd, 40 Bertrand Drive, Princeton, NJ 08540.

    Activity for Which Permit is Requested: Waste management.
    Location: Signy Island, South Orkney Islands, Antarctica. The 
applicant proposes to conduct waste management activities an amateur 
(ham) radio expedition to Signy Island. The applicant would set up a 
temporary amateur radio station for a period of approximately two weeks 
to allow other amateur radio operators around the world the opportunity 
to make a radio contact with Signy Island. To support expedition goals, 
the applicant would establish a camp near Waterpipe Beach on Signy 
Island with two shelters. One would be used for the radio communication 
equipment, another as a rest area and for storage. Several radio 
antennas would be erected around the camp. No permanent structures 
would be constructed. Upon completion of the radio operations the camp 
and antennas would be completely dismantled and the site would be 
thoroughly inspected to ensure that no trace of the visit remains. 
Logistical support, including transport of personnel, equipment, 
prepared food, and fuel from the vessel to the island, transport of 
waste from the island back to the vessel, and transport of all 
personnel and equipment off the island at the end of the expedition 
would be provided by the crew of a chartered vessel. Fuel (unleaded 
gasoline) for portable generators used to power the radio equipment 
would be transported and stored in sealed plastic containers. Minimal 
amounts of fuel would be stored at the camp and best practices, 
including secondary containment, would be used to minimize the risk of 
spill during storage or fueling generators. If a liquid or semi-liquid 
waste or spill occurs, the applicant would collect the spilled 
materials along with a margin of soil or snow and dispose of the 
material in a bag contained within a waste drum which will be returned 
to the support vessel. All waste generated would be securely contained 
until it can be removed from the island. All waste would be disposed of 
in port after our return from Antarctica. No waste would be incinerated 
or left in Antarctica.
    Dates of Permitted Activities: February 15-March 31, 2020.

Erika N. Davis,
Program Specialist, Office of Polar Programs.
[FR Doc. 2019-26239 Filed 12-4-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 7555-01-P