[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 148 (Friday, July 31, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 46190-46191]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-16604]


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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 (Public Law 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.
    1. NSF issued a permit (ACA 2018-025) to Bill Davis, VP Operations, 
Quark Expeditions Inc., on November 24, 2017. Under that permit, Quark 
Expeditions is permitted to conduct waste management associated with 
the operation and activities of multiple tour vessels in the Antarctic 
Peninsula region. Activities including shore excursions by Zodiac, 
kayaking, day paddling, stand-up paddle boarding, polar plunges, cross-
country skiing, ice climbing and mountaineering, downhill skiing, and 
vessel-supported short overnight stays (camping) may be conducted on 
selected voyages. The permit holder may also operate a small, battery-
operated remotely piloted aircraft system (RPAS) consisting, in part, 
of a quadcopter equipped with a camera to collect footage for 
commercial and educational purposes. The permit expires March 31, 2022.
    On August 27, 2019 (revised November 3, 2019), Quark Expeditions 
provided NSF an update based on activities planned for the 2019-2020 
field season. The activities are the same or similar as those detailed 
in the original permit. Allison Kean now holds the position of 
Operations Manager and is the primary contact for the permit holder. 
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.
    Dates of Permitted Activities: November 4, 2019-March 31, 2022.
    The permit modification was issued on November 4, 2019.
    2. NSF issued a permit (ACA 2016-020) to Laura K.O. Smith, Owner, 
Operator Quixote Expeditions, on December 23, 2015. The issued permit 
allows the permit holder to conduct waste management activities 
associated with the operation of the ``Ocean Tramp,'' a reinforced 
ketch rigged sailing yacht in the Antarctic Peninsula region. 
Activities to be conducted by Quixote include: passenger landings, 
hiking, photography, wildlife viewing, and possible station visits.

[[Page 46191]]

    A recent modification to this permit, dated November 22, 2017, 
permitted coastal camping activities in select locations and resupply 
of fresh food to the Quixote Expeditions vessel as part of fly/cruise 
operations. Another modification, dated November 6, 2018, allowed the 
permit holder to add a second vessel to support Quixote Expeditions 
activities, to conduct ship-to-ship fuel transfers, to release 
comminuted food waste (excepting poultry) at sea, and to operate a 
remotely piloted aircraft for educational and commercial purposes.
    On October 3, 2019, the permit holder submitted an update of 
provided NSF an update based on activities planned for the 2019-2020 
field season. Quixote's activities are similar as those detailed in the 
original permit and earlier modifications, excepting the support of 
different research projects. Estimates for the waste generated by this 
season's activities were provided in the update. 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.
    Dates of Permitted Activities: November 20, 2019-February 6, 2021.
    The permit modification was issued on November 20, 2019.
    3. NSF issued a permit (ACA 2019-012) Conrad Combrink, Senior Vice 
President, Strategic Development Expeditions and Experiences, Silversea 
Cruises, Ltd., for waste management activities associated with 
operating remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS). Silversea Cruises 
engages experienced pilots to fly small, battery-operated, remotely 
controlled quadcopter equipped with cameras to capture aerial footage 
for commercial and educational uses.
    On September 18, 2019, Bill Davis, Vice President, Expeditions 
Operations and Development, Silversea Cruises, Ltd., provided NSF an 
update based on activities planned for the 2019-2020 field season. 
Silversea's activities are the same or similar as those detailed in the 
original permit. 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.
    Dates of Permitted Activities: November 20, 2019-March 30, 2022.
    The permit modification was issued on November 20, 2019.

Erika N. Davis,
Program Specialist, Office of Polar Programs.
[FR Doc. 2020-16604 Filed 7-30-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-P