[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 139 (Friday, July 23, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Page 39080]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-15677]


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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 August 23, 2021. 
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: Polly Penhale, ACA Permit Officer, at 
the above address, 703-292-7420, 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

Permit Application: 2022-003

1. Applicant: Dr. George Watters, Director, AMLR Program, Southwest 
Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, 8901 La 
Jolla Shores Drive, La Jolla, CA 92037

    Activity for Which Permit is Requested: Waste management permit. 
This permit application pertains to ship and shore-based research and 
logistic activities conducted by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration's (NOAA) Antarctic Marine Living Resources (AMLR) 
Program. The AMLR Program conducts research from a vessel platform in 
the Antarctic Peninsula region, collecting environmental, 
oceanographic, primary productivity, finfish, and prey data. Research 
is also conducted at two temporary field camps in the South Shetland 
Islands, Antarctica: Cape Shirreff and Copacabana. The scope of the 
application pertains to environmental and waste management issues 
resulting from proposed research, logistic and construction activities 
by the U.S. AMLR program between 2021 and 2026.
    Ocean-based research activities will include the deployment of 
retrievable instrumentation. Instruments to be deployed include several 
long-range underwater gliders to measure environmental conditions and 
population densities, as well as up to 20 stationary moorings. 
Unoccupied Aerial Systems (UAS) will also be deployed from research 
vessels for surveying and censusing purposes. Deployment of all 
retrievable instrumentation will be performed by trained personnel 
associated with the research project.
    Activities proposed at the Cape Shirreff field camp include the 
necessary construction of new temporary camp structures and the removal 
of previous temporary structures. Care will be taken to minimize 
environmental disturbance throughout construction and resulting 
structures are planned to occupy an approximate footprint similar to 
that of existing structures. Continuation of long-term research 
activities at the Cape Shirreff field camp will include deployment and 
maintenance of up to 30 autonomous cameras to assist in studies of 
avian breeding colonies, deployment of snow gauges and continued use of 
UAS for census surveying of surrounding fauna. Research activities 
proposed at the Copacabana field camp are similar to those at Cape 
Shirreff, including deployment of autonomous cameras and use of UAS for 
surveying purposes. All UAS pilots are licensed FAA remote aircraft 
pilots and care will be taken to follow all best practices for UAS 
operation in polar regions along with all appropriate safety measures.
    Wastes and designated pollutants associated with typical field camp 
operations will be generated, released, stored, and removed at both 
camps. The field camps will release wastes to air in the form of 
emissions resulting from the combustion of gasoline, propane, and 
charcoal. Releases of wastes to water will be limited to greywater and 
human sewage only. Wastes and designated pollutants resulting from 
scientific research include materials used to mark animals and attach 
necessary instrumentation. Additional waste may be generated by 
construction activities at Cape Shirreff, but mitigation measures will 
be put in place to minimize the introduction of waste into the 
environment. For designated pollutants stored at field camps, strict 
protocols for storage and handling will be followed. All U.S. AMLR 
personnel will receive proper training on handling and management of 
designated pollutants prior to deployment.
    Location: Cape Shirreff, Livingston Island; Copacabana, western 
shore of Admiralty Bay; Western Antarctic Peninsula.
    Dates of Permitted Activities: October 1, 2021-July 31, 2026.

Erika N. Davis,
Program Specialist, Office of Polar Programs.
[FR Doc. 2021-15677 Filed 7-22-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-P