[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 141 (Tuesday, July 27, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Page 40218]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-15967]


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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 26, 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: 2022-005

1. Applicant: Leidos Innovations Group, Antarctic Support Contract; 
7400 S Tucson Way, Centennial, CO 80112

    Activity for Which Permit is Requested: Harmful Interference, 
introduce non-indigenous species into Antarctica. The applicant is 
requesting a permit for two aspects of the Palmer Pier Replacement 
Project--the potential harmful interference to avian species and the 
introduction of non-indigenous species for use in a Marine Sanitation 
Device--to support the National Science Foundation (NSF) funded United 
States Antarctic Program (USAP) construction of a new pier. A permit is 
requested for potential harmful interference of avian species during 
the construction process. Noise generated by the demolition of the 
existing pier and construction of a new pier may cause disturbance to 
avian species in the vicinity of the project area. Mitigation measures 
will be put into place to minimize potential disturbance to wildlife in 
the area.
    The applicant also requests a permit for the importation of 
commercially available, proprietary bacterial supplements for use in 
Marine Sanitation Devices aboard vessels deployed in support of the 
Palmer Pier Replacement Project. These supplements are used to improve 
wastewater treatment operation. Bacteria would not be released into the 
environment, and all effluent is to undergo complete disinfection prior 
to discharge.
    Location: Palmer Station, Antarctic Peninsula.
    Dates of Permitted Activities: October 1, 2021-January 31, 2023.

Erika N. Davis,
Program Specialist, Office of Polar Programs.
[FR Doc. 2021-15967 Filed 7-26-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-P