[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 160 (Monday, August 23, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Page 47162]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-17936]


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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 under the Antarctic Conservation Act of 1978. This is the 
required notice of a requested permit modification and permit issued.

DATES: October 30, 2016-January 31, 2023.
    The permit modification was issued on August 17, 2021.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Polly Penhale, ACA Permit Officer, 
Office of Polar Programs, National Science Foundation, 2415 Eisenhower 
Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22314; 703-292-7420; 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 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.
    Description of Permit Modification Requested: The Foundation issued 
a permit (ACA 2017-016) to Leidos Innovations Group on October 30, 
2016. The issued permit allows entry into nine Antarctic Specially 
Protected Areas (ASPAs) in the Ross Sea Region. ASPAs permitted for 
entry under this permit include: ASPA 105 Beaufort Island, McMurdo 
Sound, Ross Sea; ASPA 116 New College Valley, Caughley Beach, Cape 
Bird, Ross Island; ASPA 121 Cape Royds, Ross Island; ASPA 122 Arrival 
Heights, Hut Point Peninsula, Ross Island; ASPA 124 Cape Crozier, Ross 
Island; ASPA 155 Cape Evans, Ross Island; ASPA 157 Backdoor Bay, Cape 
Royds, Ross; ASPA 158 Hut Point, Ross Island; and ASPA 172 Lower Taylor 
Glacier and Blood Falls, Taylor Valley, McMurdo Dry Valleys, Victoria 
Land.
    A recent modification to this permit, dated October 6, 2017, added 
ASPA 113 Litchfield Island to the list of ASPAs permitted for entry.
    Now the applicant proposes a modification to this permit to extend 
the expiration of the permit until January 31, 2023. This modification 
also includes a change to the list of agents granted ASPA entry under 
the 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.

Erika N. Davis,
Program Specialist, Office of Polar Programs.
[FR Doc. 2021-17936 Filed 8-20-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-P