[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 160 (Monday, August 23, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Page 47161]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-17939]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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 2017-019) to Leidos Innovations Group on October 30, 
2016. The issued permit allows the applicant entry into five Antarctic 
Specially Protected Areas (ASPAs) in the Antarctic Peninsula Region. 
Entry into protected areas is necessary to support logistic and 
scientific objectives of the United States Antarctic Program.
    Previous modifications to this permit, dated March 9, 2017, October 
6, 2017, and January 8, 2020, expanded the list of ASPAs that can be 
entered and transited under the permit. Currently the permit holder is 
granted access to 13 ASPAs in the Antarctic Peninsula Region.
    Now, the applicant proposes a modification to his permit to extend 
the expiration date of the permit until January 31, 2023.
    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. 2021-17939 Filed 8-20-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-P