[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 160 (Monday, August 23, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 47162-47163]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-17942]


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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 2017-0023) to Leidos Innovations Group on October 30, 
2017.

[[Page 47163]]

The issued permit allows the applicant entry into Antarctic Specially 
Protected Areas (ASPAs) in order to support the logistic and scientific 
objectives of the United States Antarctic Program. ASPAs permitted for 
entry under this permit include: ASPA 105 Beaufort Island, McMurdo 
Sound, Ross Sea, ASPA 106 Cape Hallett, Northern Victoria Land, Ross 
Sea; ASPA 113 Litchfield Island, Arthur Harbor, Anvers Island, Palmer 
Archipelago; ASPA 121 Cape Royds, Ross Island; ASPA 122 Arrival 
Heights, Hut Point Peninsula, Ross Island; ASPA 123 Barwick and Balham 
Valleys, Southern Victoria Land; ASPA 124 Cape Crozier, Ross Island; 
ASPA 131 Canada Glacier, Lake Fryxell, Taylor Valley, Victoria Land; 
ASPA 137 North-west White Island, McMurdo Sound; ASPA 138 Linneaus 
Terrace, Asgard Range, Victoria Land; ASPA 139 Biscoe Point, Anvers 
Island, Palmer Archipelago; ASPA 154 Botany Bay, Cape Geology, Victoria 
Land; ASPA 172 Lower Taylor Glacier and Blood Falls, Taylor Valley, 
McMurdo Dry Valleys, Victoria Land; and ASPA 175 High Altitude 
Geothermal sites of the Ross Sea region.
    The applicant proposes a modification to his permit to extend the 
expiration 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. 2021-17942 Filed 8-20-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-P