[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 199 (Tuesday, October 19, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Page 57861]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-22738]


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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 November 18, 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 or [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Polly Penhale, ACA Permit Officer, at 
the above address, 703-292-8030.

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 as requiring special protection. 
The regulations establish such a permit system to designate Antarctic 
Specially Protected Areas.

Application Details

Permit Application: 2022-015

    1. Applicant: Nikola Bajo, Grand Circle Corporation, 347 Congress 
St. Boston MA 02210.
    Activity for Which Permit is Requested: Waste Management. The 
applicant seeks an Antarctic Conservation Act permit authorizing waste 
management activities associated with the operation of Unmanned Aerial 
Systems (UAS) in Antarctica for commercial, educational and ice 
reconnaissance purposes. All pilots will be required to have 
demonstrated flight experience and must be pre-approved by Expedition 
Leaders. Flights will not be conducted over any wildlife colonies or 
concentrations of wildlife, Antarctic Specially Protected Areas or any 
listed Historical Sites and Monuments. Flights near any Antarctic 
Stations must first be coordinated with and approved by station 
leadership. Mitigation measures consistent with those published by 
IAATO will be adhered to in order to prevent loss of aircrafts and to 
minimize any potential environmental impacts. The applicant is seeking 
a waste permit to cover any accidental release that may result from 
operating UAVs.
    Location: Antarctic Peninsula Region.
    Dates of Permitted Activities: January 1, 2022-March 31, 2022.

Permit Application: 2022-016

    2. Applicant: Prash Karnik, Lindblad Expeditions, 2505 2nd Ave. 
#300, Seattle WA 98121.
    Activity for Which Permit is Requested: Waste Management. The 
applicant seeks an Antarctic Conservation Act permit authorizing waste 
management activities associated with use of unmanned aerial systems 
(UAVs) in the Antarctic for marketing, educational, commercial, and 
navigational use. UAVs are only to be flown by experienced pilots with 
demonstrated experience and approved by the expedition leaders. Flights 
will not occur over any concentrations of wildlife, Antarctic Specially 
Protected Areas or any Historical Sites and Monuments. Mitigation 
measures will be in place to prevent the loss of aircrafts, including 
only operating in fair weather; only operating when the wind is less 
than 25 knots; and having an observer maintain visual contact with the 
aircraft at all times. The applicant is seeking a waste permit to cover 
any accidental release that may result from operating UAVs.
    Location: Antarctic Peninsula Region.
    Dates of Permitted Activities: December 1, 2021-March 31, 2026.

Erika N. Davis,
Program Specialist, Office of Polar Programs.
[FR Doc. 2021-22738 Filed 10-18-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-P