[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 230 (Friday, December 3, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 68688-68689]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-26290]


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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.

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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.

DATES: Interested parties are invited to submit written data, comments, 
or views with respect to this permit application by January 3, 2022. 
Permit applications 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, 
Office of Polar Programs, National Science Foundation, 2415 Eisenhower 
Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22314; 703-292-8030; or [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The National Science Foundation, as directed 
by the Antarctic Conservation Act of 1978 (Pub. L. 95-541), 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.
    Description of Permit Modification Requested: The Foundation issued 
a permit (ACA 2018-025) to Bill Davis, Quark Expeditions Inc. on 
November 24, 2017. The issued permit allows the applicant to conduct 
waste management activities associated with the operation and 
activities of multiple tour vessels in Antarctica. Activities include 
shore excursions, paddling activities, skiing, mountaineering, and ice 
climbing as well as vessel-supported short overnight stays, also known 
as coastal camping. A modification to this permit issued on December 4, 
2019, updated the name of the permit-holder to Allison Kean, Vice-
president of operations.
    Now the applicant proposes a modification to his permit to include

[[Page 68689]]

activities associated with the use of two twin-engine helicopters 
(Airbus H145) for passenger excursion and sightseeing flights during 
the operator's 2021-2022 season. Helicopter-supported activities 
include sightseeing flights and shore-landings as well as helicopter-
based skiing and trekking activities. Designated pollutants brought 
ashore during these activities include cooking fuel and batteries that 
are to be used in emergency circumstances only. All materials brought 
shore during helicopter-based activities will be removed from the 
continent following each activity and measures will be taken to 
minimize environmental impact in the event of a release. Helicopters 
will only be refueled aboard the operator's vessel and measures will be 
in place to prevent accidental discharge.
    Location: Antarctic Peninsula Region.
    Dates: January 1, 2022-March 31, 2022.

Erika N. Davis,
Program Specialist, Office of Polar Programs.
[FR Doc. 2021-26290 Filed 12-2-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-P