[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 80 (Tuesday, April 26, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Page 24593]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-08884]


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

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. NSF has 
published regulations under the Antarctic Conservation Act in the Code 
of Federal Regulations. This is the required notice of a requested 
permit modification issued.

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 671), 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.
    Description of Permit Modification Requested: The Foundation issued 
a permit (ACA 2020-013) to Dr. Nicholas Teets on January 2, 2020. The 
issued permit allows the permit holder and agents to access sites along 
the Antarctic Peninsula, including ASPAs 108, 126, and 134, to collect 
midges (Belgica antarctica) for physiology and genetic studies.
    A recent modification to this permit, dated January 17, 2021, 
included ASPA 149 to the list of protected areas authorized for entry 
under this permit.
    Now the applicant proposes a modification to extend the expiration 
date of the permit, which is set to expire July 1, 2022. Unforeseen 
circumstances due to the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in delayed 
fieldwork which will now be conducted during the 2022-2023 Antarctic 
research season.
    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.

DATES: January 2, 2020-July 1, 2023.
    The permit modification was issued on April 15, 2022.

Erika N. Davis,
Program Specialist, Office of Polar Programs.
[FR Doc. 2022-08884 Filed 4-25-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-P