[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 239 (Thursday, December 14, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Page 86684]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-27442]


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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 January 16, 2024. 
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: Andrew Titmus, ACA Permit Officer, at 
the above address, 703-292-4479.

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: 2024-019

1. Applicant: Brandon Harvey, EYOS Expeditions Ltd. PO Box 2535, Vashon 
Island, WA 98070
    Activity for Which Permit is Requested: Waste Management. Waste 
Management. The applicant proposes to operate small, battery-operated 
remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) consisting, in part, of a 
quadcopter equipped with cameras to collect commercial and educational 
footage of the Antarctic. The quadcopter would not be flown over 
concentrations of birds or mammals, or over Antarctic Specially 
Protected Areas or Historic Sites and Monuments. The RPAS would only be 
operated by pilots with extensive experience, who are pre-approved by 
the Expedition Leader. Several mitigation measures to reduce 
environmental impacts and prevent against loss of the quadcopter 
include only flying when the wind is less than 25 knots; flying for 
only 20 minutes at a time to preserve battery life; and an ``auto go 
home'' feature in case of loss of control link or low battery; having 
an observer on the lookout for wildlife, people, and other hazards; 
ensuring that the aircraft remains within visual line of sight; and 
implementing biosecurity measures by using disinfecting agents before 
and after each flight. The applicant is seeking a Waste Permit to cover 
any accidental releases that may result from operating the RPAS.
    Location: Antarctic Peninsula Region.
    Dates of Permitted Activities: December 8, 2023-March 30, 2024.

Permit Application: 2024-020

2. Applicant: Karl Muhlberger, ROW Management Ltd, 1551 Sawgrass 
Corporate Parkway, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33323.
    Activity for Which Permit is Requested: Waste Management. Waste 
Management. The applicant proposes to operate small, battery-operated 
remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) consisting, in part, of a 
quadcopter equipped with cameras to collect commercial and educational 
footage of the Antarctic. The quadcopter would not be flown over 
concentrations of birds or mammals, or over Antarctic Specially 
Protected Areas or Historic Sites and Monuments. The RPAS would only be 
operated by pilots with extensive experience, who are pre-approved by 
the Expedition Leader. Several mitigation measures to reduce 
environmental impacts and prevent against loss of the quadcopter 
include only flying when the wind is less than 25 knots; flying for 
only 20 minutes at a time to preserve battery life; and an ``auto go 
home'' feature in case of loss of control link or low battery; having 
an observer on the lookout for wildlife, people, and other hazards; 
ensuring that the aircraft remains within visual line of sight; and 
implementing biosecurity measures by using disinfecting agents before 
and after each flight. The applicant is seeking a Waste Permit to cover 
any accidental releases that may result from operating the RPAS.
    Location: Antarctic Peninsula Region.
    Dates of Permitted Activities: December 8, 2023-March 30, 2024.

Kimiko S. Bowens-Knox,
Program Analyst, Office of Polar Programs.
[FR Doc. 2023-27442 Filed 12-13-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-P