[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 110 (Thursday, June 6, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 48447-48448]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-12410]


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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


Request for Public Comment: Draft South Pole Station Master Plan

AGENCY: National Science Foundation.

ACTION: Request for public comment; extension of comment period.

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SUMMARY: On May 16, 2024, the National Science Foundation (NSF) 
published in the Federal Register a document entitled ``Request for 
Public Comment: Draft South Pole Station Master Plan,'' which can be 
found here: https://www.nsf.gov/geo/opp/documents/SPSMP_Fed%20Reg%20Draft_NSF.pdf. In response to requests by prospective 
commenters that they would benefit from additional time to adequately 
consider and respond to the RFI, OSTP and NSF have determined that an 
extension of the comment period until July 17, 2024, is appropriate.

DATES: The end of the comment period for the document entitled 
``Request for Public Comment: Draft South Pole Station Master Plan,'' 
published on May 16, 2024 (89 FR 42904), is extended from June 17, 
2024, until July 17, 2024.

ADDRESSES: Email comments to [email protected]. Send written 
submissions to Michael Gencarelli, Office of Polar Programs, National 
Science Foundation, 2415 Eisenhower Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22314. 
Voicemails can be left by calling (703) 292-7419. Please limit 
voicemails to five minutes in length.
    Instructions: Comments received electronically, including all 
attachments, must not exceed a 25-megabyte file size. Attachments to 
electronic comments will be accepted in Microsoft Word or Excel or 
Adobe PDF file formats only. NSF/OPP will review and consider all input 
received and revise the plan as necessary. When the final plan is 
released, comments and the commenters' names, along with responses, 
will become part of the public record and be made available on the NSF/
OPP website. Do not submit confidential business information or 
otherwise sensitive or protected information. Comments sent by any 
other method, to any other address or individual, or received after the 
end of the comment period will not be considered. NSF/OPP acknowledges 
and is grateful for the time taken to provide comments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Gencarelli, Office of Polar 
Programs, National Science Foundation, 2415 Eisenhower Avenue, 
Alexandria, VA 22314; telephone 703-292-7419 or send email to 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Amundsen-Scott South Pole station is one 
of three year-round stations operated by the National Science 
Foundation (NSF) as outlined in Presidential Memorandum 6646. The South 
Pole is a unique research site that supports projects ranging from 
cosmic observations to seismic and atmospheric studies. The South Pole 
Station begins austral summer operations in October of each year. The 
station typically remains in summer operating mode until early 
February, at which point the eight-month long winter season begins.
    Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station sits at the Earth's axis on a 
shifting continental ice sheet several miles thick. At an elevation of 
2,835 meters (9,300 feet), the South Pole has an average monthly 
temperature in the austral summer of -28 [deg]C (-18 [deg]F); in the 
austral winter, the average monthly temperature is -60 [deg]C (-76 
[deg]F).
    The NSF Office of Polar Programs has identified the need for a 
South Pole Station Master Plan. The master plan looks at future 
infrastructure needs to support groundbreaking science at the South 
Pole, as well as phasing for implementation. NSF will consider input 
from the community before completing the final plan later this year. 
The final SPSMP will be posted online

[[Page 48448]]

at www.usap.gov along with the existing Master Plans for NSF McMurdo 
Station and NSF Palmer Station.

    Dated: June 3, 2024.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 2024-12410 Filed 6-5-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-P