[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 152 (Wednesday, August 7, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Page 64485]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-17433]


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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 received and permit 
issued.

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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. 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: Andrew Titmus, ACA Permit Officer, 
Office of Polar Programs, National Science Foundation, 2415 Eisenhower 
Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22314; 703-292-4479; 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 part 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.
    Description of Permit Modification Requested: The Foundation issued 
a permit (ACA 2023-034) to Leidos Innovations Group, Antarctic Support 
Contract on January 27, 2024. The issued permit allows the applicant to 
enter Antarctic Specially Protected Areas 105, 106, 113, 121, 123, 124, 
131, 137, 138, 149, 154, 172, 175 to support National Science 
Foundation (NSF) environmental management responsibilities under Annex 
V of the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty.
    Now the applicant proposes a modification to the permit to add 
access to ASPA 116--New College Valley, Caughley Beach, Cape Bird, Ross 
Island to support activities related to a review of the management plan 
for the ASPA. The activities are consistent with the existing 
activities authorized under the permit.
    The ACA Permit 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: February 1, 2023 to January 31, 2028.
    The permit modification was issued on July 30, 2024.

Kimiko S. Bowens-Knox,
Program Analyst, Office of Polar Programs.
[FR Doc. 2024-17433 Filed 8-6-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-P