Notice2021-15677
Notice of Permit Applications Received Under the Antarctic Conservation Act of 1978
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
July 23, 2021
Issuing agencies
National Science Foundation
Abstract
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.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 86 Issue 139 (Friday, July 23, 2021)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 139 (Friday, July 23, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Page 39080]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2021-15677]
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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 August 23, 2021.
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.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Polly Penhale, ACA Permit Officer, at
the above address, 703-292-7420, or <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#c8898b89b8adbaa5a1bcbb88a6bbaee6afa7be"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="e2a3a1a39287908f8b9691a28c9184cc858d94">[email protected]</span></a>.
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 a requiring special protection.
The regulations establish such a permit system to designate Antarctic
Specially Protected Areas.
Application Details
Permit Application: 2022-003
1. Applicant: Dr. George Watters, Director, AMLR Program, Southwest
Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, 8901 La
Jolla Shores Drive, La Jolla, CA 92037
Activity for Which Permit is Requested: Waste management permit.
This permit application pertains to ship and shore-based research and
logistic activities conducted by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration's (NOAA) Antarctic Marine Living Resources (AMLR)
Program. The AMLR Program conducts research from a vessel platform in
the Antarctic Peninsula region, collecting environmental,
oceanographic, primary productivity, finfish, and prey data. Research
is also conducted at two temporary field camps in the South Shetland
Islands, Antarctica: Cape Shirreff and Copacabana. The scope of the
application pertains to environmental and waste management issues
resulting from proposed research, logistic and construction activities
by the U.S. AMLR program between 2021 and 2026.
Ocean-based research activities will include the deployment of
retrievable instrumentation. Instruments to be deployed include several
long-range underwater gliders to measure environmental conditions and
population densities, as well as up to 20 stationary moorings.
Unoccupied Aerial Systems (UAS) will also be deployed from research
vessels for surveying and censusing purposes. Deployment of all
retrievable instrumentation will be performed by trained personnel
associated with the research project.
Activities proposed at the Cape Shirreff field camp include the
necessary construction of new temporary camp structures and the removal
of previous temporary structures. Care will be taken to minimize
environmental disturbance throughout construction and resulting
structures are planned to occupy an approximate footprint similar to
that of existing structures. Continuation of long-term research
activities at the Cape Shirreff field camp will include deployment and
maintenance of up to 30 autonomous cameras to assist in studies of
avian breeding colonies, deployment of snow gauges and continued use of
UAS for census surveying of surrounding fauna. Research activities
proposed at the Copacabana field camp are similar to those at Cape
Shirreff, including deployment of autonomous cameras and use of UAS for
surveying purposes. All UAS pilots are licensed FAA remote aircraft
pilots and care will be taken to follow all best practices for UAS
operation in polar regions along with all appropriate safety measures.
Wastes and designated pollutants associated with typical field camp
operations will be generated, released, stored, and removed at both
camps. The field camps will release wastes to air in the form of
emissions resulting from the combustion of gasoline, propane, and
charcoal. Releases of wastes to water will be limited to greywater and
human sewage only. Wastes and designated pollutants resulting from
scientific research include materials used to mark animals and attach
necessary instrumentation. Additional waste may be generated by
construction activities at Cape Shirreff, but mitigation measures will
be put in place to minimize the introduction of waste into the
environment. For designated pollutants stored at field camps, strict
protocols for storage and handling will be followed. All U.S. AMLR
personnel will receive proper training on handling and management of
designated pollutants prior to deployment.
Location: Cape Shirreff, Livingston Island; Copacabana, western
shore of Admiralty Bay; Western Antarctic Peninsula.
Dates of Permitted Activities: October 1, 2021-July 31, 2026.
Erika N. Davis,
Program Specialist, Office of Polar Programs.
[FR Doc. 2021-15677 Filed 7-22-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-P
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