Notice2021-22204
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
October 13, 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 195 (Wednesday, October 13, 2021)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 195 (Wednesday, October 13, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 56987-56988]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2021-22204]
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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
[[Page 56988]]
views with respect to this permit application by November 12, 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 or <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#0c4d4f4d7c697e6165787f4c627f6a226b637a"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="59181a18293c2b34302d2a19372a3f773e362f">[email protected]</span></a>.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Polly Penhale, ACA Permit Officer, at
the above address, 703-292-8030.
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: 2022-012
1. Applicant: Laura K.O. Smith, Quixote Expeditions, LLC. 1498 Paradise
Point Rd., Oakland, MD 21550.
Activity for Which Permit is Requested: Waste Management. The
applicant, Quixote Expeditions, LLC, seeks and Antarctic Conservation
Act permit for waste management activities associated with the
operation of the ``Ocean Tramp,'' a reinforced ketch rigged sailing
yacht, and the ``Hans Hansson,'' a motorized vessel, in the Antarctic
Peninsula region. Activities conducted by Quixote include: Passenger
landings, kayaking, hiking, photography, coastal camping, wildlife
viewing and potential station visits. Wastes generated during shore-
based activities would be returned to the vessel for proper disposal
and no poultry products shall be brought ashore at any time.
Coastal camping activities, including campsite selection, will
follow criteria set forth in the IATTO Guidelines for Short Overnight
Stays in Antarctica in order to minimize environmental impact.
Emergency kits containing food rations and camping stoves will be
brought ashore for overnight stays. All wastes, including food waste,
generated during overnight stays will be collected and returned to the
vessel for proper disposal following the activity. Mitigation measures
are in place to prevent the release of any fuel used in camp stoves if
necessary.
The applicant also proposes the operation of unoccupied aerial
systems (UAS) for commercial and navigational purposes. UAS will only
be flown by experienced pilots with more than 20 hours of flight
experience. UAS will not be flown over any bird or wildlife colonies
and pilots will follow guidelines and criteria set forth by IATTO.
Potential risk will be assessed by crew members prior to each flight to
determine feasibility of UAS use in current conditions.
Location: Antarctic Peninsula Region.
Dates of Permitted Activities: December 1, 2021-March 30, 2026.
Permit Application: 2022-013
2. Applicant: Lisa Bolton, Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours, 20 Park Place
Ste. 903, Boston, MA 02116.
Activity for Which Permit is Requested: Waste Management. The
applicant proposes to operate small, battery-operated remotely piloted
aircraft systems (RPAS) 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 measures would be taken to prevent against loss of the
RPA, including installing floatation devices in the case of an
accidental water landing; only flying when the wind is less than 25
knots; constant monitoring of battery life throughout the duration of
all flights; having an observer on the lookout for wildlife, people,
and other hazards; and ensuring that the pilot always maintains visual
contact with the RPA. The applicant would also operate two helicopters
for sightseeing in the Antarctic Peninsula region. No landings would
occur, except in the case of emergency. Helicopters will be garaged,
fueled, and serviced on board the Scenic Eclipse. Helicopter operations
will only occur weather conditions, including sufficiently low winds,
that allow easy take-off and landing. Helicopters will be operated by
trained, certified, and experienced pilots. Helicopters will carry
emergency gear including cooking fuel and radios. The applicant is
seeking a Waste Permit to cover any accidental releases that may result
from operating the RPAS and helicopters.
Location: Antarctica Peninsula Region.
Dates of Permitted Activities: January 1, 2022-March 31, 2026.
Erika N. Davis,
Program Specialist, Office of Polar Programs.
[FR Doc. 2021-22204 Filed 10-12-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on October 13, 2021.
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