Notice2022-20757
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
September 26, 2022
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 87 Issue 185 (Monday, September 26, 2022)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 185 (Monday, September 26, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58390-58391]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2022-20757]
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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 October 26, 2022.
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#662725271603140b0f12152608150048010910"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="98d9dbd9e8fdeaf5f1ecebd8f6ebfeb6fff7ee">[email protected]</span></a>.
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: 2023-009
1. Applicant
Harry R. Anderson, PHYWAVE, 250 Eagle Place NE, Bainbridge Island,
WA 98110.
Activity for Which Permit Is Requested
Waste Management. The applicant seeks an Antarctic Conservation Act
permit for waste management activities associated with the operation of
a yacht, to conduct shore excursions, and the operation of a remotely
piloted aircraft system (RPAS) in the Antarctic Peninsula region. The
RPAS would consist of a quadcopter equipped with a camera to obtain
footage of the vessel at anchor. The RPAS would only be operated by a
FAA-licensed pilot. Several measures would be taken to prevent loss of
the RPAS including floatation devices, flying in fair weather, and the
use of return-to-home safety features. Flights would not occur in the
vicinity of wildlife.
Location
Antarctic Peninsula region.
Dates of Permitted Activities
January 1, 2023-March 31, 2023.
Permit Application: 2023-011
2. Applicant
Bill Davis, Vice President, Expeditions Operations and Development,
Silversea Cruises, Ltd., Miami, FL 33132.
Activity for Which Permit Is Requested
Waste Management. The applicant seeks an Antarctic Conservation Act
permit for waste management activities associated with the operation of
a remotely piloted aircraft system (RPAS) and a remotely operated
vehicle (ROV) in the Antarctic Peninsula Region. The applicant proposes
to operate small, battery-operated RPAS consisting, in part, of a
quadcopter equipped with cameras to collect commercial 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-
[[Page 58391]]
approved by the Expedition Leader. Several measures would be taken to
prevent against loss of the quadcopter including painting the them a
highly visible color; only flying when the wind is less than 25 knots;
flying for only 15 minutes at a time to preserve battery life; having
prop guards on propeller tips, a flotation device if operated over
water, 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; and ensuring that the separation between the
operator and quadcopter does not exceed an operational range of 500
meters. The applicant also proposes to operate small, tethered ROVs
equipped with cameras to collect educational footage of underwater
environments. The ROV power is fed through the tether and contains a
1.5 liter oil filled compensator. The ROV would not be deployed under
fast ice. The ROV would only be operator by a trained ROV pilot. ROVs
would operate up to around 100m depth, and no more than 100m laterally
from the ship. The ROV would not be operated within any protected areas
or historic sites and monuments (HSMs).
Location
Antarctic Peninsula region.
Dates of Permitted Activities
November 7, 2022-March 30, 2027.
Permit Application: 2023-015
3. Applicant
Haley Shephard, Vice President of Expedition Operations, Polar
Latitudes, Inc. White River Junction, VT 05001
Activity for Which Permit Is Requested
Waste Management. The applicant seeks an Antarctic Conservation Act
permit for waste management activities associated with coastal camping
and the operation of a remotely piloted aircraft system (RPAS) in the
Antarctic Peninsula region. The applicant seeks permission for no more
than 50 campers and 6 expedition staff to camp overnight at select
locations for a maximum of 10 hours ashore. Camping would be away from
vegetated sites and at least 150m from wildlife concentrations or
lakes, protected areas, historical sites, and scientific stations.
Tents would be pitched on snow, ice, or bare smooth rock, at least 15m
from the high-water line. No food, other than emergency rations, would
be brought onshore and all wastes, including human waste, would be
collected and returned to the ship for proper disposal. For remotely
piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) operation, the applicant proposes to
operate small, battery-operated 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 measures would be taken to prevent
against loss of the quadcopter including painting the them a highly
visible color; only flying when the wind is less than 25 knots; flying
for only 15 minutes at a time to preserve battery life, a flotation
device if operated over water, 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; and ensuring that the
separation between the operator and quadcopter does not exceed an
operational range of 500 meters.
Location
Camping: possible locations include Damoy Point/Dorian Bay, Danco
Island, Rong[eacute] Island, the Errera Channel, Paradise Bay
(including Almirante Brown/Base Brown or Skontorp Cove), the Argentine
Islands, Andvord Bay, Pleneau Island, Hovgaard Island, Orne Harbour,
Leith Cove, Prospect Point and Portal Point. RPAS operations: Western
Antarctic Peninsula region.
Dates of Permitted Activities
October 30, 2022-March 30, 2027.
Erika N. Davis,
Program Specialist, Office of Polar Programs.
[FR Doc. 2022-20757 Filed 9-23-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-P
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