Notice2023-22366
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 10, 2023
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
<html>
<head>
<title>Federal Register, Volume 88 Issue 194 (Tuesday, October 10, 2023)</title>
</head>
<body><pre>
[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 194 (Tuesday, October 10, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 69965-69966]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2023-22366]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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 November 9, 2023.
This application may be inspected by
[[Page 69966]]
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: Andrew Titmus, ACA Permit Officer, at
the above address, 703-292-4479, or <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#3f7e7c7e4f5a4d52564b4c7f514c5911585049"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="83c2c0c2f3e6f1eeeaf7f0c3edf0e5ade4ecf5">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The National Science Foundation, as directed
by the Antarctic Conservation Act of 1978 (Public Law 95-541, 45 CFR
671), 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
1. Applicant
Permit Application: 2024-012
Robin West, VP & GM Expeditions, Seabourn Quest, Seabourn Cruise
Line Ltd., 450 Third Ave. W., Seattle, WA 98119.
Activity for Which Permit Is Requested
Waste Management. The applicant proposes to operate small, battery-
operated remotely piloted aircraft systems (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 mitigation measures to reduce
environmental impacts and prevent against loss of the quadcopter
include painting the them a high-visibility 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;
ensuring that the separation between the operator and quadcopter does
not exceed an operational range of 500 meters; and implementing
biosecurity measures by using disinfecting agents before and after each
flight. The applicant is seeking a Waste Permit to cover any accidental
releases that may result from operating the RPAS.
Location
Antarctic Peninsula Region.
Dates of Permitted Activities
November 1, 2023-March 31, 2024.
2. Applicant
Permit Application: 2024-013
Daniel Villa, Sea Shepherd Global, 1217 S 9th St, Tacoma, WA 98405.
Activity for Which Permit Is Requested
Waste Management. The applicant seeks an Antarctic Conservation
Permit for waste management activities associated with use of remotely
piloted aircrafts (RPAs) in Antarctica. Aircrafts will be used for
documenting krill fishery activities only. RPAs will not be flown over
any concentrations of wildlife, Antarctic Specially Protected or
Managed Areas or Historic Sites and Monuments without appropriate
authorization. Aircraft are only to be flown by experienced, pre-
approved pilots in fair weather conditions and in the presence of an
observer, who will always maintain visual line of sight with the
aircraft during operation. Mitigating measures are in place to prevent
loss of the aircraft such as conducting site assessments in advance of
deployment and having alternative landing sites.
Location
Antarctic Peninsula Region.
Dates of Permitted Activities
January 5, 2023-February 15, 2024.
Kimiko S. Bowens-Knox,
Program Analyst, Office of Polar Programs.
[FR Doc. 2023-22366 Filed 10-6-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-P
</pre><script data-cfasync="false" src="/cdn-cgi/scripts/5c5dd728/cloudflare-static/email-decode.min.js"></script></body>
</html>Indexed from Federal Register on October 10, 2023.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.