Notice of Permit Applications Received Under the Antarctic Conservation Act of 1978

Issuing agencies

Abstract

The U.S. 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 91 Issue 194 (Thursday, October 8, 2026)</title>
</head>
<body><pre>
[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 194 (Thursday, October 8, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 64406-64408]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-20623]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


Notice of Permit Applications Received Under the Antarctic 
Conservation Act of 1978

AGENCY: U.S. National Science Foundation.

ACTION: Notice of permit applications received.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The U.S. 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, 2026. 
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, U.S. National Science Foundation, 401 Dulany Street, 
Alexandria, Virginia 22314 or <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#79383a38091c0b14100d0a39170a1f571e160f"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="a2e3e1e3d2c7d0cfcbd6d1e2ccd1c48cc5cdd4">[email&#160;protected]</span></a>.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Andrew Titmus, ACA Permit Officer, at 
the above address, 703-292-4479.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The U.S. National Science Foundation, as 
directed by the Antarctic Conservation Act of 1978 (Pub. L. 95-541, 16 
U.S.C. 2401 et seq.), as amended by the Antarctic Science, Tourism and 
Conservation Act of 1996 (Pub. L. 104-227), has developed regulations 
(45 CFR parts 670 to 674) for the establishment of a permit system for 
various activities in Antarctica related to the designation of certain 
animals and certain geographic areas as requiring special protection, 
among other purposes.

Application Details

Permit Application: 2027-001

1. Applicant: Paul Ponganis, CMBB, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, 
UCSD, La Jolla, CA 92093-0204

    Activity for Which Permit Is Requested: Take, Harmful Interference, 
Enter Antarctic Specially Protected Area (45 CFR 670). The applicant 
proposes continuing ongoing research examining the oxygen transport 
systems of emperor penguins (Aptenodytes forsteri) in Antarctica. The 
applicant proposes capturing up to 35 non-breeding or sub-adult 
penguins from the McMurdo Sound region or, if necessary, in Cape 
Washington (ASPA 173). If needed, the applicant will access ASPA 173 by 
fixed-wing aircraft in accordance with the ASPA management plan. 
Throughout the course of the physiology study, penguins will be kept 
captive on

[[Page 64407]]

the sea ice, but will be allowed to dive and forage at will. Research 
activities involve the administration of general anesthesia and the 
attachment of instrumentation to measure oxygen levels, heart rate/
stroke rate, and dive depth/activity. In some penguins, blood samples 
may be collected during dives. Up to 20 samples will be collected and 
stored at McMurdo Station for later analysis. At the end of each dive 
study, equipment will be removed, and the penguins will be released at 
the McMurdo sea ice edge, where they will be able to rejoin nearby 
colonies.
    Location: McMurdo Sound, ASPA 173--Cape Washington and Silverfish 
Bay.
    Dates of Permitted Activities: October 1, 2026-December 20, 2026.

Permit Application: 2027-002

2. Applicant: Michael Gooseff, University of Colorado Boulder, 4001 
Discovery Dr., Boulder, CO 80303.

    Activity for Which Permit Is Requested: Take, Enter Antarctic 
Specially Protected Area (45 CFR 670). The applicant proposes to enter 
ASPA 131, Canada Glacier, Lake Fryxell, to continue operation of a 
previously installed, continuously recording stream gauge station, 
perform maintenance, conduct stream flow measurements and collect water 
quality samples near the stream gauge site. The applicant would collect 
water quality samples of the melt-water of the Canada Glacier and along 
the length of the stream to study in-stream biogeochemical processes. 
The applicant would collect a maximum of five moss samples per year 
using a 3 cm corer to a depth of about 3 cm and a maximum of five soil 
samples of approximately 200 g per sample per year from which to 
extract nematodes. Photography, LIDAR, Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) 
and other survey and monitoring techniques may be used to detect 
changes in the stream bed and algal mat distribution over time, and/or 
to monitor the change in the stream gauge system through time. The 
applicant also proposes to enter ASPA 172, Lower Taylor Glacier and 
Blood Falls, to continue measurements of the Santa Fe Stream including: 
stream-flow using velocity meters; pH, temperature, and conductivity 
via meters; and collection of water quality samples. The collection of 
water from the Blood Falls area would occur on the glacial moraine, not 
the glacier itself, and the sample would be small (<1 L) and comprised 
of both brine reservoir discharge (when present) and surface ice melt-
water.
    Location: ASPA 131--Canada Glacier, Lake Fryxell, Taylor Valley, 
Victoria Land; ASPA 172--Lower Taylor Glacier and Blood Falls, Taylor 
Valley, McMurdo Dry Valleys, Victoria Land; McMurdo Dry Valleys, 
Antarctica.
    Dates of Permitted Activities: February 28, 2026-February 28, 2031.

Permit Application: 2027-003

3. Applicant: Douglas Krause, 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 (45 CFR 
671). The applicant proposes to conduct waste management activities in 
association with 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 vessel and autonomous platforms 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. 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. Unmanned 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.
    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 and pinniped breeding 
colonies, deployment of snow gauges, and continued use of UAS for 
census surveying of surrounding fauna. Maintenance activities proposed 
for the seasonal field camps include the continued upkeep of existing 
temporary structures and the removal of construction debris from 
previous temporary structures. 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 FAA-licensed 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. 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 
maintenance activities but mitigation measures will be put in place to 
minimize the introduction of waste into the environment. Other solid 
wastes will be either removed from the continent or incinerated, and 
the ash and residue removed. 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: Antarctic Peninsula region; Cape Shirreff, Livingston 
Island; Copacabana, western shore of Admiralty Bay.
    Dates of Permitted Activities: November 1, 2026-October 31, 2031.

Permit Application: 2027-004

4. Applicant: Douglas Krause, Southwest Fisheries Science Center, 
National Marine Fisheries Service, 8901 La Jolla Shores Drive, La 
Jolla, CA 92037

    Activity for Which Permit Is Requested: Take, Harmful Interference, 
Enter Antarctic Specially Protected Area, Import into USA (45 CFR 670). 
The applicant proposes to continue the conduct of research activities 
by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) 
Antarctic Marine Living Resources (AMLR) Program in the Antarctic 
Peninsula region as part of a long-term ecosystem monitoring program 
established in 1986. The applicant proposes take and harmful 
interference activities for Antarctic fur seals (Arctocephalus 
gazelle), leopard seals (Hydrurga leptonyx), Weddell seals 
(Leptonychotes weddellii), crabeater seals (Lobodon carcinophaga), 
southern elephant seals (Mirounga leonine) and Ross seals (Ommatophoca 
rossii) by harassment associated with life-history studies and surveys 
to census or estimate abundance and distribution of pinnipeds. Specific 
take activities include capture/handling/release of animals for studies 
of attendance behavior, diving, and at-sea foraging location, diet, and 
population dynamics. Animals will be

[[Page 64408]]

sedated and anesthetized during tagging and sampling procedures. 
Procedures include standard measuring of morphometrics, ultra-sounding, 
attaching of instrumentation, blood and tissue sampling and flipper 
marking/tagging. All studies of foraging ecology, population dynamics, 
mark-recapture, census, reproductive success, and energetics are part 
of a long-term monitoring effort coordinated with other Antarctic 
Treaty nations under the auspices of the Convention for the 
Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources. The applicant holds 
a current NOAA Marine Mammal Protection Act permit for these 
activities.
    The applicant also proposes to continue studies of the behavioral 
ecology and population biology of the Ad[eacute]lie, gentoo, chinstrap 
and king penguins, as well as interactions among these species and 
their principal avian predators. Specific take activities associated 
with avian research include capture/handling/release, attaching of 
instrumentation, tagging/banding, weighing/measuring of individuals, 
tissue and egg sampling, diet sampling, placing of nest markers and 
censusing. The number of takes and harmful interference per annum of 
each avian species will be as follows: chinstrap penguin (Pygoscelis 
antarcticus)--3320, Ad[eacute]lie penguin (Pygoscelis adeliae) 2880, 
Gentoo penguin (Pygoscelis papua) 3020, king penguin (Aptenodytes 
patagonicus) 120, Macaroni penguin (Eudyptes chrysolophus) 120, brown 
skua (Catharacta lonnbergi) 600, south polar skua (Catharacta 
maccormicki) 600, giant petrel (macronectes giganteus) 600, kelp gull 
(Larus dominicanus) 100, blue-eyed shag (Phalacrocorax atriceps) 150, 
snowy sheathbill (Chionis alba) 45, and cape petrel (Daption capensis) 
200.
    The applicant also proposes to continue to enter Antarctic 
Specially Protected Areas 149--Cape Shirreff and 128--Western Shore of 
Admiralty Bay as long term research sites. Additionally, the applicant 
anticipates conducting intermittent peninsula-wide pinniped and seabird 
surveys. As such, access to all ASPAs in the South Shetland Islands and 
in the Antarctic Peninsula region is proposed. Entry to sites will be 
made via U.S. AMLR charter, or other vessels as available, with 
immediate access via zodiac operations. Peninsula-wide pinniped and 
seabird surveys may include the use of unmanned aerial vehicles and 
photogrammetry. All species, pinniped and avian, are subject to harmful 
interference due to census (aerial or ground) and other work described 
in this application.
    Location: Antarctic Peninsula region; ASPA 108--Green Island, 
Berthelot Islands, Antarctic Peninsula; ASPA 112--Coppermine Peninsula, 
Robert Island; ASPA 113--Litchfield Island, Arthur Harbor, Palmer 
Archipelago; ASPA 125--Fildes Peninsula, King George Island, South 
Shetland Islands; ASPA 126--Byers Peninsula, Livingston Island, South 
Shetland Islands; ASPA 128--Western Shore of Admiralty Bay, King George 
Island; ASPA 132--Potter Peninsula, King George Island, South Shetland 
Islands; ASPA 133--Harmony Point, Nelson Island, South Shetland Island; 
ASPA 134--Cierva Point offshore islands, Danco Coast, Antarctic 
Peninsula; ASPA 139--Biscoe Point, Anvers Island; ASPA 140--Shores of 
Port Foster, Deception Island, South Shetland Islands; ASPA 144--Chile 
Bay; ASPA 145--Port Foster, Deception Island, South Shetland Islands; 
ASPA 146--South Bay, Doumer Island, Palmer Archipelago; ASPA 148--Mount 
Flora, Hope Bay, Antarctic Peninsula; ASPA 149--Cape Shirreff, 
Livingston Island, South Shetland Islands; ASPA 150--Ardley Island, 
Maxwell Bay, King George Island, South Shetland Islands; ASPA 151--
Lions Rump, King George Island, South Shetland Islands; ASPA 171--
Narebski Point, Barton Peninsula, King George Island; ASPA 176--
Rosenthal Islands, Anvers Island, Palmer Archipelago; ASPA 177--Leonie 
Islands and South-East Adelaide Island, Antarctic Peninsula; ASPA 180--
Danger Islands Archipelago, North-eastern Antarctic Peninsula; ASPA 
181--Farrier Col, Horseshoe Island, Marguerite Bay; ASPA 182--Western 
Bransfield Strait and Eastern Dallman Bay; ASPA 183--Parts of Signy 
Island and adjacent islands, South Orkney Island; ASPA 184--Collins 
Bay, Kyiv Peninsula, Graham Coast, Antarctic Peninsula.
    Dates of Permitted Activities: November 1, 2026-October 31, 2031.

Permit Application: 2027-005

5. Applicant: David Rootes, Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions, 4741 S 
Commerce Dr., Salt Lake City, UT 84107

    Activity for Which Permit Is Requested: Waste Management (45 CFR 
671). The applicant proposes to continue waste management activities 
associated with logistics and tourism activities to be conducted in 
Antarctica. The applicant would continue to operate a remote camp at 
Union Glacier, Antarctica, and provide logistical support services for 
scientific and other expeditions, film crews, and tourists. These 
activities include aircraft support, cache positioning, camp and field 
support, resupply, search and rescue, medevac, medical support, and 
logistic support for some National Operators. Operations will be 
centered around a main camp located on Union Glacier that is adjacent 
to a blue-ice runway. The blue-ice runway is a natural feature that 
requires limited preparation and upkeep for aircraft use. There are 
standard programs offered on a regular basis from the remote camp at 
Union Glacier including: climbing trips to Vinson Massif, the Ellsworth 
Mountains, and the Transantarctic Mountains; ski trips to the Ellsworth 
Mountains and the Geographic South Pole; ice marathons, obstacle course 
runs, and sky diving; and flights to the Geographic South Pole and the 
emperor penguin colony at Gould Bay. Several aircraft will be operated 
by ALE throughout the Antarctic and may include: Ilyushin IL-76TD, 
Boeing 757-200, Bombardier Global 7500, Douglas DC3-TP67, Gulfstream 
650 and 500, De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter, and Airbus AS 350 
helicopters. ALE plans to allow clients to fly Unmanned Aerial Systems 
(UAS) provided their plan meets certain requirements, including ALE's 
standard operating procedures and Antarctic Treaty requirements.
    Location: Union Glacier and the Patriot Hills and Ellsworth 
Mountains. Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station area and Gould Bay. 
General routes from Hercules Cove to South Pole, Berkner Island to 
South Pole, and Ross Ice Shelf to South Pole.
    Dates of Permitted Activities: October 20, 2026-February 6, 2031.

Jean C Allen,
Office Director, Office of Polar Programs.
[FR Doc. 2026-20623 Filed 10-7-26; 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>