Document Headings

                    Document headings vary by document type but may contain                    the following:                  
                -                       the agency or agencies that issued and signed a document                    
                -                       the number of the CFR title and the number of each part                      the document amends, proposes to amend, or is directly                      related to                    
                -                       the agency docket number / agency internal file number                    
                -                       the RIN which identifies each regulatory action listed in                      the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory                      Actions                    

                    See the                                          Document Drafting Handbook                                        for more details.                  

###### National Science Foundation

# AGENCY:

National Science Foundation.

# ACTION:

Notice of Permit Modification Received under the Antarctic Conservation Act of 1978, Public Law 95-541.

# SUMMARY:

The National Science Foundation (NSF) is required to publish a notice of requests to modify permits issued to conduct activities regulated under the Antarctic Conservation Act of 1978.  NSF has published regulations under the Antarctic Conservation Act at Title 45 Part 670 of the Code of Federal Regulations.  This is the required notice of a requested permit modification.

# DATES:

Interested parties are invited to submit written data, comments, or views with respect to this permit application by February 11, 2009.  Permit applications may be inspected by interested parties at the Permit Office, address below.

# ADDRESSES:

Comments should be addressed to Permit Office, Room 755, Office of Polar Programs, National Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, Virginia  22230.

# FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Nadene G. Kennedy at the above address or (703) 292-7405.

# SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The National Science Foundation, as directed by the Antarctic Conservation Act of 1978 (Pub. L. 95-541), 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.

*Description of Permit Modification Requested:*                     The Foundation issued a permit (2009-013) to Dr. Robert Pitman on October 10, 2008.  The issued permit allows the applicant to study movement patterns, diet preferences and genetics of Antarctic Killer whales, Minke whales and Humpback whales.                

The applicant will be working in the Antarctic Peninsula studying Killer whales and attends to collect bits of their prey which sometimes floats to the surface.  The applicant requests a modification of his permit to allow collection of unidentified prey items (mostly marine mammals but possibly penguins) so they can be genetically identified in the lab.

*Location:*                     Waters in the vicinity of the Antarctic Peninsula.                

*Dates:*                     December 25, 2008 to December 31, 2013.                

Nadene G. Kennedy,

Permit Officer, Office of Polar Programs. 

[FR Doc. E9-232 Filed 1-9-09; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 7555-01-P