[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 93 (Friday, May 12, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 30641-30642]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-11963]


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

NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


Notice of Permit Applications Received Under the Antarctic 
Conservation Act of 1978 (Public Law 95-541)

AGENCY: National Science Foundation.

ACTION: Notice of Permit Applications Received under the Antarctic 
Conservation Act of 1978, P.L. 95-541.

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

SUMMARY: The National Science Foundation (NSF) is required to publish 
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 at Title 45 Part 670 
of 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 these permit applications by June 11, 2000. 
Permit applications may be inspected by

[[Page 30642]]

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) 306-1030.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The National Science Foundation, as directed 
by the Antarctic Conservation Act of 1978 (Public Law 95-541), has 
developed regulations that implement the ``Agreed Measures for the 
Conservation of Antarctic Fauna and Flora'' for all United States 
citizens. The Agreed Measures, developed by the Antarctic Treaty 
Consultative Parties, recommended 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 Specially 
Protected Areas and Sites of Special Scientific Interest.
    The applications received are as follows:
    1. Applicant: Permit Application No. 2001-008, Norbert Wu, Norbert 
Wu Productions, 1065 Sinex Avenue, Pacific Grove, CA 93950.
    Activity for Which Permit is Requested: Enter Antarctic Specially 
Protected Area. The applicant is part of the Artists and Writers 
Program of the U.S. Antarctic Program. He proposes to enter the 
outskirts of Cape Crozier (ASPA #124) to conclude filming that are 
initiated last season under his grant, ``A Photographic Survey of 
Antarctic Marine Species'' and to finish a PBS Nature documentary 
entitled ``Under Antarctic Ice''. The applicant plans to conduct 
general photography and filming of Adelie and Emperor penguins, leopard 
seals, Orcas and minke whales. Filming will be restricted to topside 
photography and cinematography. Visits to the site will be selected to 
target Adelie penguin events (nesting, egg tending and egg hatching) 
during peak population at the rookery. The applicant plans to skirt the 
Adelie and Emperor penguin rookeries and not enter into the midst of 
the colony. Scientific research has shown that Adelie penguins are most 
active between 4:00am and 10:00am. Therefore the applicant intends to 
camp near Cape Crozier to take advantage of these timeframes. Access to 
the area will be by helicopter which will land at the designated 
landing site as outlined in the site's management plan.
    Location: ASPA 124--Cape Crozier, Ross Island.
    Dates: August 1, 2000 to February 28, 2001.
    2. Applicant: Permit Application No. 2001-009, Terry J. Wilson, 
Department of Geological Sciences, Ohio State University, 125 South 
Oval Mall, Columbus, OH 43210.
    Activity for Which Permit is Requested: Enter Antarctic Specially 
Protected Area. Cope Crozier is the largest ice-free volcanic area on 
Ross Island, with a large number of well exposed volcanic cones and 
fissures. It is a primary site for mapping volcanic alignments and 
stress directions in eastern Ross Island. The applicant plans to 
conduct aerial observations and photography of the volcanic vents using 
a helicopter. In addition, the applicant plans to conduct short-
duration ground observations on selected cones. The objectives of the 
research can be achieved without flying over or entering the immediate 
proximity of the Adelie and Emperor penguin rookeries at Cape Crozier.
    Location: ASPA 124--Cape Crozier, Ross Island.
    Dates: December 4, 2000 to January 4, 2001.
    3. Applicant: Permit Application No. 2001-010, Tom Yelvington, 
Raytheon Polar Service Company, 61 Inverness Drive East, Suite 300 
Englewood, CO 80112.
    Activity for Which Permit is Requested: Enter Antarctic Specially 
Protected Area. The applicant proposes to enter Byers Peninsula (ASPA 
#126) on Livingston Island for the purpose of reconnoitering landing 
sites and camp sites along the southern shores. Byers Peninsula is a 
key site of interest for a scientific project that will be conducted 
March 2001 through May 2001. Because of the uncertainties associated 
with zodiac-supported field camps, it is essential to ascertain in 
advance where the landings with the researchers and supplies might be 
made, and where the tent camp might be established. The reconnaissance 
of Byers Peninsula will be conducted during the next few months based 
on the schedule of the U.S. Antarctic Program's research vessel 
operating in the Peninsula. It is estimated that only 4-5 people will 
be needed to scout the southern shores for the appropriate sites.
    Location: ASPA 126--Byers Peninsula, Livingston Island, South 
Shetland Islands.
    Dates: June 1, 2000 to March 31, 2001.

Nadene G. Kennedy,
Permit Officer, Office of Polar Programs.
[FR Doc. 00-11963 Filed 5-11-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-M