[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 165 (Monday, August 28, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Page 58622]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-18516]


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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request; 
Medical Clearance Process for Deployment to the Polar Regions.

AGENCY: National Science Foundation.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The National Science Foundation (NSF) is announcing plans to 
renew this collection. In accordance with the requirements of the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we are providing opportunity for 
public comment on this action. After obtaining and considering public 
comment, NSF will prepare the submission requesting Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) clearance of this collection for no longer 
than 3 years.

DATES: Written comments on this notice must be received by October 27, 
2023 to be assured consideration. Comments received after that date 
will be considered to the extent practicable. Send comments to the 
address below.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Suzanne H. Plimpton, Reports Clearance 
Officer, National Science Foundation, 2415 Eisenhower Avenue, Suite 
E7400, Alexandria, Virginia 22314; telephone (703) 292-7556; or send 
email to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#eb989b8782869b9f84ab85988dc58c849d"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="80f3f0ece9edf0f4efc0eef3e6aee7eff6">[email protected]</span></a>. Individuals who use a telecommunications 
device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay 
Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339, which is accessible 24 hours a day, 7 
days a week, 365 days a year (including Federal holidays).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title of Collection: Medical Clearance Process for Deployment to 
the Polar Regions.
    OMB Number: 3145-0177.
    Expiration Date of Approval: October 31, 2023.
    Type of Request: Revision to and extension of approval of an 
information collection.
    Proposed Project: Presidential Memorandum No. 6646 (February 5, 
1982) (available from the National Science Foundation, Office of Polar 
Programs, Office 7100, 2415 Eisenhower Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22314) 
sets forth the National Science Foundation's overall management 
responsibilities for the entire United States national program in 
Antarctica. Section 107(a) of Public Law 98-373 [July 31, 1984; amended 
as Public Law 101-609-November 16, 1990] [available from the National 
Science Foundation, Office of Polar Programs, Office 7100, 2415 
Eisenhower Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22314] designates the National 
Science Foundation as the lead agency responsible for implementing 
Arctic research policy, and the Director of the National Science 
Foundation shall ensure that the requirements of section 108 are 
fulfilled.
    NSF Form 1700, Medical Clearance Process for Deployment to the 
Polar Regions furnishes information to the NSF regarding the physical, 
mental, and dental health status for all individuals (except DoD-
uniformed service personnel) who anticipate deploying to Antarctica 
under the auspices of the United States Antarctic Program or to certain 
regions of the Arctic sponsored by the NSF/GEO/Office of Polar 
Programs. The information is used to determine whether an individual is 
physically and mentally suited to endure the extreme hardships imposed 
by the Arctic and Antarctic continents, while also performing specific 
duties as specified by their employers.
    Respondents: All non-DoD uniformed personnel planning to deploy to 
U.S. stations in the Antarctic or to specified regions of the Arctic 
that are sponsored by the National Science Foundation's Office of Polar 
Programs.
    The number of annual respondents: 3,500 to the Antarctic and 150 to 
the Arctic.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 36,500 hours.
    Frequency of Responses: This form is submitted upon an individual's 
first deployment to Antarctica (below 60[deg] South) or to specified 
regions of the Arctic and annually thereafter for the duration of the 
individual's deployments.

    Dated: August 23, 2023.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 2023-18516 Filed 8-25-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-P


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