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[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 194 (Tuesday, October 10, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 69965-69966]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-22366]

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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.

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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 [email protected].

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
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