[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 189 (Monday, September 30, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Page 79652]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-22288]


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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


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

AGENCY: National Science Foundation.

ACTION: Notice of permit modification request.

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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. 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 October 30, 2024. 
Permit applications may be inspected by 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, 
Office of Polar Programs, National Science Foundation, 2415 Eisenhower 
Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22314; 703-292-4479; or <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#e6a7a5a79683948b8f9295a6889580c8818990"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="bbfaf8facbdec9d6d2cfc8fbd5c8dd95dcd4cd">[email protected]</span></a>.

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 as 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 (ACA 2023-004) to Steve Emslie on July 27, 2022. The issued 
permit allows for take and harmful interference associated with 
research examining ecological responses in diet and foraging behavior 
of the Adelie penguin (Pygoscelis adeliae) in Antarctica. The permit 
holder may collect up to 150 ancient and modern penguin tissues per 
year at active and abandoned penguin colonies in the Ross Sea region. 
The permit holder may enter ASPAs 104, 105, 106, 121, 124, 159, 161, 
and 165. A recent modification to this permit, dated June 25, 2024, 
permitted the applicant to also enter ASPA 178 in association with this 
research.
    Now the applicant proposes a modification to the permit to collect 
small tissue samples from Weddell, Crabeater, Southern Elephant, and 
Leopard mummified seal carcasses in the Ross Sea Region. The applicant 
proposes to take up to 10 samples from each species. Mummies would be 
samples in the field, at their original location and samples weighing 
less than 15g would be taken from the mouth, lung, and anal area. 
Samples will undergo RNA analysis, radiocarbon dating, and any 
remaining tissue will be archived at the University of South Carolina. 
The applicant has a pending Marine Mammal Protection Act permit under 
consideration for this research.
    Location: Ross Sea Region.
    Dates: October 31, 2024-December 31, 2025.

Alina Pavao,
Administrative Assistant, Office of Polar Programs.
[FR Doc. 2024-22288 Filed 9-27-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-P


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