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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 242 (Tuesday, December 17, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Page 102166]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-29650]

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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 January 16, 2025. 
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 [email protected].

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 2025-019) to Ari Friedlaender on December 1, 2024. The 
issued permit allows for Take, Harmful interference, and Import into 
USA associated with research activities on the ecology of cetaceans in 
the Antarctic Peninsula. The permitted activities include the use of 
Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS), deployment of tags to collect 
spatial and behavioral information, collection of biopsies, and 
conducting behavioral observations.
    Now the holder proposes a modification to the permit to access 
Antarctic Specially Protected Area 113, Litchfield Island in order to 
collect aerial footage using RPAS as part of a collaborate effort with 
activities by Natasja van Gestel conducted under permit ACA 2023-007. 
Footage would be used for outreach purposes to highlight the importance 
of plant covered land in Antarctica. The collaboration proposes to 
allow RPAS filming under this permit (2025-019) as the holder is 
experienced in operating RPAS at this location without disturbance to 
wildlife. A total of three flights would be conducted over a three day 
period with flights above 40 meters AGL.
    Location: ASPA 113, LITCHFIELD ISLAND.
    Dates: January 12, 2024 to January 31, 2024.

Alina Pavao,
Administrative Assistant, Office of Polar Programs.
[FR Doc. 2024-29650 Filed 12-16-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-P
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