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###### National Science Foundation

# AGENCY:

National Science Foundation.

# ACTION:

Notice of permit modification request received and permit issued.

# 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 and permit issued.

# DATES:

October 30, 2016-January 31, 2023.

The permit modification was issued on August 17, 2021.

# FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

                        Polly Penhale, ACA Permit Officer, Office of Polar Programs, National Science Foundation, 2415 Eisenhower Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22314; 703-292-7420; email:                         *ACApermits@nsf.gov.*

# SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The National Science Foundation (NSF), as directed by the Antarctic Conservation Act of 1978 (Pub. L. 95-541, 45 CFR 670), 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.

*Description of Permit Modification Requested:*                     The Foundation issued a permit (ACA 2017-016) to Leidos Innovations Group on October 30, 2016. The issued permit allows entry into nine Antarctic Specially Protected Areas (ASPAs) in the Ross Sea Region. ASPAs permitted for entry under this permit include: ASPA 105 Beaufort Island, McMurdo Sound, Ross Sea; ASPA 116 New College Valley, Caughley Beach, Cape Bird, Ross Island; ASPA 121 Cape Royds, Ross Island; ASPA 122 Arrival Heights, Hut Point Peninsula, Ross Island; ASPA 124 Cape Crozier, Ross Island; ASPA 155 Cape Evans, Ross Island; ASPA 157 Backdoor Bay, Cape Royds, Ross; ASPA 158 Hut Point, Ross Island; and ASPA 172 Lower Taylor Glacier and Blood Falls, Taylor Valley, McMurdo Dry Valleys, Victoria Land.                

A recent modification to this permit, dated October 6, 2017, added ASPA 113 Litchfield Island to the list of ASPAs permitted for entry.

Now the applicant proposes a modification to this permit to extend the expiration of the permit until January 31, 2023. This modification also includes a change to the list of agents granted ASPA entry under the permit.

The Environmental Officer has reviewed the modification request and has determined that the amendment is not a material change to the permit, and it will have a less than a minor or transitory impact.

Erika N. Davis,

Program Specialist, Office of Polar Programs.

[FR Doc. 2021-17936 Filed 8-20-21; 8:45 am]

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