[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 203 (Monday, October 23, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 49045-49046]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-22944]


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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 November 22, 2017. 
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: Nature McGinn, ACA Permit Officer, at 
the above address, 703-292-8030, or <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#eeafadaf9e8b9c83879a9dae809d88c0898198"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="430200023326312e2a3730032d30256d242c35">[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 a 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 2016-020) to Laura K.O. Smith, Owner, Operator Quixote 
Expeditions, on December 23, 2015. The issued permit allows the permit 
holder to conduct waste management activities associated with the 
operation of the ``Ocean Tramp,'' a reinforced ketch rigged sailing 
yacht in the Antarctic Peninsula region. Activities to be conducted by 
Quixote include: Passenger landings, hiking, photography, wildlife 
viewing, and possible station visits.
    A recent modification to this permit, dated November 9, 2016, 
permitted the permit holder to continue permitted activities, including 
minimization, mitigation, and monitoring of waste, for the 2016-2017 
Antarctic season. The Environmental Officer reviewed the modification 
request and determined that the amendment was not a material change to 
the permit, and it will have a less than a minor or transitory impact.
    Now the permit holder proposes a modification to the permit to 
continue the permitted activities for the 2017-2018 Antarctic season 
and add coastal camping activities as well as resupply of fresh food as 
part of Quixote's new fly/

[[Page 49046]]

cruise operations. The maximum number of camping participants would be 
12. Camping would be away from vegetated sites and >150m from wildlife 
concentrations or lakes, protected areas, historical sites, and 
scientific stations. Tents would be pitched on snow, ice, or bare 
smooth rock, at least 15m from the high-water line. No food, other than 
emergency rations, would be brought onshore and all wastes, including 
human waste, would be collected and returned to the ship for proper 
disposal. The permit holder is seeking a waste permit modification to 
cover any accidental releases that may result from camping and other 
activities.
    Location: Antarctic Peninsula; For camping, possible locations 
include Dorian Cove, Enterprize Isand, Cuverville are/Errera Channel, 
Damoy Point/Dorian Bay, Danco Island, Rong[eacute] Island, Paradise 
Bay, Argentine Islands, Andvord Bay, Pleneau Island, Hovgaard Island, 
Orne Harbour, Leith Cove, Prospect Point, Portal Point.
    Dates: December 1, 2017-February 6, 2021.

Nadene G. Kennedy,
Polar Coordination Specialist, Office of Polar Programs.
[FR Doc. 2017-22944 Filed 10-20-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 7555-01-P


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