2020-21074. Notice of Permit Modification Received Under the Antarctic Conservation Act of 1978

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 and permits issued 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 a requested permit modification and permit issued.

DATES:

Activities permitted from September 15, 2020-March 30, 2022.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Nature McGinn, ACA Permit Officer, Office of Polar Programs, National Science Foundation, 2415 Eisenhower Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22314; 703-292-8224; email: [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The National Science Foundation (NSF), as directed by the Antarctic Conservation Act of 1978 (Pub. L. 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.

NSF issued a permit (ACA 2019-012) to Conrad Combrink, Senior Vice President, Strategic Development Expeditions and Experiences, Silversea Cruises, Ltd., for waste management activities associated with operating remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS). Silversea Cruises engages experienced pilots to fly small, battery-operated, remotely controlled quadcopter equipped with cameras to capture aerial footage for commercial and educational uses.

On November 20, 2019, NSF issued a non-material modification (#1) to permit ACA 2019-012 based on an update regarding activities planned for Silversea Cruises' 2019-2020 field season.

On September 15, 2020, Stanislav Kozhuharov, on behalf of Conrad Combrink, Senior Vice President, Strategic Development Expeditions and Experiences, Silversea Cruises, Ltd., provided NSF an update based on activities planned for the 2020-2021 field season. Silversea's activities are the same or similar as those detailed in the original 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.

The permit modification was issued on September 15, 2020.

Erika N. Davis,

Program Specialist, Office of Polar Programs.