2023-27442. Notice of Permit Applications Received Under the Antarctic Conservation Act of 1978

AGENCY:

National Science Foundation.

ACTION:

Notice of permit applications received.

SUMMARY:

The National Science Foundation (NSF) is required to publish a notice of permit applications received to conduct activities regulated 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 permit applications received.

DATES:

Interested parties are invited to submit written data, comments, or views with respect to this permit application by January 16, 2024. This application 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 or [e-mail].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Andrew Titmus, ACA Permit Officer, at the above address, 703–292–4479.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The National Science Foundation, 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 as requiring special protection. The regulations establish such a permit system to designate Antarctic Specially Protected Areas.

Application Details

Permit Application: 2024–019

1. Applicant: Brandon Harvey, EYOS Expeditions Ltd. PO Box 2535, Vashon Island, WA 98070

Activity for Which Permit is Requested: Waste Management. Waste Management. The applicant proposes to operate small, battery-operated remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) consisting, in part, of a quadcopter equipped with cameras to collect commercial and educational footage of the Antarctic. The quadcopter would not be flown over concentrations of birds or mammals, or over Antarctic Specially Protected Areas or Historic Sites and Monuments. The RPAS would only be operated by pilots with extensive experience, who are pre-approved by the Expedition Leader. Several mitigation measures to reduce environmental impacts and prevent against loss of the quadcopter include only flying when the wind is less than 25 knots; flying for only 20 minutes at a time to preserve battery life; and an “auto go home” feature in case of loss of control link or low battery; having an observer on the lookout for wildlife, people, and other hazards; ensuring that the aircraft remains within visual line of sight; and implementing biosecurity measures by using disinfecting agents before and after each flight. The applicant is seeking a Waste Permit to cover any accidental releases that may result from operating the RPAS.

Location: Antarctic Peninsula Region.

Dates of Permitted Activities: December 8, 2023–March 30, 2024.

Permit Application: 2024–020

2. Applicant: Karl Muhlberger, ROW Management Ltd, 1551 Sawgrass Corporate Parkway, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33323.

Activity for Which Permit is Requested: Waste Management. Waste Management. The applicant proposes to operate small, battery-operated remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) consisting, in part, of a quadcopter equipped with cameras to collect commercial and educational footage of the Antarctic. The quadcopter would not be flown over concentrations of birds or mammals, or over Antarctic Specially Protected Areas or Historic Sites and Monuments. The RPAS would only be operated by pilots with extensive experience, who are pre-approved by the Expedition Leader. Several mitigation measures to reduce environmental impacts and prevent against loss of the quadcopter include only flying when the wind is less than 25 knots; flying for only 20 minutes at a time to preserve battery life; and an “auto go home” feature in case of loss of control link or low battery; having an observer on the lookout for wildlife, people, and other hazards; ensuring that the aircraft remains within visual line of sight; and implementing biosecurity measures by using disinfecting agents before and after each flight. The applicant is seeking a Waste Permit to cover any accidental releases that may result from operating the RPAS.

Location: Antarctic Peninsula Region.

Dates of Permitted Activities: December 8, 2023–March 30, 2024.

Kimiko S. Bowens-Knox,

Program Analyst, Office of Polar Programs.