[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 158 (Tuesday, August 17, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44752-44756]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-21204]
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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
Permit Applications Received Under the Antarctic Conservation Act
of 1978 (P.L. 95-541)
AGENCY: National Science Foundation.
ACTION: Notice of permit applications received under the Antarctic
Conservation Act of 1978, P.L. 95-541.
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SUMMARY: The National Science Foundation (NSF) is required to publish
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 at Title 45 Part 670
of 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 these permit applications by September 13,
1999. Permit applications may be inspected by interested parties at the
Permit Office, address below.
ADDRESSES: Comments should be addressed to Permit Office, Room 755,
[[Page 44753]]
Office of Polar Programs, National Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson
Boulevard, Arlington, Virginia 22230.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nadene G. Kennedy at the above address
or (703) 306-1030.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The National Science Foundation, as directed
by the Antarctica Conservation Act of 1978 (Public Law 95-541), has
developed regulations that implement the ``Agreed Measures for the
Conservation of Antarctic Fauna and Flora'' for all United States
citizens. The Agreed Measures, developed by the Antarctic Treaty
Consultative Parties, recommended establishment of a permit system for
various activities in Antarctica and designation of certain animals and
certain geographic areas requiring special protection. The regulations
establish such a permit system to designate Specially Protected Areas
and Sites of Special Scientific Interest.
The applications received are as follows:
1. Applicant: Steven D. Emslie, Department of Biological Sciences,
University of North Carolina, Wilmington, NC 28403
[Permit Application No. 2000-001]
Activity for Which Permit Is Requested
Take, Enter Antarctic Specially Protected Areas and Import Into the
U.S.A.
The applicant proposes to conduct surveys and excavations of modern
and abandoned penguin colonies by surveying ice-free areas to locate
evidence of a breeding colony (pebble and/or bone sconcentrations, and
rich vegetation). The sites will be sampled by placing a test pit, no
more than 1x1 meter in size, in the colony and excavating in 5-10 cm
level until bedrock or non-ornithogenic sediments are encountered. To
minimize impacts, test pits will be placed in areas with little or no
vegetation when possible. Upon completion of the excavation, test pits
will be refilled and any vegetation disturbed on the surface will be
replaced. Collected sediments will be taken to the laboratory for
processing. Sediments will be washed through fine-mesh screens; all
organic remains will be sorted from the sediments and preserved for
identification and analysis.
The applicant proposes to enter the following Antarctic Specially
Protected Areas to conduct surveys: ASPA 106--Cape Hallett, Victoria
Land; ASPA 113--Litchfield Island, Arthur Harbor; ASPA 121--Cape Royds,
Ross Island; ASPA 124--Cape Crozier, Ross Island; ASPA 125--Fildes
Peninsula, King George Island; ASPA 128--Western shore of Admiralty
Bay, King George Island; ASPA 129--Rothera Point, Adelaide Island; ASPA
132--Potter Peninsula, King George Island; ASPA 139--Biscoe Point,
Anvers Island; and ASPA 151--Lions Rump, King George Island.
The applicant also wishes to salvage and import into the U.S. whole
remains of native Antarctic birds, or partial specimens, that are found
on beaches or at the colonies. The specimens will be shipped to the
University of North Carolina, Wilmington, for identification and
analysis. All specimens will remain at the University or other
appropriate universities or museums for permanent storage.
Results of the research will provide information on the former
distribution of penguins in Antarctica. These data will be compared to
the paleoclimatic record to investigate patterns in population
fluctuations of penguins in relation to climate change in the past.
This information, in addition to data on modern population changes with
global warming, will test hypotheses on how penguins respond to climate
change and will help develop predictive model for future responses by
these species to continued global warming.
Location
ASPA 106--Cape Hallett, Victoria Land;
ASPA 113--Litchfield Island, Arthur Harbor;
ASPA 121--Cape Royds, Ross Island
ASPA 124--Cape Crozier, Ross Island;
ASPA 125--Fildes Peninsula, King George Island;
ASPA 128--Western shore of Admiralty Bay, King George Island;
ASPA 129--Rothera Point, Adelaide Island;
ASPA 132--Potter Peninsula, King George Island;
ASPA 139--Biscoe Point, Anvers Island; and
ASPA 151--Lions Rump, King George Island.
Dates
January 1, 2000 to December 31, 2005
2. Applicant: Donald B. Siniff, Department of Ecology, Evolution and
Behavior, 100 Ecology Building, University of Minnesota, St. Paul,
Minnesota 55108
[Permit Application No. 2000-003]
Activity for Which Permit Is Requested
Taking, Export from the U.S. and Import into the U.S.
The applicant proposes to tag and collect epidermal and adipose
tissue (0.5 cm by o.5 cm) from the rear flipper of several seal
species. Modern molecular genetic methods will be used to analyze the
DNA extracted from the tissue samples. The project is part of a large
international program studying Antarctic Pack Ice Seals (APIS). This
particular project is to address the genetic patterns among the four
species of Antarctic pack ice seals (Weddell, Leopard, Ross and
Crabeater seals). The project is investigating the patterns of
heterozygosity among the four species and relating these patterns to
their overall life history characteristics. The work will contribute to
the understanding of the evolutionary history of pack ice species with
respect to the origin of ecological separation. Samples collected by
other investigators will contribute to a continent-wide assessment of
the degree of genetic variation with populations of Antarctic phocids.
In addition, the applicant wishes to salvage any seal skulls that
are found. These samples will be cleaned and analyzed for age and
placed on permanent loan to the National Marine Mammal Lab or the
University of Minnesota Bell Museum of Natural History and will be used
for educational purposes.
Location
Pack ice areas in the Ross Sea and Bellingshausen Sea
Dates
December 12, 1999 to February 15, 2000
3. Applicant: Paul J. Ponganis, CMBB/Scripps Institute of Oceanography,
University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093-0204
[Permit Application No. 2000-004]
Activity for Which Permit Is Requested
Taking and Import Into the U.S.
The applicant proposes to capture up to 60 Emperor adults and equip
them with various depth recorders, physiological recorders, or a video
camera unit. These instruments will measure temperature change and
mechanisms of heat loss during diving. The video camera research will
document the frequency and techniques of prey capture, and relate
feeding events to temperature change.
The applicant also proposes to capture up to 40 Emperor chicks to
biopsy muscle samples. This will allow examination of myoglobin mRNA
content in relation to myoglobin concentration in both adults and
developing chicks. The chicks will be biopsied over several months to
sample different age groups. In addition, a
[[Page 44754]]
group of approximately 15 Emperor chicks will be transported to McMurdo
and maintained there for about a month in order to obtain samples in
older (post-fledge) chicks. All birds will be released back into the
wild at the end of the study.
The applicant also wishes to salvage up to 10 Emperor carcasses per
year and transport them back to the U.S. for anatomical studies at
Scripps Institute of Oceanography.
Location
McMurdo Sound sea ice, Cape Washington and McMurdo Station
Dates
September 1, 1999 to February 28, 2002
4. Applicant: Michael A. Castellini, Institute of Marine Science,
University of Alaska, Fairbanks, Alaska 99775
[Permit Application No. 2000-005]
Activity for which Permit is Requested
Taking and Import into the United States
The applicant is a participant in a multi-institutional program to
study Antarctic Pack Ice Seals (APIS). As a component of this project,
the applicant proposes to capture up to 200 Weddell, Crabeater and
Leopard seals each, and up to 10 each of Ross, Fur and Elephant seals.
Blood and biopsy samples of blubber will be collected. The blood and
biopsy samples, along with a suite of morphometric analyses, will be
collected from all seals to assess a suite of bio-indicators of health.
Data will be taken along with other program components which will
provide medical examinations of each seal, acoustic and behavioral
studies, oceanographic, ice and weather observation and capture of prey
items. The combined results will provide the most detailed model of the
link between ice seals and their environment.
Location
Sea Ice areas of the Ross and Amunden Seas
Dates
December 15, 1999 to April 1, 2001
5. Applicant: Wayne Z. Trivelpiece, P.O. Box 271, Antarctic Ecosytsem
Research, Southwest Fisheries Science Center, La Jolla, CA 92038
[Permit Application No. 2000-006]
Activity for Which Permit is Requested
Take and Enter Antarctic Specially Protected Area.
The applicant is continuing a study of the behavioral ecology and
population biology of the Adelie, Gentoo, and Chinstrap penguins and
the interactions among these species and their principal avian
pedators: skuas, gulls, sheathbills, and giant petrels. The applicant
proposes to band 1000 Adelie and Gentoo penguin chicks, plus adults of
all three penguin species, as needed (not greater than 150 per
species), to fulfill research goals. In addition, bands will be applied
to adults and chicks of the avian predator species as necessary. The
applicant will continue a study of the penguins' foraging habits which
involves the application of radio-transmitters (Txs), satellite tags
(PTTs), and time-depth recorders (TDRs) to a maximum of 50 adult
penguins per species. The study of foraging habits also involves the
stomach pumping of a maximumn of 40 adult penguins per species. Finally
the applicant will collect one (1) milliliter blood samples from a
maximum of 20 breeding adults of each penguins species for use in DNA
analysis.
Location
Admiralty Bay (ASPA #128 King George Island, South Shetland Islands
Dates
October 1, 1999 to April 2000
6. Applicant: David Ainley, H.T. Harvey & Associates, P.O. Box 1180,
Alviso, CA 95002
[Permit Application No. 2000-007]
Activity for Which Permit Is Requested
Taking and Enter Antarctic Specially Protected Areas
The applicant is conducting research to attempt to explain why
penguin populations have been increasing in the Ross Sea, by intensive
studies at colonies on Ross Island. This work will be incorporated into
the long-term study of populations dynamics mentioned in the Royds
management plan. The applicant proposes to enter Cape Crozier (ASP
#124) and Cape Bird for purposes of banding up to 1,000 chicks at each
site. Furthermore the applicant proposes to band up to 400 chicks each
at Cape Royds (ASPA # 121) and Beaufort Island (ASPA
105). Approximately 150 adults will be banded at
these four sites. The banding of chicks at Beaufort Island is necessary
to test the theory that the Adelie Penguin Colony at Beaufort could be
a ``source'' colony for emigrants that eventually breed at other Ross
Island colonies. It is believed Beaufort is a source colony because
there is very little availability of additional nesting sites. Banding
a sample of chicks and looking for them at nearby colonies in
subsequent years would test this theory.
Approximately, 15 adult Adelies per year at Royds, Bird and
Crozier, and 7 at Beaufort Island will be fitted with radio
transmitters to be worn for 2-3 weeks during January and then removed.
The radio transmitters will provide information on the penguins
foraging area offshore. Additionally, 25 adult Adelies at Cape Bird and
Cape Crozier and 15 adults at Cape Royds will be fitted with time-
depth-recorders (TDRs). The TDR's will record swimming depth, frequency
of dives and number of dives per foraging trip. PIT tags (Passively
Interrogated Transponder) will also be fitted to 10-20 adults each year
at Capes Bird, Royds and Crozier. The goal is to have 70 tagged birds
at each colony each year; thus, new birds given the tags each year
replace only those that did not reappear one year to the next.
To obtain an index on chick condition, between 30-50 chicks will be
measured and weighed weekly for a month at Capes Royds, Bird and
Crozier. Only 30 chicks will be weighed and measured at the Beaufort
Island colony on one of two trips to the site during the season. The
applicant proposes to conduct studies of the foraging energetic of
Adelie Penguins on Ross Island. This involves the capturing of up to 25
birds each at Cape Crozier and Cape Bird and possibly Cape Royds. The
birds will be weighed, a 3 cc blood sample drawn and then injected with
0.6 cc's of double-labeled water. The birds will be held for 3 hours to
allow the injected water to equilibrate, then a second blood sample
will be drawn. The doubly labeled water studies will provide
information on the energetics of foraging, and specifically, if longer
foraging trips are more energy demanding than shorter ones for penguins
at Cape Bird or Cape Royds.
Samples collected in the field will be returned to the U.S. for
complete analysis.
Location
Cape Crozier (ASPA #124), Cape Royds (ASPA #121) and Cape Bird, Ross
Island, and Beaufort Island (ASPA 105), Ross Sea.
Dates
December 1, 1999 to February 15, 2002
7. Applicant: W. Berry Lyons, Department of Geology, University of
Alabama, Box 870338, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0338
[[Page 44755]]
[Permit Application No. 2000-008]
Activity for Which Permit Is Requested
Enter Antarctic Specially Protected Area
The applicant proposes to enter Antarctic Specially Protected Area
(ASPA #131), Canada Glacier, Lake Fryxell, Taylor Valley, for purposes
of conducting studies under the Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER)
Program. The applicant proposes to enter the site to conduct
maintenance on the previously installed continuously recording stream
gage station that provides one of the longest records of discharge in
the Taylor Valley. In addition, the applicant proposes to collect water
quality samples of the meltwater coming off the Canada Glacier and
along the length of the stream to study in-stream biogeochemical
processes. Samples of the microbial mats may also be collected once per
summer field season.
The applicant also proposes to enter the Antarctic Specially
Protected Area to study the site's unique soil content. The Canada
stream has occasional algal blooms, and the system is of interest
because of its relatively high primary production unlike the typical
dry valley soils. The LTER team plans to collect soil samples on a
transect starting in the stream channel and working eastward
perpendicular to the stream channel.
The Canada Glacier is the most intensively studied glacier in the
LTER study program. One particularly import aspect of the glacier mass
balance study is the calving and melting of ice from the glacier walls.
Therefore, the applicant requests access to the glacier wall twice
during each field season to take measurements.
Location
Antarctic Specially Protected Area #131: Canada Glacier, Lake Fryxell,
Taylor Valley, Victoria Land
Dates
October 1, 1999 to February 2005
8. Applicant: John E. Carlstrom, Center for Astrophysical Research in
Antarctica (CARA), Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics, University
of Chicago, 5640 South Ellis Avenue, Chicago, IL 60637
[Permit Application No. 2000-010]
Activity for Which Permit Is Requested
Introduce a non-indigenous species into Antarctica
The applicant plans to ship 200 pounds of active dry baking yeast
(Saccharomyces cerevisiae) to Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station as part
of an educational outreach project in conjunction with NASA and their
new thrust in astrobiology and extremophiles. The commercial packaging
consists of strips of 3-quarter ounce packages. The yeast will remain
in the commercial packaging, in plastic bags, in a container while in
Antarctica. The containerized yeast will be exposed to the extreme
climate of the South Pole during the summer and winter months. Middle
and elementary school students will be able to follow the deployment of
the yeast, and the weather conditions at the Pole via a web site. The
web site will have many facets such as a question and answer section, a
travel log of the deployment, weather conditions, digital images of the
trip and the yeast container as the season progresses. The goal of the
project is to motivate students to try hands-on experiments to learn
more about Antarctica and the scientific research conducted there.
After a year, the yeast container will be shipped back to the States
where the yeast packages will be distributed nationally to
schoolchildren. The students will conduct experiments to look for
changes in the yeast's metabolic activity and volume of carbon dioxide
production, under given conditions, after being exposed to months of
extreme cold temperatures.
Location
Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station
Dates
October 1, 1999 to January 1, 2002
9. Applicant: Brent S. Stewart, Hubbs-Sea World Research Institute,
2595 Ingraham Street, San Diego, CA 92109
[Permit Application: 2000-011]
Activity for Which Permit is Requested
Taking and Import Into the United States
The applicant is a participant in a multidisciplinary research
program to study the foraging ecology, reproduction, demography,
disease and pathology, and population and immunogenetics of Antarctic
seals in the circumpolar pack ice zone. The applicant proposes to
capture, collect samples, and release up to 800 Crabeater seals, 400
Leopard and Weddell seals, and 75 Ross, Antarctic Fur and Elephant
seals. Physical exams will be performed to evaluate the musculoskeletal
system, cardiovascular system, integument, eyes, ears, nares and oral
cavity. Blood will be collected from the extradural vein or
interdigital vein of phocids and from the caudal gluteal vein of
otariids. Approximately 40-60 ml will be collected from each seal for
evaluation of petroleum hydrocarbon and pollutant exposure, hematology,
serum biochemistry, disease exposure, genetics, nutritional status, and
reproductive endocinology. Ocular, nasal, vaginal, and rectal
microbiological samples will be collected. Ectoparasites will be
collected when encountered. Urine will be collected opportunistically.
Skin scrapings and cultures will be made when lesions are observed and
to provide normal control samples. Hair, skin and blubber samples will
also be collected. All collections of samples will be coordinated
directly with other components of the multidisciplinary research
program to prevent duplicate takings and to maximize use of collected
materials.
The applicant plans to import collected samples into the United
States for further scientific study. In addition, the applicant wishes
to export samples from the U.S. and share them with investigators
collaborating in other countries.
Location
Circumpolar pack ice and sites ashore
Dates
September 1, 1999 to August 30, 2004
10. Applicant: Ron Naveen, Oceanities, Inc., P.O. Box 15259, Chevy
Chase, MD 20825
[Permit Application: 2000-012]
Activity for Which Permit Is Requested
Taking; and Enter Antarctic Specially Protected Area
The applicant plans to continue data collection under the Antarctic
Site Inventory Project. Various sites will be regularly surveyed and
censused in the Antarctic Peninsula/South Shetland Islands region, with
a concentration of visits expected at heavily visited tourist sites.
The applicant wishes to enter Antarctic Specially Protected Area #128,
Western Shore of Admiralty Bay, to coordinate the Site Inventory
Project with the researchers working within the site.
Location
Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Island sites, and ASPA #128,
Western Shore of Admiralty Bay, King George Island
Dates
September 1, 1999 to August 31, 2000
11. Applicant: Norbert Wu, Norbert Wu Productions, 1065 Sinex Avenue,
Pacific Grove, CA 93950
[[Page 44756]]
[Permit Application: 2000-013]
Activity for Which Permit Is Requested
Enter Antarctic Specially Protected Area
The applicant is a participant in the U.S. Antarctic Program's
Artists and Writers Program and is continuing work on ``A Photographic
Survey of Antarctic Marine Species'' and producing a film entitled
``Under Antarctic Ice.'' The applicant proposes visit and camp at Cape
Crozier during two different time periods to ensure filming success.
The applicant proposes to conduct general photography and filming
of Adelie penguins, Emperor penguins, Leopard seals, Orcas, and Minke
whales. Some of the work will involve underwater photography. Visit to
the site will be selected to target Adelie penguin events (nesting, egg
tending, and hatching), such as population peak in the rookery. The
applicant plans to skirt the edges of the Adelie and Emperor rookeries
and will not enter into the midst of the nesting penguins.
The applicant plans to camp near the East Colony outside the
Specially Protected Area for easier access to the water and ease the
encumbrance of hauling heavy photography and dive equipment.
Location
Antarctic Specially Protected Area #124, Cape Crozier, Ross Island
Dates
November 1, 1999 to February 28, 2000
12. Applicant: Gary miller, Biology Department, University of New
Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001
[Permit Application: 2000-014]
Activity for Which Permit Is Requested
Taking and Import into the United States
The applicant plans to continue his analysis of the phylogenetic
relationships and population genetics of 2 major genera of penguins. He
will collect blood and tissues samples from Magellanic (S.
magellanicus), Adelie (P. adeliae), Chinstrap (P. antarctica), Gentoo
(P. papua), Macaroni (Eudyptes chrysalophus), and Emperor (Aptenodytes
forsteri) penguins throughout their distribution. The Macaroni and
Emperor samples are to be used as out-groups to help elucidate the
relationships of the other species. Using a combination of Cytochrome b
and microsatellite markers, he will investigate their genetic variation
on a variety of geographic scales.
The applicant will travel onboard tour ships as a lecturer and will
repeatedly visit many sites during the next two Antarctic summer
season. He plans to collect 1.0-1.5 ml of whole blood from live
penguins and collect tissue samples from penguin carcasses. No more
than 15 samples will be collected from any given site. Blood samples
will be stored in a lysis buffer, and tissue samples will be
homogenized into a buffer solution to stabilize the DNA. Samples will
be returned to either the University of Western Australia or to the
University of New Mexico for processing.
In addition, the applicant will work in collaboration with a
research team from the University of Western Australia who will
investigate the diseases of penguins and skuas around Australia's Davis
Station. Blood samples and swabs from the throat and cloaca of each
bird will be collected. Blood samples will be spun down to separate the
plasma and then preserved for later laboratory work. The Australian
research team will secure all necessary permits for this project.
Location
Antarctic Peninsula and associated islands, South Shetland Islands,
South Orkney Islands, East Antarctica and the Ross Sea region
Dates
October 1, 1999 to April 1, 2001
Nadene G. Kennedy,
Permit Officer, Office of Polar Programs.
[FR Doc. 99-21204 Filed 8-16-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-M
