2012-20990. Notice of Permit Applications Received; Under the Antarctic Conservation Act of 1978 (Pub. L. 95-541)

AGENCY:

National Science Foundation.

ACTION:

Notice of Permit Applications Received under the Antarctic Conservation Act of 1978, Public Law 95-541.

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 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 this permit application by September 26, 2012. This application may be inspected by interested parties at the Permit Office, address below.

ADDRESSES:

Comments should be addressed to Permit Office, Room 755, Office of Polar Programs, National Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, Virginia 22230.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Polly A. Penhale at the above address or [phone].

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 requiring special protection. The regulations establish such a permit system to designate Antarctic Specially Protected Areas.

The applications received are as follows:

1. Applicant

Philip R. Kyle, Department of Earth and Environmental Science, NM Institute of Mining and Technology, Socorro, NM 87801.

Permit Application: 2013-018.

Activity for Which Permit Is Requested

Enter Antarctic Specially Protected Areas. The applicant plans to enter ASPA 130-Tramway Ridge, Mt. Erebus to measure soil temperatures and sample gases emitted in weak gas vents for comparison with gases emitted elsewhere on Erebus. The composition of the gas emissions is important as it is likely the source of nutrients/energy that supports extremophiles in the soil.

Location

ASPA 130-Tramway Ridge, Mt. Erebus, Ross Island.

Dates

December 1, 2012 to January 31, 2014.

Nadene G. Kennedy,

Permit Officer, Office of Polar Programs.