2020-20553. 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 October 19, 2020. 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Nature McGinn, ACA Permit Officer, at the above address, 703-292-8030, or [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

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

Application Details

Permit Application: 2021-005

1. Applicant: Jonathan Schwartz, 411 Walnut Stree #12926, Green Cove Springs, FL 32043.

Activity for Which Permit is Requested: Waste management. Applicant requests that the yacht SV Zephyros to conduct waste management activities associated with expedition operations in the Antarctic Treaty area. Applicant proposes to cruise along the Antarctic Peninsula for tourism and sightseeing purposes and to make select stops at non-protected area landings, for sightseeing and educational purposes. Garbage and food waste containing animal remains, including poultry, would be stored onboard the vessel and disposed of outside Antarctica. Human waste and other food waste would be macerated and, if discharged in the Antarctic Treaty area, greywater and blackwater would be released at least 12 miles offshore and while the vessel maintains a speed of at least four knots. The release of any designated pollutants would be mitigated by the use of a capable vessel, a well-trained crew, cautious operational practices, and extremely limited stores of non-fuel distillates.

Location: Antarctic Peninsula region.

Dates of Permitted Activities: January 1-February 28, 2021.

Erika N. Davis,

Program Specialist, Office of Polar Programs.