2015-24706. Notice of Permit Applications Received Under the Antarctic Conservation Act

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 671 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 October 30, 2015. This application may be inspected by interested parties at the Permit Office, address below.

ADDRESSES:

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

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Li Ling Hamady, ACA Permit Officer, at the above address or [e-mail] 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.

Application Details

1. Applicant Permit Application: 2016-015

James Droney, Vice President of Itinerary and Destination Planning, The World of Redinsea II, Ltd., 1551 Sawgrass Corporate Parkway, Suite 200, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33323.

Activity for Which Permit Is Requested

Waste permit: The applicant wishes to fly small, battery operated, remotely controlled copters (Unmanned Aerial Systems or UASs) equipped with cameras to take commercial photos and film of the Antarctic. The UASs would not be flown over concentrations of birds or mammals or over Antarctic Specially Protected Areas or Historic Sites and Monuments. The UASs would only be flown by operators with extensive experience (>20 hours), who are pre-approved by the Expedition Leader. Several measures would be taken to prevent against loss of the UAS or damage to the environment including painting them a highly visible color; only flying when the wind is less than 25 knots; flying for only 15 minutes at a time to preserve battery life; having prop guards on propeller tips, a flotation device if operated over water, and a “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; having a Zodiac on standby in case of an unplanned water landing; and ensuring that the separation between the operator and UAV does not exceed an operational range of 500 meters. The applicant is seeking a Waste Permit to cover any accidental releases that may result from flying a UAS.

Location

Antarctic Peninsula region.

Dates

December 23, 2015 to March 31, 2020.

Nadene G. Kennedy,

Polar Coordination Specialist, Division of Polar Programs.