2013-20224. Notice of Permits Issued Under the Antarctic Conservation Act of 1978

AGENCY:

National Science Foundation.

ACTION:

Notice of document availability under the Antarctic Conservation of 1978, as amended by the Antarctic Science, Tourism and Conservation Act of 1996, (16 U.S.C 2401 et seq).

SUMMARY:

On March 31, 2003, the National Science Foundation (NSF) issued a final rule that authorized the collection of meteorites in Antarctica for scientific purposes only. In addition the regulations provide requirements for appropriate collection, handling, documentation, and curation of Antarctic meteorites to preserve their scientific value. These regulations implement the Antarctic Conservation Act of 1978, as amended by the Antarctic Science, Tourism and Conservation Act of 1996, (16 U.S.C 2401 et seq.), and Article 7 of the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty done at Madrid on October 4, 1991. The NSF is required to publish notice of the availability of Meteorite Collection Plans received under the Antarctic Conservation Act of 1978. This is the required notice.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Polly A. Penhale, Division of Polar Programs, Rm. 755, National Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22230 or [e-mail]

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A Meteorite Collection Plan has been received from Dr. Ralph Harvey of Case Western Reserve University. Interested parties are invited to submit written data, comments, or views with respect to this plan by September 4, 2013.

Nadene G. Kennedy,

Polar Coordination Specialist, Division of Polar Programs.