2019-20143. 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 18, 2019. 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 requiring special protection. The regulations establish such a permit system to designate Antarctic Specially Protected Areas.

Application Details

Permit Application: 2020-004

1. Applicant: Leidos Innovations Corporation, 7400 South Tucson Way, Centennial, CO 80112.

Activity for Which Permit is Requested: Waste Management. The applicant, Leidos Innovations Corporations (hereafter “Leidos”) proposes to conduct waste management activities associated with the implementation of the United States Antarctic Program (USAP). The USAP Master Waste permit would apply to all USAP activities, including major reconstruction and modernization efforts, conducted by all organizations supporting or supported by the Program. Leidos and other supporting organizations provide broad-based logistical support, technical support, and transportation services to the USAP. This would include the transport of both hazardous and non-hazardous waste from Antarctica to the United States. Leidos would include procure, transport, and track materials containing designated pollutants required for USAP operations and for NSF-supported grantees. Leidos would be responsible for fuel operations including fuel storage, distribution, and resupply; and record-keeping of fuel use. Leidos would collect, store, and ship both hazardous and non-hazardous waste materials and would be responsible for the final disposition of these materials upon return to the United States. Leidos would provide training and technical guidance to enhance the safety and effectiveness of U.S. waste management practices in Antarctica.

Location: Antarctica.

Dates of Permitted Activities: October 1, 2019-September 30, 2024.

Permit Application: 2020-006

2. Applicant: John Kennedy, 917 Porphyry, Ophir, CO 81426.

Activity for Which Permit is Requested: Waste Management. The applicant proposes to operate a sailing yacht, conduct shore excursions, and operate a remotely piloted aircraft system in the Antarctic Peninsula region. The yacht would carry up to 1200 liters of diesel fuel in a combination of internal and external storage tanks, up to 50 liters of gasoline, and two, 8-kg bottles of propane. A spill kit and absorbent pads would be available during all fueling and fuel transfers. Garbage and food waste, including poultry products, would be stored onboard the vessel and disposed of outside Antarctica. Human waste generated during shore excursions would be contained, stored on the vessel, and disposed of outside Antarctica. The applicant would operate small, battery-operated remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) consisting, in part, of a quadcopter equipped with cameras to aid in navigation and to collect footage of the Antarctic. The quadcopter would not be flown over wildlife, or over Antarctic Specially Protected Areas or Historic Sites and Monuments. The RPAS would only be operated by a pilot with extensive experience and flights would not occur if the aircraft cannot be flown in GPS mode. Several measures would be taken to prevent against loss of the quadcopters including painting them a highly visible color; only flying when the wind is less than 20 knots; terminating flights with at least 40% battery life remaining; having an observer on the lookout for wildlife, people, and other hazards; and ensuring that the separation between the operator and quadcopter does not exceed visual line of sight. The applicant is seeking a Waste Permit to cover any accidental releases that may result from operating the vessel, conducting shore excursions, or operating the RPAS.

Location: Antarctic Peninsula region.

Dates of Permitted Activities: December 1, 2019-February 15, 2023.

Permit Application: 2020-009

3. Applicant: Robin West, Director of Expedition Operations, Onboard Revenue, Seabourn Quest, Seabourn Cruise Line Ltd., 450 Third Ave. W, Seattle, WA 98119.

Activity for Which Permit is Requested: Waste Management. The applicant proposes to operate small, battery-operated remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) consisting, in part, of a quadcopter equipped with cameras to collect commercial and educational footage of the Antarctic. The quadcopter would not be flown over concentrations of birds or mammals, or over Antarctic Specially Protected Areas or Historic Sites and Monuments. The RPAS would only be operated by pilots with extensive experience, who are pre-approved by the Expedition Leader. Several measures would be taken to prevent against loss of the quadcopter 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 an “auto 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; and ensuring that the separation between the operator and quadcopter 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 operating the RPAS.

Location: Antarctic Peninsula Region.

Dates of Permitted Activities: November 1, 2019-March 31, 2023.

Erika N. Davis,

Program Specialist, Office of Polar Programs.