[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 187 (Monday, September 28, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Page 58317]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-24523]



[[Page 58317]]

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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


Notice of Permit Applications Received Under the Antarctic 
Conservation Act of 1978

AGENCY: National Science Foundation.

ACTION: Notice of permit applications received under the Antarctic 
Conservation Act of 1978, Public Law 95-541.

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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 28, 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 [email protected] or (703) 292-7149.

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

Application Details

Permit Application: 2016-014

    1. Applicant: Dwayne Stevens, Marine Operations Manager, Lindblad 
Expeditions, 1415 Western Ave. Suite 700, Seattle, WA 98101.

Activity for Which Permit Is Requested

    Waste Permit; The applicant wishes to fly small, battery operated, 
remotely controlled Unmanned Aerial Systems (UASs) equipped with 
cameras to take scenic 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 proposed 
pilot has paragliding, ultralight aircraft and helicopter pilot 
experience; over 15 years experience with remote controlled aircraft; 
and over 2 years experience and over 500 safe flights with the specific 
proposed UASs. The UASs would be equipped with flotation in the case of 
accidental landing, would only be flown over water after launching from 
an inflatable Zodiac boat, would only be flown when the wind is less 
than 25 knots, and visual contact would be maintained with the vehicle 
at all times. The applicant is seeking a Waste Permit to cover any 
accidental releases that may result from flying a UAS.

Location

    Antarctic Peninsula region and South Georgia.

Dates

    November 1, 2015 to March 31, 2017.

Nadene G. Kennedy,
Polar Coordination Specialist, Division of Polar Programs.
[FR Doc. 2015-24523 Filed 9-25-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-P