[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 208 (Friday, October 27, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55065-55066]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-26691]
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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
Notice of Permit Applications Received Under the Antarctic
Conservation Act of 1978 (Pub. L. 95-541)
AGENCY: National Science Foundation.
ACTION: Notice of permit applications received under the Antarctic
Conservation Act of 1978, Pub. L. 95-541.
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SUMMARY: The National Science Foundation (NSF) is required to publish
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 670
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 these permit applications by October 6, 1995.
Permit applications may be inspected by interested parties at the
Permit Office, address below.
ADDRESSES: Comments should be addressed to Permit Office, Room 755,
Office of Polar Programs, National Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson
Boulevard, Arlington, Virginia 22230.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Nadene G. Kennedy at the above address or (703) 306-1031.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The National Science Foundation, as directed
by the Antarctic Conservation Act of 1978 (Pub. L. 95-541), has
developed regulations that implement the ``Agreed Measures for the
Conservation of Antarctic Fauna and Flora'' for all United States
citizens. The Agreed Measures, developed by the Antarctic Treaty
Consultative Parties, recommended 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 Specially
Protected Areas and Sites of Special Scientific Interest.
The applications received are as follows:
1. Applicant, Thomas A. Day, Department of Botany, Box 871601, Arizona
State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287-1601, Permit Application No. 96-
017
Activity for Which Permit is Requested
Take; Enter Specially Protected Area; Enter Site of Special
Scientific Interest, and Import into the United States. The applicant
requests permission to enter Litchfield Island (SPA #17) and Biscoe
Point (SSSI #20) to collect up to 100 seeds and/or reproductive
structures from the following vascular plants: Antarctic hairgrass
(Deschampsia antarctica) and Antarctic pearlwort (Colobanthus
quitensis). The Litchfield Island site is one of very few sites
containing both plant species. Collection of samples from Biscoe Point
is desirable since it is a relatively isolated site from others
containing plant species and the researchers wish to determine whether
the Biscoe populations are genetically similar to other antarctic plant
populations. The seeds will be imported into the United States,
propagated in growth chambers at Arizona State University, and used to
determine how these species are influenced by environmental factors
such as UV radiation and temperature.
Location
SPA #17--Litchfield Island, and SSSI #20--Biscoe Point, Anvers Island
Dates
December 1, 1995--April 30, 1997
2. Applicant, William D. Fraser, Biology Department, Montana State
University, Bozeman, Montana 59717, Permit Application No. 96-024
Activity for Which Permit is Requested
Import into the United States. The applicant proposes to salvage,
for educational purposes, no more than 3 specimens of each species
annually, if encountered. The species which may be salvaged are listed
below:
Penguins: King (A. patagonicus), Adelie (Pygoscelis adeliae), Chinstrap
(P. antarctica), Gentoo (P. papua), Macaroni (Eudyptes chrysolophus),
and Rockhopper (E. chrysocome).
Albatrosses: Wandering (Diomedea exulans), Black-browed (D.
melanophris), Gray-headed (D. chrysostoma), Sooty (Phoebetria fusca),
and Light-mantled Sooty (P. palpebrata).
Fulmars, Prions and Petrels: Southern Giant Petrel (M. giganteus),
Antarctic Fulmar (Fulmarus glacialoides), Antarctic Petrel (Thalassoica
antarctical), Cape Petrel (Daption capense); Snow Petrel (Pagodroma
nivea), Blue Petrel (Halobaena caerulea), White-chinned Petrel
(Procellaria aequinoctialis), and Antarctic Prion (Pachyptila
desolata).
[[Page 55066]]
Storm Petrels: Wilson's Storm Petrel (Oceanites oceanicus) and Black-
bellied Storm Petrel (Fregetta tropica).
Cormorants: Blue-eyed Shag (Phalacrocorax atriceps).
Sheathbills: Greater Sheathbill (Chionis alba)
Skuas: South Polar Skua (Catharacta maccormicki), and Brown Skua (C.
lonnbergi).
Gulls and Terns: Kelp Gull (Larus dominicanus), and Antarctic Tern
(Sterna vittata).
Location
Palmer Station vicinity and nearby islands accessible by zodiac.
Dates
October 1, 1995-May 31, 1998
3. Applicant, Rennie S. Holt, U.S. AMLR Program, Southwest Fisheries
Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, 8604 La Jolla Shores
Drive, La Jolla, California 92038, Permit Application No. 96-025
Activity for Which Permit is Requested
Taking. The applicant proposes to continue collection of data on
seabirds, in accordance with CCAMLR Protocols, that was begun at Seal
Island in 1986. A census of up to 15,000 birds from each of the
following species will be conducted: Chinstrap penguins, Macaaroni
penguins and Cape Petrels. In addition, the applicant will capture and
release up to 500 Chinstrap and Macaroni penguins each for purposes of
measuring, weighing and examining to gather data on seabird abundance
and growth to compare with data collected during previous years.
Location
South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninisula region.
Dates
January 1, 1996-April 1, 2001
4. Applicant, Rennie S. Holt, U.S. AMLR Program, Southwest Fisheries
Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, 8604 La Jolla Shores
Drive, La Jolla, California 92038, Permit Application No. 96-026
Activity for Which Permit is Requested
Taking and Enter Sites of Special Scientific Interest. The
applicant proposes to enter Byers Peninsula (SSSI #6) and Cape Shirreff
(SSSI #32) to study pinnipeds and seabirds. A comprehensive census of
these populations has been conducted periodically and repeat censuses
are needed. At both sites, care will be taken to minimize disturbance
to terrestrial habitats and lifeforms. All activities to be conducted
would comply with the approved SSSI management plans enforce for each
area.
The pinniped research to be conducted consists of ship-supported
and land-based studies in the region of the Antarctic Peninsula. The
U.S. AMLR Program will conduct a census of seals at various sites in
preparation of selecting a new study site. In following years, the AMLR
land-based site at Seal Island will be relocated to a suitable site.
The Seal Island study site will be occupied on a limited basis. Up
to 1,000 Fur seal pups will be weighed and released. These data will be
compared with previous data to examine the population dynamics of
Antarctic Fur seals. Obtaining information on the status of seals at
the present time is particularly important in light of the potential
development that is being considered for antarctic marine resources.
Location
SSSI #6-Byers Peninsula, Livingston Island, South Shetland Islands; and
SSSI #32-Cape Shirreff, Livingston Island, South Shetland Islands.
Dates
January 1, 1996-April 1, 2001.
Nadene G. Kennedy,
Permit Office, Office of Polar Programs.
[FR Doc. 95-26691 Filed 10-26-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-M