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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 November 19, 2021. 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 or ACApermits@nsf.gov.

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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Polly Penhale, ACA Permit Officer, at the above address, 703-292-8030.

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

Application Details

Permit Application: 2022-017

1. Applicant: Dr. Heather Lynch, Stony Brook University IACS 163 Stony Brook, NY 11794

Activity for Which Permit is Requested: Take, Harmful Interference. The applicant seeks an Antarctic Conservation Act permit for activities associated with long-term population studies of Antarctic penguin species. The applicant proposes using unmanned aerial systems (UAVs) and manual surveying techniques to improve understanding of penguin distribution and abundance in the Weddell Sea region. Flights will be conducted by trained pilots in fair-weather conditions and in the presence of observers. All flights over wildlife concentrations will be conducted at an altitude of no less than 40 meters, to limit possible disturbance to wild populations. This permit seeks to cover any harmful interference with wild populations that may result from UAV use as well as any take that may occur as a result of research activities.

Location: Danger Islands, Weddell Sea, Antarctica.

Dates of Permitted Activities: January 1, 2022-April 1, 2022.

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