# Notice of Permit Applications Received under the Antarctic Conservation Act of 1978, P.L. 95-541 > Briefs, arguments, decisions, and more. URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/fr%3A94-25521 ## Record - **Collection:** Federal Register - **Document type:** Uncategorized Document - **Published:** October 14, 1994 ## Text NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION Notice of Permit Applications Received under the Antarctic Conservation Act of 1978, P.L. 95-541 AGENCY: National Science Foundation. ACTION: Notice of Permit Applications Received under the Antarctic Conservation Act of 1978, P.L. 95-541. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The National Science Foundation (NSF) is required to publish notice of permit applications received to conduct activities regulated 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 November 19, 1994. 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 (Public Law 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 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--John L. Bengtson, National Marine Mammal Laboratory, National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA, 7600 Sand Point Way, N.E., Seattle, Washington 98115. Permit Application No. 95-023. Activity for Which Permit is Requested Taking; Enter Sites of Special Scientific Interest; and, Import Into and Export From the United States. Pinniped research to be conducted consists of ship-supported studies in the circumpolar pack ice zone and land-based studies at selected sites around the continent, particularly in the region of the Antarctic Peninsula. A primary objective is to study the feeding ecology, reproduction, and population dynamics of Antarctic seals and to examine their role in the marine ecosystem. When logistically possible, time-depth recorders, radio transmitters, and satellite-linked electronics will be deployed on seals of various species to monitor their deeding and diving behavior. Instruments will be fastened to the pelage on the backs of individuals using cyanoacrylic glue and/or quick-setting epoxy, as has been successfully used in previous seasons. Recorders will be retrieved from seals up to 90 days after initial deployment. Those packages not recovered will be shed from the seals' backs at their next molt. Shore- based studies and surveys will investigate the numbers, behavior, and activity patterns of Antarctic fur seals and southern elephant seals. To facilitate the census work, temporary paint or bleach marks may be applied to seals hauled out in the survey area. Selected individuals may be tagged to assist identification and to monitor migrations. Aerial surveys will be flown to assess the abundance and distribution of pinnipeds in various habitats. In general, surveys will be flown over altitudes of 500 feet or greater to minimize potential disturbance. However, to allow greater flexibility in designing and conducting surveys, flights may be made at lower altitudes (but not less than 200 feet) when called for by conditions of survey design or human safety. Handling of seals while restrained will include marking, weighing, measuring, taking tissue samples (e.g., blubber, skin, blood, hair). Permission is requested to enter Cape Shirreff (SSSI #32) and Byers Peninsula (SSSI #6) on Livingston Island to study pinnipeds and seabirds. A comprehensive census of these populations was conducted during the 1986-87 austral summer, and repeat censuses are being planned for future seasons. In addition, studies of seabirds and pinnipeds, as described above, may be undertaken at Cape Shirreff as part of the CCAMLR Ecosystem Monitoring Program (CEMP). The applicant wishes to conduct directed research and monitoring of fur seals and seabirds at Cape Shirreff in accordance with CEMP recommendations. There is a possibility of recently-established fur seal colonies within the vicinity of the Byers Peninsula, and periodic censuses of the area would be desirable. At both sites, care will be taken to minimize disturbance to terrestrial habitats and lifeforms. All activities conducted would comply with the approved SSSI management plans in force for each area. To optimize the use of specimen material previously collected from Antarctic pennipeds, permission is requested to allow exchange of specimen material among researchers in various nations. Specifically, the applicant wishes to: (1) import Antarctic pinniped specimen material into the U.S., and (2) export Antarctic pinniped specimen material out of the U.S. to investigators collaborating in other countries. Authorization is requested to import and export previously collected specimen material from all six species of Antarctic pennipeds between the U.S. and other nations who have acceded to the Antarctic Treaty and the Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Seals. Accession to these treaties will ensure that specimens collected by foreign scientists will have been collected in compliance with the provisions of these two conventions. Location Circumpolar pack ice areas and sites ashore, Antarctic Peninsula region, South Shetland Islands vicinity; and Sites of Special Scientific Interest--Cape Shirreff (SSSI #32) and Byers Peninsula (SSSI #6), Livingston Island. Access will be by ship, boat, or helicopter (overflights of rookeries will be avoided). Dates January 1, 1995-December 31, 1999. 2. Applicant--Thomas A. Day and James B. McGraw, Department of Biology, West Virginia University, P.O. Box 6057, Morgantown, West Virginia 26506-6057. Permit Application No. 95-024. Activity for Which Permit Is Requested Take; Enter Site of Special Scientific Interest; and Import Into the United States. This research project will attempt to determine whether UV-B, particularly UV-B associated with ozone hole events, affects photosynthesis, growth, and reproductive performance of Antarctic vascular plants. they will assess the relative magnitude of this limitation by using experimental field treatments to compare UV-B to other potential limitations such as UV-A (ultraviolet-A radiation; 320- 400nm), water stress, and nutrient stress. The applicant proposes enter Biscoe Point, Anvers Island (SSSI #20) to collect up to 50 green tillers or shoots with root system of Antarctic hair grass (Deschampsia antarctica), and up to 20 seeds (filled seeds if found) of Antarctic pearlwort (Colobanthus quitensis). These samples will be transported to West Virginia University where they will be propagated and grown in growth cambers and a greenhouse. These plants will be exposed to various UV treatments and underlying physiological mechanisms responsible for their response to UV will be identified. Equipment, techniques, and facilities necessary for these investigations are not available at Palmer Station. Access to the site will be by zodiac from the ship. Plant material will be collected by hand and/or trowel. Location Biscoe Point, Anvers Island--Sites of Special Scientific Interest #20. Dates February 10-17, 1995. 3. Applicant--Donal T. Manahan, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089. Permit Application No. 95-025. Activity for Which Permit Is Requested Export from the United States and Introduce Non-indigenous Species into Antarctica. The applicant and four faculty members will offer a four-week course at the McMurdo Station Crary Science and Engineering Center for 16 students from major international research institutions. This second year of the course will emphasize four themes: 1) evolution of structure-function in cold-adapted proteins and biology of antifreeze strategies in antarctic fishes, 2) molecular evolution and UV-photobiology of antarctic algae, 3) comparative studies of protein and membrane adaptations to cold in marine invertebrates and fish, and 4) physiology and biochemistry of larval development of antarctic invertebrates. As part of the course, the applicant will need to culture species of unicellular algae in aseptic conditions. For this purpose, it is requested to export from the U.S. approximately 10ml of algae culture per species originally isolated in Antarctica. These cultures will be used for investigations of the effects of UV on the biology of algae (DNA damage, etc.) The algae species now in culture in the U.S., that were originally isolated in Antarctica, and to be exported from the U.S. are: Acrochaetium sp. Acrosiphonia sp. Bangia sp. Chaeoceros flexuosum Desmarestia antarctica Halochorococcum sp. Halococcus sp. Nitzchia curta Phaeocystis sp. Phyllophora antarctica Porosira glacialis Porphyra cf. plocamienstris Rhodochorton purpureum Thallassiosira antarctica Urospora sp. In addition, the applicant proposes to introduce algal species that are not of Antarctic origin for use as food for antarctic larval forms (sea urchins) that will be reared at McMurdo Station during the period of the course study. The non-indigenous algal species to be introduced into Antarctica are: Dunaliella teriolecta Isochrysis galbana Skeletonema costatum Thalassiosira pseudonana Rhodomonas sp. After use, all algae and seawater containing algae will be autoclaved to kill the algal cells. Location McMurdo Station, Antarctica. Dates December 18, 1994-February 7, 1995. 4. Applicant--Ronald G. Koger, Project Director, Antarctic Support Associates, 61 Inverness Drive East, Suite 300, Englewood, Colorado 80112. Permit Application No. 95-026. Activities for Which Permit Is Requested Taking. The applicant proposes to conduct operations at Cape Hallett in an effort to cleanup remnants of past operations. The location of the proposed work lies within a penguin rookery with a population of approximately 80,000 Adelie penguins. The proposed work involves delivering drums and overpacks to the site; transferring fuel, oil, solvent and antifreeze to the drums; and returning the materials to McMurdo Station. The cleanup will be accomplished in stages over a period of several years. Each phase has the potential of disturbing the local penguin population. The work is justified by the fact that the cleanup operation is an effort to eliminate a potentially hazardous situation which poses a threat to the health and well being of the penguin population should the old containers leak their contents due to corrosion. Disturbances would come from noise associated with the activity of personnel on site, use of equipment, and transportation to and from the site. Every effort will be taken to schedule activities at times when the penguins are least susceptible to these disturbances, for example, during times when the birds are not mating, breeding, or nesting. Location Seabee Hook, Cape Hallet, Victoria Land, Antarctica. Dates November 1, 1994-March 1, 1995. Nadene G. Kennedy, Permit Office, Office of Polar Programs. [FR Doc. 94-25521 Filed 10-13-94; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7555-01-M --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/fr%3A94-25521. Public record. Not legal advice.