Permit Applications Received Under the Antarctic Conservation Act of 1978 (Pub. L. 95-541)

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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION

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.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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 September 16,

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.

SUPPLEMENTAL 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:

[Permit Application No. 96-001]

1. Applicant: Carol M. Vleck and Theresa Bucher, Department of

Zoology and Genetics, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011

Activity for Which Permit Is Requested

The applicants propose to handle approximately 550 birds (500

adults, 50 chicks) each season during a two-year study on the

reproductive endocrinology of free-living Adelie Penguins near Palmer

Station, Antarctica. Over the course of several different experiments,

birds will be banded and blood samples taken from up to 450 to

determine levels of reproductive hormones at all stages of the

reproductive cycle. In addition blood samples will also be used to

determine levels of stress hormone from birds in a colony with frequent

human visitation and compared with those at a control site.

Observations of birds will be conducted to assess reproductive state

and success rates. If penguins have eggs or chicks in the nest at the

time of handling, the eggs and chicks will be protected from predation

and/or cooling while the parents are being held.

Location

Vicinity of Palmer Station, Anners Island, Antarctica Peninsula.

Dates

October 1, 1995-March 31, 1996.

[Permit Application No. 96-002]

2. Applicant: Diana W. Freckman, Natural Resource Ecology

Laboratory, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523

Activity for Which Permit Is Requested

Import into the U.S. and Enter Site of Special Scientific Interest.

The applicant proposes to enter five (5) Sites of Special

Scientific Interest to collect soil samples to examine the dispersal

and survival of nematodes in the soils, as well as examining how

functional communities develop, and how these communities may be

affected by disturbance. Site access will be by helicopter to the

landing pad designated for each site and the duration of the visit to

the site will be limited to several hours with a group of no more than

4-5 people. Soil sampling protocols have been selected to minimize site

disturbance. Manner of taking: Soil and/or rock samples will be placed

in sterile plastic bags and returned to McMurdo where the nematodes

will be immediately extracted. Remaining soil samples will be shipped

to the U.S. for further biological and chemical analyses, and will be

handled according to USDA guidelines.

Location

Cape Royds, Ross Island (SSSI #1); Cape Crozier, Ross Island (SSSI

#4); Caughley Beach, Cape Bird, Ross Island (SSSI #10); Canada Glacier,

Lake Fryxell, Taylor Valley, Victoria Land (SSSI #12); and, Linnaeus

Terrace, Asgaard Range, Victoria Land (SSSI #19).

Dates

October 26, 1995-January 31, 1996.

[Permit Application No. 96-003]

3. Applicant: Wayne Z. Trivelpiece, Department of Biology, Montana

State University, Bozeman, Montana 59717

Activity for Which Permit Is Requested

Taking; Import into the U.S.; and, Enter Site of Special Scientific

Interest.

Approximately 1,000 Adelie and Gentoo chicks will be banded, as

well as 300 adults of Adelie, Gentoo and Chinstrap penguins, as needed

to fulfill research goals in the continuing study of the behavioral

ecology and population biology of these species and the interactions

among these species and their principal avian predators: Skuas, gulls,

sheathbills, and giant fulmars. Up to 50 adults of each penguin species

will be fitted with radio transmitters and time-depth recorders to

continue studying penguin foraging habits. The study also involves

stomach pumping of 40 adult penguins per species. In addition the

principal avian predators of the penguins, mentioned above, will also

be studied, requiring up to 200 adults and chicks of each species to be

banded, if possible. One (1) milliliter sample of blood will be

collected from each of a maximum of 20 breeding adults of each penguin

species for DNA analysis as part of a collaborative genetic study. All

captured birds will be released unharmed. Carcasses and skeletons of

penguins and other birds salvaged at the study site will be imported

into the U.S. for educational and scientific study.

Location

SSSI #8--Western Shore of Admiralty Bay, King George Island, South

Shetland Islands, Antarctica.

Dates

October 1, 1995-April 1, 1996.

[Permit Application No. 96-004]

4. Applicant: Donald B. Siniff, 100 Ecology Building, University of

Minnesota, 1987 Upper Buford Circle, St. Paul, Minnesota 55108

Activity for Which Permit Is Requested

Take. Import into the U.S. Enter Site of Special Scientific

Interest.

The applicant proposes the enter the White Island Site of Special

Scientific Interest (SSSI #18) to tag up to 15 adult Weddell seals, and

tag and draw blood samples from approximately 5 Weddell pups, as part

of a continuing population biology study conducted by the Smithsonian

Institution. The White Island seal population has been a focus of

interest dating to the early 1960's.

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This group of seals represents an isolated population that is very

small and the evidence suggests it has very limited exchange of

individuals with the McMurdo Sound population. Thus, the genetics of

this population is of interest because it will increase understanding

of such concepts as inbreeding depression and genetic drift.

Location

SSSI #18--North-west White Island, McMurdo Sound, Antarctica.

Dates

October 1, 1995-September 30, 1996.

[Permit Application No. 96-005]

5. Applicant: Donald B. Siniff, 100 Ecology Building, University of

Minnesota, 1987 Upper Buford Circle, St. Paul, Minnesota 55108

Activity for Which Permit Is Requested

Taking. Import into the U.S.

The applicant plans to tag and release approximately 350 Weddell

adult seals and approximately 550 Weddell pups as part of a continuing

investigation of the McMurdo Sound Weddell seal population, which was

begun in the early 1960's and has continued to the present. In

addition, blood samples will be taken from up to 180 individuals, with

up to 100 samples being imported to the U.S. for further analyses on

the genetic characteristics of the Antarctic seal populations.

Objectives of this research are (1) to continue the long-term tagging

studies by tagging all pups born into the McMurdo Sound population and

to replace tags on previously tag individuals so they will not be lost

from the tagged population, and (2) to update estimates of population

parameters annually and to continue the analyses and test of hypotheses

associated with this data base. Mark-recapture surveys, necessary to

obtain all the estimates required for current capture-recapture models,

will also be conducted.

Location

McMurdo Sound vicinity, Antarctica.

Dates

October 1, 1995-September 30, 1996.

[Permit Application No. 96-006]

6. Applicant: Colin M. Harris, International Centre for Antarctic,

Information and Research, PO Box 14-199, Christchurch, New Zealand

Activity for Which Permit Is Requested

Enter Specially Protected Areas and Sites of Special Scientific

Interest.

The applicant proposes to enter Cape Hallett (SPA #7), Cape Royds

(SSSI #1), Arrival Heights (SSSI #2), Barwick Valley (SSSI #3), Cape

Crozier (SSSI #4), Northwest White Island (SSSI #18), and Linneaus

Terrace (SSSI #19) in a continuation of a joint U.S./N.Z. project to

review management plans for protected areas in the Ross Sea region.

Thus far, thirteen (13) of the fifteen (15) sites have been visited.

This season the applicant proposes to visit Cape Hallett, one of the

two remaining sites, to describe and map geographical features,

including important natural and historical features, evidence of human

modifications, structures, markers, impacts, landing and access points

and paths; document natural or human features of special significance;

describe scientific work being conducted in the area, its effects and

influences; assess whether the area is continuing to serve the purpose

for which it was designated, including re-assessment of boundaries and

management objectives; and, use a Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) to

map boundaries and define designated photo points covering the most

important features of the site as practical. In addition, the applicant

proposes to return to several previously visited sites to gather and

assist with management problems identified in previous visit reports.

Access to Cape Hallett vicinity may be provided by Twin Otter, while

direct site access will be on foot. Access to other site locations will

be provided by helicopter or vehicle, as appropriate. Access will

comply with existing management plan provisions for each site.

Location

Cape Hallett (SPA #7), Cape Royds (SSSI #17), Arrival Heights (SSSI

#2), Barwick Valley (SSSI #3), Cape Crozier (SSSI #4), Northwest White

Island (SSSI #18), and Linneaus Terrace (SSSI #19).

Dates

November 1, 1995-February 1, 1996.

[Permit Application No. 96-007]

7. Applicant: Arthur L. DeVries, Department of Molecular and

Integrated Physiology, 524 Burrill Hall, University of Illinois, 407

South Goodwin Avenue, Urbana, Illinois 61801

Activity for Which Permit Is Requested

Introduction of Non-indigenous Species into Antarctica.

Fifteen specimens of adult male and female wetas, Hemideina maori

(flightless insects), will be transported from New Zealand to the Crary

Science and Engineering Center at McMurdo Station, Antarctica. The

wetas are a freeze tolerant insect which will be used in experiments to

determine if small amounts of fish antifreeze glycopeptides (AFGP's)

can enhance freezing tolerance. The wetas are the only freeze-tolerant

insects large enough (2 to 3 inches) for implanting a cannula for

removal of hemolymph and injection of AFGP's, which makes the proposed

experiments feasible. The insects will be maintained in a temperature

controlled walk-in freezer. Upon completion of experiments, the wetas

or their remains will be returned to New Zealand or preserved in

formalin.

Location

McMurdo Station, Antarctica.

Dates

October 1, 1995-February 27, 1996.

[Permit Application No. 96-008]

8. Applicant: Arthur L. DeVries, Department of Molecular and

Integrative Physiology, 524 Burrill Hall, University of Illinois,

407 South Goodwin Avenue, Urbana, Illinois 61801

Activity for Which Permit Is Requested

Introduction of Non-indigenous Species into Antarctica.

Fifteen (15) specimens of New Zealand black cod, Notothenia

angustata, will be cold acclimated in a closed seawater system in the

aquarium at McMurdo Station. The cold acclimated specimens will be used

in experiments to determine the role of the antifreeze glycopeptides in

freezing avoidance, and for isolating DNA. The DNA will be screened for

the presence of an ``unexpressed'' antifreeze glycopeptide gene. Upon

completion of experiments, the black code will be sacrificed and

preserved in formalin.

Location

McMurdo Station, Ross Island, Antarctica.

Dates

October 1, 1995-February 27, 1996.

[Permit Application No. 96-009]

9. Applicant: Brenda Hall and George Denton, Institute for

Quaternary Studies, 320 Boardman Hall, University of Maine, Orono,

Maine 04469-5711

Activity of Which Permit Is Requested

Enter Site of Special Scientific Interest.

The applicants are carrying out a large mapping project to

determine the former extent of a grounded ice sheet in the Ross Sea

during the last glaciation. Much of the work has been concentrated on

the Dry Valley regions where lobes of the grounded Ross Sea Ice Sheet

flowed inland into the mouths of the valleys. Barwick Valley (SSSI #3)

was last mapped in the 1960's. According to that work, inland ice

advanced down Barwick Valley simultaneously with ice

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advance into Lower Victoria Valley. The Lower Victoria Valley deposits

indicate the presence of a lake, not an ice tongue. Based on

descriptions of Barwick Valley deposits from previous mapping and

observations during last season's reconnaissance, the applicants

believe a lake may have also extended into this area. The applicants

have identified several deltas around Lake Vashka in the Barwick Valley

that are at the same elevation as deltas in the Lower Victoria Valley

which indicate the possible presence of a large lake that would have

filled all of Victoria Valley and extended into the Barwick.

Work in the Barwick Valley will primarily involve mapping by taking

detailed elevation measurements of Lake Vashka deltas, however, small

(10 cm x 10 cm) fossil algae samples will be collected for AMS

radiocarbon dating. Determining the age and precise elevation of deltas

will provide information on the timing of lake-level high-stand in the

Victoria Valley System. Comparisons between the valleys will yield

important information about lake-level variations during the glacial

period and valuable paleoclimate data. Access to Barwick Valley will be

by foot from the Victoria Valley.

Location

Barwick Valley, Victoria Land (SSSI #3).

Dates

October 10, 1995-February 15, 1996.

[Permit Application No. 96-019]

10. Applicant: Ronald G. Koger, Project Director, Antarctic Support

Associates, 61 Inverness Drive East, Suite 300, Englewood, Colorado

80112

Activity for Which Permit Is Requested

Enter Specially Protected Area.

The applicant proposes to enter the Litchfield Island Specially

Protected Area (SPA #17) to conduct an annual inspection and resupply

of the survival cache located on the island for boating safety, and

assess the condition of notification signs located at three primary

landing sites which indicate Litchfield Island is a Specially Protected

Area.

Location

SPA #17--Litchfield Island, Arthur Harbor, Palmer Archipelago.

Dates

May 1, 1995-April 30, 2000.

[Permit Application No. 96-011]

11. Applicant: Donal T. Manahan, Department of Biological Sciences,

University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089-

0371

Activity for Which Permit Is Requested

Export from the United States and Introduce Non-indigenous Species

into Antarctica.

The applicant proposes to culture species of unicellular algae for

use in investigations of molecular evolution and UV-photobiology of

antarctic algae and as food for antarctic larval forms (sea urchins)

used in studying the physiology and biochemistry of larval development

of antarctic invertebrates. The applicant will culture the imported

unicellular algae in aseptic conditions. For this purpose, it is

requested to export from the U.S. approximately 10 ml 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

October 1, 1995-February 20, 1998.

[Permit Application No. 96-012]

12. Applicant: Ronald G. Koger, Project Director, Antarctic Support

Associates, 61 Inverness Drive East, Suite 300, Englewood, Colorado

80112

Activity for Which Permit Is Requested

Taking. The applicant proposes to continue operations at Cape

Hallett in an effort to clean up remnants of past operations. The

location of the proposed work lies within a penguin rookery with a

population of approximately 80,000 Adelie penguins (Pygoscelis

adeliae). The proposed work for 1995-96 involves a reconnaissance

flight to assess site conditions and removing drums containing old

fuel, oil, solvents, and anti-freeze from the area using a U.S. Coast

Guard icebreaker. An assessment will also be conducted to evaluate

plans to dismantle and remove a large fuel tank and building from the

area. The effort would be conducted in following years. The proposed

work is justified by the fact the cleanup operations are an effort to

eliminate a potentially hazardous situation which poses a threat to the

health and well being of the penguin population should the present

containers leak due to corrosion or some other accidental event.

All proposed work has the potential of disturbing the local penguin

population. However, 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 Hallett, Victoria Land, Antarctica.

Dates

October 1, 1995-March 1, 2000.

[Permit Application No. 96-014]

13. Applicant: James A. Raymond, Department of Biological Sciences,

University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Nevada 89154-4004

Activity for Which Permit Is Requested

Enter Site of Special Scientific Interest. The applicant proposes

to collect marine uni-algal samples (single species samples) from a

variety of locations, including sea water accessible through ice cracks

within the White Island Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI #18).

The samples will be used to determine the distribution of antifreeze-

like proteins in Antarctic marine algae. Access to White Island SSSI is

desirable due to the dense algal bloom in late November-early December.

Sampling at this location could possibly provide new species of algae

on which protein assays can be conducted.

Location

SSSI #18--Northwest White Island, McMurdo Sound.

Dates

November 11, 1995-December 20, 1995.

[Permit Application No. 96-015]

14. Applicant: Gerald L. Kooyman, Center for Marine Biotechnology

and Biomedicine, Scripps Institution of Oceanography,

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University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093-0204

Activity for Which Permit is Requested

Taking; Import into the U.S.; Enter Specially Protected Area; and

Enter Site of Special Scientific Interest.

Ground counts will be made at two major Emperor colonies (Cape

Washington and Coulman Island) and at a third smaller and most southern

Emporer colony (Cape Crozier) bordering the Ross Sea. This is a

continuation of the longest series of censuses of Emperor penguins in

Antarctica. The Coulman Island census is especially important because

the colony declined nearly 50 percent in 1993 and 1994 from that in

1992. Cape Crozier remains small, less than 600 chicks, and its

existence still seems tenuous after its decline to 15 chicks in the

1970's.

The applicant also proposes to capture up to 40 adult Emperor

penguins, near the McMurdo ice edge or at Cape Washington, which will

be maintained in an enclosure on the sea ice for up to 2 months while

behavioral and physiological experiments are conducted. The birds will

be allowed to dive at will through an ice hole. The birds will be

weighed daily, and will be hand-fed a fish supplement, in addition to

their foraging, to ensure weight is maintained or increased while

captive. This experiment is designed to explore and comprehend the

physiological responses that support the great diving capacities of

these birds. A total of 50 Emperor chicks will be captured and released

at Cape Washington over the course of the season. Blood and muscle

samples will be obtained from 30 chicks. In early January, 4 Emperor

fledglings will be captured and released after the attachment of a

satellite transmitter. Furthermore, 15 chicks that have failed to

fledge at Cape Washington will be collected and moved to an enclosure

in the vicinity of McMurdo Station where they will be hand-fed and the

development of their diving abilities studied. After one month, they

will be released at the ice edge. If possible the applicant proposes to

collect 10 frozen eggs and salvage 2 adult Emperor carcasses for

importation into the U.S. The eggs will remain frozen at Scripps until

destructive analysis is completed. The two carcasses will also be held

at Scripps until a full necropsy can be performed, after which the

remains will be destroyed.

Location

Beaufort Island (SPA #5), Cape Crozier (SSSI #4), Coulman Island,

and Cape Washington, McMurdo Sound vicinity.

Dates

October 1, 1995-March 31, 1996.

[Permit Application No. 96-016]

15. Applicant: Warwick F. Vincent, Department of Biology, Universite

Laval, Sainte Foy, Quebec, Canada

Activity for Which Permit Is Requested

Enter Site of Special Scientific Interest.

The applicant proposes to enter the Canada Glacier Site of Special

Scientific Interest (SSSI #12) for the purpose of conducting a site

visit to inspect the current state of the environment within the SSSI.

The applicant is currently involved in editing the Environmental Code

of Conduct and Environmental Management Workshop report for the Dry

Valleys and intends to apply the environmental perturbation matrix

developed to this site and others.

Location

Canada Glacier, Fryxell Stream, Lake Fryxell, Taylor Valley,

Victoria Land (SSSI #12).

Dates

December 1, 1995-December 20, 1995.

[Permit Application No. 96-018]

16. Applicant: Ronald G. Koger, Project Director, Antarctic Support

Associates, 61 Inverness Drive, East, Suite 300, Englewood, Colorado

80112

Activity for Which Permit Is Requested

Taking.

The applicant proposes to remove antarctic animals from McMurdo

Station runways, roads, and ice pier as is necessary for operational

safety and well being of the animals and U.S. Antarctic Program

participants. The affected animals include Adelie penguins (Pygoscelis

adeliae), Emperor penguins (Aptenodytes forsteri), Weddell seals

(Leptonychotes weddelli), Crabeater seals (London carcinophagus), and

Skuas (catharacta loonbergi and catharacta maccormicki). The movements

of airplanes, ships and support vehicles into and out of McMurdo

Station are essential to USAP for transportation of personnel,

equipment, supplies, and waste materials. Periodically, native seal,

penguin and skua species enter aircraft runways, roads, and the ice

pier. Such invasions pose operational safety concerns, as well as

potential harm to the animals. Removal activities will be conducted in

a nonlethal and humane manner in order to cause as little disturbance

as possible. Herding and reporting procedures have been developed and

training for individuals with responsibility for removal of animals

will be conducted by science laboratory personnel.

Location

McMurdo Station vicinity and its associated airfields (Williams

Field, Pegasus, Ice Runway), roads and ice pier.

Dates

October 1, 1995-March 1, 2000.

[Permit Application No. 96-019]

17. Applicant: John Splettstoesser; 235 Camden Street, #32, Box 132,

Rockland, Maine 04841

Activity for Which Permit Is Requested

Taking, and Import into the U.S.

The applicant proposes to salvage up to ten (10) Emperor penguin

chick carcasses and up to four (4) abandoned Emperor penguin eggs in

frozen condition for mounting and display in two separate museum

educational exhibits. The applicant will serve as a naturalist lecturer

onboard a cruise ship this coming season. As a result of prior

experience in visiting Emperor penguin rookeries in the eastern Weddell

Sea during the last two summers, large numbers of chicks were observed

to have died from unknown causes (starvation, weather extremes,

diseases, etc.). Two museums (1) Maritime Museum, Port Stanley, the

Falkland Islands, and (2) Natural History Museum, College of the

Atlantic, Bar Harbor, Maine, have expressed interest in obtaining

specimens (5 chick corpses and 2 eggs, each) for educational exhibits.

The applicant will be returning to the eastern Weddell Sea area this

season. Collection of specimens will be done by qualified naturalist

staff onboard the cruise ship (icebreaker) and preserved for transport

under frozen conditions to their destinations. The specimens destined

for the Maritime Museum will be delivered directly to Port Stanley from

Antarctica and will not enter the U.S. Remaining samples will be

delivered to the museum in Maine.

Location

Atka Bay, Riiser-Larsen Iceshelf and other Emperor colonies in the

eastern Weddell Sea vicinity.

Dates

November 1, 1995-March 31, 1996.

[Permit Application No. 96-020]

18. Applicant: Bruce D. Marsh, Department of Earth and Planetary

Sciences, 323 Olin Hall, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore,

Maryland 21218

[[Page 44085]]

Activity for Which Permit Is Requested

Enter Site of Special Scientific Interest.

The applicant proposes to enter the Barwick Valley Site of Special

Scientific Interest (SSSI #3) to conduct geologic mapping and sample

collecting. The nature and style of the Ferrar dolerites (specific rock

formation) will be traced on topographic maps and samples of rock will

be collected to characterize each formation at a number of locations.

Rock samples will be shipped to the U.S. for cutting and crushing for

analysis.

Location

SSSI #3--Barwick Valley, Victoria Land, Antarctica.

Dates

January 1, 1996-January 24, 1996.

Nadene G. Kennedy,

Permit Office, Office of Polar Programs.

[FR Doc. 95-20939 Filed 8-23-95; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 7555-01-M