Notice of Permits Issued Under the Antarctic Conservation Act of 1978

NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION

Notice of Permits Issued Under the Antarctic Conservation Act of

1978

AGENCY: National Science Foundation.

ACTION: Notice of permits application under the Antarctic Conservation

Act of 1978, Public Law 95-541.

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SUMMARY: The National Science Foundation (NSF) has received a request

for a waste management permit to be issued under the Antarctic

Conservation Act of 1978 to Forum International for a sky diving

expedition of up to 40 people to the South Pole, Antarctica.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Ms. Nadene Kennedy, Permit Office, Office of Polar Programs, Rm. 755,

National Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA

22230.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On July 10, 1996, the National Science

Foundation received a waste permit application from: Forum

International Inc., Friendship Expedition '97, Application for Waste

Disposal Permit, Prepared for: NSF Office of Polar Programs, Date: June

28, 1996.

A. Background of Forum International, Inc.

Forum International, Inc. (FII) was founded in 1965 as a non-profit

educational organization. Forum is dedicated to providing a world-wide

forum for education, research and action on a transdisciplinary supra-

national and ecosystemic basis with special emphasis on environmental

integrity, social responsibility, human health and fitness in their

widest sense and the ecosystemic interrelation among these various

factors.

B. Profile of Expedition Leaders and Demonstration of Ability

FII's Technical Director and Expedition Leader for the Friendship

Expedition is Robert D. ``Bob'' Christ of West Chester, PA USA. Bob is

an ATP rated pilot with over 4,000 hours of logged flight time. He is

also a United States Parachute Association-rated Accelerated Freefall

Instructor/Examiner with 1,400 logged skydives as well as a FAA-

certified Senior Parachute Rigger. Bob is a veteran of two North Pole

Skydiving Expeditions.

C. Equipment to be Used

The Friendship Expedition originates in Punta Arenas, Chile and

travels aboard an IL-78 (or functionally equivalent where equipment is

specified) to the South Pole where our expedition members will exit at

an altitude of 18,000 ft. MSL. Awaiting our arrival at the South Pole

will be an AN-74 STOL (Short Take-Off and Land) ski-equipped jet

transport. Upon dropping the personnel at the South Pole, the IL-78

will proceed to the blue-ice runway at Patriot Hills and await the

arrival of the expeditioners from the Pole. Once the expeditioners

arrive at Patriot Hills aboard the AN-74, they will board the IL-78 for

the return trip to Punta Arenas. Motorized equipment will be limited to

the IL-78 and AN-74. Two 30man Arctic tents will be used as housing for

the ground crew of the AN-74 as well as the expeditioners at the South

Pole. Propane heating for cooking and temperature control will be used

within the tents.

[[Page 45990]]

D. Trip Profile and Objectives

The trip is broken into two segments associated with the operation

of the individual aircraft. The AN-74 will travel from Punta Arenas to

King George Island and refuel for the trip to the South Pole. It will

then land at Patriot Hills and refuel from internal tank storage then

proceed to the South Pole to set up base camp to await the arrival of

the expeditioners. Once the expeditioners are prepared for evacuation,

the crew of the AN-74 will break camp and fly all to Patriot Hills for

equipment change. The AN-74 will then refuel from fuel aboard the IL-78

and proceed to King George Island then on to Punta Arenas for the

termination of the expedition.

The IL-78 will leave Punta Arenas with 40 expeditioners in route to

the South Pole. After checking the winds at the Pole and making a

flight at 500 feet for altimeter calibration, the aircraft will climb

to the exit altitude of 18,000 feet for exit. After dropping the

expeditioners, the IL-78 will proceed to Patriot Hills to set up camp

and await the arrival of the expeditioners. Upon arrival of the

expeditioners, the crew of the IL-78 will break camp and proceed back

to Punta Arenas with the expeditioners aboard. This profile will be

accomplished within three days.

VHF radio communications will be maintained in accordance with

procedures established by the Standing Committee on Antarctic Logistics

and Operations of the Council of Managers of National Antarctic

Programs. Proper notification will be given of visits to the South Pole

Station so as to properly coordinate flight operations.

E. Fuel Use and Emissions

Fuel for this expedition will be limited to the local equivalent of

AIWAIN-8 Aviation Jet Fuel and Propane LPG. The jet fuel will be aboard

and consumed in the IL-78 as well as the AN-74. Jet fuel will be stored

internally within the IL-78's cargo hold (the IL-78 is a tanker version

of the popular IL-76--the backbone of the Russian air cargo industry).

The AN-74 will store fuel internally as well as in the metric version

of 55 gallon drums within its cargo hold. Emissions will be limited to

that consumed by the drive sections of the propulsion turbines of the

aircraft. The propane usage will be limited to heating and cooking

stoves within the tents at the respective camp locations at the South

Pole and Patriot Hills.

F. Other Waste Generation and Disposal

The only other waste products generated during this operation will

be food refuge and human wastes. All solid wastes will be carried

aboard the aircraft to receive proper disposal back at Punta Arenas.

Human fecal matter will receive the same treatment as other solid

waste. All liquid refuse will be buried in snow pits in accordance with

the provisions of 45 CFR Part 671. However, no wastes will be disposed

of in the vicinity of the South Pole Station and surrounding research

sites.

G. Compliance With 45 CFR Part 671

All US citizen expedition members will receive copies of 45 CFR

Part 671 and will know its provisions in order to be on The Friendship

Expedition. the responsible member and point of contact for this

expedition is as follows: Robert D. ``Bob'' Christ, 115B East Biddle

Street, West Chester, PA 19380, Phone: (610)431-3237, e-mail:

[email protected]

All citizens of other nationalities will comply with that country's

regulatory requirements, but in no instance will they be in violation

of the environmental provisions of 45 CFR Part 671.

H. Itinerary for the Expedition

On or about, January 4, 1997 AN-74 leaves Punta Arenas for King

George Island then on to Patriot Hills where they will rest for the

trip to the Pole. On or about, January 5, 1997 AN-74 leaves Patriot

Hills for the South Pole and sets up camp outside of NSF compound. On

or about, January 6, 1997 IL-78 leaves Punta Arenas for the South Pole,

drops expeditioners and proceeds to Patriot Hills.

On or about, January 1, 1997 AN-74 leaves the South Pole with

expeditioners and travels to Patriot Hills. The expeditioners then

change equipment for their return trip to Punta Arenas. AN/4 refuels

and proceeds to King George Island then on to Punta Arenas for the

termination of the expedition.

I. Analysis of Environmental Impact

The exposure of pollutants to the Antarctic Environment will be

limited to emissions from the turbines of the jet aircraft and

emissions from propane stoves within the camp sites. All specially

Protected Areas as well as Sites of Special Scientific Interest will be

avoided. The Aircraft flight routes will travel mostly over routes

established by the Standing Committee on Antarctic Logistics and

Operations of the Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs.

All of the stopover points are base locations where current permanent

bases are maintained. The Friendship Expedition's marginal Cumulative

Impact Effects from previous operations by other operators are minimal.

There will be no incineration of any waste products. All equipment and

baggage will be inspected for the presence of exotic organisms before

leaving Punta Arenas and same will be eliminated before departure for

Antarctica. Since the planned stopover points are essentially ice-

bound, the risk of impacting terrestrial fauna and flora are minimal.

The environmental impact of this operation will be transitory and

minimal.

Safety and Contingency Plans

A. Fuel Spill Contingency Plan

Abroad the AN-74, fuel will be stored in the metric equivalent of

55 gallon drums. These drums are made to Russian military

specifications to be air-dropped and are extremely rugged. If fuel is

spilled, it will be limited to a maximum of the contents of the drums.

Fuel absorbent mats and drip pans will be used during refueling

operations. The batteries aboard the aircraft for system operations as

well as batteries for portable radios are contained in separate

compartments from other pollutants. Spill kits will be carried aboard

the aircraft in case of accidental spillage from the aircraft machinery

or battery leakage.

B. Emergency Evaluation and Medical Considerations

A total of two equipped doctors will be abroad the aircraft for

this operation and will arrived with the expedition members. All

airborne operations will be conducted so that if injury does occur,

immediate evaluation can be accomplished. Food and warming tents will

be established at the camps at Patriot Hills and the South Pole. Short

wave radio communications will be maintained at all times between base

camp in Punta Arenas and the 2 field camp locations at Patriot Hills

and the South Pole. All aircraft are equipped with survival equipment

and emergency supplies.

C. Monitoring and Audit Arrangements

Proper accounting of the fuel used as well as any ending inventory

will be maintained. All items taken from Punta Arenas will be

inventoried at the beginning of the expedition and either consumed or

brought back for proper disposal. Documents and accounting records are

available at any time for

[[Page 45991]]

inspection by representatives of the National Science Foundation or

USAP.

Supplemental Factors

A. Participant Qualifications and Minimum Experience Requirements

In order to participate on this expedition, the participants will

require a minimum of 500 parachute jumps. Also, they are required to

undergo Flight Physiological Training under a program approved by the

aviation board of their respective country. There will be approximately

5 high-profile members of the expedition who are not experienced

skydivers who will be accompanying an experienced tandem skydiving

instructor who will be responsible for their safety and conduct.

Further training on Antarctic Operations will be conducted before

departure from Punta Arenas. The majority of the participants are

veterans of one of our North Pole Skydiving Expeditions and are

experienced in cold weather operations.

B. Non-Interference With Other Scientific Projects

The Friendship Expedition will exercise caution not to interfere

with projects at the South Pole Station as well as any other

encountered along the travel route.

C. Conclusion

The Friendship Expedition represents no more than a minor or

transitory impact upon the Antarctic Environment. This expedition is

being undertaken and conducted by environmentally-responsible

individuals with the goal of protecting and maintaining the Ecology of

the Antarctic Continent for the generations to come.

Interested persons are asked to comment within 30 days of this

notice.

Ms. Nadene Kennedy,

Permit Office.

[FR Doc. 96-22181 Filed 8-29-96; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 7555-01-M