# Notice of Permits Issued Under the Antarctic Conservation Act of 1978 > Briefs, arguments, decisions, and more. URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/fr%3A96-22181 ## Record - **Collection:** Federal Register - **Document type:** Notice - **Published:** August 30, 1996 - **Citation:** 61 FR 45989 ## Text 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. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/fr%3A96-22181. Public record. Not legal advice.