[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 228 (Tuesday, November 27, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Page 60905]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-25742]


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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


Notice of Permit Applications Received Under the Antarctic 
Conservation Act of 1978

AGENCY: National Science Foundation.

ACTION: Notice of permit applications received.

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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 December 27, 2018. 
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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nature McGinn, ACA Permit Officer, at 
the above address, 703-292-8030, or [email protected].

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

Application Details

1. Applicant

Permit Application: 2019-015
    Robin West, Director of Expedition Operations, Onboard Revenue, 
Seabourn Quest, Seabourn Cruise Line Ltd., 450 Third Ave. W, Seattle, 
WA 98119.
    Activity for Which Permit Is Requested: Waste Management. The 
applicant proposes to operate a small, battery-operated remotely 
piloted aircraft system (RPAS) consisting, in part, of a quadcopter 
equipped with a camera to collect commercial and educational footage of 
the Antarctic, as well as for ice reconnaissance. The quadcopter would 
not be flown over concentrations of birds or mammals, or over Antarctic 
Specially Protected Areas. The RPAS would only be operated by pilots 
with extensive experience (<=20 hours), who are pre-approved by the 
Expedition Leader. Several Measures would be taken to prevent against 
loss of the quadcopter including a highly visible paint color; only 
operating when the wind is less than 25 knots; operating for only 15 
minutes at a time to preserve battery life; having prop guards on 
propeller tips; using a flotation device if operated over water; a 
``fail-safe and auto go home'' feature in the case of a loss of control 
link or low battery; having an observer on the lookout for wildlife, 
people, and other hazards; and ensuring that the separation between the 
operator and quadcopter does not exceed an operational range of 500 
meters. The applicant is seeking a Waste Permit to cover any accidental 
releases that may result from operating the RPAS.
    Location: Antarctic Peninsula Region.
    Dates of Permitted Activities: November 29, 2018-March 31, 2019.

Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 2018-25742 Filed 11-26-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 7555-01-P