Notice of Permit Applications Received Under the Antarctic Conservation Act of 1978 (Public Law 95-541)

AGENCY:

National Science Foundation.

ACTION:

Notice of permit applications received under the Antarctic Conservation Act of 1978, Public Law 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 May 13, 2000. 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) 306-1030.

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 Antarctic 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:

1. Applicant

Permit Application No. 2001-007.

Rudof S. Scheltema, Biology Department, MS34, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, Massachusetts 02543.

Activity for Which Permit Is Requested

Introduce non-indigenous species into Antarctica.

The applicant proposes use Thalassiosera pseudonana, Isochryois galbana, and Dunaliella tertiolecta cultures of unicellular algae in rearing zooplankton organisms. Indigenous zooplankton will be collected in antarctic waters and reared in the laboratory onboard ship, using the above named unicellular algae as food. The study will deal with the history of antarctic organisms, in particular with the larvae of benthic organisms. The larval life history is especially important in understanding the demography of bottom organisms. At the completion of the study, the algal cultures will be disposed of by heat sterilization.

Location

Onboard R/V LAURENCE M. GOULD research vessel in the region of the South Shetland Islands.

Dates

May 15, 2000 to June 15, 2000.