SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The U.S. National Science Foundation, as directed by the Antarctic Conservation Act of 1978 (Pub. L. 95-541, 16 U.S.C. 2401 et seq.), as amended by the Antarctic Science, Tourism and Conservation Act of 1996 (Pub. L. 104-227), has developed regulations (45 CFR parts 670 to 674) for the establishment of a permit system for various activities in Antarctica related to the designation of certain animals and certain geographic areas as requiring special protection, among other purposes.

Application Details

Permit Application: 2027-001

1. Applicant: Paul Ponganis, CMBB, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UCSD, La Jolla, CA 92093-0204

Activity for Which Permit Is Requested: Take, Harmful Interference, Enter Antarctic Specially Protected Area (45 CFR 670). The applicant proposes continuing ongoing research examining the oxygen transport systems of emperor penguins ( Aptenodytes forsteri) in Antarctica. The applicant proposes capturing up to 35 non-breeding or sub-adult penguins from the McMurdo Sound region or, if necessary, in Cape Washington (ASPA 173). If needed, the applicant will access ASPA 173 by fixed-wing aircraft in accordance with the ASPA management plan. Throughout the course of the physiology study, penguins will be kept captive on ( printed page 64407) the sea ice, but will be allowed to dive and forage at will. Research activities involve the administration of general anesthesia and the attachment of instrumentation to measure oxygen levels, heart rate/stroke rate, and dive depth/activity. In some penguins, blood samples may be collected during dives. Up to 20 samples will be collected and stored at McMurdo Station for later analysis. At the end of each dive study, equipment will be removed, and the penguins will be released at the McMurdo sea ice edge, where they will be able to rejoin nearby colonies.

Location: McMurdo Sound, ASPA 173—Cape Washington and Silverfish Bay.

Dates of Permitted Activities: October 1, 2026-December 20, 2026.

Permit Application: 2027-002

2. Applicant: Michael Gooseff, University of Colorado Boulder, 4001 Discovery Dr., Boulder, CO 80303.

Activity for Which Permit Is Requested: Take, Enter Antarctic Specially Protected Area (45 CFR 670). The applicant proposes to enter ASPA 131, Canada Glacier, Lake Fryxell, to continue operation of a previously installed, continuously recording stream gauge station, perform maintenance, conduct stream flow measurements and collect water quality samples near the stream gauge site. The applicant would collect water quality samples of the melt-water of the Canada Glacier and along the length of the stream to study in-stream biogeochemical processes. The applicant would collect a maximum of five moss samples per year using a 3 cm corer to a depth of about 3 cm and a maximum of five soil samples of approximately 200 g per sample per year from which to extract nematodes. Photography, LIDAR, Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and other survey and monitoring techniques may be used to detect changes in the stream bed and algal mat distribution over time, and/or to monitor the change in the stream gauge system through time. The applicant also proposes to enter ASPA 172, Lower Taylor Glacier and Blood Falls, to continue measurements of the Santa Fe Stream including: stream-flow using velocity meters; pH, temperature, and conductivity via meters; and collection of water quality samples. The collection of water from the Blood Falls area would occur on the glacial moraine, not the glacier itself, and the sample would be small (<1 L) and comprised of both brine reservoir discharge (when present) and surface ice melt-water.

Location: ASPA 131—Canada Glacier, Lake Fryxell, Taylor Valley, Victoria Land; ASPA 172—Lower Taylor Glacier and Blood Falls, Taylor Valley, McMurdo Dry Valleys, Victoria Land; McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica.

Dates of Permitted Activities: February 28, 2026-February 28, 2031.

Permit Application: 2027-003

3. Applicant: Douglas Krause, Southwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, 8901 La Jolla Shores Drive, La Jolla, CA 92037

Activity for Which Permit Is Requested: Waste Management (45 CFR 671). The applicant proposes to conduct waste management activities in association with ship and shore-based research and logistic activities conducted by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Antarctic Marine Living Resources (AMLR) Program. The AMLR Program conducts research from vessel and autonomous platforms in the Antarctic Peninsula region, collecting environmental, oceanographic, primary productivity, finfish, and prey data. Research is also conducted at two temporary field camps in the South Shetland Islands, Antarctica: Cape Shirreff and Copacabana. Ocean-based research activities will include the deployment of retrievable instrumentation. Instruments to be deployed include several long-range underwater gliders to measure environmental conditions and population densities, as well as up to 20 stationary moorings. Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) will also be deployed from research vessels for surveying and censusing purposes. Deployment of all retrievable instrumentation will be performed by trained personnel associated with the research project.

Continuation of long-term research activities at the Cape Shirreff field camp will include deployment and maintenance of up to 30 autonomous cameras to assist in studies of avian and pinniped breeding colonies, deployment of snow gauges, and continued use of UAS for census surveying of surrounding fauna. Maintenance activities proposed for the seasonal field camps include the continued upkeep of existing temporary structures and the removal of construction debris from previous temporary structures. Research activities proposed at the Copacabana field camp are similar to those at Cape Shirreff, including deployment of autonomous cameras and use of UAS for surveying purposes. All UAS pilots are FAA-licensed remote aircraft pilots, and care will be taken to follow all best practices for UAS operation in polar regions along with all appropriate safety measures.

Wastes and designated pollutants associated with typical field camp operations will be generated, released, stored, and removed at both camps. Releases of wastes to water will be limited to greywater and human sewage only. Wastes and designated pollutants resulting from scientific research include materials used to mark animals and attach necessary instrumentation. Additional waste may be generated by maintenance activities but mitigation measures will be put in place to minimize the introduction of waste into the environment. Other solid wastes will be either removed from the continent or incinerated, and the ash and residue removed. For designated pollutants stored at field camps, strict protocols for storage and handling will be followed. All U.S. AMLR personnel will receive proper training on handling and management of designated pollutants prior to deployment.

Location: Antarctic Peninsula region; Cape Shirreff, Livingston Island; Copacabana, western shore of Admiralty Bay.

Dates of Permitted Activities: November 1, 2026-October 31, 2031.

Permit Application: 2027-004

4. Applicant: Douglas Krause, Southwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, 8901 La Jolla Shores Drive, La Jolla, CA 92037

Activity for Which Permit Is Requested: Take, Harmful Interference, Enter Antarctic Specially Protected Area, Import into USA (45 CFR 670). The applicant proposes to continue the conduct of research activities by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Antarctic Marine Living Resources (AMLR) Program in the Antarctic Peninsula region as part of a long-term ecosystem monitoring program established in 1986. The applicant proposes take and harmful interference activities for Antarctic fur seals (Arctocephalus gazelle), leopard seals ( Hydrurga leptonyx), Weddell seals ( Leptonychotes weddellii), crabeater seals ( Lobodon carcinophaga), southern elephant seals ( Mirounga leonine) and Ross seals ( Ommatophoca rossii) by harassment associated with life-history studies and surveys to census or estimate abundance and distribution of pinnipeds. Specific take activities include capture/handling/release of animals for studies of attendance behavior, diving, and at-sea foraging location, diet, and population dynamics. Animals will be ( printed page 64408) sedated and anesthetized during tagging and sampling procedures. Procedures include standard measuring of morphometrics, ultra-sounding, attaching of instrumentation, blood and tissue sampling and flipper marking/tagging. All studies of foraging ecology, population dynamics, mark-recapture, census, reproductive success, and energetics are part of a long-term monitoring effort coordinated with other Antarctic Treaty nations under the auspices of the Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources. The applicant holds a current NOAA Marine Mammal Protection Act permit for these activities.

The applicant also proposes to continue studies of the behavioral ecology and population biology of the Adélie, gentoo, chinstrap and king penguins, as well as interactions among these species and their principal avian predators. Specific take activities associated with avian research include capture/handling/release, attaching of instrumentation, tagging/banding, weighing/measuring of individuals, tissue and egg sampling, diet sampling, placing of nest markers and censusing. The number of takes and harmful interference per annum of each avian species will be as follows: chinstrap penguin ( Pygoscelis antarcticus)—3320, Adélie penguin ( Pygoscelis adeliae) 2880, Gentoo penguin ( Pygoscelis papua) 3020, king penguin ( Aptenodytes patagonicus) 120, Macaroni penguin ( Eudyptes chrysolophus) 120, brown skua ( Catharacta lonnbergi) 600, south polar skua ( Catharacta maccormicki) 600, giant petrel ( macronectes giganteus) 600, kelp gull ( Larus dominicanus) 100, blue-eyed shag ( Phalacrocorax atriceps) 150, snowy sheathbill ( Chionis alba) 45, and cape petrel ( Daption capensis) 200.

The applicant also proposes to continue to enter Antarctic Specially Protected Areas 149—Cape Shirreff and 128—Western Shore of Admiralty Bay as long term research sites. Additionally, the applicant anticipates conducting intermittent peninsula-wide pinniped and seabird surveys. As such, access to all ASPAs in the South Shetland Islands and in the Antarctic Peninsula region is proposed. Entry to sites will be made via U.S. AMLR charter, or other vessels as available, with immediate access via zodiac operations. Peninsula-wide pinniped and seabird surveys may include the use of unmanned aerial vehicles and photogrammetry. All species, pinniped and avian, are subject to harmful interference due to census (aerial or ground) and other work described in this application.

Location: Antarctic Peninsula region; ASPA 108—Green Island, Berthelot Islands, Antarctic Peninsula; ASPA 112—Coppermine Peninsula, Robert Island; ASPA 113—Litchfield Island, Arthur Harbor, Palmer Archipelago; ASPA 125—Fildes Peninsula, King George Island, South Shetland Islands; ASPA 126—Byers Peninsula, Livingston Island, South Shetland Islands; ASPA 128—Western Shore of Admiralty Bay, King George Island; ASPA 132—Potter Peninsula, King George Island, South Shetland Islands; ASPA 133—Harmony Point, Nelson Island, South Shetland Island; ASPA 134—Cierva Point offshore islands, Danco Coast, Antarctic Peninsula; ASPA 139—Biscoe Point, Anvers Island; ASPA 140—Shores of Port Foster, Deception Island, South Shetland Islands; ASPA 144—Chile Bay; ASPA 145—Port Foster, Deception Island, South Shetland Islands; ASPA 146—South Bay, Doumer Island, Palmer Archipelago; ASPA 148—Mount Flora, Hope Bay, Antarctic Peninsula; ASPA 149—Cape Shirreff, Livingston Island, South Shetland Islands; ASPA 150—Ardley Island, Maxwell Bay, King George Island, South Shetland Islands; ASPA 151—Lions Rump, King George Island, South Shetland Islands; ASPA 171—Narebski Point, Barton Peninsula, King George Island; ASPA 176—Rosenthal Islands, Anvers Island, Palmer Archipelago; ASPA 177—Leonie Islands and South-East Adelaide Island, Antarctic Peninsula; ASPA 180—Danger Islands Archipelago, North-eastern Antarctic Peninsula; ASPA 181—Farrier Col, Horseshoe Island, Marguerite Bay; ASPA 182—Western Bransfield Strait and Eastern Dallman Bay; ASPA 183—Parts of Signy Island and adjacent islands, South Orkney Island; ASPA 184—Collins Bay, Kyiv Peninsula, Graham Coast, Antarctic Peninsula.

Dates of Permitted Activities: November 1, 2026-October 31, 2031.

Permit Application: 2027-005

5. Applicant: David Rootes, Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions, 4741 S Commerce Dr., Salt Lake City, UT 84107

Activity for Which Permit Is Requested: Waste Management (45 CFR 671). The applicant proposes to continue waste management activities associated with logistics and tourism activities to be conducted in Antarctica. The applicant would continue to operate a remote camp at Union Glacier, Antarctica, and provide logistical support services for scientific and other expeditions, film crews, and tourists. These activities include aircraft support, cache positioning, camp and field support, resupply, search and rescue, medevac, medical support, and logistic support for some National Operators. Operations will be centered around a main camp located on Union Glacier that is adjacent to a blue-ice runway. The blue-ice runway is a natural feature that requires limited preparation and upkeep for aircraft use. There are standard programs offered on a regular basis from the remote camp at Union Glacier including: climbing trips to Vinson Massif, the Ellsworth Mountains, and the Transantarctic Mountains; ski trips to the Ellsworth Mountains and the Geographic South Pole; ice marathons, obstacle course runs, and sky diving; and flights to the Geographic South Pole and the emperor penguin colony at Gould Bay. Several aircraft will be operated by ALE throughout the Antarctic and may include: Ilyushin IL-76TD, Boeing 757-200, Bombardier Global 7500, Douglas DC3-TP67, Gulfstream 650 and 500, De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter, and Airbus AS 350 helicopters. ALE plans to allow clients to fly Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) provided their plan meets certain requirements, including ALE's standard operating procedures and Antarctic Treaty requirements.

Location: Union Glacier and the Patriot Hills and Ellsworth Mountains. Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station area and Gould Bay. General routes from Hercules Cove to South Pole, Berkner Island to South Pole, and Ross Ice Shelf to South Pole.

Dates of Permitted Activities: October 20, 2026-February 6, 2031.