Link to Antarctic Sciences Section
Antarctic Conservation Act
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  Antarctic Conservation Act of 1978 (PDF format)
  Antarctic Research Opportunities and Proposal Guide (NSF 04-559)
  U.S. regulation Governing Antarctic Meteorites
  Contact information
  ACA application and permit form
 
Public Law 95-541 (as amended by Public Law 104-227), the Antarctic Conservation Act of 1978, protects native mammals, birds, and plants and their ecosystems. The law applies to all U.S. citizens, whether or not they go to Antarctica with the U.S. Antarctic Program. It applies to all expeditions to Antarctica that originate from the United States. 

The Act makes it unlawful, unless authorized by permit— 

     –to take native mammals or birds 
     –to engage in harmful interference 
     –to enter specially designated areas 
     –to introduce species to Antarctica 
     –to introduce substances designated as pollutants 
     –to discharge designated pollutants 
     –to import certain antarctic items into the USA 

The Act provides penalties of up to $25,000 and 1-year imprisonment for each violation. Other penalties could include removal from Antarctica, rescission of a grant, or sanctions by your employer. 

The Protocol on Environmental Protection signed in 1991 by representatives of the United States and other Antarctic Treaty nations entered into force in 1998. The Protocol strengthens antarctic environmental standards. Its requirements have incorporated into U.S. regulations under the Antarctic Conservation Act. 

The book Antarctic Conservation Act of 1978 (Public Law 95-541), with Regulations, Descriptions and Maps of Special Areas, Permit Application Form, Agreed Measures for the Conservation of Antarctic Fauna and Flora, and Protocol on Environmental Protection (NSF 01-151 at nsf01151/start.htm) is free from NSF. 

Applicants should note that processing a permit application takes approximately 90 days.  During this time a summary of the permit application is published in the Federal Register (a required 30-day public comment period [Section 670.9(g)]) so that any member of the public can comment on it.  The Foundation evaluates the public comments and performs an internal review.  It then approves the application, approves it with modifications, or disapproves it. 

Questions on the Conservation Act should be directed to: 

Permit Office 
Office of Polar Programs, Room 755 
National Science Foundation 
4201 Wilson Boulevard 
Arlington, Virginia 22230 

Phone: 703–292–8030 
Fax: 703–292–9081
E-mail: nkennedy@nsf.gov 
 
A link to the Antarctic Conservation Act Application and Permit Form follow below.  The form may be downloaded, filled out, and printed or printed directly from the Web and then filled out.  All completed forms should be submitted to the Permit Officer in NSF's Office of Polar Programs at the address above. 

Permits are discussed in the summary section of Antarctic Conservation Act of 1978 (Public Law 95–541) (NSF 01-151) and in the Office of Polar Programs' Antarctic Research Opportunities and Proposal Guide (NSF 03-551). 

 Antarctic Conservation Act Application and Permit Form (PDF format) 
 
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Last modified: March 2004;  Office of Polar Programs 

 
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