Antarctic Conservation Act Application and Permit Form

OMB Control No: 3145-0034	ICR Reference No: 202606-3145-003
Status: Received in OIRA	Previous ICR Reference No: 202301-3145-001
Agency/Subagency: NSF	Agency Tracking No:
Title: Antarctic Conservation Act Application and Permit Form
Type of Information Collection: Extension without change of a currently approved collection	Common Form ICR:  No
Type of Review Request: Regular	Date Submitted to OIRA: 06/12/2026

	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	36 Months From Approved	06/30/2026
Responses	25	25
Time Burden (Hours)	19	13
Cost Burden (Dollars)	1,125	750

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Abstract: The National Science Foundation (“NSF”) promulgated regulations at 45 CFR Part 670, to conserve and protect animals and plants native to Antarctica, pursuant to the Antarctic Conservation Act of 1978, Public Law 95-541 (“ACA”), as amended by the Antarctic Science, Tourism, and Conservation Act of 1996, Public Law 104-227 (16 USC 2401 et seq.). The regulations have been in effect since 1979 and apply to all United States citizens in Antarctica and to everyone importing into or exporting from the United States certain designated Antarctic animals and plants. Under the ACA and NSF’s regulations, a permit from NSF is required for entry into protected areas, taking of birds, mammals, and certain plants, introduction of non-indigenous plants and animals into Antarctica, and engaging in harmful interference with native plants, mammals, birds and invertebrates. NSF has used the Antarctic Conservation Act Application and Permit Form for many years to collect information for its permit administration.

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Authorizing Statute(s): US Code: 16 USC 2405 Name of Law: Antarctic Conservation Act    US Code: 42 USC 1861 Name of Law: National Science Foundation Act

Citations for New Statutory Requirements: None

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Associated Rulemaking Information
RIN:	Stage of Rulemaking:	Federal Register Citation:	Date:
	Not associated with rulemaking

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Federal Register Notices & Comments
60-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	91 FR 11088	03/06/2026
30-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	91 FR 35710	06/12/2026
Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? No

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Number of Information Collection (IC) in this ICR: 1

IC Title Form No. Form Name Antarctic Conservation Act Application and Permit Form NSF 1078 Antarctic Conservation Act Application and Permit Form

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ICR Summary of Burden

	Total Request	Previously Approved	Change Due to New Statute	Change Due to Agency Discretion	Change Due to Adjustment in Estimate	Change Due to Potential Violation of the PRA
Annual Number of Responses	25	25	0	0	0	0
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	19	13	0	6	0	0
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)	1,125	750	0	375	0	0

Burden increases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: Yes

Burden Increase Due to: Miscellaneous Actions

Burden decreases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: No

Burden Reduction Due to:

Short Statement: The change in burden is due to a better accounting of the time needed to complete the permit application. The NSF-1078 itself has not changed.

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Annual Cost to Federal Government: $76,246

Does this IC contain surveys, censuses, or employ statistical methods? No

Does this ICR request any personally identifiable information (see OMB Circular No. A-130 for an explanation of this term)? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination.     No

Does this ICR include a form that requires a Privacy Act Statement (see 5 U.S.C. §552a(e)(3))? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination.     No

Is this ICR related to the Affordable Care Act [Pub. L. 111-148 & 111-152]? No

Is this ICR related to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, [Pub. L. 111-203]? No

Is this ICR related to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)? No

Is this ICR related to the Pandemic Response? No

Agency Contact: Suzanne Plimpton

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Common Form ICR:  No

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On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:
		(a) It is necessary for the proper performance of agency functions;
		(b) It avoids unnecessary duplication;
		(c) It reduces burden on small entities;
		(d) It uses plain, coherent, and unambiguous language that is understandable to respondents;
		(e) Its implementation will be consistent and compatible with current reporting and recordkeeping practices;
		(f) It indicates the retention periods for recordkeeping requirements;
		(g) It informs respondents of the information called for under 5 CFR 1320.8 (b)(3) about:
			(i) Why the information is being collected;
			(ii) Use of information;
			(iii) Burden estimate;
			(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);
			(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
			(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;
		(h) It was developed by an office that has planned and allocated resources for the efficient and effective management and use of the information to be collected.
		(i) It uses effective and efficient statistical survey methodology (if applicable); and
		(j) It makes appropriate use of information technology.
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.
Certification Date: 06/12/2026

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