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he Federal Aviation Administration (faa) has announced another set
of proposed rules to regulate air tours over Grand Canyon. Of previous
rules proposed by the faa to fulfill the legislative mandate to
substantially restore natural quiet, some have been implemented;
others have been watered down or delayed. The result has been a
confusing, frustrating and lengthy process that has not reduced
the noise impacts associated with the relentlessly growing air tour
industry. The National Park Service (nps) announced that these rules
will allow visitors ³a greater opportunity to experience natural
sounds of the park². However, without vigorous support from the
public to enhance the proposed restrictions, benefits would be dubious
at best. The documents released by the faa include a map of new
tour routes, a draft regulation modifying the airspace, and a regulation
temporarily freezing the number of commercial air tours over the
park.
Restrictions on the number of flights
Docket #faa-99-5927
A previous rule was supposed to cap the number of aircraft allowed
to operate over Grand Canyon. However, the faa ³underestimated²
the number of aircraft because air tour operators were not complying
with the faaıs reporting requirements. The faa therefore adjusted
the ³cap² upward, which would allow the number of flights to increase
significantly over the next decade. Noise modeling predicted a continued
increase in noise levels throughout the park. The new proposed rule
would replace the aircraft limitation with a temporary limit on
the number of flights. Each operator would receive an allocation
based on their reported operations between May 1, 1997 through April
30, 1998. The total number of reported commercial air tours during
that time was 88,000. The cap would be in effect pending implementation
of the Comprehensive Noise Management Plan to be developed by the
nps. This proposed rule has some deficiencies.
- This action is long overdue. The air tour industry has more
than doubled over the past decade while the process has dragged
on.
- The proposal relies heavily upon the noise management plan.
However, preliminary drafts of this plan are insupportable. The
nps has adopted a less stringent standard for noise levels throughout
the park, particularly in sensitive areas such as Marble Canyon.
The good news, however, is that finally the faa has put forth a
proposal that could limit growth of the air tour industry over Grand
Canyon. For too long, air tours have enjoyed unbridled growth, while
virtually every other form of visitation has been limited in order
to protect the resource and visitor experience. We encourage you
to express your support for a cap on the number of flights, and
for increased protection of natural quiet in Grand Canyon. Comments
must be labeled Docket # faa-99-5927.
Modification of Tour Routes
Docket #faa 99-5926
More good and bad news. The good news is that within this proposal
the faa is considering eliminating flights over Havasu, National,
and Fern Glen Canyons. The bad news is that the faa has again proposed
a future route through a flight free zone for ³noise efficient aircraft².
Allowing aircraft to enter a flight free zone defeats the purpose,
and will allow aircraft to fly very close to Point Sublime and Point
Imperial. Even noise efficient aircraft would generate an unacceptable
impact at these sensitive areas. Comments on this proposal must
be labeled Docket # faa-99-5926.
Send Comments! Comments must be received on or before September
7, 1999, and must be labeled with the docket number. They may be
sent electronically to 9-nprm-cmts@faa.gov. They may also be mailed
to: US Department of Transportation Dockets Docket # [write correct
docket # here] 400 Seventh Street sw, Room Plaza Washington, DC
20590 Copies of the regulation temporarily freezing the number of
commercial air tours are available by contacting the faa at (202)
267-8321. For a copy of the draft regulation modifying the airspace
contact call (202) 267-8783. These documents are also available
on the Federal Registerıs web site at: www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/aces/aces140.html
Attend a Public Meeting! August 17, 9a.m. Cline Library Assembly
Hall, NAU, Flagstaff August 19, 9a.m. Frank & Estella Beam Hall
University of Nevada 4505 South Maryland Parkway, Las Vegas For
more information or to provide testimony: Mark Lawyer (202) 493-4531
mark.lawyer@faa.gov
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