96-26741. Special Flight Rules in the Vicinity of Grand Canyon National Park

[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 204 (Monday, October 21, 1996)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 54716]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-26741]



[[Page 54715]]


_______________________________________________________________________

Part III





Department of Transportation





_______________________________________________________________________



Federal Aviation Administration



_______________________________________________________________________



14 CFR Parts 91, 93, 121, and 135



Special Flight Rules in the Vicinity of Grand Canyon National Park; 
Proposed Rule

Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 204 / Monday, October 21, 1996 / 
Proposed Rules

[[Page 54716]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Parts 91, 93, 121, and 135

[Docket No. 28537, Notice No. 96-11; Docket No. 28653, Draft 
Environmental Assessment]
RIN 2120-AF93


Special Flight Rules in the Vicinity of Grand Canyon National 
Park

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking and draft environmental 
assessment; extension of comment period.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This action extends the comment period on Notice No. 96-11, 
Special Flight Rules in the Vicinity of Grand Canyon National Park from 
September 30, 1996, to November 14, 1996, and also extends the comment 
period on the companion environmental assessment on the same subject 
from October 4, 1996, until November 18, 1996. These extensions were 
directed by the Congress in the Federal Aviation Authorization Act of 
1996. The extensions of the comment periods will allow interested 
persons additional time to comment on the rulemaking proposal and draft 
environmental assessment.

DATES: Comments on Notice No. 96-11 must be received on or before 
November 14, 1996; comments on the environmental assessment (EA) must 
be received on or before November 18, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Comments on Notice No. 96-11 should be mailed in triplicate 
to: Federal Aviation Administration, Office of the Chief Counsel 
(Attention: Rules Docket, AGC-200), Docket No. 28537, 800 Independence 
Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20591. Comments on the draft EA should be 
addressed to the same address, but directed to Docket No. 28653. 
Comments may be examined in room 915G on week days, except on Federal 
holidays, between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
For Notice No. 96-11 contact Mr. Neil Saunders, Airspace and Rules 
Division, ATA-400, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 Independence 
Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20591 Telephone: [phone]. For the draft 
EA contact Mr. William J. Marx, Division Manager, ATA-300 Federal 
Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Ave., SW Washington, DC, 
20591 Telephone: [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On July 26, 1996, the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA) issued Notice No. 96-11; Special flight Rules in 
the Vicinity of Grand Canyon (61 FR 40120). Comments to Notice No. 96-
11 were to be received on or before September 30, 1996. On August 21, 
1996, the notice of availability of the draft EA was published in the 
Federal Register (61 FR 43196). Comments on the draft EA were to be 
received on or before October 4, 1996.
    By letter dated August 6, 1996, the Helicopter Association 
International requested that the FAA extend the comment period for 
Notice No. 96-11 for 30 days. HAI stated that the vast changes in the 
special flight rules require adequate time for tour operators, park 
visitors, and others to fully comprehend the implications of the 
proposal. Likewise, Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters requested, by 
letter of August 28, to extend the comment period for 45 days, saying 
that the proposed rule is very complex, with many options that could 
affect vendors, tour operators, and international visitors. The United 
States Air Tour Association also asked for a 45-day extension, noting 
that the notice contemplates significant action and that the series of 
substantive questions would require extensive research to answer. The 
Havasupai Tribal Council requested a 90-day extension in order to 
consider comments at their October 12 tribal meeting. Members of 
Congress requested an extension for reasons similar to those cited 
above.
    The Federal Aviation Authorization Act of 1996 directed that the 
Secretary of Transportation, acting through the Administrator of the 
Federal Aviation Administration, take such action as is necessary to 
provide 45 additional days for comment by interested persons on the 
special flight rules in the vicinity of Grand Canyon and the draft EA. 
This notice announces that 45-day extension of the comment periods.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on October 11, 1996.
Jeff Griffith,
Program Director for Air Traffic Airspace Management.
[FR Doc. 96-26741 Filed 10-18-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M