[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 226 (Thursday, November 21, 1996)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 59209]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-29816]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Parts 91, 121, 127, and 135
RIN 2120-AG11
[Docket No. 28577; Notice No. 96-4]
Special Flight Rules in the Vicinity of the Rocky Mountain
National Park
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Proposed rule; reopening of the comment period and notice of
availability of Draft Environmental Assessment (EA).
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SUMMARY: This notice announces the reopening of the comment period on a
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), which proposes to establish a
Special Federal Aviation Regulation to preserve the natural park
experience of visitors to Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) by
preventing any potential adverse noise impact from aircraft-based
sightseeing overflights. Following the closing date of the comment
period the FAA prepared a Draft EA concerning alternatives for
addressing the potential aviation noise issues at RMNP. This action is
being taken to afford the public the opportunity to comment on the
Draft EA.
DATES: The comment period is being reopened from November 21, 1996
through December 23, 1996. Comments must be received on or before the
December 23, 1996.
ADDRESSES: Comments on this NPRM should be mailed, in triplicate to:
Federal Aviation Administration, Office of the Chief Counsel,
Attention: Rules Docket (AGC-200), Docket No. 28577, 800 Independence
Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20591. Comments may also be sent
electronically to the Rules Docket by using the following Internet
address: nprmcmts@mail.hq.faa.gov. Comments must be marked Docket No.
28577. Comments may be examined in the Rules Docket in Room 915G on
weekdays between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., except on Federal holidays.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Neil Saunders, Airspace and Rules Division, ATA-400, Airspace
Management Service, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 Independence
Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20591; telephone: 202-267-8783.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
Notice No. 96-4 was placed on immediate display at the Federal
Register on May 10, 1996, and published on May 15, 1996 (61 FR 24852).
A correction document was published on July 23, 1996 (61 FR 38119)
extending the comment period to August 19, 1996. Notice No. 96-4
proposed several methods of preserving the natural park experience of
RMNP by restricting aircraft-based sightseeing flights. The NPRM
indicated that the FAA would select a viable alternative based on
comments received and other pertinent information, identify a proposed
alternative for final rulemaking and publish a Draft EA for comment.
The Draft EA would evaluate the alternatives identified for detailed
study and assess the current conditions and the preferred alternative.
The NPRM also indicated that the FAA will evaluate the comments on the
Draft EA and prepare a final assessment.
Reopen Comment Period
The comment period on Notice No. 96-4, Special Flight Rules in the
Vicinity of the Rocky Mountain National Park closed on August 19, 1996.
Following the closing date of the comment period the FAA prepared a
Draft EA that evaluates various alternatives for addressing potential
aviation noise issues at RMNP. Consequently, the FAA finds that it is
in the public interest to reopen the comment period to allow interested
persons the opportunity to comment on the Draft EA. A copy of the Draft
EA has been placed in the Docket and is available for review.
Copies of the Draft EA are being circulated to interested parties
and the Draft EA is also available on the Internet at the website of
the FAA's Office of Environment and Energy: http://aee.hq.faa.gov/.
Copies may also be obtained by contacting Mr. William J. Marx, Division
Manager, ATA-300, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 Independence
Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20591; telephone (202) 267-3075.
In addition, after the comment period on the NPRM closed, the
Department of Transportation became aware of certain RMNP sound level
data. In September 1995, sound level measurements were made at five
locations in RMNP on behalf of the NPS. While it is unlikely that this
data will provide a basis for a final rulemaking in this matter, we are
including it in the Docket for completeness of the record.
Accordingly, the comment period is being reopened and the Draft EA
is being made available for comment from November 21, 1996 through
December 23, 1996.
Issued in Washington, DC, on November 18 1996.
Harold W. Becker,
Acting Program Director for Air Traffic, Airspace Management.
[FR Doc. 96-29816 Filed 11-18-96; 4:04 pm]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M
