[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 163 (Wednesday, August 21, 1996)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 43196-43197]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-21350]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Parts 91, 93, 121, and 135
[Docket No. 28653]
Special Flight Rules in the Vicinity of Grand Canyon National
Park; Draft Environmental Assessment
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Dot.
ACTION: Notice of Availability of Draft Environmental Assessment (EA)
and Invitation to Comment.
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SUMMARY: This document gives notice of the availability of the draft
environmental assessment for a Notice of Proposed proposing to modify
the provisions of Special Federal Aviation Regulation Number 50-2 (SFAR
50-2), Special Flight Rules in the Vicinity of the Grand Canyon
National Park (GCNP) (61 FR 40120, July 31, 1996). The FAA is proposing
these changes to reduce the impact of aircraft noise on the park
environment and to assist the National Park Service (NPS) in achieving
its statutory mandate imposed by Public Law 100-91 to provide for the
substantial restoration of natural quiet and experience in GCNP.
DATES: The opportunity to comment on the draft environmental assessment
(EA) will extend from August 20, until October 4, 1996. Late-filed
comments will be considered to the extent practicable.
ADDRESSES: Written comments on the Draft EA should be received at the
following address, in triplicate, by October 4, 1996: Headquarters
Federal Aviation Administration, Office of the Chief Counsel, Attn.:
Rules Docket (AGC-10), Docket No. 28653, 800 Independence Avenue, S.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20591. Comments may be delivered or inspected at Room
915G in FAA headquarters between 8:30 A.M. and 5 P.M., Monday through
Friday, excluding Federal holidays.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mr. William J. Marx (202) 267-3075.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The proposed Federal action is to modify the
dimensions of the Grand Canyon National Park Special Flight Rules Area
(SFRA); establish new and modify existing flight-free zones; establish
new and modify existing flight corridors; and establish reporting
requirements for commercial sightseeing companies operating in the
SFRA. In addition, the NPRM contains proposals for flight-free periods
within the Park and/or an interim moratorium on additional commercial
sightseeing air tours and tour operators.
The FAA and the NPS recognize that noise from commercial air tours
and other flights over units of the national park system can
potentially adversely impact park resources, values and visitor
experience. The proposed revisions to SFAR 50-2 are consistent with the
missions of both FAA and NPS and legislative requirements to enhance
the environment and protect the resources of national parks. The FAA
remains committed to its mission to promote, develop, and foster
aviation safety, and provide for the safe and efficient use of
airspace, while at the same time, recognizing the need to preserve,
protect, and enhance the environment by minimizing the adverse effects
of aviation on the environment.
GCNP is administered by the NPS of the Department of the Interior
(DOI). The FAA invited the NPS to participate in the preparation of
this Draft EA as a cooperating agency because the NPS has jurisdiction
by law over and special expertise relating to the resources within the
GCNP. NPS similarly participated in the rulemaking process.
The FAA has decided to grant the requests of the Bureau of Indian
Affairs (BIA), and certain Native American tribes to participate as
cooperating agencies in the EA. These actions will be conducted on a
Government-to-Government basis per Presidential memorandum dated April
29, 1994.
Alternatives
In developing alternatives for study in this EA, the FAA was guided
by its statutory mission and objectives, as well as that of the NPS,
and by the purpose and need for the proposed action, as
[[Page 43197]]
discussed in Chapter 1 of the Draft EA. In developing these
alternatives, the FAA and NPS recognized that there are gaps in
relevant information and scientific uncertainty. The lack of complete
and available information concerning noise methodology, metric, and the
proper definition of substantial restoration of natural quiet, was
documented in our preliminary comments on the NPS Report to Congress.
Although both agencies recognize that there are unresolved issues, the
FAA and NPS have determined that it is in the public interest to
proceed with this rulemaking. Both agencies deem this rulemaking
important for substantially restoring the natural quiet in the GCNP, as
required under the National Park Overflights Act.
The Draft EA evaluates the environmental effects of the no action
alternative and the NPRM, except the curfew, variable flight free
period, and temporary cap, in an initial study area, in the near term.
See, FAA Order 1050.1D, Policies and Procedures for Considering
Environmental Impacts. The Final EA will evaluate the curfew, variable
flight free period, and temporary cap. It will also evaluate the
impacts of the NPRM over the entire GCNP in 1995 and future years, as
well as socio-economic impacts. See, 40 CFR 1502.22.
Based on the final EA to be completed after the close of the Draft
EA and associated comment period, the FAA will determine whether a
Finding of No Significant Impact may be issued or an Environmental
Impact Statement is required before any final rule is issued.
For further information contact: Mr. William J. Marx, Division
Manager, ATA-300, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 Independence
Avenue, Washington D.C. 20591. Requests for copies of the document
should also be sent to the above address.
Issued in Washington D.C. on August 20, 1996.
Jeff Griffith,
Program Director of Air Traffic Airspace Management.
[FR Doc. 96-21350 Filed 8-19-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M
