Thu, Jan 21, 2010
It's A Balancing Act Between Environment, Culture, And
Business
The FAA, with the National Parks Service (NPS) as a
cooperating agency, has initiated development of an Air Tour
Management Plan (ATMP) for Death Valley National Park (DEVA), as
required by the National Parks Air Tour Management Act of 2000. The
objective of the ATMIP is to develop acceptable and effective
measures to mitigate or prevent the significant adverse impacts, if
any, of commercial air tour operations upon the natural resources,
cultural resources, and visitor experiences of a national park unit
and any tribal lands within or abutting the park. The ATMP would
affect only commercial air tours, and would not regulate military
and general aviation operations. The first step in the process is
the preparation of an Environmental Assessment.
The ATMP will be prepared using an Aviation Rulemaking Committee
(ARC) process. The purpose of using the ARC process is to provide
early advice, information, and recommendations from interested
stakeholders to the FAA and NPS, regarding environmental and other
issues to consider in the development of an ATMP. The DEVA ARC is
composed of various representatives including air tour operators,
federal, local and regional agencies, environmental organizations,
local businesses, and the Timbisha Shoshone tribe. It is chaired by
the Superintendent of Death Valley National Park.
Based on input received at a preliminary meeting in July of
last year, the FAA and NPS have decided to proceed with ATMP
development at DEVA via the ARC process. The FAA is now inviting
the public, agencies, and other interested parties to provide
comments, suggestions, and input on the scope of issues and the
identification of significant issues regarding commercial air tours
and their potential impacts on natural, cultural, and historical
resources. Input is also welcome on other areas to be addressed in
the environmental process, such as past, present, and future
actions (which, hen considered with ATMIP alternatives, may result
in potentially significant cumulative impacts), and potential ATMP
alternatives. Comments must be submitted by February 18, 2010.
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