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.

FMI: www.faa.gov, www.nps.gov