Additional Transportation Planning To Address Impacts of Transportation on National Parks

[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 81 (Thursday, April 25, 1996)]

[Presidential Documents]

[Pages 18229-18230]

From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

[FR Doc No: 96-10369]

Presidential Documents

Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 81 / Thursday, April 25, 1996 /

Presidential Documents

___________________________________________________________________

Title 3--

The President

[[Page 18229]]

Memorandum of April 22, 1996

Additional Transportation Planning To Address

Impacts of Transportation on National Parks

Memorandum for the Heads of Executive Departments and

Agencies

Transportation in national parks--including ground

transportation of visitors into the parks and airplane

flights over the parks--has a significant impact on a

visitor's experience of the park and on park

management. The Secretary of Transportation has both

valuable expertise and regulatory authority to address

certain of these issues, and has been working on them

with the Secretary of the Interior and others.

Aircraft flying at low altitudes over national parks

can, if not properly managed, mar the natural beauty of

the parks and create significant noise problems as

well. The intrusion of such aircraft can interfere with

wildlife (including threatened and endangered species),

cultural resources and ceremonies, and visitors'

enjoyment of parks, including the ability to experience

natural sounds without interruption from mechanical

noise. Several parks face overflight problems,

including Grand Canyon National Park where substantial

restoration of natural quiet is mandated by law, and

several others identified by the National Park Service

(NPS). It is important to the future of parks to

address these problems quickly and in a fair and

reasonable manner.

In addition, the National Park System contains

thousands of miles of roads. All too often in peak

visitor periods roads are so crowded with cars that the

congestion and competition for space diminish the

quality of the public's experience. Parks are not too

full of people, but the roads and parking areas often

are jammed. With modern technology and alternative

transportation systems, the parks can continue to be

accessible to all, and can be more enjoyable places to

experience and learn about nature and history.

Therefore, to the extent permitted by law, I hereby

direct the Secretary of Transportation in consultation

with the heads of relevant departments and agencies to

continue the ongoing development of rules as set out

below to address overflights of the National Parks:

1. For Grand Canyon National Park,

(a) issue proposed regulations within 90 days to

place appropriate limits on sightseeing aircraft over

the Grand Canyon National Park to reduce the noise

immediately and make further substantial progress

toward restoration of natural quiet, as defined by the

Secretary of the Interior, while maintaining aviation

safety in accordance with the Overflights Act (Public

Law 100-91). Action on this rulemaking to accomplish

these purposes should be completed by the end of 1996;

and

(b) should any final rulemaking determine that

issuance of a further management plan is necessary to

substantially restore natural quiet in the Grand Canyon

National Park, complete within 5 years a plan that

addresses how the Federal Aviation Administration and

NPS will complete the ``substantial restoration and

maintenance of natural quiet,'' as defined by the

Secretary of the Interior in accordance with the

Overflights Act. Any such plan shall ensure that the

restoration of natural quiet required by the

Overflights Act shall be completed in the park not more

than 12 years from the date of issuance of this

directive as recommended in NPS's 1994 ``Report on

Effects of Aircraft Overflights on the National Park

System.''

[[Page 18230]]

2. For Rocky Mountain National Park, complete and

issue, if appropriate, within 90 days, a notice of

proposed rulemaking to address the potential adverse

impact on the park and its visitors of overflights by

sightseeing aircraft, keeping in mind the value of

natural quiet and the natural experience in the park,

as well as protection of public health and safety.

3. Issue by the end of 1996 a notice of proposed

rulemaking for the management of sightseeing aircraft

in those National Parks where it is deemed necessary to

reduce or prevent the adverse effects of such aircraft.

The regulation should, at a minimum, establish a

framework for managing air traffic over those park

units identified in the 1994 NPS study, as priorities

for (1) resolution of airspace issues and (2)

maintaining or restoring natural quiet.

4. Develop appropriate educational and other

materials for the public at large and all aviation

interests that describe the importance of natural quiet

to park visitors and the need for cooperation from the

aviation community. This guidance shall also recognize

that, in some parks, air tours provide important access

to approved areas in those parks, especially with

regard to the disabled communities.

In addition, with respect to ground transportation in

the parks, the Secretary of the Interior, in

consultation with the Secretary of Transportation, is

directed as follows:

To develop a plan for a comprehensive effort to

improve public transportation in the national parks.

This plan should include:

1. design of pilot programs for improved public

transportation in the Grand Canyon, Zion, and Yosemite

National Parks;

2. plans to work with relevant State, local, and

tribal governments on this effort;

3. options to increase access to the parks by

rebuilding infrastructure in the parks; and

4. recommendations to enhance resource protection

and the quality of visitor experience through

innovative transportation planning including, where

possible and appropriate, the use of alternative fuel

vehicles.

This memorandum shall be published in the Federal

Register.

(Presidential Sig.)

THE WHITE HOUSE,

Washington, April 22, 1996.

[FR Doc. 96-10369

Filed 4-24-96; 8:45 am]

Billing code 3195-01-P