Special Flight Rules in the Vicinity of Grand Canyon National Park; Draft Environmental Assessment

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

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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]

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