Special Flight Rules in the Vicinity of Grand Canyon National Park

SUMMARY: This action extends the comment period on Notice No. 96-11,

Special Flight Rules in the Vicinity of Grand Canyon National Park from

September 30, 1996, to November 14, 1996, and also extends the comment

period on the companion environmental assessment on the same subject

from October 4, 1996, until November 18, 1996. These extensions were

directed by the Congress in the Federal Aviation Authorization Act of

1996. The extensions of the comment periods will allow interested

persons additional time to comment on the rulemaking proposal and draft

environmental assessment.

DATES: Comments on Notice No. 96-11 must be received on or before

November 14, 1996; comments on the environmental assessment (EA) must

be received on or before November 18, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Comments on Notice No. 96-11 should be mailed in triplicate

to: Federal Aviation Administration, Office of the Chief Counsel

(Attention: Rules Docket, AGC-200), Docket No. 28537, 800 Independence

Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20591. Comments on the draft EA should be

addressed to the same address, but directed to Docket No. 28653.

Comments may be examined in room 915G on week days, except on Federal

holidays, between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

For Notice No. 96-11 contact Mr. Neil Saunders, Airspace and Rules

Division, ATA-400, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 Independence

Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20591 Telephone: (202) 267-8783. For the draft

EA contact Mr. William J. Marx, Division Manager, ATA-300 Federal

Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Ave., SW Washington, DC,

20591 Telephone: (202) 267-9367.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On July 26, 1996, the Federal Aviation

Administration (FAA) issued Notice No. 96-11; Special flight Rules in

the Vicinity of Grand Canyon (61 FR 40120). Comments to Notice No. 96-

11 were to be received on or before September 30, 1996. On August 21,

1996, the notice of availability of the draft EA was published in the

Federal Register (61 FR 43196). Comments on the draft EA were to be

received on or before October 4, 1996.

By letter dated August 6, 1996, the Helicopter Association

International requested that the FAA extend the comment period for

Notice No. 96-11 for 30 days. HAI stated that the vast changes in the

special flight rules require adequate time for tour operators, park

visitors, and others to fully comprehend the implications of the

proposal. Likewise, Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters requested, by

letter of August 28, to extend the comment period for 45 days, saying

that the proposed rule is very complex, with many options that could

affect vendors, tour operators, and international visitors. The United

States Air Tour Association also asked for a 45-day extension, noting

that the notice contemplates significant action and that the series of

substantive questions would require extensive research to answer. The

Havasupai Tribal Council requested a 90-day extension in order to

consider comments at their October 12 tribal meeting. Members of

Congress requested an extension for reasons similar to those cited

above.

The Federal Aviation Authorization Act of 1996 directed that the

Secretary of Transportation, acting through the Administrator of the

Federal Aviation Administration, take such action as is necessary to

provide 45 additional days for comment by interested persons on the

special flight rules in the vicinity of Grand Canyon and the draft EA.

This notice announces that 45-day extension of the comment periods.

Issued in Washington, DC, on October 11, 1996.

Jeff Griffith,

Program Director for Air Traffic Airspace Management.

[FR Doc. 96-26741 Filed 10-18-96; 8:45 am]

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