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FAA sued over Hawaii helicopter tours noise pollution
Hawaii residents and a group of federal workers are suing the Federal Aviation Administration to force it to do something about invasive low flying helicopter tours.
The Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility and Hawaii Island Coalition Malama Pono have demanded the FAA draw up air tour plans or set up voluntary agreements for air tours over seven national parks.
The lawsuit cites the National Park Air Tour Management Act of 2000, which requires the FAA to prepare a plan for air tours conducted by air tour operators or voluntary agreements with them.
Later legislation did exempt parks that see less than 50 flights per year.
However the complaint says the FAA has never created air tour plans since the law came into effect in 2000.
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park had more than 15,000 air tour flights last year.
Helicopter noise can be heard in 98% of the park’s wilderness areas, said park superintendent, Cindy Orlando.
"There basically isn’t a single location in the park where a visitor can go and be guaranteed of hearing only natural sounds," Orlando told the AP.
Voluntary agreements governing aerial tours are in place in states including Arizona, California, Hawaii, Montana, Nevada, Tennessee and Utah.
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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