NPS seeks public feedback on new air tour management for national parks
The National Park Service (NPS) and the Federal Aviation Administration are calling for public feedback on proposed air tour management plans for 24 national parks.
The agencies have published the plan details and dates for public meetings for the Everglades, Death Valley, Olympic, and Mount Rainier national parks.
To encourage as much public participation as possible, the agencies will livestream the meetings on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.
Prior comments may be submitted through the NPS Planning, Environment and Public Comment website.
The agencies said updated information on the meetings and the comment periods will be announced through the publication of notices in the Federal Register.
"The purpose of the air tour plans is to ensure that park resource values, including natural sounds, wilderness character, visitor experiences, wildlife, and other natural and cultural resources, are protected in national parks where air tours occur," said Ray Sauvajot, Associate Director for Natural Resource Stewardship and Science at the National Park Service.
"Public feedback is vital in developing proposed air tour management plans for national parks across the United States," said Kevin Welsh, Executive Director, FAA Office of Environment and Energy.
The agencies hope to complete all air tour management plans by the end of August 2022.
The schedule is part of a plan approved by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit for the agencies to comply with the National Parks Air Tour Management Act of 2000 within two years.
Detailed information about air tour management are available at the NPS site and details about meeting notifications will be posted there.
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