Presidential Documents

18229

Federal Register

Vol. 61, No. 81

Thursday, April 25, 1996

Title 3—

The President

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.’’
18230 Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 81 / Thursday, April 25, 1996 / Presidential Documents

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 

œ–

Federal Register.

THE WHITE HOUSE,

Washington, April 22, 1996. [FR Doc. 96–10369

Filed 4–24–96; 8:45 am]

Billing code 3195–01–P