[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 53 (Tuesday, April 23, 1996)]
[House]
[Page H3667]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1415
  COMMENDING PRESIDENT CLINTON'S CALL TO CURB OVERFLIGHT NOISE ABOVE 
                          NATIONAL PARK UNITS

  (Mrs. MINK of Hawaii asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Mrs. MINK of Hawaii. Mr. Speaker, yesterday President Clinton 
announced his commitment to our national parks by ordering that 
agencies protect them against noise intrusions from park overflights. I 
applaud this announcement as it joins a hard-fought battle I have waged 
for 6 years in the State of Hawaii on behalf of residents adjacent to 
parks, hikers and other park visitors, and precious indigenous species 
protected by our parks.
  I urge the Federal Aviation Administration and National Park Service 
to act quickly to respond to the President's directive. For the parks 
in my State, the President has called for a notice of proposed 
rulemaking by the end of 1996.
  My files are full of petitions and letters protesting noise 
disturbances caused by fixed-wing and helicopter flights over Haleakala 
National Park on the Island of Maui and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park 
on the big island. Some hikers report that they can enjoy no peace in 
pristine areas because air tour operators seek to impress passengers by 
flying as close as possible to certain park features. Some have sent me 
pictures of helicopter tours flying close to canopies of trees above 
their houses, reporting of noise being generated that rudely awakens 
their children, drops and shatters dishes from kitchen counters, and 
denies them peace of mind. Some have presented logs documenting an 
average of 10 flyovers each day.
  The President yesterday provided similar rationale for increased 
regulation of these flights by saying,

       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 (included 
     endangered and threatened species), cultural resources and 
     ceremonies, and visitors' enjoyment of parks, including the 
     ability to experience natural sounds without interruption 
     from mechanical noise.

  I reintroduced legislation in this session of the Congress which aims 
to provide the relief the President has mandated in the State of 
Hawaii. H.R. 1369 would restrict flights over Hawaii's National Park 
System units and create flight-free corridors over certain areas. I 
urge my colleagues to support H.R. 1369, which would provide necessary 
relief for the people of Hawaii. And I once again commend the President 
for his statement that bolsters my efforts.
  I welcome the efforts of the executive agencies, but in reality what 
is needed is legislative enactment of this protection for our national 
parks.

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