[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 96 (Friday, July 17, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1342]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   INTRODUCTION OF THE NATIONAL PARKS AIR TOUR MANAGEMENT ACT OF 1998

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. JOHN J. DUNCAN, JR.

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 17, 1998

  Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to introduce today the National 
Parks Air Tour Management Act of 1998.
  I am joined in the introduction of this legislation with a number of 
distinguished colleagues.
  These Members include the Chairman of the Transportation and 
Infrastructure Committee, Bud Shuster from Pennsylvania, the Chairman 
of the Resources Committee, Don Young from Alaska, the Chairman of the 
Agriculture Committee, Bob Smith from Oregon, the Chairman of the 
National Parks Subcommittee, Jim Hansen from Utah, the Ranking Member 
of the Transportation Committee, Mr. Oberstar, the Ranking Member of 
the Aviation Subcommittee, Mr. Lipinski, as well as Mr. Ensign and Mr. 
Gibbons from Nevada.
  Mr. Speaker, this very distinguished group of Members worked 
tirelessly to get us to this point today.
  This legislation represents an agreement which strikes a balance 
between air tour and environmental concerns, Native American interests, 
and jurisdictional areas between the Federal Aviation Administration 
and the National Park Service.
  The bill seeks to promote safety and quiet in national parks by 
establishing a process for developing air tour flight management in and 
around our national parks.
  This legislation ensures that the FAA has sole authority to control 
airspace over the United States and that the National Park Service has 
the responsibility to manage park resources.
  These two Agencies, under this legislation, will work cooperatively 
in developing air tour management plans for air tour operators and will 
both share the fundamental responsibility to ensure that air tours over 
national parks and tribal lands are conducted in a safe, efficient, and 
unintrusive manner.
  Mr. Speaker, let me also acknowledge Senator John McCain for his 
leadership on this issue. I know that Senator McCain has been active on 
this for several years, has chaired a number of Senate hearings, and is 
moving similar legislation in the other body.
  There has also been a number of oversight hearings here in the House. 
Mr. Oberstar, former Chairman of the Aviation Subcommittee held a joint 
hearing with the National Park Subcommittee in July of 1994.
  Last year, Chairman Hansen and I held a field hearing in St. George, 
Utah. We heard from a number of very impressive witnesses representing 
different views and opinions.
  At that time, it appeared that it would be extremely difficult to be 
able to reach a consensus on how to handle air tours over our national 
parks.
  However, with resolve and determination, differences have been worked 
out and we have crafted legislation that is acceptable to all 
concerned.
  And finally, Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the entire National 
Parks Overflights Working Group for their dedication and cooperation in 
the development of this legislation.
  This Working Group was selected by the Administration last year to 
develop a plan for instituting flight management over national parks.
  For more than a year, working group representatives of the air tour, 
environmental, and Native American communities--along with the Federal 
Aviation Administration and the National Park Service negotiated.
  A number of meetings were held here in Washington as well as other 
parts of the Country.
  This group developed a basic framework for the management of air 
tours at national parks and recommended that Congress capture this 
approach in legislation.
  The Working Group consists of Mr. Charles Maynard from Sevierville, 
Tennessee and the Friends of the Great Smoky Mountains. Mr. Alan Steven 
from Twin Otter International located in North Las Vegas, Nevada.
  Mr. Chip Dennerlein from the National Parks and Conservation 
Association. Mr. Tom Chapman representing the interests of general 
aviation.
  Mr. Andy Cebula from the National Air Transportation Association. Mr. 
David Chevalier from Blue Hawaiian Helicopters.
  Mr. Richard Deertrack from Taos, New Mexico representing the Native 
American interests. And, Mr. Boyd Evison, former National Park 
Superintendent and Regional Director.
  Mr. Speaker, all of these gentlemen provided the expertise, insight, 
and wisdom that helped us develop this consensus legislation.
  This is an outstanding bill which will ensure that ground visitors 
and the elderly, disabled and time-constrained traveler may continue to 
enjoy the scenic beauty of our national parks for generations to come.

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