[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 49 (Thursday, April 5, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3539-S3540]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. THOMAS:
  S. 712. A bill to prohibit commercial air tour operations over 
Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton National Park; to the 
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
  Mr. THOMAS. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce legislation to 
protect two crown jewels of the National Park Service, Yellowstone and 
Grand Teton National Parks.
  The ``Yellowstone and Teton Scenic Overflight Act of 2001'' is 
similar to legislation I introduced last Congress regarding an 
important issue facing these two parks. Specifically, this legislation 
would prohibit all scenic flights--both fixed wing and helicopter--over 
Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. Recently, a proposed scenic 
helicopter tour operation near Grand Teton had many folks concerned 
about the impact its operations would have on these magnificent areas.
  This legislation is designed to protect Yellowstone and Teton and the 
natural and historic values of these parks in the interest of all who 
visit and enjoy these areas. I am aware of that the National Parks Air 
Tour Management Act, which became law during the 106th Congress, 
provides a process that attempts to address scenic overflight 
operations in our parks. Unfortunately, the regulations being developed 
for the Act continue to be delayed and it is unclear when they will 
ultimately be published. The unique nature of Yellowstone and Teton 
parks requires us to act in a quick and decisive manner to address this 
issue as soon as possible.
  Grand Teton National Park is home to the only airport in the 
continental United States that is entirely within a national park. 
Commercial air tours by their very nature, fly passengers purposefully 
over the parks, at low altitudes, often to the very locations and 
attractions favored by ground-based visitors. The threats posed by 
these operations to Yellowstone and Teton require our quick action.
  As Chairman of the Senate Energy Committee's Subcommittee on National 
Parks and Historic Preservation, I understand the importance of our 
nation's parks. They are our national treasures and deserve to be 
protected to the best of our ability. I hope the

[[Page S3540]]

Senate will take quick action on this legislation so that visitors can 
enjoy the sounds of nature at Grand Teton and Yellowstone National 
Parks now and in the future.
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