[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 81 (Thursday, April 25, 1996)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 18229-18230]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-10369]



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

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 18229]]

                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.''

[[Page 18230]]

                    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 Federal 
                Register.

                    (Presidential Sig.)

                THE WHITE HOUSE,

                    Washington, April 22, 1996.

[FR Doc. 96-10369
Filed 4-24-96; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P