[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 226 (Thursday, November 21, 1996)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 59209]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-29816]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Parts 91, 121, 127, and 135

RIN 2120-AG11
[Docket No. 28577; Notice No. 96-4]


Special Flight Rules in the Vicinity of the Rocky Mountain 
National Park

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Proposed rule; reopening of the comment period and notice of 
availability of Draft Environmental Assessment (EA).

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SUMMARY: This notice announces the reopening of the comment period on a 
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), which proposes to establish a 
Special Federal Aviation Regulation to preserve the natural park 
experience of visitors to Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) by 
preventing any potential adverse noise impact from aircraft-based 
sightseeing overflights. Following the closing date of the comment 
period the FAA prepared a Draft EA concerning alternatives for 
addressing the potential aviation noise issues at RMNP. This action is 
being taken to afford the public the opportunity to comment on the 
Draft EA.

DATES: The comment period is being reopened from November 21, 1996 
through December 23, 1996. Comments must be received on or before the 
December 23, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Comments on this NPRM should be mailed, in triplicate to: 
Federal Aviation Administration, Office of the Chief Counsel, 
Attention: Rules Docket (AGC-200), Docket No. 28577, 800 Independence 
Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20591. Comments may also be sent 
electronically to the Rules Docket by using the following Internet 
address: [email protected]. Comments must be marked Docket No. 
28577. Comments may be examined in the Rules Docket in Room 915G on 
weekdays between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., except on Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Neil Saunders, Airspace and Rules Division, ATA-400, Airspace 
Management Service, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 Independence 
Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20591; telephone: 202-267-8783.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Notice No. 96-4 was placed on immediate display at the Federal 
Register on May 10, 1996, and published on May 15, 1996 (61 FR 24852). 
A correction document was published on July 23, 1996 (61 FR 38119) 
extending the comment period to August 19, 1996. Notice No. 96-4 
proposed several methods of preserving the natural park experience of 
RMNP by restricting aircraft-based sightseeing flights. The NPRM 
indicated that the FAA would select a viable alternative based on 
comments received and other pertinent information, identify a proposed 
alternative for final rulemaking and publish a Draft EA for comment. 
The Draft EA would evaluate the alternatives identified for detailed 
study and assess the current conditions and the preferred alternative. 
The NPRM also indicated that the FAA will evaluate the comments on the 
Draft EA and prepare a final assessment.

Reopen Comment Period

    The comment period on Notice No. 96-4, Special Flight Rules in the 
Vicinity of the Rocky Mountain National Park closed on August 19, 1996. 
Following the closing date of the comment period the FAA prepared a 
Draft EA that evaluates various alternatives for addressing potential 
aviation noise issues at RMNP. Consequently, the FAA finds that it is 
in the public interest to reopen the comment period to allow interested 
persons the opportunity to comment on the Draft EA. A copy of the Draft 
EA has been placed in the Docket and is available for review.
    Copies of the Draft EA are being circulated to interested parties 
and the Draft EA is also available on the Internet at the website of 
the FAA's Office of Environment and Energy: http://aee.hq.faa.gov/. 
Copies may also be obtained by contacting Mr. William J. Marx, Division 
Manager, ATA-300, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 Independence 
Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20591; telephone (202) 267-3075.
    In addition, after the comment period on the NPRM closed, the 
Department of Transportation became aware of certain RMNP sound level 
data. In September 1995, sound level measurements were made at five 
locations in RMNP on behalf of the NPS. While it is unlikely that this 
data will provide a basis for a final rulemaking in this matter, we are 
including it in the Docket for completeness of the record.
    Accordingly, the comment period is being reopened and the Draft EA 
is being made available for comment from November 21, 1996 through 
December 23, 1996.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on November 18 1996.
Harold W. Becker,
Acting Program Director for Air Traffic, Airspace Management.
[FR Doc. 96-29816 Filed 11-18-96; 4:04 pm]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M