[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 239 (Wednesday, December 11, 1996)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 65191]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-31528]


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

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


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

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Proposed rule; supplemental notice of availability and 
opportunity for comment.

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SUMMARY: A notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) relating to special 
flight rules in the vicinity of the Rocky Mountain National Park was 
published on May 15, 1996. This document announces the availability for 
public comment of recently submitted information from the Department of 
Interior (DOI). This submission contains information concerning the 
commercial air tour overflight operations in a sample of National 
Parks.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before 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 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 
Rocky Mountain National Park (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 and identify a proposed alternative for final rulemaking. 
The comment period closed on August 19, 1996.
    Following the closing date of the comment period, the FAA prepared 
a Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) that evaluates various 
alternatives for addressing potential aviation noise issues at RMNP. 
The FAA found that it would be in the public interest to reopen the 
comment period to allow interested persons the opportunity to comment 
on the Draft EA. Consequently, on November 21, 1996, the FAA announced 
the availability of the Draft EA and reopened the comment period 
through December 23, 1996 (61 FR 5909). In addition, certain RMNP sound 
level data submitted by DOI also was made available for comment.

Availability of Information

    The DOI has recently submitted information to the Department of 
Transportation regarding the effects of commercial air tour overflight 
operations in a sample of National Parks. The FAA finds that it is in 
the public interest to provide the opportunity to comment on this 
information. Accordingly, the DOI submission is being made available in 
the Docket for public comment.
    On April 22, 1996, the President of the United States established 
priorities concerning the overflights of National Parks by aircraft. 
Addressing the potential impacts of overflights of Rocky Mountain 
National Park is one of these priorities. In view of the brevity of 
this material and the importance of completing this rulemaking in a 
timely manner, 'the FAA finds that good cause exists for providing less 
than 30 days comment on this material.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on December 6, 1996.
Harold W. Becker,
Acting Program Director for Air Traffic, Airspace Management.
[FR Doc. 96-31528 Filed 12-9-96; 9:00 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M