[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 81 (Monday, April 28, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 22449-22450]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-10288]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


Membership in the National Parks Overflights Advisory Group

AGENCIES: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT and National Park 
Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The National Park Service (NPS) and the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), as required by the National Parks Air Tour 
Management Act of 2000, established the National Parks Overflights 
Advisory Group (NPOAG) in March 2001. The NPOAG was formed to provide 
continuing advice and counsel with respect to commercial air tour 
operations over and near national parks. This notice informs the public 
of a vacancy on the NPOAG for a member representing air tour operator 
interests and invites interested persons to apply to fill the vacancy.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Barry Brayer, Executive Resource 
Staff, Western Pacific Region Headquarters, 15000 Aviation Blvd., 
Hawthorne, CA 90250, telephone: (310) 725-3800, E-mail: 
[email protected], or Howie Thompson, Natural Sounds Program, 
National Park Service, 12795 W. Alameda Parkway, Denver, Colorado, 
80225, telephone: (303) 969-2461.

DATES: Persons interested in serving on the advisory group should 
contact Mr. Brayer or Mr. Thompson on or before May 19, 2003.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The National Parks Air Tour Management Act of 2000 (the Act) was 
enacted on April 5, 2000, as Pub. L. 106-181. The Act required the 
establishment of the advisory group within 1 year after its enactment. 
The advisory group is comprised of a balanced group of representatives 
of general aviation, commercial air tour operations, environmental 
concerns, and Native American tribes. The Administrator and the 
Director (or their designees) serve as ex officio members of the group. 
Representatives of the Administrator and Director serve alternating 1-
year terms as chairman of the advisory group.
    The advisory group provides ``advice, information, and 
recommendations to the Administrator and the Director--
    (1) On the implementation of this title [the Act] and the 
amendments made by this title;

[[Page 22450]]

    (2) On commonly accepted quiet aircraft technology for use in 
commercial air tour operations over a national park or tribal lands, 
which will receive preferential treatment in a given air tour 
management plan;
    (3) On other measures that might be taken to accommodate the 
interests of visitors to national parks; and
    (4) At the request of the Administrator and the Director, safety, 
environmental, and other issues related to commercial air tour 
operations over a national park or tribal lands.''
    Members of the advisory group may be allowed certain travel 
expenses as authorized by section 5703 of title 5, United States Code, 
for intermittent Government service.
    The current NPOAG is made up of three members representing the air 
tour industry, four members representing environmental interests, and 
two members representing Native American interests. Current members of 
the NPOAG are: Heidi Williams, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association; 
David Kennedy, National Air Transportation Association; Alan Stephen, 
Twin Otter/Grand Canyon Airlines; Chip Dennerlein, State of Alaska Fish 
and Game; Charles Maynard, formerly with Great Smoky Mountain National 
Park; Susan Gunn, The Wilderness Society; Steve Bosak, National Parks 
Conservation Association; and Germaine White and Richard Deertrack, 
representing Native American tribes.

Public Participation in the Advisory Group

    In order to retain balance within the NPOAG, the FAA and NPS invite 
persons interested in serving on the NPOAG to represent air tour 
operator interests to contact either of the persons listed in FOR 
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. Requests to serve on the NPOAG should be 
made in writing and postmarked on or before May 19, 2003. The request 
should indicate whether or not you are an air tour operator, member of 
an association representing this interest group, or have another 
affiliation with air tour operations over national parks. The request 
should also state what expertise you would bring to air tour operator 
interests while serving on the NPOAG. The term of service for NPOAG 
members is 3 years.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on April 21, 2003.
Louis C. Cusimano,
Acting Director, Flight Standards Service, Federal Aviation 
Administration.
[FR Doc. 03-10288 Filed 4-25-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P