[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 48 (Thursday, March 11, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11697-11698]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-5559]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


Membership in the National Parks Overflights Advisory Group 
Aviation Rulemaking Committee

AGENCIES: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice.

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[[Page 11698]]

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. On October 10, 2003, the 
Administrator signed Order No. 1110-138 establishing the NPOAG as an 
aviation rulemaking committee (ARC). This notice informs the public of 
a vacancy on the NPOAG ARC 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, Email: 
[email protected], or Karen Trevino, National Park Service, Natural 
Sounds Program, 1201 Oakridge Dr., Suite 350, Ft. Collins, CO, 80525, 
telephone (970) 225-3563, or [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The National Parks Air Tour Management Act of 2000 (the Act) was 
enacted on April 5, 2000, as Public Law 106-181. The Act required the 
establishment of the advisory group within 1 year after its enactment. 
The NPOAG was established in March 2001. 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.
    By Order No. 1110-138, October 10, 2003, the NPOAG became an 
aviation rulemaking committee (ARC).
    The NPOAG ARC 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;
    (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 NPOAG ARC may be allowed certain travel expenses as 
authorized by section 5703 of title 5, United States Code, for 
intermittent Government Service.
    The current NPOAG ARC is made up of three members representing the 
air tour industry, four members representing environmental interests, 
and two members representing Native American interests. The current 
members of the NPOAG ARC are Heidi Williams (general aviation), Richard 
Larew and Alan Stephen (commercial air tour operations), Chip 
Dennerlein, Charles Maynard, Steve Bosak, and Susan Gunn (environmental 
interests), and Germaine White and Richard Deertrack (Indian tribes).

Public Participation in the NPOAG ARC

    In order to maintain the balanced representation of the group, the 
FAA and the NPS invite persons interested in serving on the NPOAG ARC 
to represent air tour operator interests to contact either of the 
persons listed in FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. Requests to serve on 
the NPOAG ARC should be made in writing and postmarked on or before 
April 12, 2004. 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 March 4, 2004.
John M. Allen,
Acting Director Flight Standards Service.
[FR Doc. 04-5559 Filed 3-10-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P