[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 11 (Tuesday, January 19, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2922-2923]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-685]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Assessment and 
Request for Public Scoping Comments for the Air Tour Management Plan 
Program at Death Valley National Park

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an Environmental Assessment and to 
request Public Scoping comments.

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SUMMARY: The FAA, with NPS as a cooperating agency, has initiated 
development of an Air Tour Management Plan (ATMP) for Death Valley 
National Park (DEVA), pursuant to the National Parks Air Tour 
Management Act of 2000 (Public Law 106-181) and its implementing 
regulations (14 CFR Part 136, Subpart B, National Parks Air Tour 
Management). The objective of the ATMIP is to develop acceptable and 
effective measures to mitigate or prevent the significant adverse 
impacts, if any, of commercial air tour operations upon the natural 
resources, cultural resources, and visitor experiences of a national 
park unit and any tribal lands within or abutting the park. It should 
be noted that the ATMP has no authorization over other non-air-tour 
operations such as military and general aviation operations. In 
compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) 
and FAA Order 1050.1E, an Environmental Assessment is being prepared.
    The ATMP will be prepared using an Aviation Rulemaking Committee 
(ARC) process, as authorized under 49 U.S.C. 106. The purpose of using 
the ARC process is to provide early advice, information, and 
recommendations from interested stakeholders to the FAA and NPS, 
regarding environmental and other issues to consider in the development 
of an ATMP. The DEVA ARC is composed of various representatives 
including air tour operators, federal, local and regional agencies, 
environmental organizations, local businesses, and the Timbisha 
Shoshone tribe. It is chaired by the Superintendent of Death Valley 
National Park.
    In June 2009, the ARC held a two-day kickoff meeting at DEVA; 
minutes may be found at: http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/arc/programs/air_tourmanagement_plan/park_specific_plans/Death_Valley.cfm.
    The purpose of the kickoff meeting was for stakeholders to have the 
opportunity to provide advice, information, and recommendations to the 
FAA and NPS regarding environmental and other issues to consider in the 
development of an ATMP. Materials presented at the meeting included 
information on: Park resources; the acoustical environment at DEVA; 
military operations over DEVA and the surrounding areas; current and 
historical air tour operations; and, a map of current air tour flight 
paths. Comments were received from members of the ARC regarding 
sensitive park resources, tribal concerns, changes in tourism patterns, 
and air tour operations. After a generalized map of current air tour 
flight paths was presented, ARC members made suggestions regarding 
options for an air tour flight track that would consolidate flight 
paths and modify elevations and flight locations. ARC members' 
recommendations attempted to address the concerns raised at the 
meeting. Refer to the Public Scoping Document (mentioned below) to see 
how these

[[Page 2923]]

suggestions are incorporated into an air tour route.
    Based on input received at the meeting, the FAA and NPS have 
decided to proceed with ATMP development at DEVA via the ARC process. 
The FAA is now inviting the public, agencies, and other interested 
parties to provide comments, suggestions, and input on the scope of 
issues and the identification of significant issues regarding 
commercial air tours and their potential impacts on natural, cultural, 
and historical resources. Input is also welcome on other areas to be 
addressed in the environmental process, such as past, present, and 
future actions (which, when considered with ATMIP alternatives, may 
result in potentially significant cumulative impacts), and potential 
ATMP alternatives.

DATES: By this notice, the FAA is requesting comments on the scope of 
the environmental assessment for the ATMP at Death Valley National 
Park. Comments must be submitted by February 18, 2010.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Keith Lusk--Mailing address: P.O. Box 
92007, Los Angeles, California 90009-2007. Telephone: (310) 725-3808. 
Street address: 15000 Aviation Boulevard, Lawndale, California 90261. 
E-mail: [email protected]. Written comments on the scope of the 
Environmental Assessment should be submitted electronically via the 
electronic public comment form on the NPS Planning, Environment and 
Public Comment System at: http://parkplanning.nps.gov/projectHome.cfm?parkId=297&projectId=27781, or sent to the mailing 
address or e-mail address above.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A Public Scoping Document that describes the 
project in greater detail is available at:

 The NPS Planning, Environment and Public Comment System at: 
http://parkplanning.nps.gov/projectHome.cfm?parkId=297&projectId=27781
 http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/arc/programs/air_tourmanagement_plan/park_specific_plans/Death_Valley.cfm
 The following locations within Death Valley National Park: 
Furnace Creek Visitor Center & Museum, Stovepipe Wells Ranger Station, 
Scotty's Castle
 Shoshone Museum, Shoshone, CA
 Eastern Sierra Interagency Center, Highway 395 and Highway 
136, Lone Pine, CA
 Beatty Library District, 400 North 4th Street, Beatty, NV
 Inyo County Free Library: 168 North Edwards Street, 
Independence, CA; 210 Academy Street and 110 North Main Street in 
Bishop, CA
 Pahrump Community Library: 701 East Street, Pahrump, NV
 Amargosa Valley Library: 829 East Farm Road, Amargosa Valley, 
NV

    Notice Regarding FOIA: Individuals may request that their name and/
or address be withheld from public disclosure. If you wish to do this, 
you must state this prominently at the beginning of your conmient. 
Commentators using the Web site can make such a request by checking the 
box ``keep my contact information private.'' Such requests will be 
honored to the extent allowable by law, but you should be aware that 
pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, your name and address may 
be disclosed. We will make all submissions from organizations, 
businesses, and from individuals identifying themselves as 
representatives or officials of organizations or businesses available 
for public inspection in their entirety.

    Issued in Hawthorne, CA, on January 7, 2010.
Barry Brayer,
Manager, Special Programs Staff, Western-Pacific Region.
[FR Doc. 2010-685 Filed 1-15-10; 8:45 am]
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