[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 80 (Tuesday, April 26, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 24686-24687]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-09690]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


Membership in the National Parks Overflights Advisory Group 
Aviation Rulemaking Committee

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, Transportation.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: By Federal Register notice (See 81 FR 290, January 5, 2016) 
the National Park Service (NPS) and the Federal Aviation Administration 
(FAA) invited interested persons to apply to fill two upcoming openings 
on the National Parks Overflights Advisory Group (NPOAG) Aviation 
Rulemaking Committee (ARC). The notice invited interested persons to 
apply to fill future openings to represent air tour operator concerns 
and environmental interests. This notice informs the public of the 
person selected to fill the air tour operator future vacancy. No 
selection has been made for the vacancy representing environmental 
interests so this notice also invites persons interested in serving on 
the ARC to apply for the upcoming opening for this seat.

DATES: Persons interested in applying for the one upcoming NPOAG 
opening representing environmental interests need to apply by June 10, 
2016.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Keith Lusk, Special Programs Staff, 
Federal Aviation Administration, Western-Pacific Region Headquarters, 
P.O. Box 92007, Los Angeles, CA 90009-2007, telephone: (310) 725-3808, 
email: [email protected].,

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

[[Page 24687]]

Background

    The National Parks Air Tour Management Act of 2000 (the Act) was 
enacted on April 5, 2000, as Public Law 106-181, and subsequently 
amended in the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012. The Act 
required the establishment of the advisory group within one 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 of the FAA and the Director 
of NPS (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.
    In accordance with the Act, 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;
    (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.''

Membership

    The current NPOAG ARC is made up of one member representing general 
aviation, three members representing the commercial air tour industry, 
four members representing environmental concerns, and two members 
representing Native American tribes. Current members of the NPOAG ARC 
are as follows:
    Melissa Rudinger representing general aviation; Alan Stephen, Matt 
Zuccaro, and Mark Francis representing commercial air tour operators; 
Mark Belles, Nicholas Miller, Michael Sutton, and Dick Hingson 
representing environmental concerns; and Leigh Kuwanwisiwma and Martin 
Begaye representing Native American tribes. The 3-year membership terms 
of Mr. Francis, and Mr. Sutton expire on May 19, 2016.

Selection

    The person selected to fill the upcoming open seat representing air 
tour operator concerns is Mark Francis. Mr. Francis is a current member 
and will serve another term. His 3-year term will begin on May 20, 
2016. No persons expressed interest in filling the other upcoming 
opening to represent environmental concerns. Therefor the FAA and NPS, 
through this notice, are soliciting interest for the environmental 
opening.
    The FAA and NPS invite persons interested in serving on the ARC to 
contact Mr. Keith Lusk (contact information is written above in FOR 
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT). Requests to serve on the ARC must be made 
to Mr. Lusk in writing and postmarked or emailed on or before June 10, 
2016. The request should indicate whether or not you are a member of an 
association or group related to environmental concerns or have another 
affiliation with issues relating to aircraft flights over national 
parks. The request should also state what expertise you would bring to 
the NPOAG ARC as related to issues and concerns with aircraft flights 
over national parks. The term of service for NPOAG ARC members is 3 
years. Current members may re-apply for another term.
    On June 18, 2010, President Obama signed a Presidential Memorandum 
directing agencies in the Executive Branch not to appoint or re-appoint 
federally registered lobbyists to advisory committees and other boards 
and commissions. Therefore, before appointing an applicant to serve on 
the NPOAG, the FAA and NPS will require the prospective candidate to 
certify that they are not a federally registered lobbyist.

    Issued in Hawthorne, CA on April 20, 2016.
Keith Lusk
Program Manager, Special Programs Staff, Western-Pacific Region.
[FR Doc. 2016-09690 Filed 4-25-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P