[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 144 (Friday, July 28, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 35259-35260]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-15489]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


Membership in the National Parks Overflights Advisory Group

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, Transportation.

ACTION: Solicitation of applications.

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SUMMARY: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National 
Park Service (NPS) are inviting interested persons to apply to fill 
three current openings on the National Parks Overflights Advisory Group 
(NPOAG). The openings represent environmental interests. The selected 
members will serve 3-year terms.

DATES: Persons interested in applying for the NPOAG openings 
representing environmental interests need to apply by August 25, 2017.

ADDRESSES: You may submit your interest in filling one of the NPOAG 
openings by either of the following methods:
     Email: [email protected].
     Mail: Keith Lusk, Federal Aviation Administration, 
Western-Pacific Region Headquarters, 15000 Aviation Boulevard, 
Lawndale, CA 90261.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Keith Lusk, Special Programs Staff, 
Federal Aviation Administration, Western-Pacific Region Headquarters, 
15000 Aviation Boulevard, Lawndale, CA 90261, telephone: (310) 725-
3808, email: [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 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;

[[Page 35260]]

    (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 NPOAG 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 interests. Current members of the NPOAG 
are as follows:
    The current NPOAG consists of Melissa Rudinger representing general 
aviation; Alan Stephen, Mark Francis, and Matthew Zuccaro representing 
commercial air tour operators; Rob Smith representing environmental 
interests with three current openings; and Leigh Kuwanwisiwma and 
Martin Begaye representing Native American interests.

Selection

    In order to retain balance within the NPOAG, the FAA and NPS are 
seeking candidates interested in filling these three open seats 
representing environmental interests. The FAA and NPS invite persons 
interested in representing environmental interests on the NPOAG to 
contact Mr. Keith Lusk (contact information is written above in FOR 
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT). Requests to serve on the NPOAG must be 
made to Mr. Lusk in writing and postmarked or emailed on or before 
August 25, 2017. The request should indicate whether or not you are a 
member of an environmental association or group. The request should 
also state what expertise you would bring to the NPOAG as related to 
issues and concerns with aircraft flights over national parks. The term 
of service for NPOAG 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 July 18, 2017.
Keith Lusk,
Program Manager, Special Programs Staff, Western-Pacific Region.
[FR Doc. 2017-15489 Filed 7-27-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P