[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 112 (Monday, June 12, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 38120-38121]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-12472]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


Membership in the National Parks Overflights Advisory Group

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Solicitation of applications.

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SUMMARY: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National 
Park Service (NPS) invite interested persons to apply to fill one 
current and five upcoming vacancies on the National Parks Overflights 
Advisory Group (NPOAG). This notice invites interested persons to apply 
for the openings. The current opening is for a representative of Native 
American tribes. The upcoming openings are for another representative 
of Native American tribes, two representatives of the commercial air 
tour operators, and three representatives of environmental concerns.

DATES: Persons interested in these membership openings will need to 
apply by July 27, 2023.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sandi Fox, Environmental Protection 
Specialist, FAA Office of Environment and Energy, 800 Independence Ave. 
SW, Suite 900W, Washington, DC 20591, telephone: (202) 267-0928, 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, 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 representatives of general aviation, commercial 
air tour operators, 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 38121]]

    (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 is made up of one member representing general 
aviation, three members representing commercial air tour operators, 
four members representing environmental concerns, and two members 
representing Native American tribes. Members serve three-year terms. 
Current members of the NPOAG are as follows: Murray Huling representing 
general aviation; Eric Lincoln, James Viola, and John Becker 
representing commercial air tour operators; Robert Randall, Dick 
Hingson, Les Blomberg, and John Eastman representing environmental 
interests; and Carl Slater representing Native American tribes, with 
one current opening for a Native American tribe representative. The 
three-year terms of Mr. Becker, Mr. Blomberg, Mr. Eastman, Mr. Hingson, 
and Mr. Viola expire on August 30, 2023.

Selections

    To retain balance within the NPOAG, the FAA and NPS are seeking 
candidates interested in filling the one current vacant seat 
representing Native American tribes, two upcoming vacancies 
representing the commercial air tour industry, and three upcoming 
vacancies representing environmental concerns. The FAA and NPS invite 
persons interested in these openings on the NPOAG to contact the person 
listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section.
    Requests to serve on the NPOAG must be made in writing and 
postmarked or emailed on or before July 27, 2023. Any request to fill 
one of these seats must describe the requestor's affiliation with 
commercial air tour operators, environmental concerns, or federally 
recognized Native American tribes, as appropriate. The request should 
also explain what expertise the requestor would bring to the NPOAG as 
related to issues and concerns with aircraft flights over national 
parks or tribal lands. The term of service for NPOAG members is 3 
years. Members may re-apply for another term.
    On August 13, 2014, the Office of Management and Budget issued 
revised guidance regarding the prohibition against appointing or not 
reappointing federally registered lobbyists to serve on advisory 
committees (79 FR 47482). 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 Washington, DC, on June 7, 2023.
Sandra Fox,
Environmental Protection Specialist, FAA Office of Environment and 
Energy.
[FR Doc. 2023-12472 Filed 6-9-23; 8:45 am]
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