[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 158 (Tuesday, August 19, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Pages 40461-40462]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-15718]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
Membership in the National Parks Overflights Advisory Group
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of Selection to and Solicitation of Applications for the
National Park Overflights Advisory Group.
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SUMMARY: By Federal Register notice on February 14, 2025, the Federal
Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Park Service (NPS),
invited interested persons to apply to fill two vacancies on the
National Parks Overflights Advisory Group (NPOAG): one position
representing general aviation and one position representing Native
American tribes. This notice informs the public of the selection made
for the vacancy representing general aviation. The position
representing Native American tribes was not filled. This notice also
invites interested persons to apply to fill four vacancies on the
National Parks Overflights Advisory Group (NPOAG). The openings are for
a representative of Native American tribes, a representative of air
tour operators, and two representatives of environmental concerns.
DATES: Persons interested in these membership openings will need to
apply by October 3, 2025.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sandi Fox, Environmental Protection
Specialist, FAA Office of Environment and Energy, 400 N 8th St., Suite
750, Richmond, VA 23219, telephone: (202) 267-0928, email:
[email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. 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;
(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.''
Selections: Murray Huling was selected to fill the vacancy for
general aviation. The three-year term will commence on the publication
date of this Federal Register notice.
II. Membership
The current NPOAG is made up of one member representing general
aviation, three members representing commercial air tour operators,
four
[[Page 40462]]
members representing environmental concerns, and two members
representing Native American tribes. Members serve three-year terms.
III. Solicitation for Membership
To retain balance within the NPOAG, the FAA and NPS are seeking
candidates interested in filling four vacancies: one representing
Native American tribes, one representing the commercial air tour
industry, and two representing environmental interests, one of which
will be available on September 13, 2025, when the current term expires.
The other three vacancies are available now. 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 October 3, 2025. 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 Federal Register 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.
Dated: August 14, 2025.
Sandra Fox,
Environmental Protection Specialist.
[FR Doc. 2025-15718 Filed 8-18-25; 8:45 am]
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