    [Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 32, Number 17 (Monday, April 29, 1996)]
    [Pages 706-707]
    [Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    <R04>
    Memorandum on Transportation Planning to Address Impacts of
    Transportation on National Parks

    April 22, 1996

    Memorandum for the Heads of Executive Departments and Agencies

    Subject: Additional Transportation Planning to Address Impacts of
    Transportation on National Parks

        Transportation in national parks--including ground transportation of
    visitors into the parks and airplane flights over the parks--has a
    significant impact on a visitor's experience of the park and on park
    management. The Secretary of Transportation has both valuable expertise
    and regulatory authority to address certain of these issues, and has
    been working on them with the Secretary of the Interior and others.
        Aircraft flying at low altitudes over national parks can, if not
    properly managed, mar the natural beauty of the parks and create
    significant noise problems as well. The intrusion of such aircraft can
    interfere with wildlife (including threatened and endangered species),
    cultural resources and ceremonies, and visitors' enjoyment of parks,
    including the ability to experience natural sounds without interruption
    from mechanical noise. Several parks face overflight problems, including
    Grand Canyon National Park where substantial restoration of natural
    quiet is mandated by law, and several others identified by the National
    Park Service (NPS). It is important to the future of parks to address
    these problems quickly and in a fair and reasonable manner.
        In addition, the National Park System contains thousands of miles of
    roads. All too often in peak visitor periods roads are so crowded with
    cars that the congestion and competition for space diminish the quality
    of the public's experience. Parks are not too full of people, but the
    roads and parking areas often are jammed. With modern technology and
    alternative transportation systems, the parks can continue to be
    accessible to all, and can be more enjoyable places to experience and
    learn about nature and history.
        Therefore, to the extent permitted by law, I hereby direct the
    Secretary of Transportation in consultation with the heads of rel-

    [[Page 707]]

    evant departments and agencies to continue the ongoing development of
    rules as set out below to address overflights of the National Parks:
        1. For Grand Canyon National Park,
        (a) issue proposed regulations within 90 days to place appropriate
          limits on sightseeing aircraft over the Grand Canyon National Park
          to reduce the noise immediately and make further substantial
          progress toward restoration of natural quiet, as defined by the
          Secretary of the Interior, while maintaining aviation safety in
          accordance with the Overflights Act (Public Law 100-91). Action on
          this rulemaking to accomplish these purposes should be completed
          by the end of 1996; and
        (b) should any final rulemaking determine that issuance of a further
          management plan is necessary to substantially restore natural
          quiet in the Grand Canyon National Park, complete within 5 years a
          plan that addresses how the Federal Aviation Administration and
          NPS will complete the ``substantial restoration and maintenance of
          natural quiet,'' as defined by the Secretary of the Interior in
          accordance with the Overflights Act. Any such plan shall ensure
          that the restoration of natural quiet required by the Overflights
          Act shall be completed in the park not more than 12 years from the
          date of issuance of this directive as recommended in NPS's 1994
          ``Report on Effects of Aircraft Overflights on the National Park
          System.''
        2. For Rocky Mountain National Park, complete and issue, if
    appropriate, within 90 days, a notice of proposed rulemaking to address
    the potential adverse impact on the park and its visitors of overflights
    by sightseeing aircraft, keeping in mind the value of natural quiet and
    the natural experience in the park, as well as protection of public
    health and safety.
        3. Issue by the end of 1996 a notice of proposed rulemaking for the
    management of sightseeing aircraft in those National Parks where it is
    deemed necessary to reduce or prevent the adverse effects of such
    aircraft. The regulation should, at a minimum, establish a framework for
    managing air traffic over those park units identified in the 1994 NPS
    study, as priorities for (1) resolution of airspace issues and (2)
    maintaining or restoring natural quiet.
        4. Develop appropriate educational and other materials for the
    public at large and all aviation interests that describe the importance
    of natural quiet to park visitors and the need for cooperation from the
    aviation community. This guidance shall also recognize that, in some
    parks, air tours provide important access to approved areas in those
    parks, especially with regard to the disabled communities.
        In addition, with respect to ground transportation in the parks, the
    Secretary of the Interior, in consultation with the Secretary of
    Transportation, is directed as follows:
        To develop a plan for a comprehensive effort to improve public
          transportation in the national parks. This plan should include:
        1. design of pilot programs for improved public transportation in
          the Grand Canyon, Zion, and Yosemite National Parks;
        2. plans to work with relevant State, local, and tribal governments
          on this effort;
        3. options to increase access to the parks by rebuilding
          infrastructure in the parks; and
        4. recommendations to enhance resource protection and the quality of
          visitor experience through innovative transportation planning
          including, where possible and appropriate, the use of alternative
          fuel vehicles.
        This memorandum shall be published in the Federal Register.
                                                William J. Clinton

    [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 8:45 a.m., April 24,
    1996]

    Note: This memorandum was published in the Federal Register on April 25.