[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.