[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.