NPS releases Draft Environmental Impact Statement

National Park Service releases Draft Environmental Impact Statement that addresses air-tour flights and the substantial restoration of natural quiet in the vicinity of Grand Canyon National Park

Grand Canyon, Ariz. – The National Park Service (NPS) has developed a draft

plan to address the impacts of aircraft noise on park resources and visitor

experience. Released by the park today, the plan is formally called a

Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), Special Flight Rules Area in

the Vicinity of Grand Canyon National Park. The document will be available

for public review and comment for 120 days, with public comments due by

June 6, 2011.

The Draft EIS was developed to address the mandate of the 1987 National

Parks Overflights Act to provide for substantial restoration of the natural

quiet and experience of Grand Canyon National Park and for protection of

public health and safety from adverse effects associated with aircraft

overflights.

In order to restore natural quiet, a definition of what natural quiet is,

had to be developed. Substantial restoration of natural quiet in Grand

Canyon National Park is defined as being achieved when reduction of noise

from aircraft operations at or below 17,999 feet mean sea level (MSL)

results in 50% or more of the park achieving natural quiet (i.e., no

aircraft audible) for 75% to 100% of the day, each and every day. The NPS

considers 50% of the park a minimum restoration goal.

“Grand Canyon is known for breathtaking vistas, geologic landscapes, the

Colorado River, a rich history, adventurous trails, wildlife, solitude –

and natural quiet”, stated Palma Wilson, Acting Park Superintendent. “In

the litany of the park’s attributes, natural quiet is perhaps one of the

most important. Without its natural soundscape – a canyon wren’s

descending trill, wind rustling through the pines, the roar of the Colorado

River, and silence – Grand Canyon would still be amazing to look at, but it

would lack something essential and vital to its remote and wild character.”

Through the Draft EIS the NPS is proposing a plan for managing helicopter

and airplane flights over Grand Canyon. These flights currently carry more

than 400,000 visitors above the canyon each year. Like all other uses in

the park, air-tours play an important role in visitor enjoyment. But

without better, more thoughtful management air-tour flights can interfere

with the enjoyment of visitors on the ground. Air-tour flights also affect

soundscape and other park resources of Grand Canyon’s 1,902 square miles.

Four alternatives are evaluated in the Draft EIS: Alternative A, continued

current management (the No Action Alternative), and three action

alternatives – including the NPS Preferred Alternative. All alternatives

apply to aircraft operating in Grand Canyon’s Special Flight Rules Area,

and would continue to exempt operations in support of the Hualapai Tribe

from annual allocations and daily caps.

Key provisions of the NPS Preferred Alternative include:

Increases restoration of natural quiet in the park from 53% to 67%,

by reducing aircraft noise in the park.

Allows for 65,000 air-tour and air-tour related operations annually

(8,000 more air-tour flights above what was reported by air tour

operators.

Provides long and short loop air tour routes, with a seasonal shift

in short routes at six month intervals.

Moves most nor-air tour operations outside of the park.

Moves routes away from many sensitive cultural, natural and visitor

use areas.

Sets a daily cap of 364 flights classified as air tours (50 air-tour

flights more than what was reported for a peak day in 2005 – the base

year for analysis in the draft EIS).

Increases flight altitudes near North Rim viewpoints.

Reduces routes in Marble Canyon.

Requires full conversion to quiet technology, also known as QT

aircraft, within 10 years.

Provides at least one hour of quiet time before sunset and after

sunrise every day.

Makes no changes to the four existing general aviation flight

corridors.

Raises flight free zone ceilings to 17,999 feet.

The NPS Preferred Alternative includes elements that were proposed by one

or more members of the Grand Canyon Working Group (Working Group). The

Working Group was established under authority of the National Parks

Overflights Advisory Group (required by the National Parks Air Tour

Management Act of 2000), and consisted of representatives from the NPS,

Federal Aviation Administration, air-tour operators, environmental groups,

tribes, commercial and general aviation, recreational interests, and other

federal agencies. The working group was tasked with assisting the agencies

in meeting the statutory mandate contained in the 1987 National Parks

Overflights Act.

“Protection of park resources is at the heart of this plan,” stated Palma

Wilson. She added, “As stewards of these public lands, it is imperative

that we make every effort to preserve and protect all resources, including

natural quiet. The National Park Service Preferred Alternative provides for

substantial restoration of natural quiet in 67% of the park over a 10 year

period. It meets our stated objectives to provide for the protection of

public health and safety; protect wilderness values, wildlife, and

sensitive species; provide for quality air-tour experiences, as well as

primitive recreational opportunities without aircraft intrusions while

providing for an economically viable air-tour industry and extraordinary

air-tour experiences for visitors.”

The NPS will host five open-house style public meetings to present the

Draft EIS, gather input, and answer questions. Meetings will be held in

Flagstaff, Phoenix, and Grand Canyon, Arizona; and in Salt Lake City, Utah,

and Las Vegas, Nevada. Additional details regarding public meetings will be

announced soon.

The Draft EIS can be reviewed online at http://parkplanning.nps.gov/grca by

clicking on the project name, and then scrolling to “Open for Public

Comments.” Comments can be submitted online at the same Web address (the

preferred method), mailed to Superintendent, Grand Canyon National Park,

Attention: Office of Planning and Compliance, P.O. Box 129, Grand Canyon,

Arizona 86023, or provided at one of the public meetings. Comments will be

accepted through Monday, June 6, 2011.

For information or questions concerning the Draft EIS, call (928) 638-7328

and a staff member from the Office of Planning and Compliance will assist

you. Media calls should be directed to Maureen Oltrogge, Public Affairs

Officer at 928-638-7779.

-NPS-

Maureen Oltrogge Public Affairs Officer Grand Canyon National Park (928) 638-7779 (928) 638-7609 fax maureen_oltrogge@nps.gov