Lawmakers Foil Park Service's Grand Canyon Air Tour Plan

摘要

Arizona and Nevada lawmakers inserted a last-minute provision into the federal highway appropriations bill (H.R.4348) conference agreement that circumvents the National Park Service in its effort to implement a final rule designed to restore natural quiet to Grand Canyon National Park (GCNP). Backed by Sens. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Harry Reid (D-Nev.), the measure is designed to protect the interests of air tour operators based in their states. It was passed by both houses of Congress and sent to President Obama, who is expected to sign it into law. The Park Service was on track to release its final rule on Grand Canyon air tour overflights later this year. Congress first mandated the rule in the 1987 National Parks Overflights Act. That law required "substantial restoration of the natural quiet and experience of the park," but did not define "restoration of the natural quiet." FAA and NPS struggled with the definition for more than two decades.