
[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 145 (Thursday, July 28, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Page 45312]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-19050]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Assessment, Notice 
of Public Meetings, and Notice To Request Public Scoping Comments for 
the Air Tour Management Plan Program at Golden Gate National Recreation 
Area, San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park and Point Reyes 
National Seashore

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Assessment, Notice 
of Public Meetings, and Notice to Request Public Scoping Comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA, with the National Park Service (NPS) as a cooperating 
agency, has initiated development of Air Tour Management Plans (ATMPs) 
for Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA) and Point Reyes 
National Seashore (the Seashore). The ATMP for GGNRA will include Muir 
Woods National Monument and Fort Point National Historic Site, both 
directly managed by GGNRA, and the San Francisco Maritime National 
Historical Park (SF Maritime NHP), an independently managed national 
park unit adjacent to GGNRA.
    The ATMPs are being developed pursuant to the National Parks Air 
Tour Management Act (NPATMA) of 2000 (Pub. L. 106-181) and its 
implementing regulations (14 Code of Federal Regulation [CFR] Part 136, 
Subpart B, National Parks Air Tour Management). Per section 
40128(b)(1)(B) of NPATMA, the objective of an ATMP shall be to develop 
acceptable and effective measures to mitigate or prevent significant 
adverse impacts, if any, of commercial air tour operations upon the 
natural and cultural resources, visitor experiences and tribal lands 
within or abutting GGNRA and the Seashore. It should be noted that an 
ATMP has no authorization over other non-air-tour operations such as 
military and general aviation. In compliance with the National 
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) and FAA Order 1050.1E, an 
Environmental Assessment (EA) is being prepared.
    The FAA has granted Interim Operating Authority (IOA) to two 
commercial air tour operators to conduct air tours over GGNRA, SF 
Maritime NHP, and the Seashore. The FAA and NPS are now inviting the 
public, agencies, tribes, and other interested parties to provide 
comments, suggestions, and input on the scope of issues and range of 
alternatives to be addressed in the environmental process.
    The FAA and NPS are also hosting public scoping meetings to inform 
the public and other interested parties about the ATMP program and to 
provide the opportunity for comments.

DATES: By this notice, the FAA is requesting comments on the scope of 
the EA for the individual ATMPs at GGNRA and SF Maritime NHP, and the 
Seashore. Comments must be submitted by September 28, 2011.
    Meetings: The meetings will be held at the following location, 
dates, and times:
August 16, 2011: 4:30-6:30 p.m.
    GGNRA Headquarters, Fort Mason Building 201, San Francisco, CA.
August 17, 2011: 4:30-6:30 p.m.
    Bay Model Visitor Center, 2100 Bridgeway, Sausalito, CA.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Keith Lusk, Mailing address: P.O. Box 
92007, Los Angeles, California 90009-2007. Telephone: (310) 725-3808. 
Street address: 15000 Aviation Boulevard, Lawndale, California 90261. 
Written comments on the scope of the EA should be submitted 
electronically via the electronic public comment form on the NPS 
Planning, Environment and Public Comment Web site at: http://parkplanning.nps.gov/BayArea_ATMP, provided in writing at one of the 
public meetings/open houses, or sent to the mailing address above.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A public scoping packet that describes the 
project in greater detail is available at:
     http://parkplanning.nps.gov/BayArea_ATMP.
     http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/arc/programs/air_tour_management_plan/.
    Notice Regarding FOIA: Individuals may request that their name and/
or address be withheld from public disclosure. If you wish to do this, 
you must state this prominently at the beginning of your comment. 
Commentators using the Web site can make such a request by checking the 
box ``keep my contact information private.'' Such requests will be 
honored to the extent allowable by law, but you should be aware that 
pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, your name and address may 
be disclosed. We will make all submissions from organizations, 
businesses, and from individuals identifying themselves as 
representatives or officials of organizations or businesses available 
for public inspection in their entirety.

    Issued in Hawthorne, CA on July 21, 2011.
Larry Tonish,
Program Manager, Special Programs Staff, Western-Pacific Region.
[FR Doc. 2011-19050 Filed 7-27-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P


