[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 147 (Tuesday, July 31, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Page 37043]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-16253]



[[Page 37043]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


Membership in the National Parks Overflights Advisory Group

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, Transportation

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: By Federal Register notice on April 20, 2018 the National Park 
Service (NPS) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) invited 
interested persons to apply to fill two openings on the National Parks 
Overflights Advisory Group (NPOAG) to represent air tour operator 
concerns and Native American interests. This notice informs the public 
of the selection made for the vacancy representing air tour operators 
and invites persons interested in serving on the NPOAG to apply for 
current and future openings representing Native American concerns, and 
future openings representing general aviation, and air tour operator 
interests.

DATES: Persons interested in applying for the NPOAG openings 
representing air tour operator and Native American interests need to 
apply by September 14, 2018.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Keith Lusk, Special Programs Staff, 
Federal Aviation Administration, Western-Pacific Region Headquarters, 
727 S Aviation Boulevard, Suite #150, El Segundo, CA 90245, telephone: 
(424) 405-7017, email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The National Parks Air Tour Management Act of 2000 (the Act) was 
enacted on April 5, 2000, as Public Law 106-181, and subsequently 
amended in the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012. The Act 
required the establishment of the advisory group within one year after 
its enactment. The NPOAG was established in March 2001. The advisory 
group is comprised of a balanced group of representatives of general 
aviation, commercial air tour operations, environmental concerns, and 
Native American tribes. The Administrator of the FAA and the Director 
of NPS (or their designees) serve as ex officio members of the group. 
Representatives of the Administrator and Director serve alternating 
one-year terms as chairman of the advisory group.
    In accordance with the Act, the advisory group provides ``advice, 
information, and recommendations to the Administrator and the 
Director--
    (1) On the implementation of this title [the Act] and the 
amendments made by this title;
    (2) On commonly accepted quiet aircraft technology for use in 
commercial air tour operations over a national park or tribal lands, 
which will receive preferential treatment in a given air tour 
management plan;
    (3) On other measures that might be taken to accommodate the 
interests of visitors to national parks; and
    (4) At the request of the Administrator and the Director, safety, 
environmental, and other issues related to commercial air tour 
operations over a national park or tribal lands.''

Membership

    The current NPOAG is made up of one member representing general 
aviation, three members representing the commercial air tour industry, 
four members representing environmental concerns, and two members 
representing Native American interests. Members serve 3-year terms. 
Current members of the NPOAG are as follows:
    Melissa Rudinger representing general aviation; Alan Stephen and 
Matt Zuccaro representing commercial air tour operators with one open 
seat; Les Blomberg, Rob Smith, John Eastman, and Dick Hingson 
representing environmental interests; and Martin Begaye representing 
Native American tribes with one open seat.

Selection

    Eric Lincoln has been selected to represent commercial air tour 
operators. No selection was made for the opening to represent Native 
American interests. In addition, three more seats are expiring in 
October/November 2018. The upcoming openings are one each to represent 
Native American concerns, general aviation, and air tour operator 
interests.
    The FAA and NPS invite persons interested in applying for the four 
openings on the NPOAG to contact Mr. Keith Lusk (contact information is 
written above in FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT). Requests to serve on 
the NPOAG must be made to Mr. Lusk in writing and postmarked or emailed 
on or before September 14, 2018. The request should indicate whether or 
not you are a member of an association or group related to air tour 
operator, general aviation, or Native American concerns or have another 
affiliation with issues relating to aircraft flights over national 
parks. The request should also state what expertise you would bring to 
the NPOAG as related to issues and concerns with aircraft flights over 
national parks. The term of service for NPOAG members is 3 years. 
Current members may re-apply for another term.
    On August 13, 2014, the Office of Management and Budget issued 
revised guidance regarding the prohibition against appointing or not 
reappointing federally registered lobbyists to serve on advisory 
committees (79 FR 47482).
    Therefore, before appointing an applicant to serve on the NPOAG, 
the FAA and NPS will require the prospective candidate to certify that 
they are not a federally registered lobbyist.

    Issued in Hawthorne, CA, on July 23, 2018.
Keith Lusk,
Program Manager, Special Programs Staff, Western-Pacific Region.
[FR Doc. 2018-16253 Filed 7-30-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P


