[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 65 (Thursday, April 4, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13390-13391]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-06609]


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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 February 19, 2019 the National 
Park Service (NPS) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) 
invited interested persons to apply to fill two current openings on the 
National Parks Overflights Advisory Group (NPOAG) to represent general 
aviation, and Native American interests. This notice informs the public 
of the selection made for the vacancy representing general aviation and 
invites persons interested in serving on the NPOAG to apply for the 
still current opening representing Native American concerns.

DATES: Persons interested in applying for the NPOAG opening 
representing Native American concerns need to apply by May 31, 2019.

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--

[[Page 13391]]

    (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:
    One open seat to represent general aviation; Eric Lincoln, Alan 
Stephen, and Matt Zuccaro representing commercial air tour operators; 
Les Blomberg, Rob Smith, John Eastman, and Dick Hingson representing 
environmental interests; and Carl Slater and one open seat to represent 
Native American interests.

Selection

    Melissa Rudinger of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association has 
been selected for the current open seat to represent general aviation. 
NPOAG members' 3-year terms commence on the publication date of this 
Federal Register notice. No selection was made for the additional 
opening to represent Native American interests.
    The FAA and NPS invite persons interested in applying for the one 
remaining opening 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 May 31, 2019. The request should 
indicate whether or not you are a member of an association or group 
related to Native American concerns. 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 Federal Register 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 El Segundo, CA, on March 25, 2019.
Keith Lusk,
Program Manager, Special Programs Staff, Western-Pacific Region.
[FR Doc. 2019-06609 Filed 4-3-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P


