Membership in the National Parks Overflights Advisory Group, 24430-24431 [2021-09561]

Download as PDF 24430 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 86 / Thursday, May 6, 2021 / Notices scheduling limits.7 Consistent with this approach, the FAA intends to offer alternative times in response to any new flights for the Winter 2021/2022 scheduling season if operations are at or above the scheduling limits. However, the FAA notes that there may be availability for ad hoc passenger and cargo operations due to temporary COVID–19-related service changes, but such availability will depend on the baseline level of planned operations with priority from the prior corresponding season. EWR Assessment Status As indicated most recently in the EWR schedule submission notice for the Summer 2021 scheduling season, the FAA is assessing the impacts on performance of peak period reductions and other schedule changes, such as Southwest Airlines’ cessation of operations at EWR, as well as the impacts on competition, in close coordination with the Office of the Secretary of Transportation.8 This assessment is ongoing; the FAA intends to publish additional information on the outcome of this assessment in the future. The sudden, drastic disruption caused by COVID–19 9 affects the analysis and the relevant long-term effects of operational, performance, and demand-related changes at EWR. COVID–19 continues to impact operations at EWR in 2021. Pending further study, the FAA does not at this time invite replacing or ‘‘backfilling’’ the peak morning and afternoon/ evening operations that Southwest Airlines conducted during Winter 2018/ 2019 and Summer 2019, to the extent the new operations would exceed the current desired scheduling limits. khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES Construction Updates Construction projects are upcoming or underway at EWR, JFK, LAX, and ORD, 7 See e.g., Notice of Submission Deadline for the Summer 2021 Scheduling Season, 85 FR 65134 at 65136 (Oct. 14, 2020); Notice of Submission Deadline for the Winter 2020/2021 Scheduling Season, 85 FR 30001 at 30003 (May 19, 2020); Notices of Submission Deadline for Newark Liberty International Airport for the Summer 2020 Scheduling Season, 84 FR 52580 at 52581–52582 (Oct. 2, 2019); Notice of Submission Deadline for the Winter 2019/2020 Scheduling Season, 84 FR 18630 at 18632 (May 1, 2019); Notice of Submission Deadline for the Summer 2019 Scheduling Season, 83 FR 49155 at 49156–49157 (Sep. 28, 2018); Notice of Submission Deadline for the Winter 2018/2019 Scheduling Season, 83 FR 21335 at 21337–21338 (May 9, 2018). 8 See Notice of Submission Deadline for Newark Liberty International Airport for the Summer 2021 Scheduling Season, 85 FR 65134. 9 For example, the FAA’s Operational Network (OPSNET) data shows total operations for April to September 2020 were 73.7% lower than the same period in 2019. VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:49 May 05, 2021 Jkt 253001 and SFO. For additional information, see https://www.faa.gov/about/office_ org/headquarters_offices/ato/service_ units/systemops/perf_analysis/sys_cap_ eval/. The construction plans for each of the airports is subject to change. The airport operators regularly meet with the FAA, carriers, and other stakeholders to review construction plans, identify operational or other issues, and develop mitigation strategies. Carriers interested in additional information on construction plans should contact the airport operator to obtain further details or information on stakeholder discussions. Issued in Washington, DC, on April, 30, 2021. Virginia T. Boyle, Vice President, System Operations Services. [FR Doc. 2021–09535 Filed 5–5–21; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–13–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration Membership in the National Parks Overflights Advisory Group Federal Aviation Administration, (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Solicitation of applications. AGENCY: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Park Service (NPS) invite interested persons to apply to fill one current and one upcoming vacancy on the National Parks Overflights Advisory Group (NPOAG). This notice invites interested persons to apply for the openings. The current opening is for a representative of Native American tribes. The upcoming opening is for a representative of air tour operator concerns. DATES: Persons interested in these membership openings will need to apply by June 11, 2021. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Keith Lusk, Special Programs Staff, Federal Aviation Administration, Western-Pacific Region Headquarters, 777 S Aviation Boulevard, Suite 150, El Segundo, CA 90245, telephone: (424) 405–7017, email: Keith.Lusk@faa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: SUMMARY: 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 PO 00000 Frm 00053 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 NPOAG was established in March 2001. The advisory group is comprised of representatives of general aviation, commercial air tour operators, 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 1-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 tribes. Members serve three year terms. Current members of the NPOAG are as follows: Melissa Rudinger representing general aviation; Eric Lincoln, James Viola, and John Becker representing commercial air tour operators; Robert Randall, Dick Hingson, Les Blomberg, and John Eastman representing environmental interests; and Carl Slater representing Native American tribes, with one current opening. The three-year term of Mr. Lincoln expires on July 31, 2021. Selections In order to retain balance within the NPOAG, the FAA and NPS are seeking candidates interested in filling the one current vacant seat representing Native American tribes and the one upcoming seat representing commercial air tour operators. The FAA and NPS invite persons interested in these 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 E:\FR\FM\06MYN1.SGM 06MYN1 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 86 / Thursday, May 6, 2021 / Notices postmarked or emailed on or before June 11, 2021. Any request to fill one of these seats must describe the requestor’s affiliation with commercial air tour operators or federally-recognized Native American tribes, as appropriate. The request should also explain what expertise the requestor would bring to the NPOAG as related to issues and concerns with aircraft flights over national parks or tribal lands. The term of service for NPOAG members is 3 years. 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 El Segundo, CA, on May 3, 2021. Keith Lusk, Program Manager, Special Programs Staff, Western-Pacific Region. [FR Doc. 2021–09561 Filed 5–5–21; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–13–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Highway Administration Rescinding a Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for a Proposed Bridge Replacement Project, Bronx County, NY Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Department of Transportation (DOT). ACTION: Notice to rescind a Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement. AGENCY: The FHWA, in cooperation with the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) and the New York City Department of Transportation (NYCDOT), is issuing this Notice to advise the public that we are rescinding the 1999 Notice of Intent (NOI) to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for a previous proposal to rehabilitate, reconstruct, or replace the Shore Road Bridge (a.k.a. Pelham Park bridge) over the Hutchinson River Project (the Project), in Bronx County, New York [New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) Project Identification Number (PIN) X760.75]. We are rescinding the NOI because a substantial amount of time has passed khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:49 May 05, 2021 Jkt 253001 since its publication and previously identified funding had been realocated to more urgent projects after September 11, 2001. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For FHWA: Richard J. Marquis, Division Administrator, Federal Highway Administration, New York Division, Leo W. O’Brien Federal Building, 11A Clinton Avenue, Suite 719, Albany, New York 12207, Telephone: (518) 431– 4127, Email: Rick.Marquis@dot.gov. For NYSDOT: Uchenna Madu, NYC Director of Planning & Program Management, New York State Department of Transportation, NYC Region, 47–40 21st Street, Long Island City, New York 11101, Telephone: (718) 482–4559, Email: Uchenna.Madu@dot.ny.gov. For NYCDOT: Naim Rasheed, Assistant Commissioner, New York City Department of Transportation, 55 Water Street, 6th Floor, New York, New York 10041, Telephone: (212) 839–7710, Email: nrasheed@dot.nyc.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the NYSDOT and the NYCDOT, previously intended to prepare an EIS to rehabilitate, reconstruct, or replace the Shore Road Bridge (a.k.a. Pelham Park bridge) on Shore Road in Bronx, County, New York (the Project). The NOI, which was published in the Federal Register on October 21, 1999 (64 FR 56831), indicated that improvements to the bridge were considered necessary to provide for the existing and projected traffic demand, provide for safety improvements (standard shoulders and upgraded sidewalks and bikeways), and because the over 100-year old bridge is suffering structural degradation. The Shore Road Bridge is an 865-footlong bridge with seven spans. The main span over the navigation channel is a double-leaf movable bascule span, which is flanked by three concrete arch spans on either side. The bridge and its associated roadway provide access to major interchanges with the Hutchinson River Parkway and Bruckner Expressway west of the bridge and City Island Road east of the bridge. The Project was initiated to improve safety (standard traffic lanes, shoulders, grades, and upgrade bicycle and pedestrian facilities) and to address structural and operational deficiencies of the Shore Road Bridge. As stated in the 1999 NOI, alternatives under consideration included (1) taking no action; (2) using alternate travel modes; (3) rehabilitating the existing bridge, and (4) constructing a new replacement bridge. These potential alternatives, except for taking no action and using alternate travel modes, included the PO 00000 Frm 00054 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 24431 common elements of improving the crossing of Shore Road over the Hutchinson River. Initially, the Project was not progressed because the budget allocated for the Project was reprioritized to more urgent projects after September 11, 2001. At that time, a long-term rehabilitation cost was estimated at 44 million dollars and new bridge construction alternatives costs ranged between approximately 62 and 122 million. Given funding constraints at the time, NYCDOT conducted a less costly major interim rehabilitation, completed in 2002, which addressed various imminent structural, safety, mechanical, and electrical issues on the bridge. The interim rehabilitation was progressed to prolong the bridge’s service life until the environmental review and design approval process for the Project could be completed. Since 2002, bridge components have been repaired as needed when deterioration was noted in biennial inspection reports. Interim rehabilitation and occasional repairs prolonged the service life of the Shore Road Bridge but did not negate the eventual need to reassess another rehabilitation or replacement project. Subsequent to the interim rehabilitation, the Great Recession of 2007–2009 resulted in revenue losses that caused city agencies to reprioritize funding for projects. In 2012, Hurricane Sandy caused extensive damage to NYCDOT and other city-owned facilities, which again diverted funding to address emergency repair work required in the aftermath of the storm. For these reasons and because a substantial amount of time has passed since the 1999 NOI was published, the 1999 NOI is being rescinded. The FHWA, NYSDOT, and NYCDOT will be evaluating a reasonable range of alternatives for the Shore Road Bridge over the Hutchinson River Project as a new proposed action, and an NOI for that action will be issued separately. Comments or questions concerning this recission should be directed to the FHWA, NYSDOT, and NYCDOT at the addresses provided in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of this Notice. (Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program Number 20.205, Highway Research, Planning and Construction. The regulations implementing Executive Order 12372 regarding intergovernmental consultation on Federal programs and activities apply to this program). Authority: 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.; 23 CFR part 771. E:\FR\FM\06MYN1.SGM 06MYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 86 (Thursday, May 6, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 24430-24431]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-09561]


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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


Membership in the National Parks Overflights Advisory Group

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Solicitation of applications.

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

SUMMARY: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National 
Park Service (NPS) invite interested persons to apply to fill one 
current and one upcoming vacancy on the National Parks Overflights 
Advisory Group (NPOAG). This notice invites interested persons to apply 
for the openings. The current opening is for a representative of Native 
American tribes. The upcoming opening is for a representative of air 
tour operator concerns.

DATES: Persons interested in these membership openings will need to 
apply by June 11, 2021.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Keith Lusk, Special Programs Staff, 
Federal Aviation Administration, Western-Pacific Region Headquarters, 
777 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 representatives of general aviation, commercial 
air tour operators, 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 1-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 tribes. Members serve three year terms. 
Current members of the NPOAG are as follows:
    Melissa Rudinger representing general aviation; Eric Lincoln, James 
Viola, and John Becker representing commercial air tour operators; 
Robert Randall, Dick Hingson, Les Blomberg, and John Eastman 
representing environmental interests; and Carl Slater representing 
Native American tribes, with one current opening. The three-year term 
of Mr. Lincoln expires on July 31, 2021.

Selections

    In order to retain balance within the NPOAG, the FAA and NPS are 
seeking candidates interested in filling the one current vacant seat 
representing Native American tribes and the one upcoming seat 
representing commercial air tour operators. The FAA and NPS invite 
persons interested in these 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

[[Page 24431]]

postmarked or emailed on or before June 11, 2021. Any request to fill 
one of these seats must describe the requestor's affiliation with 
commercial air tour operators or federally-recognized Native American 
tribes, as appropriate. The request should also explain what expertise 
the requestor would bring to the NPOAG as related to issues and 
concerns with aircraft flights over national parks or tribal lands. The 
term of service for NPOAG members is 3 years. 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 El Segundo, CA, on May 3, 2021.
Keith Lusk,
Program Manager, Special Programs Staff, Western-Pacific Region.
[FR Doc. 2021-09561 Filed 5-5-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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