National Park Service February 4, 2011 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, 42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C), the National Park Service announces the availability of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Special Flight Rules Area in the Vicinity of Grand Canyon National Park for Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona. The four alternatives in the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) that are being considered include: Alternative A Current Condition: Key elements are corridors open year round, annual allocation cap of 93,971, and no quiet technology incentive. Current tours for helicopters and fixed wing remain the same. Alternative E Alternating Seasonal Use: Key elements are corridors alternating on a seasonal basis, daily allocation cap of 364 for air tour and air tour related, and conversion to quiet technology aircraft. Alternative F Modified Current Condition: Key elements are similar to current condition except for one way east bound tour for quiet technology, elimination of Nankoweap loop, incentives for quiet technology aircraft, and seasonal shift for Dragon corridor. NPS Preferred Alternative: Key elements are short-loop corridors alternate on a seasonal basis, four-year phase in of long-loop for quiet technology aircraft, annual allocation cap of 65,000 air tour and related operations and a daily cap of 364 for commercial air tours, increased altitudes for some areas and flight free zones, and conversion of quiet technology within ten years.