Ban National Park Overflights

Please take 20 minutes to write comments to the FAA objecting to overflights in National Parks. The FAA has published its Draft Aviation Noise Abatement Policy. The last revision occurred in 1976, so it is likely that we will be stuck with this new policy for 25 more years.

The draft currently states that, "The overarching goal is to identify how best to provide access to the airspace over national parks while ensuring all park visitors a quality experience and protecting park resources" (Policy Element 6).

Access to airspace over national parks is inappropriate. The FAA's goal is impossible to achieve. Aircraft noise is inconsistent with the protecting the park's resources and visitors' pristine nature experience.

Studies are not needed to determine what noise levels interfere with natural quiet in parks and wilderness areas. Any aircraft noise interferes. Therefore, aircraft should not be allowed to fly within 10 miles of non-urban national parks, wilderness areas, national monuments, national seashores, and other sensitive and pristine public lands.

It is imperative that the FAA hear from you by October 23, the comment deadline.

You might want to mention these issues in your comments:

• The National Parks and airspace should be under exclusive control of the Secretary of the Interior, not the FAA.
• Aircraft should not be allowed to fly within 10 miles of non-urban national parks, wilderness areas, national monuments, national seashores, and other sensitive and pristine public lands.
• Natural quiet in the parks should mean no aircraft noise is audible. Furthermore, to protect the parks' scenery, no aircraft should be visible.
• Mechanisms should be created for the protection of natural quiet in historic and culturally sensitive areas.

Please state these points in your own words and tell the FAA why you do not want overflights of national parks.

Send comments in triplicate to:
Federal Aviation Administration
Office of the Chief Counsel
Attention: Rules Docket (AGC-200)
Docket No. [30109]
800 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20591

You may also submit your comments via email.
Click here for instructions.

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