Comments on Everglades National Park Proposed Air Tour Management Plan

 

These comments have also been submitted via the park’s PEPC website.

 

August 25, 2021

Pedro Ramos, Superintendent
Everglades National Park
40001 State Road 9336
Homestead, FL 33034-6733

Subject:  Comments on Everglades National Park Proposed Air Tour Management Plan (ATMP)

Dear Superintendent Ramos:

I am writing on behalf of over 1,900 members of the Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks (Coalition), whose membership is comprised of retired, former, or current National Park Service (NPS) employees. As a group we collectively represent over 40,000 years of experience managing and protecting America’s most precious and important natural and cultural resources. Among our members are former NPS directors, regional directors, superintendents, resource specialists, rangers, maintenance and administrative staff, and a full array of other former employees, volunteers, and supporters.

On behalf of our membership, we offer the following comments for your consideration regarding the proposed Air Tour Management Plan (ATMP) for Everglades National Park (EVER):

A. General Comments applicable to all proposed ATMPs.

General Overview:  The National Parks Air Tour Management Act of 2000 (the Act or NPATMA) requires the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), in cooperation with the National Park Service (NPS), to develop an Air Tour Management Plan (ATMP) for each park or tribal land where air tour operations occur or are proposed. While the FAA has the sole federal authority to regulate airspace over the United States, at its core the NPATMA is a park protection law. It requires the agency of authority, the FAA, to cooperate with the NPS to jointly develop ATMPs “to mitigate and prevent the significant adverse impacts, if any, of commercial air tour operations upon the natural and cultural resources, visitor experiences, and tribal lands.”

The NPATMA does not mandate that air tours are to occur over national parks. Notably, Section 40128(b)(3)(A) of the Act states, in part: “An air tour management plan for a national park…  may prohibit commercial air tour operations in whole or in part.” In contrast, the NPS Organic Act; the respective park establishment acts; and, for parks that contain areas managed by NPS to protect wilderness character, the Wilderness Act are the conservation mandates that should govern the NPS decision process. As a result, the burden of proof rests on the NPS to demonstrate why air tours do not impair park resources or visitor experience opportunities at the parks in question.

Furthermore, air tours are not park operations – they are initiated outside of parks; they are not managed like concessions; and they are not inherently related to park operations or visitor services. For example, in our view it would be very difficult for NPS to justify allowing air tours if NPS were to prepare an “appropriate use analysis” as described in NPS Management Policies 2006, Sections 1.5 and 8.1.2.  Additionally, the airspace governed by the Act is relatively limited. It’s defined as “up to 5,000 above the ground and within ½ mile of park boundaries.” In essence, it only applies to low-altitude commercial air tour flights over these parks. Such flights could easily avoid ATMP requirements entirely simply by flying no less than 5,001 feet above ground level (AGL) at these parks.

As Yogi Berra once famously said, “When you come to a fork in the road, take it.” Now, over twenty years after the passage of the NPATMA, the joint preparation of ATMPs under the umbrella of FAA’s sole authority to regulate U.S. airspace offers the NPS a tremendous opportunity to finally address longstanding concerns about noise and other adverse impacts of low flying air tours at a number of parks. However, we are very concerned that the initial four ATMPs available for public comment are simplistic documents with no scientific data or analysis to justify the proposed actions; and no consideration of alternatives other than to institutionalize the status quo level of air tours at the respective parks.

To reiterate, air tours over parks are not mandated; but conservation of park resources and visitor experience opportunities is! Instead of simply adopting the status quo, we urge the NPS to “take the fork in the road” that follows the agency’s well established mission, mandates, and planning processes. This includes taking the requisite “hard look” at the relative impacts and benefits of the proposed action; considering a reasonable range of alternatives and comparing the proposal to those alternatives; and conscientiously evaluating whether commercial air tours are appropriate at any given park based on the resources and values at risk.

With that as context, we offer the following general comments about the ATMP planning process:

General Comment #1: NPS has issued multiple proposed actions (the ATMPs) for public comment without disclosing the environmental impacts of those actions as required under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and related Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and NPS NEPA policies.

Our utmost concern with the proposed actions is that there is no mention of National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) compliance in the Notice of Availability / Public Meeting Notice nor in the proposed ATMP. We gather from documents posted on the respective “Air Tour” websites for the FAA and NPS that the FAA is the lead agency for conducting an appropriate level of NEPA review, while the NPS is a cooperating agency. However, there is no information we could find on either website regarding what level of NEPA review (e.g., an EA vs. an EIS) that the FAA intends to prepare. In addition, we could find no information suggesting that the ATMPs were somehow exempt from NEPA compliance. See
https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/arc/programs/air_tour_management_plan/ and https://www.nps.gov/subjects/sound/airtours.htm.

Simply put, asking stakeholders and the public to comment on proposed federal agency actions (the proposed ATMP) without coincidently disclosing potential impacts of those actions violates the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) NEPA implementing regulations, as well as FAA and NPS NEPA policies.

First, CEQ regulations at 40 CFR §1501.2(b)(2) require Federal agencies to “[i]dentify environmental effects and values in adequate detail so the decision maker can appropriately consider such effects and values alongside economic and technical analyses. Whenever practicable, agencies shall review and publish environmental documents and appropriate analyses at the same time as other planning documents.” (Emphasis added.)  See https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/40/1501.2.

Second, FAA’s NEPA policies are described in Order 1050.1F. Section 1-8 of the Order states, in part: “The FAA decision-making process must consider and disclose the potential impacts of a proposed action and its alternatives on the quality of the human environment… The FAA must integrate NEPA and other environmental reviews and consultations into agency planning processes as early as possible.” Section 2-3.1 states, in part: “Environmental issues should be identified and considered early in a proposed action’s planning process to ensure efficient, timely, and effective environmental review.”  Section 2-5 states, in part: “NEPA and the CEQ Regulations, in describing the public involvement process, require Federal agencies to: consider environmental information in their decision-making process; solicit appropriate information from the public; fully assess and disclose potential environmental impacts resulting from the proposed action and alternatives; and provide the public with this information and allow it to comment on these findings.” (Emphasis added.) See
https://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Order/FAA_Order_1050_1F.pdf.

Last but not least, NPS NEPA policies are described in its NEPA Handbook 2015. Section 1.4.A. Characteristics of NEPA Review, states, in part: “While various aspects of planning may take place prior to initiating the NEPA process, the appropriate level of NEPA review must be completed before the NPS takes an action that has the potential to affect the quality of the human environment” (see p. 12); “NEPA requires analysis and disclosure of the impacts an agency’s actions would have on the human environment” (see p. 13); and “The CEQ regulations state that agencies must apply NEPA early in the planning and decision-making process (1501.2). The NEPA process should begin when the NPS has a goal for which it is actively preparing to make a decision and has developed a proposal to the point where its environmental impacts can be meaningfully analyzed (1508.23; 46.100(b)).” See pp. 14-15.  See
https://www.nps.gov/subjects/nepa/upload/NPS_NEPAHandbook_Final_508.pdf.

In sum, by issuing proposed federal actions for public comment without providing a NEPA analysis, the FAA and NPS have not adequately disclosed to the public the potential impacts of the proposed ATMPs or other alternatives, including a No Action alternative, which would provide a baseline for comparison of the Proposed Action.

Recommendation: To address this significant flaw in the planning process, we urge NPS to withdraw the proposed ATMPs from further public review until the proposals can be properly described, analyzed, and compared with alternatives within the context of an appropriate level and properly integrated NEPA/NHPA/ESA compliance document. Only then should the integrated “ATMP/NEPA document” be released for public comment.

General Comment # 2:  Similar to the above concern, the proposed ATMP document provides no information regarding FAA and/or NPS compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) regarding consultation with potentially affected Native American Tribes.

Given the numerous references in the status reports to the court regarding Section 106 (NHPA) consultation with affected Tribes, the proposed ATMPs surprisingly lack any information regarding the results of that consultation. As described in CEQ NEPA regulations and FAA and NPS NEPA policies, NHPA compliance and other forms of compliance with other applicable federal statutes (such as the Endangered Species Act) should be integrated into the NEPA document prepared for the same proposed action.

First, CEQ regulation 40 CFR §1502.25 (a) states that “[t]o the fullest extent possible, agencies shall prepare draft environmental impact statements concurrently with and integrated with environmental impact analyses and related surveys and studies required by the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act (16 U.S.C. 661 et seq.), the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (16 U.S.C. 470 et seq.), the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), and other environmental review laws and executive orders.” (Emphasis added.)

Second, FAA Order 1050.1F, Section 2-4.4 requires FAA, when preparing a NEPA document on a proposed action that may impact Native American Tribes, to conduct government-to-government consultation with the Tribe(s) “in accordance with the requirements of FAA Order 1210.20, American Indian and Alaska Native Tribal Consultation Policy and Procedures.”  See
https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/arc/programs/grand_canyon_overflights/documentation/FAAOrder1210.20.pdf

Last but not least, Section 4.14 of the NPS NEPA Handbook 2015 states: “There are a variety of federal, state, and local environmental review and consultation requirements that can overlap with the NEPA process. The CEQ and DOI regulations direct that NEPA reviews should be integrated with analyses used to meet such other requirements.” (Emphasis added)

However, stating the obvious, since there is no NEPA review presented with the proposed ATMPs, there is likewise no NHPA discussion or analysis nor any other evidence that the Tribal consultation requirement has been met.

Recommendation: NPS should withdraw proposed ATMP(s) from further public review until each proposal and related Tribal consultation can be described, analyzed and consolidated into an appropriate level NEPA document. Only then should the fully integrated ATMP/NEPA/NHPA compliance document be released for public review.

General Comment # 3: For each ATMP, NPS should also prepare an appropriate use analysis as described in NPS Management Policies 2006, Sections 1.5 and 8.1.2. 

Under the NPATMA, the FAA granted Interim Operating Authority (IOA) for air tours over certain parks. An IOA does not provide any operating conditions (e.g., routes, altitudes, time of day, etc.) for air tours other than an annual limit. In essence, commercial air tours operating over those parks up until this point have been virtually unregulated; and NPS has never formally considered whether air tours are an appropriate use over any of those parks or portions thereof.

As previously stated, air tours over national parks are not mandated by the NPATMA. In fact, Section 40128(b)(3)(A) of the Act specifically provides that “[a]n air tour management plan for a national park…  may prohibit commercial air tour operations in whole or in part.” As a result, before authorizing air tours over any specific park(s) via ATMP(s), NPS should formally evaluate whether such activity is “appropriate” in the context of the NPS conservation mandate and particularly at parks that are predominantly composed of wilderness.

NPS Management Policies (MP) Section 1.5 states, in part: “A new form of park use may be allowed within a park only after a determination has been made in the professional judgment of the superintendent that it will not result in unacceptable impacts.” MP Section 8.1.2 describes the Process for Determining Appropriate Uses, which includes:  “All proposals for park uses will be evaluated for consistency with applicable laws, executive orders, regulations, and policies; consistency with existing plans for public use and resource management; actual and potential effects on park resources and values; total costs to the Service; and whether the public interest will be served.”

As previously discussed, air tours are not mandated under the NPATMA; and, in fact, the Act provides that ATMPs may prohibit air tours in whole or in part. As a result, it is imperative that NPS include a formal “appropriate use analysis” as part of its ATMP planning documents in order to support its park-specific proposed action, whether it be to allow or to prohibit air tours.

General Comment # 4: There is a notable lack of sound science (i.e., acoustic science) provided in the ATMPs to support any of the proposed provisions.

The NPS Natural Sounds Office has a strong reputation for its technical capability to collect acoustic data in the field and to conduct credible scientific analyses of noise impacts. For example, that office has previously prepared Natural Sounds Acoustic Monitoring Reports for many of the parks required to issue ATMPs. See
https://www.nps.gov/subjects/sound/acousticmonitoring_reports.htm. Yet none of the ATMPs issued thus far contain any such analysis; even though NPS has baseline data for ambient sound levels at many of the air tour parks. The ATMPs provide no explanation for why such information has been omitted.

In addition, there is a considerable amount of scientific analysis and explanation of aircraft noise in FAA Advisory Circular AC No. AC-93-2 and its associated appendices. For example, see
https://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Advisory_Circular/AC-93-2.pdf. Yet, again, there is no such information or analysis provided in the ATMPs to explain and support any of the noise-related provisions in the ATMPs.

Recommendation:  NPS should withdraw all ATMPs from further public review until such time that FAA and/or NPS can provide the scientific information and analysis, presumably in an appropriate level NEPA document, to explain and support the noise-related provisions in the ATMPs.

General Comment # 5:  National parks, especially those managed, in part, to protect wilderness characteristics, meet the FAA definition of “noise sensitive areas” and should be managed as such. As a minimum altitude requirement for air tours over national park units, NPS should adopt the FAA recommendation for “pilots operating noise producing aircraft over noise sensitive areas”, which is “not less than 2,000 feet above ground level.”

Previously cited FAA Order 1050.1F, p. 11-3, defines “noise sensitive area” as:

“An area where noise interferes with normal activities associated with its use. Normally, noise sensitive areas include residential, educational, health, and religious structures and sites, and parks, recreational areas, areas with wilderness characteristics, wildlife and waterfowl refuges, and cultural and historical sites.” (Emphasis added.)

The issue of adverse impacts of excessive aircraft noise to “noise sensitive areas’ is described in detail in FAA Advisory Circular (AC) No. 91-36D. Section 6.a. of the AC states, in part:

“Excessive aircraft noise can result in annoyance, inconvenience, or interference with the uses and enjoyment of property, and can adversely affect wildlife. It is particularly undesirable in areas where it interferes with normal activities associated with the area’s use, including residential, educational, health, and religious structures and sites, and parks, recreational areas (including areas with wilderness characteristics), wildlife refuges, and cultural and historical sites where a quiet setting is a generally recognized feature or attribute. Moreover, the FAA recognizes that there are locations in National Parks and other federally managed areas that have unique noise-sensitive values.” (Emphasis added.) See
https://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Advisory_Circular/AC_91-36D.pdf.

In addition, as a voluntary practice the same AC, Section 8.b., recommends that: “Pilots operating noise producing aircraft (fixed-wing, rotary-wing and hot air balloons) over noise sensitive areas should make every effort to fly not less than 2,000 feet above ground level (AGL), weather permitting. For the purpose of this AC, the ground level of noise-sensitive areas is defined to include the highest terrain within 2,000 feet AGL laterally of the route of flight, or the uppermost rim of a canyon or valley.” (Emphasis added.)

However, because the respective park ATMPs will, in effect, authorize recurring commercial flights (i.e., air tours) over portions of a park, we believe the FAA “recommendation” that pilots fly “not less than 2,000 feet AGL” should be adopted as the minimum altitude AGL “requirement” in each of the proposed ATMPs, unless a higher AGL requirement is justified. For example, a higher minimum altitude AGL requirement (i.e.., higher than 2,000 feet AGL) may be appropriate and should be adopted as a “requirement” in mountain parks where the primary scenic feature is the mountain(s), which may tower thousands of feet above the surrounding landscape. In such cases, the AGL requirement in the ATMP should also include a minimum horizontal setback distance from the majestic mountain peak.

Recommendation: ATMPs should not allow air tours to fly anything less than 2,000 feet AGL over parks, weather permitting, unless NPS can provide sound, park-specific scientific analysis to support a lower minimum altitude standard. 

General Comment # 6: Section 3.1 of the ATMPs establishes an annual cap (or limit) on the number of air tour flights authorized, which we commend. 

The basis for the proposed cap(s) is explained in Section 4 Justification for Measures Taken in each respective ATMP. As explained, under the National Parks Air Tour Management Act of 2000, the FAA granted Interim Operating Authority (IOA) for air tours over some parks. The IOA does not provide any operating conditions (e.g., routes, altitudes, time of day, etc.) for air tours other than an annual limit. In most cases, the annual limit(s) authorized under the IOAs was significantly higher than the actual level of use that has occurred. The proposed annual limit(s) in the respective ATMPs are based on the 3-year average of the total air tours reported over each park in 2017, 2018 and 2019.

In general, the approach of limiting the number of air tours annually based on recent actual use seems reasonable and appropriate to us. In keeping with the precautionary principle during this transition from IOAs to managing air tours under ATMPs, it is especially important that NPS establish rational, realistic limits on the numbers of air tour flights allowed under an ATMP; then base any future adjustments in those limits on relevant data collected during the course of the ATMP, as well as an appropriate analysis of such data.

That said, several of the proposed ATMPs (e.g., for MORA and DEVA) propose a negligible number of annual flights (i.e., 1 and 2 respectively), which is patently absurd. One or two air tours over a park per year is not a viable business opportunity; nor can it be reasonably shared or redistributed among “New Entrants.” Furthermore, these two parks are primarily composed of wilderness, which begs the question – given the recent history of very limited demand for air tours over these parks, why would NPS choose to allow any air tours moving forward?  These are perfect examples of when NPS should exercise the option under Section 40128(b)(3)(A) of the Act, which provides that “[a]n air tour management plan for a national park…  may prohibit commercial air tour operations in whole or in part.” (Emphasis added.) Air tours should be prohibited in parks like MORA and DEVA where the recent history indicates few, if any, flights occurring.

General Comment # 7: Section 3.7 of the ATMPs establishes “Additional Requirements” including annual operator/pilot training “when made available by park staff.” NPS should also consider requiring air tour operators to provide air tour passengers (i.e., customers) with an educational brochure or rack card jointly developed by NPS and FAA.

Section 3.7A of the ATMP(s) provides that, when offered by NPS, air tour pilots will attend at least one training course per year conducted by NPS staff. We commend the concept of this training, which as described would include “Park information that the operator can use to further their own understanding of Park priorities and management objectives as well as enhance the interpretive narrative for air tour clients and increase understanding of parks by air tour clients. For example, trainings may include natural resources, cultural resources, or visitor use specific topics.” While we commend this provision, we are concerned that, as written (i.e., “when made available by park staff”), it sounds as if a park may choose to skip the training entirely. We believe it is essential that each air tour park actually provide such training.

We also believe there are simple measures to inform and educate air tour passengers regarding the special places they are flying over that could and should be included under Additional Requirements. See recommendation below.

Recommendation: In addition to ensuring that the park provide annual pilot training, we recommend that NPS require air tour operators to provide air tour passengers with an educational brochure or rack card (e.g., jointly prepared by the FAA and NPS) that informs the public they will be flying over a noise sensitive area, which may include wildlife habitat, wilderness areas and cultural sites; and special restrictions (such as AGL requirements) are in effect to minimize the adverse impacts of aircraft noise on the environment below.

General Comment # 8:  Section 3.8 of the ATMPs discusses “quiet technology incentives” for air tour operators but fails to provides a meaningful description, definition or reference to a definition, or technical specifications (such as measurable noise reduction parameters) for what constitutes “quiet technology aircraft.”

While we applaud the concept, this provision in the ATMPs is meaningless if it cannot be defined and measured. We wonder if NPS intended in this section to adopt FAA Advisory Circular No. AC-93-2 guidance “for determining the … quiet aircraft technology designation status for each aircraft” used for air tours at Grand Canyon National Park; or some other FAA guidance?  See
https://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Advisory_Circular/AC-93-2.pdf.

Frankly, the reader (whether it be the interested public or a prospective air tour operator) should not have to wonder what NPS means when it refers to “quiet technology aircraft” in the ATMP. NPS should define, either directly or by reference, the terminology used in the ATMPs.

Recommendation: To address this concern, Section 3.8 of each ATMP should include a definition or at least a reference to FAA guidance defining “quiet technology aircraft.” For example, the opening sentence of the section could be revised to state: “This ATMP incentivizes the adoption of quiet technology aircraft, (add) “as described in FAA Advisory Circular AC-93-2”, by the commercial air tour operator conducting commercial air tours over the Park.”

General Comment # 9: Section 6, regarding “New Entrants,” seems to leave the door open for additional flights above the annual cap stated in Section 3.1 if/when New Entrants are involved.

Section 6 indicates that, in addition to existing air tour operators, New Entrants may be accommodated under a park’s ATMP. However, by not mentioning the annual cap on the number of air tour flights established under Section 3.1 of the plan, Section 6 seems to leave open the possibility that the total number of flights could be increased as additional operators are brought on board. We hope such an increase was not the NPS intent. Regardless, NPS should make clear in Section 6 that the designated annual cap remains in effect regardless of how many New Entrants are granted air tour permits.

Recommendation: To address this concern, we request that Section 6 be clarified to say that, “While the allotment of annual flights may be redistributed from existing operator(s) to accommodate new entrants, the cap on the total number of annual flights will remain the same as stated in Section 3.1 of the plan.”

B. Specific Comments about the proposed ATMP for Everglades National Park (EVER)

Park Overview: (adapted from Section 2.1 of the proposed ATMP) The Park protects an unparalleled landscape that provides important habitat for numerous sensitive and/or endangered species like the Florida manatee (subspecies of the West Indian manatee), American crocodile, Florida panther, and bald eagle. The acoustic environment of the Park is considered a natural resource itself, as well as a resource that influences wildlife habitat, visitor experience, cultural resources, wilderness character, and opportunities for interpretive programs. In total, approximately 97% (1,467,200 out of 1,509,000 acres) of the Park is managed to preserve wilderness character.

EVER Comment #1: The proposed EVER ATMP lacks any scientific information and impact analysis to support the proposed action.

This concern is essentially the same as that described in General Comment # 1 above. The EVER ATMP states that, “The objective of this ATMP is to develop acceptable and effective measures to mitigate or prevent the significant adverseimpacts, if any, of commercial air tours on natural and cultural resources, visitor experiences and tribal lands.”  This objective implies there would be a NEPA analysis on the proposed plan to determine if there are any significant impacts on the environment, as required under CEQ regulations. However, as stated repeatedly in these comments, the proposed ATMP has been issued for public comment without any scientific analysis to support the provisions of the proposal. The utter failure of NPS and FAA to disclose the potential impacts of the proposed action (the ATMP) is a major flaw in the planning process.

The EVER ATMP also states, “The purpose of the Park is to preserve the largest subtropical wilderness in the nation, a vast natural area in the southern Everglades and Florida Bay known throughout the world for its unparalleled ecological values, natural hydrologic conditions, vibrant cultural heritage, and unique recreational and educational opportunities. The following Park management objectives relate to the development of this ATMP:

• Park acoustic resources (i.e. sounds within the Park) are in a natural condition and support an outstanding visitor experience and opportunities to hear and enjoy natural sounds.
• Acoustic resources of the Park are maintained such that wilderness character (solitude or primitive and unconfined recreation, including remoteness from sights and sounds; untrammeled or wildness; naturalness; undeveloped; other features or values) is preserved.
• Park staff can conduct, and visitors are able to experience, interpretive programming with minimal interference due to noise.
• Natural sounds are protected to conserve healthy and robust wildlife Natural biological and ecological processes should dominate the sounds within the Park.

These objectives are commendable!  However, NPS provides no information or analysis as to how well the proposed action (the ATMP) would accomplish these important objectives. Nor has NPS considered or evaluated other reasonable alternatives that could result in fewer adverse impacts to park soundscapes and wildlife habitat than the proposed action. In brief, NPS is asking the public to comment on a proposal without providing any information about potential impacts of that proposed action.

Recommendation:  NPS should withdraw the proposed EVER ATMP from further public review until such time that it can be re-released in the context of an appropriate level NEPA document that analyzes impacts of several alternatives, including the NPS proposed action.

EVER Comment # 2:  Similar to General Comment # 2 above, the EVER ATMP provides no information regarding FAA’s and/or NPS’s Section 106 consultation with federally recognized Indian Tribes in the area. Such consultation is required under the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA).

See General Comment #2 above for details. Specifically, the EVER ATMP provides no information regarding consultation with either the Seminole Tribe of Florida or the Miccosukee Tribe of Florida. Such information should be provided as part of the compliance document(s) for the proposed ATMP and made available for public review and comment. By releasing the proposed action for public comment in advance of and apart from the necessary compliance documents, NPS and FAA are inexplicably undermining the credibility of the planning.

Recommendation:  NPS should withdraw the proposed EVER ATMP from further public review until such time that it can be re-released in the context of an appropriate level NEPA document which includes information about compliance with NHPA consultation requirements, as well as compliance with consultation requirements under other applicable federal statutes, such as the Endangered Species Act (ESA).

EVER Comment # 3: The EVER ATMP should include an appropriate use analysis as described in NPS Management Policies 2006, Sections 1.5 and 8.1.2.

NPS has never formally considered whether air tours are an appropriate use over EVER as described in NPS Management Policies 2006. Now, in preparing the proposed ATMP EVER, NPS should also prepare an “appropriate use analysis” as part of its ATMP planning documents to determine if such use should be allowed or prohibited as provided for in Section 40128(b)(3)(A) of the NPATMA. This is explained in greater detail under General Comment # 3 above.

EVER Comment # 4: We have several comments regarding Section 3 Conditions for the Management of Commercial Air Tour Operations at the Park.

A. Section 3.1 Annual Commercial Air Tours Authorized – As described in this section, EVER would allow a total of 64 commercial air tour flights annually. It is explained in Section 4, Justification for Measures Taken, that the total number of air tours authorized under this ATMP is consistent with the existing 3-year average of the total air tours reported in 2017, 2018 and 2019.  In general, we support this approach in parks with long-established air tours. However, we believe it is critical that EVER (and other parks) establish firm realistic limits on the number of air tour flights as these operations transition from FAA Interim Operating Authorities (IOAs) to ATMPs; and then only make future adjustments if justified based on monitoring data gathered during the period the ATMP is in effect.

B. Section 3.2 Commercial Air Tour Routes and Altitudes – As described in this section, NPS would require air tours at EVER to “fly no lower than 1,050 ft. mean sea level (MSL). Except when necessary for takeoff or landing, or in anemergency or to avoid unsafe conditions, or unless otherwise authorized for a specified purpose, the operator may not deviatefrom these routes and altitudes.”

The above provision (i.e., 1,050 feet MSL) is in direct conflict with in FAA Advisory Circular (AC) No. 91-36Dregarding flights over “noise sensitive areas.” The AC recommends (but does not require) that pilots fly not less than 2,000 feet AGL, weather permitting, over noise sensitive areas such as parks and wilderness areas.  In this case, EVER checks both boxes and clearly qualifies as a noise sensitive area, as 97% of the lands and waters within the national park are managed to protect wilderness character. It is perplexing why NPS would not protect the Everglades from air tour noise to at least the level recommended by the FAA. For more detail, see General Comment # 5 above.

Recommendation: Unless NPS can present detailed acoustic monitoring data or other scientific analysis justifying air tours flying at less than 2,000 feet AGL over EVER, then NPS should adopt “2,000 feet AGL” as the minimum altitude requirement for air tours, weather permitting, consistent with existing FAA guidance for flights over noise sensitive areas. Because 97% of the park is managed as wilderness, allowing air tours to fly significantly lower (nearly 1,000 feet) than the recommended minimum altitude (2,000 feet AGL) above noise sensitive areas strikes us as irresponsible.

C. Section 3.7 Additional Requirements – As described, this would include annual operator/ pilot training conducted by NPS staff when such training is “made available by the park.” We are concerned the quoted phrase means the training is optional and the park may choose to skip it entirely. We believe such training is essential for the proper management of air tours over EVER. In addition, we suggest that air tours operators be required to provide tour passengers with an informational brochure or rack card that explains why special air tour flight requirements are in effect under the ATMP. See General Comment # 7 above.

D.  Section 3.8 Quiet Technology Incentives – While we commend the concept, this section of the ATMP itself provides no meaningful description, definition or reference to a definition, or technical specifications (such as measurable noise reduction parameters) for what constitutes “quiet technology aircraft.” If NPS intended to adopt FAA Advisory Circular No. AC-93-2 (or other appropriate guidance) as the basis “for determining the … quiet aircraft technology designation status for each aircraft” for air tours, then NPS should make that clear in this section of the ATMP. Otherwise, this provision is essentially meaningless without identifying a standard of some sort to determine what is acceptable as “quiet aircraft technology.” See General Comment # 8 above.

EVER Comment # 5: Section 6 regarding New Entrants seems to leave open the possibility of NPS allowing additional flights above the stated annual cap at EVER if/when “New Entrants” are involved.  NPS needs to clarify its intent regarding this provision.

As written, Section 6 indicates that, in addition to existing air tour operators, New Entrants may be accommodated under a park’s ATMP. However, by not mentioning the annual cap on the number of air tour flights previously identified in Section 3.1 of the plan, Section 6 seems to leave open the possibility that the total number of flights could be increased as additional operators are brought on board. We hope such an increase was not the NPS intent. Regardless, NPS should make clear in Section 6 that the designated annual cap remains in effect regardless of how many New Entrants are granted air tour permits. See General Comment # 9 above for recommended wording to address this concern.

EVER Comment # 6: Section 8 Adaptive Management indicates that minor modifications may be made to this ATMP in the future without a formal ATMP amendment “if the impacts of such changes are within the impacts already analyzed by the agencies under the National Environmental Policy Act, the National Historic Preservation Act, and the Endangered Species Act.” To repeat ourselves again, it is very problematic that there have been no NEPA, NHPA, or ESA analyses issued with this ATMP.

As written, Section 8 indicates that adjustments to the number of commercial air tours allocated to individual operators as a result of the competitive bidding process and minor changes to routes, altitudes, or other operating parameters are examples of adaptive management measures that may not require a formal ATMP Amendment. Such modifications may be made if: 1) the NPS determines they are necessary to avoid adverse impacts to Park resources, values, or visitor experiences; 2) the FAA determines the need for such changes due to safety concerns; or 3) the agencies determine that appropriate, minor changes to this ATMP are necessary to address new information or changed circumstances.

To repeat a number of our previous comments, there have been no NEPA, NHPA, or ESA analyses issued with this ATMP, either by the FAA or by NPS. To say that the ATMP may be modified without a formal amendment based on existing compliance when that compliance does not exist yet is a gross procedural flaw. It is a clear violation of NEPA to seek public comment on a proposed federal action without disclosing potential impacts of such action when initially proposed, as NPS and the FAA have done now. It is even more egregious for the agencies to say that they may make future modifications of the ATMP without any further compliance.

Recommendation: We urge NPS to withdraw the proposed EVER ATMP from further public review until the proposal can be properly described, analyzed, and compared with alternatives within the context of an appropriate level NEPA document. Only then should the integrated ATMP/NEPA/ NHPA/ESA document be released for public comment.

In closing, the NPS approach of presenting the proposed action (the ATMP) for public comment in advance of and apart from the required compliance documents is neither understandable nor acceptable. Such an approach sets a harmful procedural precedent for future planning efforts and is very likely to be counterproductive to the necessary completion of all twenty-three ATMPs by the court-approved deadline. It is likely that many of the public comments submitted on the proposed ATMP will focus on this major procedural flaw rather on the substantive details of the individual plans. It is also very likely that the NPS approach of separating the “plan” from the “compliance” will invite further legal challenge, if not by the Petitioners in the existing case, then by other conservation groups who are equally concerned about the process.

To address this significant flaw in the planning process, we urge NPS to hit the pause button and withdraw the proposed ATMP from further public review until the proposal can be properly described, analyzed, and compared with reasonable alternatives within the context of an appropriate level NEPA review that integrates NEPA/NHPA/ESA compliance into one document, as is required under CEQ regulations and agency policies. Only then should the integrated “ATMP/NEPA document” be released for public comment.

We appreciate the opportunity to comment on this important issue.

Sincerely,

 

 

Philip A. Francis, Jr., Chair
Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks

Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks
2 Massachusetts Ave NE, Unit 77436
Washington, DC, 20013

cc:
Karen Trevino, Chief, Natural Sounds and Night Skies Division, NPS