Presented to:

By:

Date:

Federal AviationAdministrationDeath Valley

National ParkAviation Rulemaking Committee Update

NPOAG

Lelaina Marin / Pete Ciesla

February 25, 2009

National Park Service

Death Valley National Park ARC Update 2Federal AviationAdministrationFebruary 25, 2009

National Park Service

Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC)

• ARC process established to facilitate an expedited process to complete an Air Tour Management Plan (ATMP)

• Provides a venue and process for stakeholder input throughout development of an ATMP

• ARC will meet to provide advice, information and recommendations on contents of an ATMP

• Death Valley National Park (DEVA) is the first park to agree to this expedited effort to prepare an ATMP

• ARC Order identifies DEVA Superintendent as the ARC Chair

• Currently identifying potential members for the Committee

Death Valley National Park ARC Update 3Federal AviationAdministrationFebruary 25, 2009

National Park Service

DEVA Sound Data Analysis

• Sound monitoring at the park conducted by Volpe in April 2008

• Collected 20-30 days of data at 7 locations throughout park

• Volpe currently preparing preliminary report with summary results

• Comprehensive report to follow

Death Valley National Park ARC Update 4Federal AviationAdministrationFebruary 25, 2009

National Park Service

Acoustic Monitoring Locationat Eureka Dunes

•

Death Valley National Park ARC Update 5Federal AviationAdministrationFebruary 25, 2009

National Park Service

ARC ATMP Tentative Schedule

• Note: FAA ARC Order for DEVA signed Nov 26, 2008

• February 2009 - Finalize Project Plan outlining project tasks and schedule

• March 2009 - Finalize ARC membership, submit invitations

• April 2009 - Initial ARC meeting at DEVA to determine whether stakeholder consensus on an ATMP can be made

• April 2009 - If ATMP consensus can be reached, initiate an Environmental Assessment (EA)

Death Valley National Park ARC Update 6Federal AviationAdministrationFebruary 25, 2009

National Park Service

DEVA ARC ATMP Issues• Park staff believe the EA could take up to a

year or longer

• Extensive military training airspace over park

• Will further evaluate whether an ARC expedited process is workable and practicable at this park