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Contact: IMR News, 720-262-1058
CANYON DE CHELLY, Ariz. -- The National Park Service (NPS) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have completed an Air Tour Management Plan (ATMP) and Environmental Assessment (EA) for Canyon de Chelly National Monument. The plan prohibits commercial air tours over the park and within one-half mile outside its boundary to protect natural and cultural resources, sacred Tribal places, wilderness areas, and visitor experiences.
The plan was signed on December 19, 2024, and its operating parameters will take effect 180 days after the date of signature.
“Prohibiting commercial air tours protects these lands’ cultural and spiritual significance to the Navajo Nation,” said Park Superintendent Lyn Carranza. “Canyon de Chelly National Monument’s Air Tour Management Plan honors the unique nation-to-nation relationship regarding decisions affecting the park and helps to preserve one of the most important archeological landscapes in the southwest.”
The ATMP addresses many unique challenges while improving the condition of park resources and values, ensuring safe air tour operations, and being responsive to concerns raised by the Navajo Nation. It was developed through a collaboration of the FAA and the NPS in consultation with the Navajo Nation.
The Final ATMP and EA reflect public input received during a 30-day public comment period. For changes in response to those public comments, refer to the Final ATMP and Final EA/Errata from the PEPC project website.
Commercial air tours have occurred over Canyon de Chelly for many years without operating parameters. Implementation of an ATMP helps protect park resources, visitor experience, and tribal lands within the ATMP boundary, without compromising aviation safety or the air traffic control system.
Canyon de Chelly National Monument is one of several national parks for which the NPS and FAA have developed or are currently developing an air tour management plan or voluntary agreement to meet the requirements of the National Parks Air Tour Management Act. Each ATMP or voluntary agreement is developed to manage commercial air tours in a way that is consistent with the NPS’s mission, the individual park’s purposes, and the FAA’s authority regarding aviation safety.
The final ATMP is available at the Planning, Environment & Public Comment (PEPC) website, https://parkplanning.nps.gov/CACHATMP. Please visit NPS Air Tours and FAA’s Air Tour Management Plan site for more information about air tour management plans.
Last updated: December 20, 2024