Overflights and Special Flight Rules Area Documents

A Chinook helicopter transfers a load of equipment containing a Connex box into the inner canyon in support of a construction project near Phantom Ranch at Grand Canyon National Park.

NPS Photo.

Special Flight Rules Area in the Vicinity of Grand Canyon National Park

The Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the Special Flight Rules Area (SFRA) in the Vicinity of Grand Canyon National Park identifies and assesses a No Action Alternative and three Action Alternatives for management of overflight activity in Grand Canyon National Park to substantially restore natural quiet as required by law. Action Alternatives differ in combination and implementation of strategies used to accomplish goals and objectives. The open comment period was held February 4 to June 20, 2011.

Purpose

The purpose of action is to complete and implement a recommendation through the DEIS to substantially restore natural quiet and experience at Grand Canyon National Park. This action is compliant with the 1987 Overflights Act statutory mandate to substantially restore natural quiet and experience of the park and protect public health from adverse effects associated with aircraft overflights.

Need

The proposed action, the NPS preferred alternative, is needed in response to a series of National Environmental Policy Act documents and FAA rulemakings that have occurred since 1987. These actions reduced adverse effects of aircraft overflights and increased the amount of Grand Canyon National Park achieving substantial restoration of natural quiet, with the current condition Peak Day achieving 55% restoration according to noise modeling results. However, the NPS is concerned sensitive natural and cultural resources and ground-based visitors in some park areas continue to be adversely affected by aircraft overflights. The NPS determined additional action is needed to achieve Substantial Restoration of Natural Quiet at more than minimum levels of 50%, to improve visitor experience and ensure restoration of natural quiet is maintained over time.

Review the DEIS SFRA documents or view them by appointment at the Grand Canyon National Park Museum Collection.

 

Multimedia related to the DEIS SFRA

• Flickr Photos - Zuni Dragon Long Loop Helicopter Tour Route from the NPS Preferred Alternative

 

From the edge of a large canyon, two soundscape interns are monitoring noise levels with instruments on tripods at Grand Canyon National Park.

NPS Photo.