Grand Canyon Chapter

photo by Jim McCarthy

SPECIAL TO THE SOUTHERN SIERRAN

A longtime Grand Canyon National Park signature issue - noisy aircraft rides spoiling the wilderness experience - is finally on the verge of receiving public scrutiny. In December, the public will receive the Park Service's Draft Environmental Impact Statement.

The comment period (likely January through April) will allow written comments and will have open houses in Salt Lake City, Las Vegas, Grand Canyon, Flagstaff, and Phoenix, as well as a 'virtual' electronic meeting nationwide.

The National Park Service Organic Act protects natural resources such as the Canyon's stunning quiet. Thirty five years ago, Congress determined that this increasingly valuable resource was not being properly protected. The aircraft noise impacts are reaching the level of park impairment. In the 1987, Congress passed the Overflights Act, which demanded 'substantial restoration of the natural quiet' at Grand Canyon. It also directed the Park Service, with safety review by the FAA, to create flight free zones each large enough to protect the backcountry from audible noise. Now after decades of agency and political foot-dragging, the energy of thousands of our comment letters can make a real difference. In an early 2011 issue of the Southern Sierran, we will tell you how you can help save the heart and soul of Grand Canyon National Park.