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Bill would ban scenic flights over parks WASHINGTON (AP) – U.S. Sen. Craig Thomas, R-Wyo., plans to introduce legislation prohibiting scenic flights over Grand Teton and Yellowstone national parks.
“We find ourselves in a situation where potential scenic overflight operations could impact the parks without proper consideration by the community,” he said on Tuesday. “We need to be particularly careful when you are talking about flights originating out of the only park in the country with an airport.” “It seems reasonable to step back and consider carefully what those impacts might be and whether this use is one that is consistent with the mission of the national parks,” he said. Scenic fixed-wing and helicopter tours are allowed over both parks. A helicopter company is suing the Jackson Hole Airport Board for imposing a 120-day moratorium that prevents scenic helicopter flights from taking off from the airport, which lies entirely within Grand Teton National Park. The legislation would not permit the administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to allow any commercial air tour operation over Grand Teton or Yellowstone national parks, and the ban would apply to fixed-wing aircraft as well as helicopters. Adjacent park communities and the airport board should have a larger role in determining potential impact of scenic flights that originate in Grand Teton National Park, Thomas said. “I understand the important role the Federal Aviation Administration plays in authorizing activities at airports but there needs to be some increased emphasis on the needs and concerns of the local folks who live and work near the facility,” he said. Although Congress is about to complete its work for the year, introducing the bill now will give it a head start for next year “when Congress can fully engage on the issue,” he said.
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