Meeting Summary
NATIONAL PARKS OVERFLIGHTS
ADVISORY GROUP (NPOAG)
TELEPHONE CONFERENCE
UPDATE
December 1, 2008
9:00am to 12:00pm (Pacific
Standard Time)
ACTION
ITEMS
The following action items
were reviewed during the conference call. For a detailed list
of current and past action items, see Attachment 1.
NPOAG
Determine criteria
for prioritizing National Parks for Air Tour Management Plans (ATMPs).
Provide advice to
FAA on competitive bidding.
Develop and agree
on groundrules.
Assist in the resolution
of agency disagreements.
Assist FAA and NPS
to prioritize National Parks for ATMPs.
Form subgroups to
target National Parks for ATMPs and schedule a conference call to move
forward with subgroup efforts to assist in the completion of ATMPs at
National Parks.
FAA/NPS
FAA/NPS will organize
the next face-to-face meeting in spring 2009.
NPS and FAA will
recruit tribal representatives to the Advisory Group.
NPS will send out
information regarding past efforts to prioritize parks for ATMPs to
all Advisory Group members.
FAA and NPS will
aim to complete a draft Environmental Assessment for Mount Rushmore
by this spring.
FAA and NPS will
work to hire a facilitator for future meetings.
FAA will develop
a straw man on competitive bidding procedures for the group to consider
at the next meeting.
ATTENDANCE
See Attachment 2 for a list
of attendees.
INTRODUCTIONS
Facilitator Bob Wheeler
welcomed the Advisory Group to their first conference call, presented
protocols for the call, and reviewed the meeting agenda. This conference
call was designed to build from the strategic planning work done by
the Advisory Group during their September meeting in Port Angeles, Washington,
as well as to hear various technical presentations requested by the
National Parks Overflights Advisory Group. Specifically, Advisory Group
members would hear report outs on actions, consider and approve NPOAG
groundrules, further develop Mission, Goals, and Objectives, hear report
outs on technical tools and information, and provide input on next steps.
Barry Brayer, Chair of the Advisory Group, thanked the Advisory Group
members for their participation in the conference call and encouraged
them to send any feedback regarding the effectiveness of the call to
him. He noted that the public may also provide input via the FAA website.
Barry then reviewed recent and upcoming changes in the Advisory Group.
Randy Kenagy replaced Melissa Rudinger as the Advisory Group representative
from the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA). In 2009, many
Advisory Group members will complete their terms and a Federal Notice
will be published announcing openings on the Advisory Group. Members
that wish to continue to serve on the Advisory Group should contact
Barry and Karen. The duration for new terms will be 3 years.
Karen Trevino of the National
Park Service also thanked the meeting participants for joining the conference
call. She hopes that conference calls will serve as a successful forum
for the group although not a replacement for face-to-face meetings.
She noted that there will likely be significant changes at many federal
agencies after the inauguration of President Obama and this may have
impacts for the Advisory Group.
The meeting minute notes from
the Port Angeles, Washington NPOAG meeting on September 3 and 4, 2008
were approved by the Advisory Group. Greg Miller requested that
the name of his organization (American Hiking Society) be corrected
in the final meeting minute notes.
GROUNDRULES
At the September meeting, the
Advisory Group reviewed and edited sample groundrules to assist the
group in determining its roles, responsibilities and decision-making
procedures. Advisory Group members discussed these groundrules further
during the conference call.
Advisory Group members made
several important changes to the groundrules. The group agreed to delete
language regarding joint media statements as many members argued that
it was not necessary. Members also discussed the decision-making process
in detail. Matt Zuccaro noted that the group is designed to provide
advice to the FAA and NPS and can’t approve or disapprove specific
actions of FAA or the NPS. Barry Brayer stressed that it is important
for FAA and NPS to hear about disagreements and comments from each of
the members. Advisory Group members agreed that the groundrules should
state that it is important to report different perspectives held on
an issue, the rationale behind the perspectives, and who supports those
perspectives.
To review the draft groundrules
as further developed by the Advisory Group at this meeting, please see
Attachment 3. Statements highlighted in yellow and struck through need
further consideration by the Committee. These groundrules will be revisited
and adopted at the next meeting.
MISSION, GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
The Advisory Group briefly
reviewed and revised the mission, goals and objectives document that
was developed during the strategic planning meeting in Port Angeles.
Advisory Group members discussed the goal of assisting NPS and FAA in
resolving their disputes. Don Barger asked the Group to consider
how it could best assist FAA and NPS in this issue. Karen Trevino stated
any advice and input from the Advisory Group members is welcome. She
has spoken with Barry about their disputes and both she and Barry feel
that the two agencies are having more open, frequent dialog at higher
levels. She mentioned that a joint meeting of FAA and NPS was scheduled
for later that week to further discuss jurisdictional issues.
She further noted, however, that it is possible that the dispute between
the agencies will need to be resolved at the secretarial level.
Matt Zuccaro asked if there
is a formalized list of what the two agencies agree upon other than
the MOU. Karen Trevino stated that there is no document or groundrules
that articulate what each agency agrees to. She suggested that
the FAA and NPS would benefit from the help of the Advisory Group in
developing a document that establishes clear groundrules for the FAA
and NPS.
Because of time limitations
and the need to move onto the technical presentations, the group agreed
to defer further discussion of the Mission, Goals, and Objectives until
a later time or meeting.
See Attachment 4 for the draft
NPOAG Mission, Goals and Objectives. The section highlighted in
yellow was discussed by the Group. This document will be revisited
at the next meeting for further development.
NPOAG TASKS AND PRIORITIES/NEXT STEPS
FOR NPOAG
Because of time constraints
the Advisory Group did not discuss the draft document. It is anticipated
that the group will make this one of their focus items for the next
meeting. See attachment 5 for the task document that the Advisory Group
is considering.
See Attachment 5 for the tasks
and priorities developed at the previous meeting.
Aviation Environmental Design Tool
(AEDT) Update
Christopher Roof of the
U.S. Department of Transportation Volpe Center presented an overview
of the FAA’s Aviation Environmental Design Tool (AEDT). The AEDT is
a single, integrated aviation environmental tool that will replace the
existing Integrated Noise Model (INM), the Emissions and Dispersion
Modeling System (EDMS), and the Noise Integrated Routing System (NIRS).
AEDT provides more consistent noise and emissions analysis, cost savings
for modeling scenarios and easier communication with stakeholders.
It is slated to be completed in 2011. Both the FAA and NPS have sponsored
research supporting AEDT.
Karen Trevino asked if AEDT
could be used to determine the impact of emission on water quality.
Chris stated that AEDT could be used to provide information in that
regard. Chris also clarified that the System for Assessing Aviation’s
Global Emissions (SAGE) program was developed by Volpe and the Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) was directly involved in the development of
EDMS.
Barry Brayer thanked Chris
for his presentation. He added that the data obtained from AEDT
will be very useful in the development of Air Tour Management Plans.
See the following website for
Christopher Roof’s PowerPoint presentation - http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/arc/programs/air_tour_management_plan/documents/AEDT-Overview_NPOAG_2008-12-01.ppt
overview of the Human Response to
aviation noise in protected natural areas workshop
Amanda Rapoza of the Volpe
Center presented an overview of a recent workshop regarding aviation
noise in protected natural areas. This workshop was driven by
the need to address noise impact analyses as part of National Parks
Air Tour Management Plans and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
for airport and airspace redesign projects. The workshop brought
together experts from a number of relevant fields to discuss research
and develop a “road map” for future efforts. Participants
determined that more work is needed prior to the development of a comprehensive
road map, and identified several next steps that are being pursued by
the FAA and NPS. A second expert panel workshop will be held in
the second quarter of 2009 to facilitate detailed discussions of future
research efforts and develop a comprehensive roadmap.
See the following website for
Amanda Rapoza’s PowerPoint presentation –
http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/arc/programs/air_tour_management_plan/documents/ExposureWorkshop-Overview_NPOAG_2008-12-01.ppt
Air Tour operating authority (atoa)
reporting system update
William Halloran of the Volpe
Center presented an update on the Air Tour Operating Authority (ATOA)
Reporting System. He explained that ATOA is a web-based system
that enables its users to report, track, and manage air tour operating
authority (IOA/OA) information that includes air tour routes, commercial
air tour operators, air tour aircrafts, and National Parks that have
commercial air tours. The ATOA will provide FAA a means to collect,
store, and monitor Operating Authority (IOA/OA) data received from Air
Tour Operators. It will also provide NPS a means to review IOA/OA
data relevant to individual National Parks and provide Air Tour Operators
with a convenient method to report IOA/OA information via the Internet.
Several important enhancements
have been made to the ATOA system. Operators over the Grand Canyon
National Park (GCRA) will now have the ability to report their operations
information and Air Tour activities. The FAA will be able to track and
maintain additional relevant information such as operator aircraft data
and add air tour routes associated with a park.
William Halloran stated that
operator data can be entered on a quarterly basis and will be “locked”
30 days after end of quarter. Matt Zuccaro asked why access would
be blocked to operators. William Halloran explained that operators
are required to report at least quarterly and that they would have over
three months to enter the data. Alan Stephen stated that he shared
Matt’s concern regarding blocking access to operators. He asked
that FAA consider allowing the operators to enter their data past the
quarterly deadline.
See the ATMP website for William
Halloran’s PowerPoint presentation.
NEXT
STEPS AND ADJOURN
Bob Wheeler asked the group
for feedback on the conference call format. Most participants
agreed that it is a useful format for updates and brief presentations,
but it does not supplant face-to-face meetings.Bob then presented possible
agenda topics for the next meeting. Agenda items may include:
Review of action
items
Discussion of NPOAG
tribal membership
Development of tasks
and priorities
Development of work
plan and tracking document
Discussion of criteria
for prioritizing National Parks
Discussion of NPS/FAA
relationship
Communication protocols
Review of mission,
goals and objectives
Bob stated that the group will
soon receive a summary and list of action items to assist the Advisory
Group in moving forward and preparing for the next meeting.
Karen Trevino suggested that
a face-to-face meeting be scheduled in the spring perhaps in Death Valley.
The group discussed timing in the spring for a meeting and agreed that
mid to late April would be a good time.
Barry noted that all of the
presentations from the conference call and meeting materials from the
pervious meeting are posted on the ATMP website.He thanked the group
for their participation and adjourned the meeting.
ATTACHMENT
1
Action Items
National
Parks Overflights Advisory Group
December
1, 2008
Action Item
Responsible
Party
Due
Date
Done?
Comments
NPOAG Membership
Determine
if Native Hawaiians are eligible to fill a Native American position
on the NPOAG.
James Whitlow
12/1/08
Yes
Native Hawaiians are not eligible
to fill a Native American position on NPOAG
Recruit
tribal representatives to the Advisory Group.
FAA/NPS
Next meeting
Ongoing
Rory’s term expires in 2009.
Federal register notice went out and Rory expressed interest in continuing
on NPOAG.
NPOAG
Policies/Procedures
Develop
and agree on groundrules.
NPOAG
12/1/08
Ongoing
NPOAG members revised groundrules
on 12/1/08. Groundrules will be revisited and adopted at the next
meeting
Establish
and agree on a common base of information for all group members.
NPOAG
Review at next meeting
Ongoing
Information is available to
members on the NPOAG FTP site provided to members at the September meeting.
Develop
mission, goals and objectives.
NPOAG
Review at next meeting
Ongoing
Develop
communications protocol.
NPOAG
Review at next meeting
Ongoing
Develop
a work plan and tracking system to ensure tasks are accomplished.
NPOAG
Next meeting
Ongoing
The Facilitation team has
developed a format to track tasks in the meeting minutes.
Information/Briefings
Briefing
on the AEDT model at the next NPOAG.
FAA
12/1/08
Yes
Briefing was provided at the
December Conference Call
Post
HALE and HAVO Social Science Research reports on ATMP website.
Vicki, NPS, Cindy Orlando,
NPS
12/1/08
Yes
Completed
Provide
ATOA presentation at next NPOAG meeting.
FAA
12/1/08
Yes
Briefing was provided at the
December Conference Call
Ensure
that new Advisory Group members are sent a CD with important documents.
FAA/NPS
12/1/08
Yes
Completed
Set
the next meeting of the Advisory Group for sometime in December.
FAA/NPS
12/1/08
Yes
Completed
Provide
military example of an ATMP resource book.
Karen, NPS
Next meeting
Ongoing
Send
out information regarding past efforts to prioritize parks for ATMPs
to the Advisory Group.
NPS
Next Meeting
Ongoing
NPS is working with FAA and
VOLPE to get recent information to the Group.
Set
up face-to-face meeting of the Advisory Group in Spring 2009.
FAA/NPS
Ongoing
Death Valley may be the meeting
location
Long
Term Tasks
Determine
criteria for prioritizing National Parks for Air Tour Management Plans.
NPOAG
Review at next meeting
Ongoing
Assist
FAA and NPS to Prioritize National Parks for ATMPs.
NPOAG
Review at next meeting
Ongoing
Form
subgroups to target National Parks for ATMPs and assist in ATMP development.
NPOAG
Review at next meeting
Ongoing
Encourage
FAA to allow operators to enter their ATOA data past the quarterly deadline.
NPOAG
Review at next meeting
Ongoing
Assist
in the resolution of agency disagreements. Develop groundrules for NPS/FAA
NPOAG
Review at next meeting
Ongoing
Barry and Karen will be meeting
in December to discuss this issue.
NPOAG needs to discuss how
this could best be accomplished and if agency agreements are not furthered
how should the NPOAG continue its efforts and be productive.
Develop
a resource guide explaining the ATMP process.
NPOAG
Review at next meeting
Ongoing
Establish
criteria and guidance for Park Superintendents and air tour operators
for prioritized parks.
NPOAG
Review at next meeting
Ongoing
Complete
a draft Environmental Assessment for Mount Rushmore.
FAA / NPS
Review at next meeting
Potentially Spring 2009
Likely to be completed in
Spring
Consult
with Park Superintendents to develop criteria for determining where
ATMPs are not needed.
NPS
Review at next meeting
Ongoing
NPS is asking Regional Directors
to bring in superintendents with expertise to assist in this effort.
Investigate
the situation at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and report back to the
Advisory Group.
Matt Zuccaro
Review at next meeting
Ongoing
Matt has not been able to
visit Hawaii
Hire
a facilitator for future meetings and investigate conference call technology.
FAA/NPS
Review at next meeting
Ongoing
Barry and Karen will meet
to discuss hiring a permanent facilitator
Straw
man Arguments for NPOAG to Consider
Develop
a strawman for NPS procedures and process in handling IOA requests.
Karen, NPS
Next meeting
Ongoing
Develop
a straw man on competitive bidding procedures for upcoming meeting.
FAA
Next Meeting
Ongoing
FAA is putting together information
for the next meeting.
ATTACHMENT
2
MEETING ATTENDEES
National
Parks Overflights Advisory Group
National Parks Overflights Advisory
Group Members
Last
First
Seat
In Attendance?
Barger
Don
National Parks
Conservation Association

Brengel
Kristen
The Wilderness
Society

Deertrack
Richard
Taos Pueblo Tribe
Dennerlein
Chip
Formerly with
the Siskiyou Project
Halvorson
Elling
Papillon Airways

Majenty
Rory
Hualapai Nation
Miller
Gregory
American Hiking
Society

Kenagy
Randy
Aircraft Owners
and Pilots Association

Stephen
Alan
Fixed-Wing Air
Tour Operator Representative

Zuccaro
Matthew
Helicopter Association
International

Ex-Officio Members
Last
First
Organization
In Attendance?
Brayer
Barry
Federal
Aviation Administration

Trevino
Karen
National
Park Service

Others in
Attendance
Federal Aviation Administration
(FAA) Staff
Last
First
Title/Department
Ciesla
Pete
AWP
Special Programs Office
Elrod
Norman
Economist
Joly
Paul
National
Air Tour Safety Specialist
Lusk
Keith
AWP
Special Programs Office
McKee
Roland
All
Weather Operations Program Manager
Ellen
Athas
AGC
Legal
National Park Service (NPS) Staff
Last
First
Title/Department
Marin
Lelaina
Natural
Sounds Program
Nickey
Larry
Olympic
National Park
Turina
Frank
Natural
Sounds Program
McCusker
Vicki
Natural
Sounds Program
ATTACHMENT
3
DRAFT
GROUNDRULES
National
Parks Overflights Advisory Group
**Text highlighted below
in yellow and struck through and text was discussed at the December
1st conference call. The Advisory Group
will revisit and adopt these groundrules at a future meeting.
The purpose of these groundrules
is to make explicit the common expectations with which the members enter
the process. They describe the purpose of the process, the manner
in which the several agencies and interests are structured for effective
participation, the responsibilities of the members to one another and
to their constituents, the spirit in which they will participate in
the process and the responsibility of the meeting leaders to facilitate
the process. The intent of these groundrules is to provide a framework
for fruitful discussion and exchange that guides rather than constrains
interaction.
Participating in this process
signals an understanding and acceptance of the groundrules. The
groundrules may be amended by consensus of the National Parks Overflights
Advisory Group (Advisory Group).
A. Duties (from the
Advisory Group Task Statement)
The Advisory Group shall provide
advice, information, and recommendations to the FAA Administrator and
the NPS Director including:
the implementation
of the Act and the amendments made to the Act;
commonly accepted
quiet aircraft technology for use in commercial air tour operations
over a national park system or tribal lands, which will receive preferential
treatment in a given air tour management plan;
measures that might
be taken to accommodate the interests of visitors to national parks;
consultation on
routes or corridors for commercial air tour operations by fixed-wing
and helicopter aircraft that employ quiet aircraft technology for tours
of the Grand Canyon originating in Clark County, Nevada and local loop
tours originating at the Grand Canyon National Park Airport, in Tusayan,
Arizona, provided that such routes or corridors can be located in areas
that will not negatively impact the substantial restoration of natural
quiet, tribal lands, or safety; and
at the request of
the Administrator and the Director, discuss safety, environmental, and
other issues related to commercial air tour operations over a national
park or tribal lands.
B. Roles and Responsibilities
of Advisory Group Members
Members will explore
issues.
Members will share
discussion time, recognizing time limitations and size of the Advisory
Group.
Members commit to
search for opportunities and creative solutions.
All members of the
Advisory Group will engage their constituency to the extent that is
possible and seek to clearly articulate their constituency’s concerns
and goals regarding the issues.
All members recognize
the legitimacy of the concerns and goals of others.
All members will
refrain from personal attacks and characterizations during meetings
of the Advisory Group and subcommittees.
Members will enter
into a dialogue that includes listening carefully, asking questions,
and educating others. The atmosphere will be problem solving,
rather than stating positions. The group should frame issues and
be solution-oriented.
On occasion, members
will create space and time to talk amongst themselves possibly through
subgroups (Agencies need to check with attorneys)
C. Role and responsibilities
of facilitators
The facilitators
are impartial individuals who guide the process.
The responsibility
of the facilitators is to keep the Advisory Group focused on the agreed
upon tasks, to suggest alternative methods and procedures, and to encourage
participation by all members. The facilitators will ensure that
all members have opportunities and time to speak in meetings.
The facilitators
may discuss issues and approaches with members between meetings in attempt
to help the group move forward in their process and tasks.
D. Roles and responsibilities
of the FAA and NPS
Approve or call
the meetings of the Advisory Group.
Approve the agenda.
Attend all meetings.
Participate in the
meeting as co-chairs.
Provide meeting
support, information, data, and materials as needed by the Advisory
Group.
Adjourn the meeting
if such adjournment is in the public interest.
Maintain required
records on costs and memberships.
Ensure efficient
operations.
Maintain Advisory
Group records and make them available to the public.
Provide copies of
reports to appropriate agencies.
Ensure that the
Group Charter is current and has been filed with appropriate authorities.
Track action items.
E. Meeting content
Meetings will be
task-oriented with specific agendas. Agendas will describe the
matter for discussion, the purpose of the discussion and provide such
other information necessary to support informed discussion.
Meeting topics for
the next session will be developed at the conclusion of each session.
The intent will be to provide a draft agenda to Advisory Group members
at least seven days prior to the session.
It will be the intent
to complete and send a draft meeting summary to Advisory Group members
within 4 weeks after the session. A final meeting summary will
be reviewed and accepted at the next official Advisory Group meeting.
Following acceptance, the summary will be made available to the general
public and posted on the website.
F.
Communication during process
All of the individuals
who are participating in the Advisory Group accept the responsibility
to keep their associates and constituency groups informed of the progress
of the discussions and to seek advice and comments, to the extent possible.
A joint
statement suitable for discussion with the media may be made at the
end of each joint meeting or shortly after the meeting.
It is the intent
that most media or other public information requests will be handled
and addressed by either the FAA or NPS. However, if an Advisory
Committee member is requested to respond to the media or other public
request for information, members shall respond within the spirit of
the media statement agreed to at the conclusion of each session.
Members make a good
faith commitment to not undermine the Advisory Group process.
Individual members
may communicate with the media or elsewhere as long as they make it
clear that the opinions are their own and do not represent NPOAG.
The Advisory Group
has an important role in both advising about and carrying out broader
public education about National Park overflights issues.
G. Internal Decision-Making
for Making Recommendations to FAA/NPS
Consensus is defined
as agreement of all members, and will be the preferred method of determining
Advisory Group agreement on issues. Full consensus involves agreement
of all members. Agreement is defined in accord with the following
chart in which consensus includes all statements short of formal disagreement
or blocking:
Endorse
Endorse with
a minor point of contention
Agree with reservations
Abstain
Stand aside
Formal
disagreement
Block
“I like
it”
“Basically I like it”
“I can live with it”
“I have no opinion”
“I don’t like this but
I don’t want to hold up the group”
“I want
my disagreement to be noted in writing.”
“I veto
this proposal”
(Adapted from: “Facilitator’s
Guide to Participatory Decision-Making,” 1996)
For when
there is consensus and when consensus is not reached, The
Advisory Group will report different perspectives held on the issue,
and the rationale behind the perspectives, and who supports those perspectives.
Disagreements
will not be presented in terms of the members for or against.
In the
absence of consensus, a vote will be taken for the benefit of FAA/NPS.
Meeting summaries
and/or reports will capture agreements and differing perspectives.
All reports/summaries will be reviewed and accepted by the Advisory
Group.
H. Products
The goal of the
process is for the Advisory Group to provide advice, make recommendations
to the FAA and NPS regarding the preparation of the Air Tour Management
Plans. The Advisory Group will assist the agencies in completing
ATMPs for all relevant National Parks.
I.
Scheduling and Timelines
The Advisory Group
will establish a work plan with milestones congruent with the provisions
of the National Parks Air Tour Management Act of 2000.
J. Amendment of Groundrules
These groundrules
may be amended by majority vote among the members
of the Advisory Group.
K. Advisory Group Members
The table below lists the members
of the Advisory Group as of December 1, 2008. If an Advisory Group
member steps down during the process, a replacement will be selected
by NPS and FAA.
National Parks Overflights Advisory
Group Members (Current as of 12/1/08)
Last
First
Seat
Barger
Don
National Parks Conservation
Association
Brengel
Kristen
The Wilderness Society
Deertrack
Richard
Taos Pueblo Tribe
Dennerlein
Chip
Formerly with the Siskiyou
Project
Halvorson
Elling
Papillon Airways
Majenty
Rory
Hualapai Nation
Miller
Gregory
American Hiking Society
Kenagy
Randy
Aircraft Owners and Pilots
Association
Stephen
Alan
Fixed-Wing Air Tour Operator
Representative
Zuccaro
Matthew
Helicopter Association International
ATTACHMENT
4
MISSION,
GOALS, OBJECTIVES
National
Parks Overflights Advisory Group
December
1, 2008
**Text highlighted below
in yellow was discussed at the December 1st
conference call. The Advisory Group will
revisit all of the goals and objectives at a future meeting.
Mission (From the 2000 Air Tour Management
Act)
The advisory
group shall provide advice, information, and recommendations to the
Administrator and the Director:
(1) On
the implementation of this title and the amendments made by this title;
(2) On
commonly accepted quiet aircraft technology for use in commercial air
tour operations over a national park or tribal lands, which will receive
preferential treatment in a given air tour management plan;
(3) On
other measures that might be taken to accommodate the interests of visitors
to national parks; and
(4) At the request of the Administrator and the Director, safety, environmental,
and other issues related to commercialair tour operations over a national
park or tribal lands.
Initial Goals
Initial
Objectives
Assist
NPS/FAA in achieving resolution of jurisdictional issues
Advocate for resolution of
NPS/FAA jurisdictional issues.
Work with the agencies to
move relationship beyond the agency MOU.
Increase cooperation between
the agencies.
Encourage agencies to resolve,
to the extent possible, disagreements ahead of NPOAG meetings.
Document and track NPS/FAA
agreements and disagreements
Obtain and develop a list
of NPS/FAA agreements
Successfully
assist in the establishment of ATMPs for all applicable parks
Assist in Prioritizing Parks
for ATMPs.
Agree on Low Priority Parks.
Establish criteria/guidelines
for Superintendents and local operators to resolve issues.
Develop Resource Guide for
completing ATMPs.
Define
a process that can be used as a template for future ATMPs
Choose a template park for
completing an ATMP.
Form balanced subgroups of
the Advisory Group to assist in ATMP completion.
Successfully complete the
first ATMP.
Agree on a common base of
solid scientific data.
Agree on a common set of criteria
for evaluating information and for recommending ATMPs.
Complete
a set number of ATMPs each year
Form balanced subgroups of
the Advisory Group to assist in ATMP completion.
Agree on a realistic number
of ATMPs to complete each year.
Maximize
effectiveness of NPOAG
Establish a work plan and
ensure tasks are completed.
Establish groundrules, decision-making
process.
Develop communications protocol
and approach.
Ensure that Native American
perspectives are represented at NPOAG.
Form balanced subgroups of
the Advisory Group to assist in ATMP completion.
Agree on a frequency of meetings
and alternative ways of meeting in order to effectively complete tasks.
For live meetings, schedule
at parks that are pertinent to work effort.
Provide
useful advice to FAA/NPS
Provide advice on quiet technology
incentives.
Provide advice on competitive
bidding procedures.
Provide advice on agency requested
input in a timely manner.
ATTACHMENT
5
TASKS/PRIORITIES
National
Parks Overflights Advisory Group
December
1, 2008
Task
Priority
Responsibility
Comments
Assist
FAA/NPS in Resolution of Jurisdictional Issues
High +++
NPOAG, FAA, NPS
This is precedent setting
– what does this mean for other activities? What can NPOAG do
if FAA/NPS are unable to agree?
Establish
Groundrules, Decision-Making Process
High +
NPOAG
Related to communication protocol.
Form a
Subgroup of the Advisory Group to Assist in ATMP Completion
High+
NPOAG subcommittee
Small group will be assigned
to one ATMP area. The group will meet with local representatives
of the Parks, FAA and operators and report back to NPOAG. NPOAG
will consider, discuss, and make recommendations. Rainbow Bridge,
Glen Canyon and Bryce were suggested as initial places for a subgroup
to visit.
Determine
Low Priority Parks and Establish Criteria/Guidelines for Superintendents
High
NPOAG, FAA, NPS
Within administrative authority
of NPS? What are the criteria? Consensus is needed on the
likelihood of impacts to a park.
Establish
“Refined” Work Plan
High
NPOAG
Track tasks and ensure follow-up.
Bring
an ATMP to Conclusion
High
NPOAG, FAA, NPS
Make decision or elevate to
CEQ if needed. Bring Superintendent and FAA to the table.
Discuss further how best to elevate this.
Improve
Native American Representation at NPOAG
High
FAA, NPS
Native American representatives
are needed to remind the group of cultural concerns.
Provide
Advice on Competitive Bidding Procedures
High
NPOAG
FAA will provide a straw man
for discussion.
Assist
in Prioritizing Parks for ATMPs
Medium +
FAA/NPS with input from NPOAG
Factors to consider:
Where noise monitoring
has been done
Various lists already
developed from past efforts
Focus on a new park
or one in process?
Chart – Parks
with OF (????) and Noise
Provide
Advice on Quiet Technology Incentives
Low  High
NPOAG
The law may need to change.
For some parks, there may not be a meaningful reduction in noise.
Develop
a Process for Determining Noise Problems for New Entrants
High for NPS/FAA
NPS
Not a high priority for NPOAG.
Final Meeting Summary 12-22-08
National Parks Overflights
Advisory Group Conference Call 12-1-08
Draft Meeting Summary 12-12-08
National Parks Overflights
Advisory Group Conference Call 12-1-08
Draft for Review
Attachment 1
Action Items
Attachment 2
Meeting Attendees 12-1-08
Attachment 3
Draft Groundrules
Attachment 5
Draft Tasks/Priorities