The proposals hope to mitigate adverse effects on visitors’ experiences and the cultural and environmental resources of the parks. This would be achieved by limiting the number of air tours, restricting the times and days when air tours would be allowed, designating routes and more.
The proposals would also put the NPS and FAA in compliance with the National Parks Air Tour Management Act of 2000. In May 2020, the U.S. Court of Appeals for Washington, D.C., ordered the two federal agencies to comply with the act after the Hawaiian Island Coalition Malama Pono and the Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility sued. The agencies are now required to make plans to limit air tours over 23 national parks.
