Posted: 03/14/2012 01:18:04 PM PDT
Updated: 03/14/2012 01:18:29 PM PDT
WASHINGTON—New rules planned for air tours of the Grand Canyon would not affect commercial aircraft flying over the park, under a measure approved by the Senate.
Photo by George Cuen
It is good to finally see both sides of the policial spectrum coming to an agreement on issues concerning America's Best Idea.
Leonardo
By
A deal brokered by Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., clears the way for the National Park Service to develop rules that set new limits on the number of sightseeing flights over the canyon while reducing noise pollution. The measure was included in a broad transportation bill approved Wednesday by the Senate.
McCain and Reid said they were concerned that passenger jets flying high above the park on the way to Las Vegas and other airports could be negatively affected by the Park Service plan, which is intended to increase the number of air tours over the Grand Canyon while at the same time making the environment quieter...
Nearly 5 million people visit the Grand Canyon each year, and tour agencies do a brisk business in offering helicopter and airplane flights over the park.
But hikers and tourists on the ground have complained that the aircraft noise interferes with the feeling of solitude and overall natural appreciation of the canyon.
The Park Service's goal is to restore natural quiet to 67 percent of the Grand Canyon...
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