In an effort to protect the tranquility of some of the most cherished natural areas in the United States, new regulations are being implemented that will limit air tours over Mount Rushmore and other national parks and monuments. The longstanding conflict between tour operators and frustrated visitors over noise pollution has reached a boiling point as new management plans are being introduced in nearly two dozen national parks and monuments.
Mount Rushmore and Badlands National Park will see some of the strictest regulations, with tour flights being essentially banned from coming within a half mile of the South Dakota sites starting in April. The regulations are a response to a federal appeals court ruling three years ago, which found that the National Park Service and the Federal Aviation Administration had failed to enforce a 2000 law governing commercial air tours over parks and tribal lands.
The issue has become so contentious that a congressional oversight hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, as an industry group considers litigation and an environmental coalition has already filed a lawsuit over one of the plans. Critics argue that the noise from the helicopters disrupts the natural experiences of visitors and the tribes who call the land around the parks home.
On the other hand, air tour operators argue that they provide unparalleled access to these natural wonders, particularly for elderly and disabled individuals. They view the tours as exhilarating and thrilling experiences that should be preserved. Sightseeing flights first gained popularity in the 1930s and have since become a significant part of tourism in national parks.
The issue of air tours and noise pollution gained attention in 1986 when a collision between two tour aircraft over the Grand Canyon resulted in the deaths of 25 people. Congress acted the following year, implementing a plan to designate routes and minimum altitudes for canyon flights. Similar legislation was passed in 2000 with the aim of establishing rules in other national parks, but compliance faced bureaucratic difficulties and delays.
In 2020, a federal court ordered compliance at 23 national parks, including popular sites such as Glacier National Park, Arches National Park, and Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The COVID-19 pandemic led to a decrease in air tours, with 15,624 reported flights that year, down approximately 30%. Plans or voluntary agreements have been adopted for most parks, with some still in progress.
While plans exempt parks with minimal flights and those in Alaska where small planes are essential for transportation, some tour operators believe the regulations have been too restrictive. Litigation is being considered as a response, although critics argue that the majority of park visitors seek the natural sounds and sights rather than the noise of helicopters.
The new regulations also aim to respect tribal desires and concerns. However, some tribal members, like Democratic state lawmaker Shawn Bordeaux, do not see the issue as a significant concern for tourism. The plans have faced opposition from operators who fear the impact on their businesses, such as the phased-out flights at Glacier National Park by the end of 2029.
Despite resistance from some tour operators, it appears that the regulations to reduce noise pollution in national parks and monuments have gained support. Proposed amendments to consider the economic impact of commercial air tours over national parks were unsuccessful, highlighting the priority placed on preserving the natural experiences for park visitors.
In conclusion, the implementation of new regulations to limit air tours over national parks and monuments aims to protect the serenity and natural experiences for visitors and tribes. While the issue has sparked controversy and potential litigation, the majority of people prioritize the sounds and sights of these natural areas over the noise of helicopters.
