News Release

Public input needed on potential alternatives for the draft air tour management plan for Badlands National Park

Date: September 6, 2022
Contact: Sara Melena, 970-225-3525

BADLANDS NATIONAL PARK, Interior, South Dakota – The National Park Service (NPS) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are seeking public comments on potential alternatives for an air tour management plan (ATMP) for Badlands National Park. Public comments will be accepted during a 30-day public scoping process starting September 6 through October 6.

Badlands National Park is one of 24 parks of the National Park System developing air tour management plans in cooperation with the FAA. Each air tour management plan is developed to allow air tours to be managed in a way that is consistent with the NPS’s mission and the FAA’s authority to ensure flight safety. Plans will meet the requirements of the National Parks Air Tour Management Act to mitigate or prevent significant adverse impacts from commercial air tours on the park and NPS’s obligation to protect the park's natural and cultural resources, wildlife, and visitor enjoyment.

Commercial air tours have occurred over Badlands National Park for many years without defined operating parameters. The potential alternatives for Badlands National Park include no change from current conditions, operational modifications to existing air tours, a reduction in air tours, and prohibiting air tours over or within a half-mile of the park.

The public can comment through the NPS Planning, Environment and Public Comment (PEPC) website. Please visit https://parkplanning.nps.gov/BadlandsATMP. The site has information about air tour management at Badlands National Park including a scoping newsletter with the draft alternatives. The NPS and FAA will consider comments submitted during the scoping period as they develop the draft ATMP.

The agencies encourage anyone with an interest in or concern about air tours over Badlands National Park to review and comment on the potential alternatives, which will be evaluated in an upcoming environmental assessment for the park’s ATMP.

Incorporating input from Tribal nations and individuals is an important part of this planning process. The agencies are consulting with Tribes to whom park resources have historic and cultural significance.

 Please visit this NPS site and this FAA site for more detailed information about air tour management plans. Links to meeting notifications, recordings, and slide decks (where applicable) will be posted to the NPS site https://parkplanning.nps.gov/BadlandsATMP.