News Release

Public input sought on draft air tour management plan for Bandelier National Monument

Date: July 12, 2023
Contact: Patrick Suddath

INTERIOR, New Mexico — The National Park Service (NPS) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are seeking public feedback on a draft Air Tour Management Plan (ATMP) and associated environmental assessment proposed for Bandelier National Monument.

The agencies encourage anyone with an interest in, or concern about, air tours over Bandelier National Monument to review and comment on the draft ATMP and environmental assessment. The proposed plan would not authorize any air tours above or within a half-mile of the boundary of Bandelier National Monument. There were on average 101 air tours per year over Bandelier National Monument reported from 2017 – 2019.

Public feedback can be submitted through the NPS Planning, Environment and Public Comment (PEPC) website starting July 12 through August 11, 2023. The NPS and FAA will consider comments to help inform the final ATMP for Bandelier National Monument. The project website is available at: https://parkplanning.nps.gov/BandelierATMP

The agencies will host an online public meeting via YouTube on July 25, 2023, at 5 p.m. MDT. The agencies welcome all interested parties to attend and ask questions. To join the meeting, click on the following link: Bandelier National Park Public Meeting

“We encourage anyone who is interested in air tours over the park to share their thoughts on the proposed plan," said Bandelier National Monument Superintendent Patrick Suddath. “The draft plan is based on extensive environmental analysis and consultation with Tribes and other parties. Tribal consultation indicated that air tours over the park are not consistent with tribal values and traditional uses of the land by Tribes. The plan’s purpose is to ensure that park resource values, including natural sounds, wilderness character, visitor experiences, wildlife, and other natural and cultural resources, are protected for current and future generations.”

The NPS is developing the air tour management plan for Bandelier National Monument in cooperation with the FAA. The agencies are working towards completing the air tour management plan for the park by March 31, 2024. The schedule is part of a plan submitted to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit for the agencies to comply with the National Parks Air Tour Management Act of 2000.

An important part of the process is the inclusion of American Indian Tribes. The agencies are consulting with Tribes that have tribal lands within or adjacent to Bandelier National Monument, and with Tribes that attach historic and cultural significance to resources within the park.

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.