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Contact: Jin Prugsawan Harlow
This news release was updated to reflect that the public comment period will run through June 20, 2023. A prior version of the news release incorrectly indicated that the comment period would close on June 16.
Haleakalā National Park, Kula, Maui – 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 that are being proposed for Haleakalā National Park.
The agencies encourage anyone with an interest in or concern about air tours over Haleakalā National Park to review and comment on the draft ATMP and environmental assessment. The proposed plan would authorize up to 2,412 air tours per year on a defined route within the ATMP planning area. There were on average 4,824 air tours per year reported at Haleakalā National Park from 2017 – 2019.
Public feedback can be submitted through the NPS Planning, Environment and Public Comment (PEPC) website at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/HaleakalaDraftATMPandEA starting May 16, 2023 through June 16, 2023. The NPS and FAA will consider comments to help inform the final ATMP for Haleakalā National Park. The project website is available at: https://parkplanning.nps.gov/HaleakalaATMP.
The draft plan is based on current operations and reported air tour levels at Haleakalā National Park. Its purpose is to ensure protection of park resource values, including natural sounds, wilderness character, visitor experiences, wildlife, and other natural and cultural resources.
The NPS is developing an air tour management plan for Haleakalā National Park is in cooperation with the FAA. The agencies are working towards completing the air tour management plan for Haleakalā National Park by December 31, 2023. The schedule is part of a plan approved by 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 Native Hawaiian Organizations (NHOs). The agencies are consulting with NHOs and members of the Haleakalā National Park’s Kūpuna (elders, ancestors, starting points, sources) consultation group, which consists of elders and individuals with in-depth knowledge of the 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.
Last updated: May 17, 2023