55°F
weather icon Mostly Clear

‘Flightseeing’ tours above Death Valley proposed

Provided there’s enough support, limited aircraft tours above Death Valley National Park could become a reality, as the National Park Service and the Federal Aviation Administration are seeking public feedback on the plan, according to Public Information Officer Abby Wines.

The plan would apply only to commercial sightseeing flights, rather than personal pilots or military aircraft.

“Death Valley National Park, at over 90 percent wilderness, is a great place to come to experience natural quiet and solitude while hiking or camping,” Wines stated in a news release. “While commercial air tours are in conflict with those values, limiting it to just two per year allows for a diversity of recreation including flightseeing, while still protecting the experiences of the nearly two million visitors per year who come to Death Valley National Park.”

Limited tours

The proposed plan, according to the release, would authorize up to two commercial air tours per year.

Helicopter air tours would be allowed to fly above 1,000 feet, while tours in fixed-wing aircraft would be allowed to fly above 1,500 feet.

The air tours would be limited to seven flight routes, all of which will avoid flying within a mile of especially sensitive locations such as Timbisha Village and Scotty’s Castle, the release stated.

Public feedback can be provided by logging onto parkplanning.nps.gov/DeathValleyATMP until Aug. 28, 2021.

There will also be a virtual public meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 17, from 4:30-6 p.m. where it can be lived streamed at https://youtu.be/mqWiaVorP3Y.

Death Valley National Park, along with certain other parks, are required to establish an air tour management plan by what’s known as the National Park Air Tour Management Act, according to the release.

Additional background information can be found at nps.gov/subjects/sound/airtours.htm.

Contact reporter Selwyn Harris at sharris@pvtimes.com. On Twitter: @pvtimes

Don't miss the big stories. Like us on Facebook.
THE LATEST
Looking for some family fun for Easter? Hop over to Simkins Park

Anyone looking for a fun, family-friendly festivity to enjoy this holiday can hop on over to Simkins Park to join the Mills family as they celebrate Easter Sunday with worship music, free food and an enormous 14,000-egg hunt that is sure to bring a smile to hundreds of faces.

Campground fees to increase at Death Valley National Park

DEATH VALLEY, Calif. — Visitors to Death Valley National Park can expect a slight increase in entrance fees for various campgrounds beginning on May 1.

Clerk staffer Cori Freidhof appointed interim leader

Nye County Clerk Mark Kampf’s time in office officially comes to a close on March 31 and deputy clerk Cori Freidhof has now been selected to assume that vacated seat. Freidhof will take over the office as of Monday, April 1 and fulfill the unexpired term ending Jan. 1, 2027.

Gaming can have impact on us

When does gaming cross the line from recreational relaxation to problematic behavior? How do video games and gambling relate? What resources are available for those who find themselves struggling to control their relationship with video games and gambling?

County eyeing impact fee increases

The cost to develop in Pahrump could go up, with a public hearing on a proposal to raise local impact fees set for next month.

Here’s who filed as political candidates in Nye County

Locals have filed their political candidacy as of March 15 and this year two major offices in Nye County will be up for grabs in the general election. Nye County residents have to first narrow down their preferred party candidate on June 11 in the primary and then vote in November to support their preferred candidates.

Second Source donation for Sleep in Heavenly Peace

Nye County Sleep in Heavenly Peace is now better off thanks to a second donation from The Source dispensary’s Round Up program.

Beatty riled by sheriff’s substation closure

Lone staffer will be relocated to Pahrump to help with workload there; be onsite in Beatty just once a month.

Sales tax question headed to the ballot

Road conditions in the Pahrump Valley are a sore point for many drivers as well as a source of frustration for the crews dedicated to maintaining them but with only so many road dollars to go around, it can be hard to keep pace with the demand.